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Post by pdb on Jun 2, 2008 15:53:19 GMT -5
Although this is a photo taken in autumn, it IS of one of my real-world favorite places on earth. This is the Cable Mill in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It sits in the area of the visitors' center about halfway around the Loop Road (eleven miles, and one way, through the Cove). It was a grist mill, and at set times of year they still grind wheat and corn into flour and meal and sell it here. When Auntie and I were there last week, the wheel was in operation but they weren't grinding. It makes an awesome rumble and there's a thick dust in the air when they are. Inside the mill building though, there's a little platform on the righthand wall where you can step out and look over the creek and woods. In fall and early winter, when there aren't many tourists around, you can stand there and never hear a sound except the flutter of leaves falling and the water singing over mossy rocks. Another place where my soul can get quiet. Absolutely spectacular, Katie!!
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Post by Fairweather on Jun 2, 2008 15:56:44 GMT -5
Um-hm. Those orange maple leaves are balm to a Vol fan's soul, too <G>
Mundane question: Are we liveblogging tonight?
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 15:59:38 GMT -5
Thanks, all--I frankly felt a bit self-indulgent putting up this thread but I love the sharing it's producing-- G1, where exactly is this park? It reminds me so much of our mountains down home! Same mountains, further north.... This is the Thunder Rocks area in Allegany State Park, New York. www.stateparks.com/allegany.htmlMore pics at s283.photobucket.com/albums/kk314/gnostix1/. (Follow the link to KinzuaRailroad to see where Leon's ghost train runs down the Allegheny Reservoir, just west of the park.) Here's an autumn view of Quaker Lake in ASP (The tree, alas, was recently removed) Oh no..sad to hear the tree was removed. I was about to imagine myself sitting, leaning against it and looking out at the beautiful view of water and mountains..
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 16:01:00 GMT -5
Um-hm. Those orange maple leaves are balm to a Vol fan's soul, too <G> Mundane question: Are we liveblogging tonight? I'll be here Katie.
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 16:07:53 GMT -5
Although this is a photo taken in autumn, it IS of one of my real-world favorite places on earth. This is the Cable Mill in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It sits in the area of the visitors' center about halfway around the Loop Road (eleven miles, and one way, through the Cove). It was a grist mill, and at set times of year they still grind wheat and corn into flour and meal and sell it here. When Auntie and I were there last week, the wheel was in operation but they weren't grinding. It makes an awesome rumble and there's a thick dust in the air when they are. Inside the mill building though, there's a little platform on the righthand wall where you can step out and look over the creek and woods. In fall and early winter, when there aren't many tourists around, you can stand there and never hear a sound except the flutter of leaves falling and the water singing over mossy rocks. Another place where my soul can get quiet. Just beautiful Katie. BTW, to ditto Moons sentiment..this was a great idea. I hope to have some images posted myself sometime tomorrow.
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 16:31:11 GMT -5
Um-hm. Those orange maple leaves are balm to a Vol fan's soul, too <G> Mundane question: Are we liveblogging tonight? I'll be here Katie. Me, too.
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 16:41:56 GMT -5
Thank you so much, Laura. Rana leaves August 25th for Dominica; that’s where she has been assigned. I HATE August 25th; however, the Peace Corps doesn’t care –LOL!! August 25th is both my wedding anniversary and the day my ex abducted Rana & Reema and fled to Jordan. I guess I can look at it this way, I only have to mourn one day out of the year!! Hopefully, with Rana’s entry into the Peace Corps, I won’t have to mourn that day at all any longer!! ;D She will be teaching children on the island; she’s very excited and is now enjoying the summer at home and spending a lot of time with her friends; she certainly deserves it!! Here’s a link to Dominica; there’s so much history there!! www.destination360.com/qvr/dom-lh.htmPS: Moon, nan and I are still hoping you can make the August trip --I know, hubby comes first!! Yes, Pam something happy to have August 25 mean something besides two very unhappy and terrible events. Dominica looks beautiful. I'm sure Rana will learn many things and absolutely enjoy her time there. Aww you're so sweet. August road trip would be wonderful. I hope you 3 "girls" have a wonderful time. Take lots of pictures. I'll be thinking of you enjoying yourselves in the sun and swimming, talking, resting..all those fun things. ;D
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Post by pdb on Jun 2, 2008 16:49:42 GMT -5
Thank you so much, Laura. Rana leaves August 25th for Dominica; that’s where she has been assigned. I HATE August 25th; however, the Peace Corps doesn’t care –LOL!! August 25th is both my wedding anniversary and the day my ex abducted Rana & Reema and fled to Jordan. I guess I can look at it this way, I only have to mourn one day out of the year!! Hopefully, with Rana’s entry into the Peace Corps, I won’t have to mourn that day at all any longer!! ;D She will be teaching children on the island; she’s very excited and is now enjoying the summer at home and spending a lot of time with her friends; she certainly deserves it!! Here’s a link to Dominica; there’s so much history there!! www.destination360.com/qvr/dom-lh.htmPS: Moon, nan and I are still hoping you can make the August trip --I know, hubby comes first!! Yes, Pam something happy to have August 25 mean something besides two very unhappy and terrible events. Dominica looks beautiful. I'm sure Rana will learn many things and absolutely enjoy her time there. Aww you're so sweet. August road trip would be wonderful. I hope you 3 "girls" have a wonderful time. Take lots of pictures. I'll be thinking of you enjoying yourselves in the sun and swimming, talking, resting..all those fun things. ;D We will; I'll be sending you photo text messages to your cell phone!! ;D I'm really looking forward to it; and yes, I can now actually spend August 25th out of bed!! I get so depressed on that date, still!! My ex showed up at the graduation and made the usual a** of himself; flew in and was over an hour late; who flies from the Middle East into JFK on the morning of a graduation and expects to make it on time? He decided the day before it would be a “good idea” to attend his daughter’s graduation!! Oh, and I forgot about Customs; he always gets pulled aside!! He was in RARE form that evening and the following day; I then received HORRIBLE news; he was coming to Los Angeles and was on the same flight as me --YIKES!! He was about 20 rows back, though. Oh, it wasn’t "pretty"; or “he” wasn’t “pretty”!! PEACE!!
