mary doesn't work here anymore

 

When the Plainsman Motor Hotel opened in 1951, it boasted many amenities for the traveler -- including a barber shop in the basement. After foreclosure in 1965, the building housed a series of retirement living facilities -- evidently with the same tonsorial services for seniors.  The building is undergoing renovation for apartments but I doubt that a beauty shop is in the plans.

 

The Que

21st and Avenue Q

Lubbock, Texas

green glow

 

If you saw Larry and Tony's newest project in the neon shop, your eyes would sparkle too.

 

Tornado Gallery

1822 Buddy Holly

Lubbock, Texas

on the waterfront

 

American author Jack London wrote notes for future novels while at Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon on the Oakland waterfront.  Perhaps today I sat in the same spot at Heinolds!  Jack London's Klondike log cabin is a feature of the Jack London Square, surrounds by bars, restaurants and shops.

 

Waterfront Hotel

Oakland, California

winter landscape

 

Canyon Lakes #1

Lubbock, Texas

red cypress

 

The cypress trees in Higginbotham Park provide a punch of color in the autumn landscape.  The walking trail makes it a popular park.  Here's the same kind of trees, same park -- different season.



Higginbotham Park
Lubbock, Texas

11.29.2015

reflections of fall

 

As November comes to an end, we've already had a taste of winter with the cold and ice of the last few days.  The trees at Higginbotham Park struggle to show their colors before littering their leaves on the soggy ground.

 

Higginbotham Park

Lubbock, Texas

midway geyser basin

 

On a bright, frosty morning the colors of the pools in the Midway Geyser Basin were obscured by steam from the hot springs.  However the red tones of the bacteria mats were vivid and the blue sky shimmered on the reflections.

 

Midway Geyser Basin

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

9.18.2015

 



sunrise at oxbow

A great first day photographing in Wyoming!  Getting up at 5:00 a.m. was worth it. 

Oxbow Bend
Grand Teton National Park
Wyoming

painted burro

 

The Painted Burros started as an annual fund-raiser auction.  Today some of these colorful, life-sized figures can be found atop roofs overlooking the art district in Carrizozo.  If you stand carefully on a bench, then you can see this painted burro reflected in the second-story window across the street. Unfortunately, on a this Wednesday morning, it was just me and burros in the historic district.

 

12 Street Historic District

Carrizozo, New Mexico

patio reflections

 

Today's sunshine melted the snow and ice, leaving behind puddles.  It was too nippy to sit on this patio even if you waded to the chairs.  But soon, spring will be here.

 

The Trails

Lubbock, Texas

bridge to spring

Although this image was taken in the fall, it is reminiscent of spring.  Hopefully spring is around the corner - right after this next cold spell!  The grounds of the Columbia Gorge Hotel are beautiful with streams, bridges, waterfalls and ducks.  The hotel is situated along the Columbia River and still emanates an early 1900s elegance.

 

Columbia Gorge Hotel

Hood River, Oregon

10.13.2014

hiatus

 

Its empty parking lot dotted with puddles from the recent weather, the amusement park silently waits for opening of the spring season in March. Shuttered and sometimes disassembled, the rides rest for the upcoming onslaught.  Joyland Amusement Park started out in the late 1940s as the Mackenzie Park Playground.  When I was in grade school, the spring highlight was the school picnic at the park followed by an afternoon at the amusement park.  When purchased by Jimmy Dean (not THAT Jimmy Dean) in 1973, the amusement park had 13 rides -- including the carousel, the bumper cars, the Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Hammer (which was too fearsome to ride).  Today the attractions have expanded to more than 30 with a log flume, gondola, and a roller coaster.  The carousel is advertised as "antique" and  I think the Tilt-a-Whirl of my day is still operating!  But I bet the kids are still as excited as we were to ride!

 

Joyland Amusement Park

Mackenzie Park

Lubbock, Texas

1.25.2015

.

fall reflection in black and white

 

Guadalupe River

New Braunfels, Texas

11.24.2013



trillium lake and mount hood

 

Although the day was overcast, we saw snow-capped Mt. Hood from Timberline Lodge.  By the time we reached Trillium Lake, the peak was obscured by clouds.  As I took this photo, the rain began and the reflections became pock-marked.

 

Trillium Lake, Oregon

10.17.2014