Sept 29th: We adjusted our body clocks to encourage an early bedtime Saturday night (8:00 pm) and have our wakeup naturally to be 2:00 am Sunday. It worked. Everything was previously packed and ready except toiletries. Home was closed and locked and we were on our way at 2:15 am. About 4 hours later we arrived at Amelia Island for sunrise photos and pier shots. (Note: all based on Jeff Stamer Photography recommendations). Many early birds were already on the beach by the pier and I took the time to share 'camera and photography talk' with two fellow photographers. Two take-aways for future shoots 1) wear Crocs so I can enter the water for better composition and 2) become more acquainted with Sony Memories Camera Remote to allow camera control direct from the iPhone. With the light still golden, we quickly located the island's lighthouse on the Coast Guard property (open gate this time) and several bracketed pics were taken. Of course we had to shoot the Palace Saloon in historic Fernadina Beach - the oldest bar in Florida. (some pics may be out of order but who cares lol)

Sept 29th: From Amelia Island it was 8 hours to North Carolina and our cabin on the mountain. Arriving at about 4:45 pm and knowing we had dinner planned at the cabin with Eddie and Linda Alcorne, we quickly unpacked and prepared the grill and food for dinner. The cabin was small with a bedroom, kitchen/dining/living area and bathroom, with a wrap-around deck and amazing views. These accommodations were more than adequate for the times we plan to actually be in the cabin. Our plan was to have all dinners outdoors, during the day we will be on the road, visiting historic areas or hiking Stone Mountain. Since this was a special date - Alcorne's Anniversary, Ginger planned a nice dinner of grilled shrimp, salad and lentil/rice. Celebration 'brownies' topped off the meal. After a full 20 hour day and 750 miles of travel, we called it a night at 7:45 pm.

Sept 30th: Stone Mountain and Widow's Falls was our first planned hike. This 'rock' was HUGE. We walked the base and viewed the 12 climbing trails on the side of the mountain. We learned that Eddie - in his youth, actually climbed the face of the mountain using ropes, hands and feet on all 12 trails. After viewing the face, we hiked the lower trails (both prepared trails and gravel paths). A short drive away, we came upon Widow's Falls, a beautiful, hidden water fall and wading pool.

Oct 1st: This is our day away from Stone Mountain. First is historic Mabry Mill - a water-powered mill in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the most photographed places in the United States (you know we can NOT miss this opportunity). Not only was the Mill a beautiful site, but several out buildings and workshops highlighted what was begun in the early 1800's. Next, it's off to Mayberry RFD (Mt Airy - home of Andy Griffith) and lunch at Barney's Cafe. (Note: very funny ordering process ... their special was chicken pot pie and 2 side (I selected sides of beets and boiled potatoes). However, I soon found out my selection was not acceptable! Immediately, Linda interjected "you don't want beets" and Ginger added "don't get potatoes, get something else". So as Ginger and Linda were deciding options for me while the waitress patiently waited until there was a pause and she asked the ladies and asked "so what is he allowed to order?" It was funny and we all laughed. (a little exaggeration but you can call Eddie and he will confirm)

Oct. 2nd: Up at sunrise and another full day ... a 5 mile hike to the top of Stone Mountain (the easy trail).  The hike was very comfortable and we met other hikers with two dogs. On the way down, Ginger decided our company was 'boring' and she joined them in the return - with ongoing conversations about Andy Griffith, Mt Airy and the history of the area. Next: Elkin, to a local winery that Linda had purchased on a previous visit the BEST blackberry wine. What's Elkin, it is a small town with unique shops and lots of antique boutiques. One shop/store we especially enjoyed walking was Kennedy Auto Inc. - a place that has everything - hardware, china, bicycles, tools, glassware, mannequins, guns and ammo. After touring Kennedy's we needed some light beverages and we were directed to an old movie house - the Reeves Theater and Cafe. The lobby was converted into a restaurant and bar and was clearly popular to locals and visitors . We ate outdoors and had the best grilled cheese sandwiches and a Yuengling. It was 'lovely'.  

Vacations do come to an end ... our fall get-a-way was terrific - great friends, great location and great sights, with lots to do. I especially enjoyed the photo opportunities the area made available ... see below for some of my top memories captured in pics.

Texas - San Antonio, Kyle and Austin

Day 4: Wednesday We call this a mixed-multi day and night. Our morning started with a nice uphill walk to the Capitol  to have breakfast at their Capitol Grill (in-house cafeteria in the Capitol building open to the public). Everything we heard was it had great food and good value ($$). They were on point. We had breakfast (after breakneck walk to be there before 10:00 am breakfast close. Made it - worth it. We next spent time touring the halls and taking photos both on the inside and on the grounds. Returning about 1:00 pm - we decided "chill" and since the TV didn't have FOX News, we (no Ginger) watched the old Match Game. BORING! After a short 30 minute siesta we planned our evening activities: Dinner, Mount Bonnell, Cityscapes from the Lamar Street Bridge and then a visit to the 6th Street Pub walk. 

