The light in this stairwell at the Moses H. Cone mansion on the Blue Ridge Parkway made me think about “ray tracing”. Its a computer animation rendering algorithm that simulates the path particles of light take from the source angle as they bounce off various surfaces. I’m also reminded of Bob Heist’s lesson in Basic Photography at Randolph Community College back in the early 80s – “the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence”.
During my 2021 fall foliage expedition in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, I followed a trail down under this bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s interesting to see the architectural features of the bridge integrated into the surrounding rocky mountainous landscape.
This northerly view of Grandfather Mountain is from the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Linn Cove Viaduct, captured in mid October 2021. Click on the image for the best viewing experience.
C. S.
While I love the weathered textures, rust and other features of decay, photographing an abandoned old house can bring mixed feelings. There are melancholy thoughts of needless decline. Why was this home neglected and forgotten? But there is also an appreciation of the effort and sacrifice spent in building the home. Lives were lived here, perhaps a family’s, it was their home.
There is peace found in the acceptance of impermanence as part of the cycle of life. There is after all, beauty in decay.
The overgrown vegetation and patina on metal are both evidence of Mother Nature’s slow but persistent reclamation of the natural and man-made world. Our sense of order is often at odds with Hers. Will we regain our lost ability to live harmoniously before it’s too late?
This unique old barn was found on the back roads of Watauga County near Sweetwater, North Carolina. The stone foundation supports one side of the barn’s placement on the edge of a hill. The vine consuming the façade appeared to have died, leaving a thick, craggily branching structure attached to the barn. To appreciate the cool textures, click on the image to view a high resolution version.
Cheers,
C. S.
I found this old piano on the porch of an abandoned house on Silas Creek Rd while exploring the backroads of Ashe County. I try to imagine the music, peace, joy and family experiences once shared from this instrument. Who played, what did they play, and why was this piano and house abandoned?
Cheers,
C. S.
Late afternoon view from the top of Hawksbill Mountain looking south along the east side of Linville Gorge towards Table Rock and Shortoff Mountains. For the best viewing experience, click to see a high resolution version.
Cheers,
C. S.
Look through the windows into this sagging old abandoned house and imagine the lives once lived here and why this home was ultimately abandoned. For the best view into this home, click to see a high resolution version.
Just 10 minutes before sunset, a large cloud briefly swept in towards this vantage point on Rough Ridge Overlook just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) in North Carolina. See more of my BRP Gallery here.
Cheers!
C. S.
You must be logged in to post a comment.