Homesick for Somewhere I've never lived?

Yes I know it sounds weird, but it's true.  As you all know, we took a vacation to the Florida Keys last spring and I fell in love.  I have through about it every day since I came back home.  I can't help but wonder if that is indeed where I am supposed to be.  The people, the atmosphere, the attitudes, the photo opportunities....all more than I could have ever imagined or ever hoped for!  So my question is this;  Is it really possible to be "homesick" for a place you have never lived?  Or did I just have such a great time that I want to relive it every single day?  I do know this much...It was the only time in my adult life that I haven't been stressed about anything.

I will leave you with that thought, and until next time...Peace and Love to you all!

Spring has Sprung...or has it?

This pretty little girl is ready for spring and so am I!  Last weekend, the first OFFICIAL day of spring, we decided to photograph the beauty of the first day of spring.  We got up early, got on the road, and we were on a whirlwind adventure!  First stop, Plum Orchard Lake in Pax, WV.  Aside from a goose fight, there was nothing to really "wow" me.  I got a few shots here and there, but nothing exciting.  Our next stop was a little known spot that shall remain nameless as to keep it as little known as possible.  Yes, I am being stingy with it :-)  On the way to what I will call "the secret mountain top", we got a picture of this cute little doe.  She seemed a little feisty and at one point, I thought she was going to charge the car LOL. 

Our next stop was New River Gorge Bridge.  I grew up 20 minutes from this amazing place, and I never get tired of going there.  Of course, if you want to get a good shot of the bridge, you have to take a little hike.  Along the way, we saw a HUGE bear track.  That made the hike a little bit more interesting since I don't believe the old saying "Don't worry, the bear is more scared of you than you are of it"...yeah....NOT buying that for a second!  With mixed emotions I will say that we did not see a bear.  Part of me (the photographer part) wishes we would have seen it.  The other part of me (the part that doesn't want to be mauled by a bear) is glad we didn't.

So on we went, getting some great pictures, taking a great hike, and having a great time.  Our last stop for the day was Cathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge, WV.  The little town I grew up in.  The falls is another place I never get tired of looking at.

I hope you enjoy the few photos attached that were taking on March 20, 2011.  I know I enjoyed taking them.

Until next time, peace & love to all.

Key West Vacation

I have to start out saying I cannot wait to go back to Key West, FL!!  We went there for spring break 2010 and it was the most amazing vacation I have ever had.  We started off on our journey mid week.  Two adults and two teenagers road trippin' in a Ford Focus.  What an experience!  It was GREAT.  We drove to Jacksonville, FL.  It was 3am, we were extremely tired, and we stopped for a motel room for a little rest before finishing our drive to destination Paradise.  Well, the motel let a lot to be desired.  After a couple of hours of uncomfortable napping we woke up to a mouse running across the room.  OK, doesn't sound like the best vacation so far but it gets much better.  We left around 7am and was back on our journey to the Keys.  We made a few stops along the way, and got to Marathon Key, FL around 1am.  We stopped at a camp ground and rented a cabin for the night.  AAHHHHH comfort and cleanliness.  What more could we want?  We slept a few more hours and we were on our way to Key West.  We get to our destination and the first thing on the agenda is hopping on the boat to Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson.  After a 3 hour boat ride, we step off the boat and onto the dock of one of the most beautiful places on earth.  We set up our camp site and ran for the water.  It just keeps getting better and better.  We snorkeled, we toured the fort, we walked around the island, we slept under the stars.  I can't say enough that this was the best vacation I have ever been on.  After 3 wonderful days on an island 70 miles off the coast of Key West, we hopped back on the boat and went back to civilization.  Our next stop was Bahia Honda State Park.  Two nights of fighting raccoons and we were on our way.  Yes...raccoons.  They really do try to get in coolers, they really do throw rocks, or in our case, sea shells at people, and they really do steal shoes and sunglasses LOL.  It was hilarious.  Our next stop was Stock Island.   Camping, swimming, and Duval Street.  Need I say more?  I LOVE Duval Street!  Great food, great shopping, great entertainment, and all of Key West as well as the other Keys are all full of photo opportunities.  This was the vacation that fully inspired a passion for photography.   I met some wonderful people who I will forever consider family (or phamily as we pronounce it) and I cannot wait to go back!