Gracia, BCN

Plaza del Sol in Gracia

Wildcat Wayside

On a recent drive through South Carolina I took the road

less traveled on Hwy 11 and came across this 

beautiful spot visible from the road.

After a short hike you are rewarded with 

another waterfall.

Mountain Architecture in Jamaica

 

On a recent trip to Jamaica we took some strolls

in the mountains and observed the local architecture.

This complex is a residence cum restaurant cum guest house.

Excellent view from that dining pavilion.

 

 

Another top of the mountain house with a view of

Kingston, the capital.

 

 

Typical Jamaican fancy architecture with a shop

at the bottom and the residence above. Check out the

wall/fence above the shop.



 

 



Whitfield Hall

Whitfield Hall is a hostel located in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica

on the way to Blue Mountain Peak. It is a working coffee farm

as well as a hostel where hikers can stop over. Most hikers

will get up in the early morning hours and arrive at

the summit at sunrise and if they are lucky (and the clouds are absent)

they will glimpse Cuba to the north.

http://www.whitfieldhall.com/

Very old and majestic eucalyptus trees on

the property at Whitfield Hall.



Blue Mountain Peak

 

 

On a recent trip to the old country I spent a weekend with

a cousin at Salt Hill which has a great view of

Blue Mountain Peak. At 7,400 feet, it is the

highest elevation on the island. You will see many coffee

plants on the hike to the peak.

 

http://www.visitjamaica.com/blue-mountain-peak

Nine Mile

Nine Mile restaurant in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville

is named after the birthplace of Bob Marley and the names

of the entrees reflect the island influence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOum9kcJO7o 

The food is tasty and Red Stripe beer is also available.

http://ninemileasheville.com/

Blue Sky, Columbia

An excellent mural by the artist Blue Sky in Columbia, SC.  The perspective is spot on and 

if not for the wood crate and the slight curb you would really be fooled.

For more info on the artist visit  http://www.blueskyart.com 

Country Club Plaza KCMO

The Plaza was one of the first shopping centers that catered to 

the automobile.  It is an upscale shopping center and residential

neighborhood in Kansas City designed to

look like buildings in Seville, Spain.

Another interesting building in the Plaza.

The Giralda Tower modeled after the Cathedral of Seville.

Shamrock Hotel, Blackville

The ravages of time have left their mark on the Shamrock Hotel in

Blackville, SC.  At one time this was a vibrant building for residents

and visitors.  Eating, playing pool and poker and the laughter of folks

having a good time. The decline of the railroad signaled the

demise of the Shamrock as it slowly fell into despair.

http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/barnwell-county/shamrock-hotel.html

 

The roof is long gone and the walls are now

supported by a steel structure.  Only your imagination

can see what was once a grand building.



Peterborough Lift Lock

 

The Peterborough Lift Lock is part of the Trent-Severn

Waterway in Peterborough, Ontario and is a

National Historic Site of Canada.  It is truly an

amazing experience to see the Lift in action.

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11449

 

The view from the upper lock - mechanical engineering at work.

 



Gervais Street Bridge

The Gervais Street Bridge crosses the Congaree River from

Columbia, SC to West Columbia and is on the

National Register of Historic Places.  The third bridge to

be built at this location, it was the widest roadway

in the state at the time of its construction.

http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/richland/S10817740059/





Beehive Kilns, Columbia SC

These interesting structures, known as beehive kilns, were built in the early

20th Century and constructed of brick, measure 35' in diameter

and 18' high.  The four kilns and a brick office building

are listed in the National Register.

For more information see the following site

http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/lexington/S10817732056/index.htm

 

One of the interesting compression rings around the

brick kilns.

 



Cape Fear River, Wilmington

Jammin' on the river walk in Wilmington, NC.

Lots to see and do in this coastal city.

Bob Marley Jamming ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFRbZJXjWIA

Fiddlehead Ferns

Fiddlehead ferns ...playful sculpture at the UNCA Kellogg Center

in Hendersonville, NC.  Excellent art and craft at

the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design.

http://www.craftcreativitydesign.org/

Mingus Mill, Great Smoky Mountains Park

Mingus Mill, in operation since 1886, is located

in  the Great Smoky Mountain Park less than

a mile from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

This mill uses a turbine instead of a water wheel

to grind corn and wheat.



Mountaintop Garden

Gardens are special...especially mountaintop gardens.

This garden has a view of mountains beyond mountains.....

some 40 miles away.... and is woven

around and on top of natural rocks.

Another view of this peaceful garden....

I could spend some serious time in that chair.

Corncob Mailbox

Folks in Nebraska take their Cornhuskers football

very seriously.... VERY seriously!

Some folks also wear corncob hats to the games.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/370424366228?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y



Earth Day 2012

Earth Day celebration at Warren Wilson College..

Lots of musicians and mountain crafts..

And good barbeque pork sandwiches.

http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~ELC/New_ELC_Website_/earthday2012.php

Twelve Bones Smokehouse

Folks in Asheville love their ribs and the best place

to eat the best ribs is at Twelve Bones Smokehouse in the River Arts District.

If you don't believe me ask Obama.  Yes, THE President himself.  The

last time he visited Asheville his first stop after getting off

Air Force One was, yup, Twelve Bones.

This place has it all..their food is delicious.

Check it out...Obama has -  twice.

http://www.12bones.com/



Two Beauties Sizing Up Each Other

The Peacock

Pretty bird, Oh pretty bird

You walk like a chicken

And crow like a cat!
Pretty bird, Oh how lovely

You'll sit on my roof

And run from the dog!

Pretty Bird, Come eat from mine hand

Don't perch on the porch

Your poop's on the ground!

Pretty Bird, Silly bird

A tail five feet long

And a head with a fan!

Pretty Bird, Strut your stuff

Waddle around and shake like a jerk

Your feathers are grey underneath all the eyes

And your neck is blue and turquoise too!

Your eyes are black like cold dumb coal
Surrounded by black and white like two fish in a pot!

Come listen to my music or perch on my fence

You are a silly bird, I'll tell you again

Pretty Bird, Oh pretty bird

You walk like a chicken

And crow like a cat!

© jamieduck