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 16:54:08 GMT -5
Yes, Pam something happy to have August 25 mean something besides two very unhappy and terrible events. Dominica looks beautiful. I'm sure Rana will learn many things and absolutely enjoy her time there. Aww you're so sweet. August road trip would be wonderful. I hope you 3 "girls" have a wonderful time. Take lots of pictures. I'll be thinking of you enjoying yourselves in the sun and swimming, talking, resting..all those fun things. ;D We will; I'll be sending you photo text messages to your cell phone!! ;D I'm really looking forward to it; and yes, I can now actually spend August 25th out of bed!! I get so depressed on that date, still!! My ex showed up at the graduation and made the usual a** of himself; flew in and was over an hour late; who flies from the Middle East into JFK on the morning of a graduation and expects to make it on time? He decided the day before it would be a “good idea” to attend his daughter’s graduation!! Oh, and I forgot about Customs; he always gets pulled aside!! He was in RARE form that evening and the following day; I then received HORRIBLE news; he was coming to Los Angeles and was on the same flight as me --YIKES!! He was about 20 rows back, though. Oh, it wasn’t "pretty"; or “he” wasn’t “pretty”!! PEACE!! A spontaneous decision to attend his daughter's graduation..what a maroon! More important that Rana was marking an important milestone in her life and her proud mama was with her. I'm glad she has the summer to have fun ;D
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Post by Fairweather on Jun 2, 2008 21:02:01 GMT -5
Another still shady place--a pergola-- A girl can dream--
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:10:50 GMT -5
A precious jewel in the middle of Portland --
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Post by pdb on Jun 2, 2008 21:16:01 GMT -5
A precious jewel in the middle of Portland -- Moon, is this the Japanese Tea Garden in Portland? I was there in October; my sister and I flew (yes, I flew in October, too) to visit our cousin who lost her husband, then her father within two months of each other, to cancer. We wanted to be with her and she took us here; it was one of her husband's favorite places; she also took her father, my uncle, there; he loved it, too. It's a beautiful place!!
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:18:40 GMT -5
The Grand Tetons at sunrise
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 21:20:23 GMT -5
A precious jewel in the middle of Portland -- Moon, is this the Japanese Tea Garden in Portland? I was there in October; my sister and I flew (yes, I flew in October, too) to visit our cousin who lost her husband, then her father within two months of each other, to cancer. We wanted to be with her and she took us here; it was one of her husband's favorite places; she also took her father, my uncle, there; he loved it, too. It's a beautiful place!! Oh how sad Pam. What loss for your cousin and your family. So sorry. What a gorgeous place to find some peace and be with her husband in spirit. There is one like this in Arcadia. Have you been there? It's so lovely.
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:23:02 GMT -5
A precious jewel in the middle of Portland -- Moon, is this the Japanese Tea Garden in Portland? I was there in October; my sister and I flew (yes, I flew in October, too) to visit our cousin who lost her husband, then her father within two months of each other, to cancer. We wanted to be with her and she took us here; it was one of her husband's favorite places; she also took her father, my uncle, there; he loved it, too. It's a beautiful place!! Yes, indeed. The very one. Right next to the experimental rose garden. With a view of Mt. Hood. It's supposedly the most authentic japanese garden outside of Japan. My heartfelt sympathies and prayers, Pam. How sad for your cousin. I can see why your cousin took you there. It's one of the most peaceful places I've ever seen, or at least it would be when not populated by tourists. It must be better in October than it was in July, when I was there, two years ago.
