After dodging deer and totally getting lost on some remote Virginia back roads I finally pull into the Keswick Hall Hotel. It’s a beautiful historic hotel and one of my favorites. Because of the time change it was just about 5 and the sun was about to set. I threw my luggage in my room and went out to my favorite patios overlooking the golf course and ordered a glass of local wine. I only wish my most amazing peeps were there with me. Here are some of the photos I took during my stay at the hotel…
As I’m writing this I’m having breakfast and it’s really good. Poached eggs, cheese grits and yes…. BACON!
Along with the staff, thanks to Cork and Max in the upstairs patio area and TJ in the breakfast area for the wonderful service!
I just stopped in a super cute town called Middleburg. The streets are lined with fall leaves that feel like they are glowing with reds and yellows. The town smells like baked goods and bacon so I followed my nose to a quaint bakery.
Inside I found pies that are warm from the oven. The smell of homemade cinnamon rolls, muffins and crispy bacon. I ordered a bacon and egg sandwich and as I write this I’m eating it outside in the wam sun.
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The photo above and the first one in this post show what the backroads look like this time of year. You see what I call “fall snow” everywhere which is the graceful swirling of thousands of colored leaves. Well, my sandwich is gone so I’m off again with no idea of where I’ll stop next!
The sky is a rainbow of clouds, the birds are chirping, and I seem to be the only one here. Surrounding me are open fields, a few large trees gracing the landscape, and a number of canons. I’m in the middle of the Manassas Civil War Battlefield where the battle of Bull Run was fought. This was the first major land battle of the armies of Virginia. Seeing this landmark site at sunrise is a must if you can. What a serene location. As I walk across the fields I can only think of the many solders who lost their lives. I hope you’ll have a chance to visit this historical site that was the beginning of a very important change in our history. The abolishment of slavery.
Off on another adventure: Backroads exploring Civil War battlefields, Montecello, a drive through the Blue Ridge mountains when the fall leaves are at their peak. The final destination will be the Historic Biltmore Estate. Now I just need to get through this red eye flight which lands at 5:20am. Hoping for an empty row so I can sleep! I hope you'll follow me on my journey 😉
During a business trip last week I was able to rediscover a beautiful island located off Newport Beach in southern California. I was actually following a sign to Fashion Island, which is a pretty amazing shopping mall. Listed on that same sign was “Balboa Island” and I thought “what the heck, I’ll take a look.” I headed up over a small bridge and into another world.
View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there
A charming village, Balboa Island if full of local shops, restaurants, world famous chocolate covered bananas and a whole lot more. There is one main street where you’ll find everything you need to eat, drink, shop and be merry. There is also a path that runs along the water’s edge that runs around the island. As you leave the main street and walk around the island, you’ll find more shops and restaurants on the other side. A great break if you’re attempting a “pub crawl”. You can drive over the bridge or take the Island Ferry. Below you’ll find a few maps showing you where the island is located and a close up showing you the bridge, where to shop/eat and the path around the island. If you’re in the SoCal area and near Newport Beach it’s worth the visit. You won’t be disappointed!
Here’s where Balboa Island is locatedHere’s a close up showing you around the island
Here are some photos from my visit!
Here’s the walkway around the Balboa Island with some fabulous homesTons of docks stretch out over the waterView from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was thereLove this sign on the dockGreat way to chill is to put your feet in the sand!
Dinner at Amelia’sAmelia’s dinner, sea bass, pasta and steamed veggies – it was REALLY good!
Would you like a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.
If you’re joining me we’ve been exploring Death Valley, California, and we’re on my last post. We just left Scotty’s Castle and now we are off to Rhyolite Ghost Town – which is located just over the Nevada state line. (Quick note – In 1908 Rhyolite was the third largest city in Nevada.)
After I checked into The Ranch which is where I stayed, I decided I’d drive over to the Ghost Town. It was about 4:30pm so I was hoping I’d have enough time to get there and back before the sun went down. I didn’t want to get stuck in the dark with no cell phone reception, all by myself on the back roads of Death Valley. (EEE!) Just a quick note – when you see that your destination is only 18 miles – it’s not a quick 18 miles if you’re in the Death Valley State Park. First, the speed limit ranges from 50-15mph and you have to watch for the signs. Even though you feel like it’s just you and a few rattle snakes, I actually saw a police officer pulled over on the side of the road handing out a ticket. Yikes!
I got to the ghost town around 5:30pm and I was all by myself. Well, me and the ghosts. I walked around and shot some photos and kept a keen eye out for rattle snakes (yes, I am confessing one of my fears). It’s actually just a lot of old, deserted buildings, but here is one of the most interesting ones to see – it’s called the “Bottle House“. The photo below was taken in 1906. It is believed that Mr. Kelly is the man in the doorway. According to a government report Mr. Kelly used between 25,000 and 30,000 bottles building the house. Now I have to wonder- where did he get 25-30,000 bottles for God’s sakes? Either he was a heavy drinker, or had a bunch of friends who were heavy drinkers. Or, maybe Mrs. Kelly hit the bottle(s) after finding how she was going to live in a house of bottles???? Anyway, food (or drink) for thought. The house has a double bottle foundation, three rooms with a door and window exiting each room. (Original Photographer Unknown)
Bottle house 1906 in Death Valley, California
And here is my photo of this house:
My photo of the bottle house taken in 2013
As I strolled through the falling down, boarded up homes one thing I love to do is try and imagine what it was like when the homes were new, and the people were just moving in. What were they wearing? Eating? What kept them awake at night? (wondering where they would find another 1000 bottles?) It was a bit eerie to be there by myself. It’s not like shopping at Nordstrom and you’re the only one over 20 in the sassy junior department…should I be shopping on another floor? Or seriously, should I head over to a more sophisticated department where I will find people with shirts that actually cover their belly button??? No, in Death Valley, there is NO ONE around…no cars and no cell phone reception (and nowhere to shop!) Makes me shutter just to think about it.
Death Valley Ghost Towns
As I walked around I did I did find this old truck interesting. If you look in the first photo in this post (above), you’ll see this truck out behind the building.
Old truck from Death Valley Ghost Town
And here is a closer view (photo below). Quick note, I did walk up and peak inside, and scared myself to death when a bird flew out! I obviously am not that man on the reality show who gets dropped off in the desert with a broken match, 1/2 a Snickers bar and a cup to collect sterile urine. No, not me. I somehow managed to have an ice cold Coke Zero and some Red Vines waiting for me in my air conditioned car… That’s it for Death Valley. I just did a trip to the Hearst Castle yesterday so I’ll be posting on my amazing visit soon. If you click FOLLOW you’ll get my post via email.
Death Valley Ghost Town – Antique Truck
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Other Places You Might Visit in Death Valley
There is a lot to see in Death Valley. I didn’t see everything but here are some other places that you might want to consider:
Salt Creek Interpretive Trail (this is where you can see the Pup fish)
Mosaic Canyon by Stovepipe Wells Village (You can stay here too but I would recommend The Ranch per my earlier post:
Golden Canyon Interpretive Trail (nice hike)
Volcano crater trail (up by Scotty’s Castle)
The racetrack (This looks very cool! These huge rocks move on their own. You do need to have a jeep to get there and it’s a full day adventure)
Eureka Mines (which is an old gold mine)
Wildrose (beautiful views)
The best thing to do is go to the Visitor’s Center in Furnace Creek and have them help you. I hope you enjoyed visiting Death Valley with me!
Here are some past posts on Death Valley in case you missed them:
