Petra

Petra

“Petra is one of the densest palimpsests of human history. Layer upon layer of archaeological remains provide evidence of a fascinating story that stretches back for thousands of years. It is a masterpiece of human achievement, an aesthetic and architectural marvel, and the source of a huge amount of inspiration since the 19th century.”

― Charles River Editors, Petra: The History of the Rose City, One of the New Seven Wonders of the World

My first experience of Petra, at night, filled my head with wonder of what I would see when visiting during the day.  Since I only really saw the pathway, lit by luminaries, and the Treasury lit,

Little Petra and Petra at Night

Little Petra and Petra at Night

“Petra is a brilliant display of man’s artistry in turning barren rock into a majestic wonder.”
― Edward Dawson

One of the highlights of my summer trip to the Middle East was a trip to Petra, which is located in Jordan.

Before visiting Petra, we had a chance to go

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum

“The desert, when the sun comes up…I couldn’t tell where heaven stopped and the Earth began.”
― Tom Hanks

After crossing the border from Israel into Jordan, my friend, Larry, his niece, Rebecca, and I went to the place where we would meet our guide for a three-hour tour of Wadi Rum.  Wadi Rum is

Old City Jerusalem and the Dead Sea

Old City Jerusalem and the Dead Sea

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
― Martin Buber

One of the most fascinating things about my trip to Jerusalem was my time spent in the Old City.

There are four quarters in the old city:  the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, the Jewish Quarter, and the Muslim Quarter.

While in the Old City,

Exploring Markets and Found Art in Jerusalem

Exploring Markets and Found Art in Jerusalem

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
― Gustave Flaubert

In June, I was able to go on the trip of a lifetime to visit my lifelong friend, Larry.  Larry is currently living in Jerusalem, Israel.

Larry has been living and working in Jerusalem for more than three years now.  He had created his own business,

Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden

Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden

“One of my main objectives was to have something different than everyone else. Not necessarily better, but different, unique.” – Pearl Fryar

One of the things I enjoy most is finding people who are living creative lives.  A creative life was evident everywhere I looked yesterday while visiting the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, located in Bishopville, South Carolina.  This was not my first visit to 

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee

“To travel is to live.”
― Hans Christian Andersen

One of the things my husband, Randy, and I enjoy most is exploring new places.  This summer, for our vacation, we went to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Chattanooga is a place that neither of us had visited before.  We packed a great deal into four days of exploration of Chattanooga and

Saying Goodbye to the Sunflowers

Saying Goodbye to the Sunflowers

“When you take pictures of nature with passion, nature poses for you more passionately!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Each summer, I spend a great deal of time photographing in the sunflower fields.  I find it increasingly more challenging to walk away with a different image than

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

“The happiest lot on earth is to be born a Scotchman. ”
― Robert Louis Stevenson

Grandfather Mountain has become a very special place for me.  I have attended Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinics and many Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Weekends since becoming a photographer.  I also had the honor of presenting one year at Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Weekend.  So many magical memories have been created there.

Yesterday was the first time I attended