Sunday, July 08, 2012

I May Need a Vacation from my Vacation

Did you ever have a vacation that started out full of promise and then failed to deliver?  Uh, yeah.  It was like that.  Did you happen to read about all those nasty storms that caused massive power outages for lengthy periods of time to millions of people in several states all during soaring temperatures?  A certain individual was quite miserable as a result and decided to go home.  My stepmother and I stayed on waiting for power to be restored.  We had the river for cooling off and for bucket flush water.  We got some ice and drinking water elsewhere and just cooked on the grill.  The unhappy person returned later and we tried to make a go of it but the mood was still somewhat strained.  Not exactly the most relaxing time.  However, I managed to read through six books and I took my camera and the big lens for a few walks.  Let us dwell on the loveliness around us rather than the frustration and heat.

 There was a parched field between the house and the river. 


The Queen Anne's Lace was doing fine though.


I chased this butterfly around for quite some time before I caught it still enough to see its wings.


Most evenings are spent on the beach....forgetting outages and spoiling food.

I was pleased with the big lens capturing the liquid gold of the river at sunset.

Aaaahh......tranquility.


The big lens also let me get my first shot ever of the moon where some of the surface texture is evident.

Six books read, a bunch of pictures snapped, and time away from work...hardly a complete loss in spite of the storm and aftermath.

17 comments:

Craig said...

Oh, my. . . what lovely photos. I'm especially fond of the sunset & water pics. And the way you framed the moon in the tree is brilliant. I don't know a whole lot about photography, but I like to think I can recognize when it's done well. . .

You know, I'm always a little ambivalent about things like power outages. For sure, it's a huge disruption and a pain in the patoot. But then I think, my grandparents lived well into adulthood without electricity, so it must be do-able.

And I've spent some weeks at summer camp with 90+, and even 100+ temps, and no A/C. Not the most comfortable thing I've ever done, but far from the most miserable, either. . .

stephen Hayes said...

Years from now when you reflect on this vacation it will be the heat and inconvenience that you'll feel the most nostalgic over.

Sailor said...

Wonderful shots! I'm glad you decided to just have your vacation; we've had times (because at our summer place, power is last restored if it should be out), where we've vacationed without electricity for a week at a time. We managed to turn it into an "adventure" for the kids, and we always managed to have fun anyway!

I think Stephen is right, too- you'll look back and remember the time fondly :)

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

Innit grand how when you focus on the positives things seem to work out.
I particularly like that "liquid gold" and your Moon shot.

Yup, definitely winning ...with some setbacks, meh.

Secret Agent Woman said...

A good camera makes a world of possibilities open up to you.

silly rabbit said...

When I heard about the storms and outages, I thought of you and wondered. Yikes! Sorry that happened, but your spirit to stick it out and make the best of it under cruddy circumstance is impressive. I do love the photos and yay for 6 books!

Commander Zaius said...

What books did you read?

Cricket said...

I had been living under a big rock for a while, and only heard about the storms well after the fact, but I wondered if they got ya on your vaca and hoped not. In fact, I was checking back to see if you'd posted since you left.

Uh-oh.

Well, glad you made out at least sort-of ok.

Suldog said...

Attitude is way more than half the battle. If you decide it will be fun, it usually is. Good for you, looking on the bright side, and nice shots.

Anonymous said...

Sounds good to me!

Craver Vii said...

The liquid gold shot is magnificent!! I missed you while you were away, Lime. Welcome back.

As for the power outages and other inclemencies, I hope the smell of the grill worked its magic on you, the way it does for me.

Bijoux said...

I love your photo of the moon.

We still talk about the time we were on vacation when the east coast power grid thing went out at home. We were so glad to be on vacation! Sorry yours was tinged by weather related issues.

Daryl said...

I had no idea Toonman was with you ... love the moon shot even tho I am totally over moon photos and dont care that I will never get a decent shot of the moon .. sigh

Kat said...

Well, you certainly made the most of it. Those pictures are beautiful!

Jocelyn said...

Your close is exactly what I was going to comment: at least you got books read and photos taken! Not a complete wash, despite some tension.

G-Man said...

Trini...
Friday 13th
FF55 returns
Just so ya know...:-)

Hilary said...

Sorry that your holiday was less than ideal but you sure got some lovely photos. The sunset and the moon. What a lovely pairing.