Three Photos from a Short Trip

Good, Random and Fun

Good: This statue of Jackson the elephant surprises tourists passing through Somerset, Pennsylvania. It represents the International Conservation Center for elephants, a program of the Pittsburgh Zoo. 

The Random: This is a pleasant scene in our hostess's home in Western Pennsylvania.


The Fun: The third picture shows what happens when adult siblings get together.

Bill and Frank W.

A Pennsylvania Porch

Willy Nilly Friday

1. We drove to Pennsylvania on Monday to visit Frank's brother and his wife, who happens to share my first name. Yes, it gets confusing!

Frank, Linda, Bill

2. The porch is a delightful place to sit on a nice day.

Sharing with Weekend Greens

3. The cat was telling me something but I don't understand the language.

4. As you can see by the leaves in the reflection, autumn is near.

Sharing with Weekend Reflections

5. The final image just shows a bit of country decor.

Orange You Glad It's Friday?

Cookout at Heidi's

We made a quick trip to Pennsylvania to see Frank's brother and his wife. We drove up there on Monday and returned yesterday. Bill's younger daughter Heidi invited us over for a cookout. She and her husband Alan live in the countryside not far from where Bill lives.

Heidi has two aging horses and a large friendly dog. Alan built the stable.

Sharing with Fences Around the World

Although Alan and Heidi both have jobs, they spend a lot of time with their animals and other interests. Alan is a mechanic and enjoys restoring various old vehicles. 

Walkway, Torrance Beach

Frank and Deborah.

Sharing with Shadow Shot Sunday and Black and White Weekend.

Last Week at Redondo Beach

By the Pacific Ocean.

Sharing with Fences Around the World.

We had lunch at Kincaid's. I was disappointed because I had told my waiter "no spice" on my salmon but it came out with spice including pepper. I had to send it back so that my allergy would not lead to uncontrollable coughing

I was startled by a painting that reminded me of some pictures I took in July at Virginia Beach (left).  Well, great minds think alike!

Light and Shade at Wayfarers

Wayfarers Chapel was designed by architect Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright. Not only is the chapel stunning, the grounds are delightfully landscaped. Since this is Southern California, there are flowers and greenery everywhere. There are spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean far below. 

Sharing with Shadow Shot Sunday 

and Seasons

Blog Post #6022

Somehow I failed to note the six thousandth post on the blog. It should have been on the first of July, but we were at the beach so I was distracted. Here are some pictures from then to now.

Kate and Rusty, Virginia Beach

See more Virginia Beach posts.

We drove back from the beach on the 4th of July. We were too tired to go to see fireworks  and then it rained! At least I got to see some that neighbors set off.

On Saturday we went to an event at Cool Spring near Bluemont.  It's a beautiful place, not well known yet. You can see this young fellow in an earlier post.

This picture and the next two are suitable for the Fences linkup.

Thornton River Orchard, Sperryville, VA

Today I had an appointment in Woodstock and took a few pictures there afterwards. This pretty scene is on Water Street.

So here we are, three weeks into July. The past two days have been very hot, but pretty to see if you are inside with air conditioning looking out at the greenery.

Our Gang at Virginia Beach

Kate, Rusty, Austin, Dave, Frank, Allison

We made the long drive to Virginia Beach on Saturday and spent a few days with Frank's older daughters and their families. Well, Justin couldn't come but Austin was able to join us part of the time. He's been studying fire fighting in the military.

We stayed at the Schooner Inn, an aging hotel with updated rooms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

(Left: Frank, Allison, and Dave in the hotel parking lot.)

Visitors, Water Fun, and Mountain Scenery

Random-osity

The Good: Frank's brother and his wife drove down from Pennsylvania to visit us on Saturday and left this morning.

The Random and Fun: Yesterday they had a chance to enjoy our pool. Frank promptly organized a version of keep-away,

Sharing with Mosaic Monday

In case you spotted the scenery behind the pool, here's a better look. This view is the main reason we bought the house!

Bonus Fun: Allison and Dave showed up Sunday afternoon to take us all out for a Father's Day meal. We had a nice dinner at Outback Steakhouse. Allison also brought a gift for her dad: a painting she created at a paint party!

Congratulations to Allison

Frank's middle child received her Master's Degree. To celebrate we took her and her husband out to dinner.

She managed to earn the degree while working full-time.

Festival in Saxonburg

While in Pennsylvania we went to a town festival. I learned that Saxonburg was surveyed and planned by John Roebling, inventor of the wire rope that made possible large suspension bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge.

The festival was lively and we had a beautiful day for it.