WOW--what a difference a week makes!

[12voltman59]

This past week---we had to pick up the pieces of things left bashed up thanks to the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ike through these parts---it took me all week to get all the tree limbs up and taken care of--I just finished burning up the last pile of limbs, leaves, etc.

It was kind of a weird week thanks to that storm--but this weekend---thankfully things were more or less back to normal---and we had weather that is more like what we "should" have here--mostly clear skies--warm days and cooler nights----thankfully.

That allowed most of the normal autumn festival events to take place this weekend---unlike last weekend.

Here at the lake, in conjunction with a fall crafts festival held at the main state campground----there was a hot air balloon launch from a beach during the afternoon and later--at dusk at the campgrounds---they set up the balloons for a "balloon glow."

Here are some photos from both events:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080798.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080793.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080804.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080821.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080824.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080819.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080835.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080825.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080850.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080864.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080893.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080904.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080938.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080950.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080969.jpg

[12voltman59]

On Friday---after finally finishing up with the recovery effort--I spent part of the day doing a "photo mission" by starting to take photographs of 50 barns scattered throughout Miami County, Ohio that leading up to the bicentennial celebration of that county---a Mexican artist had painted a series of "quilt" patterns on the barns. I only made about 15 or so of the barns and over the course of the next, however many months---will get to the others---and also back to some of the ones I took photos of in different seasons--I hope to get some nice photos of some of the barns after snowfalls.

I also found a really cool, abandoned farmstead that being around it was like stepping into a time machine to a period something like the depresson era---so I had to take some photos of it in both color and black and white---here are a sampling of those photos:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080626.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080627.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080655.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080658.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080667.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080673.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080676.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080680-1.jpg

And the old farmstead: (in B&W for effect)

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080687.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080711.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080717.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080724.jpg]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080735.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080740.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080751.jpg

I decided to add a few more pics---two of a barn that was very interesting even though it wasn't a quilt barn (very early in the morn) and a photo I took just past first light down along the banks of the Great Miami River in Miami County:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080615.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080616.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/mpgarr/P1080596.jpg

[dangerous_unicorn]

awesome pics well done getting the best shots.

thanks great to brighten up my day

[onewhocares]

Volty,

You never cease to amaze me with the most stunning photos I have ever seen. Your keen eye is wonderful!. And YES, what a difference a week makes to be sure!

Belle

[oceans]

Hey Volt,

I love your last pictures. The river with the fog & mist.
I find it peaceful & relaxing.

Thanks for sharing,

Oceans

[FalconAngel]

Please tell us that your talents as a photographer are not being wasted on this just being a hobby.

Great pics, as usual. We get balloon races down here in South Florida a few times a year as well. And the barns and all are great. They kind of remind us of the Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs on their barns.