Closing Comments (keywords to remember events) before heading home;
Kyle City Hall Welcome to the Kyle's / Texans Drive FAST / the Capitol Building at Night / Meeting and Talking to Folks at the Capitol Square and on Mount Bonnell / Pizza near The Capital / "Shaking in My Boots" / Lamar Street Bridge Austin Cityscape Photo / Crazy Millennials on Electric Scooters at 20 mph / Gruene really is pronounced Green / Sony Camera Settings Failed CRISIS - then Fixed / Losing Way in the Dark on Riverwalk / Welcome to Georgia - What? / What Day is It? / the Beverly was awesome BUT TV Sucks / Mount Bonnell Hike and "they aren't breathing hard" / Mosquitoes on Mount Bonnell / the old Iversville Mill and 1853 Church Photo Ops / ~ 2750 miles 33 mpg / Great!

  See Trip Itinerary Plan

On the road with Eddie and Linda to capture sunrise and sunsets in West Palm, Coral Cove and more. Starting out from Redington Beach, the rain and clouds initially put a damper on our expectations. Frankly, we really didn't notice the rain since we rotated our conversations and had fun with '... pick on Bob ... pick on Eddie ... pick on Bob, etc.’ About halfway there, the sky cleared and things looked brighter. We spotted an 'old' barn on the route and the girls yelled "turn around, turn around!". We got out and click, click, click - Eddie and I grabbed several bracketed shots. We noticed as we travelled, Eddie was randomly squirming and fidgeting in the seat when we heard "Linda, do you have Aleve?". We learned he twisted his back and although not complaining, will be dealing with it for the balance of the trip. Upon arriving in West Palm Beach area, we spent the afternoon touring and stopping at the beautiful Coral Cove Park and Blowing Rock Park for photos ... and then checked in at at our 'hotel' an AirBnB in West Palm Beach. (Note to file 'don't forget to bring light libations for before dinner'.)

Dinner that evening was at a great restaurant - the U Tiki ... buzzing with activity, it was located overlooking the 'in operation' Jupiter Lighthouse. We shot multiple nighttime lighthouse photos. However, after checking the dozen or so images on each camera, we were disappointed, and decided to take one more opportunity to get a shot of the lighthouse from another angle. We did - just 10 minutes away, we pulled into a nice park and found a great cityscape angle with the light beam of the lighthouse rotating and clearly visible. "almost, wait, TAKE THE SHOT" were the instructions from Linda and Ginger as they helped Eddie and I time our shots so we avoided shooting directly into the rotating bright light beacon.

Getting back to the AirBnB, the laptops came out and post-processing of images started. It started well and then we heard mumbling and cursing as Eddie hit delete, delete, delete (removing most of the nighttime shots). The second day we woke up to rain and clouds with no opportunity for sunrise photos, but (after a great breakfast at the Lazy Loggerhead Cafe where we found another art-sie opportunity of painted fronds) we returned to the park visited the previous night and captured a few daytime lighthouse photos. Okay - it's time to head east and home ... but first a rainy detour to Hobe Sound for one last set of Pics (covered roadway. ​

One of our Christmas 2018 special events (of course, besides the day with the family) included a visit to St Augustine to see the entire city in lights. The 'Night of Lights' shows off the best of St Augustine. ​St Augustine is always a favorite place to visit and so we were looking forward to seeing the city at night - under lights and catching more memories we missed in times gone by. So, after check-in at The Ponce (by the way a great value inn), we decided to 'rest up' in our room and attack the city in one swoop - dinner, touring, sight-seeing and photos.

​Upon arriving in Old Town ... early evening, we noticed that the crowds and traffic were less than we expected, possibly due to the low 39 degree weather. (Ginger owes me one by my insisting we bring our leather jackets). Dinner at the Scarlett O'Hara (a dining recommendation from the true St Augustine traveling natives Trevor and Gail Swan) was excellent, especially the crab cake. it was off to the Old Town sites - Constitution Park, Lion's Bridge, side streets, Flagler College and more ... the scenes were wonderful, the lighting was great, and after 3-4 hours and 6 miles of walking ... it was time to head back to the Ponce.

Waking early the next morning, I grabbed my photo gear and took the opportunity for sunrise photos. As planned, the sun came up, but the clouds were not participating and the desired cloud reflections were not available in the clear morning sky. Hotel checkout and breakfast and we are on our way back to Redington Beach. In order to travel 'backroads of Florida and avoid the Interstates, we 'aimed' the car southwest and selected backroads. It turned out the travel was very pleasant with winding roads, scenery, horse country and an opportunity to visit a National Historical Site - the Evinston General Store and Post Office aka the Wood and Swink.