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Post by pdb on Jun 2, 2008 21:25:23 GMT -5
Moon, is this the Japanese Tea Garden in Portland? I was there in October; my sister and I flew (yes, I flew in October, too) to visit our cousin who lost her husband, then her father within two months of each other, to cancer. We wanted to be with her and she took us here; it was one of her husband's favorite places; she also took her father, my uncle, there; he loved it, too. It's a beautiful place!! Oh how sad Pam. What loss for your cousin and your family. So sorry. What a gorgeous place to find some peace and be with her husband in spirit. There is one like this in Arcadia. Have you been there? It's so lovely. No, Laura; I didn't know there was one in Arcadia; thank you. The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park was, and is, one of my all time favorite places to go. When I was in high school and college, I went there when I was stressed. I'll have to go; the one in Portland is just incredible, though. We don't get the four seasons here as you know; the flowers were orange and pink; I've never seen that before; it was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever personally seen. My cousin's doing "okay"; she came down for Easter, which was a good sign; however, I worry --but she has a wonderful network of friends in Portland; otherwise, I would want her to move back to San Francisco, or here, close to my sister, Michele and me. She's always been very close with us; my two younger sisters not so much.
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:26:49 GMT -5
Crater Lake --
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:27:42 GMT -5
Hey guys -- I just figured out how to get the pictures to re-size. When you post them, go back into the post, and click anywhere. Then hit the refresh button. Bingo.
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Post by pdb on Jun 2, 2008 21:30:39 GMT -5
Moon, is this the Japanese Tea Garden in Portland? I was there in October; my sister and I flew (yes, I flew in October, too) to visit our cousin who lost her husband, then her father within two months of each other, to cancer. We wanted to be with her and she took us here; it was one of her husband's favorite places; she also took her father, my uncle, there; he loved it, too. It's a beautiful place!! Yes, indeed. The very one. Right next to the experimental rose garden. With a view of Mt. Hood. It's supposedly the most authentic japanese garden outside of Japan. My heartfelt sympathies and prayers, Pam. How sad for your cousin. I can see why your cousin took you there. It's one of the most peaceful places I've ever seen, or at least it would be when not populated by tourists. It must be better in October than it was in July, when I was there, two years ago. It was not crowed at all, moon. We had a tour guide, then went off on our own; it is simply amazing. And you're correct, it is the closed authentic Japanese Tea Garden outside of Japan. The tour guide explained how everything was designed; a Japanese man, who has since passed away, designed everything and was most particular. A lot of things have been imported from Japan; I also enjoyed following the traditions of the tea gardens in Japan; everything is explained so well and they do a tremendous job making sure all traditions are followed. October was a wonderful time to go; my cousin takes the bus there quite often to reflect; this wonderful place has been very helpful for her. Thank you so much for posting this, moon.
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:30:56 GMT -5
Glacier National Park
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 21:31:48 GMT -5
A precious jewel in the middle of Portland -- How beautiful. Oh Katie's brilliant idea for this thread is so much fun.
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Post by Laura on Jun 2, 2008 21:33:12 GMT -5
Glacier National Park OMG!
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:33:20 GMT -5
Yes, indeed. The very one. Right next to the experimental rose garden. With a view of Mt. Hood. It's supposedly the most authentic japanese garden outside of Japan. My heartfelt sympathies and prayers, Pam. How sad for your cousin. I can see why your cousin took you there. It's one of the most peaceful places I've ever seen, or at least it would be when not populated by tourists. It must be better in October than it was in July, when I was there, two years ago. It was not crowed at all, moon. We had a tour guide, then went off on our own; it is simply amazing. And you're correct, it is the closed authentic Japanese Tea Garden outside of Japan. The tour guide explained how everything was designed; a Japanese man, who has since passed away, designed everything and was most particular. A lot of things have been imported from Japan; I also enjoyed following the traditions of the tea gardens in Japan; everything is explained so well and they do a tremendous job making sure all traditions are followed. October was a wonderful time to go; my cousin takes the bus there quite often to reflect; this wonderful place has been very helpful for her. Thank you so much for posting this, moon. I'm glad to hear that. Did they tell you about how they weed some of the beds using tweezers? That was so cool. I like how it's not really commercialized. No real souvenirs or anything. Did you also see the rose garden? Were there still blooms? That's almost overwhelming, but the views of Mt. Hood are fabulous.
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Post by pdb on Jun 2, 2008 21:33:46 GMT -5
Another still shady place--a pergola-- A girl can dream-- I love your captions, Katie; it's why I maintain that you, moon and g1 will win the Murdoch "name calling" contest!!
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Post by moonstone on Jun 2, 2008 21:34:27 GMT -5
Glacier National Park OMG! Exactly. Hard to beat this one. It's almost all like that once you get inside the park borders.
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