I received a package in the mail today from my friend who was on the motorcycle trip where I lost my camera. In that package was a children's book entitled "The Very Lonely Firefly" by Eric Carle. It was a story of a lonely firefly who is attracted to all kind of lights...flashlights, lanterns, fireworks...on his search to find friends. In the end, he finds the friends it was seeking. The special end of the book is when it is open, it flashes the greenish-yellow lights just like the real thing.
Gettysburg, Lipsmack Studio
At Eternal Peace - Codori Farm - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Just a short walk from the Eternal Peace Monument at Gettysburg sits this silent sentinel, seemingly still aimed at the Codori Farm, the scene of the historic Pickett's Charge. The military park is unlike anything I have ever seen. It is still farms and large open fields, untouched by the town around it. You can still imagine what it was like back in 1863.
This solemn ground is where more than 50,000 soldiers died in the war between the states. Hard to believe that more than 175,000 men fought the bloodiest battle of the Civil War in the first three days of July, 1863. People from town watched from the hills as these men fought for their states.
Gettysburg is still reverent to the men who gave their lives here, if not somewhat a little eery. It seems to be frozen in time as the numerous monuments watch over the battlefield.
©2010 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Isabella 1861 - St. James Episcopal Cemetery -Lancaster, Pennsylvania
One of our discoveries while stopping in Lancaster, PA, this cemetery is tucked neatly behind the St. James Episcopal church in downtown Lancaster. Graves date back to the 1700's. The church was founded in 1744. It is quite different to find a cemetery in such an urban location and date back so far, but yet it was still a peaceful, relaxing place to be. 
Unknown - 1798: Aged 4 months 16 Days
©2010 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Watermelon - Fruitstand, Nowata, Oklahoma
Be careful what you say, there will always be a kid around to repeat it. Chris' nickname for a watermelon (for obvious reasons) is "piss chunk". He happened to say this around our nephew when was young (He is now 30). So the next most inappropriate time, Stephen yelled to Chris "Hey, look they got piss chunks!"
Needless to say, Chris is proud of that moment.
©2010 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Fruit Stand - Nowata, Oklahoma
Chris loves peaches. Well, he loves any kind of fruit, but especially peaches. We stopped at this roadside fruitstand and purchased some of the peaches on our way to Kansas. Ironically, they were Georgia peaches, bought in Oklahoma, eaten in Kansas by two Texans.
©2010 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Tulip Tree - The Chapel at Chestnut Square, McKinney, Texas
I decided to take advantage of a gorgeous spring day and take a walk near downtown McKinney. I Googled this tree, and it seems to go by many names: Japanese Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Tulip Tree, Orchid Tree. Whatever it is, it is really beautiful in the Spring. In the background is a historic church that was moved to Chestnut Square. The church was originally Foote Baptist Church and was located just off Virginia Pwy., where Stonebridge Ranch is today....I live very close to its original location. Early posts you will also find a photo of this church in the snow.
Mom and POPcorn - , McKinney, Texas
I enjoyed walking around downtown and came across Mom and POPcorn and its nostalgic candies. Love those Bit-O-Honeys. Reminds me of being a kid and how exciting it was when winter was over and Summer was insight!
©2010 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
The Promise - Adriatica, McKinney
This 16-foot tall, 100-ton stone carving of a dove with an olive branch is being hand carved by artisans in Adriatica in McKinney. The Croatian inspired village is just around the corner from where I live. It is like an escape to the Mediterranean without ever leaving home. When finished, it will be the centerpiece of a 50-foot diameter fountain.
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Merced River and Half Dome - Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Meadow
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
BART platform - San Francisco, CA
My Sunday experience in San Francisco was to board my first train and head to meet my friend Cary in Alameda. I had no idea what to expect, but the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) was very simple to use. I boarded the train in San Francisco and was whisked under the bay toward Oakland.
LA visitor - BART train
My fellow BART passengers - West Oakland, CA
On my train travel, two young men from LA sat across from me loaded up with their luggage. Good...I am not the only tourist on the train who doesn't know where the hell they are going. I could tell, they were trying to figure the system out themselves. One stood up and I started taking a few photos of him (with his permission of course). All his tatoos and LA skater look just added to the adventure.
Fruitvale BART Station
Finally, I reached Fruitvale Station where Cary was waiting for me. The artwork in the station was very colorfully painted tiles. It was Sunday, so not very many people in the station. The station itself was very artsy on the outside. I would love to go back.
So, I guess if you want to ask, I would answer, "Yes, I BARTed.
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Ghirardelli Square - San Francisco Bay
While waiting for the cable car back to my hotel, I stood looking at Ghirardelli Square and a beautiful sunset at Fisherman's Wharf. It gets quite chilly at this time of the evening in San Francisco, so I suggest getting a cup of hot chocolate for your wait. I am sure they could scrounge up some at the famous chocolatier. (Oh, and just before boarding the cable car, the guy behind told me that the place right across from the trolley stop was where they invented the Irish coffee. Now he tells me.)
Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco, Ca
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
El Capitan - Yosemite National Park
The icon of Yosemite stands as a shear face of gray granite. I wish I had more time to study and photograph it, but I only had minutes outside the van to get my shots. It is amazing to see it in real life after staring at it in Ansel Adam calendars and books I have collected over the years. I got there and stood awe struck, almost forgetting to take the photograph. Well, I did get a couple, but it was only a teaser of what I need to go back and really photograph.
Yosemite Valley - Yosemite National Park (El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls)
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
