Saturday a.m. Sep 13 – Barre, VT – day 8

W: Where to begin? Well, for starters, my photography workshop / class is over. My mind is still reeling from information overload. The best thing to say is the workshop greatly exceeded my hopes and expectations. I learned something new every hour including rethinking things I thought I knew, but actually were incorrect. Many of these ideas that got reversed, reworked or rethought, were things that are generally accepted as gospel in the various books, magazines, and web-sites. It will take me a while to integrated the things I learned.

If anyone reading this is ever inclined to take a photography workshop that is focused on printing (both color and black and white), go directly to Cone Editions (http://www.coneeditions.com/workshops.html ). Larry Danque was my teacher / instructor / guru at Cone editions. There must be knowledge that Larry doesn’t have about photography printing but I couldn’t find it! Every question I asked, and I asked a lot of questions, Larry answered clearly, completely, and demonstrated the techniques thoroughly.

Now if there facility was more just more convenient! The first day I asked why they chose East Topsham, VT. Jon and Cathy Cone (owners) were from New York City and were looking for a place to raise their kids and get away from it all. Well, I haven’t been everywhere, but I can vouch for East Topsham, VT, being “away from it all”.

Now to get back to Florida and begin applying what I’ve learned. First we have to dodge IKE (currently headed towards us by way of Arkansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania)! We will probably stay in Vermont an extra day so that we’re not driving in IKE’s remnants.

We have not finalized our route back to Florida. I know we’ll be stopping in the D.C. area to visit several friends and once in the Norfolk, VA. area to let Margaret interview the game rep / agent. From the Norfolk area, we can probably make it home in two days without too much trouble. So at the moment, we’re still thinking it will be the second week in October before we’re in Fernandina Beach. Like much of our travel, this will evolve with time and events.

Weather in Barre, VT, is cloudy and they are expecting scattered rain through Monday. So we’ll lay low and begin preparation for our departure next week. Other than the one morning of 38 degrees, temperatures have been moderate: upper 40’s at night and mid 60’s during the day. Very pleasant.

The three photos today were taken on the road from Barre to E.Topsham – the road I drove every day last week. The “builder” of the bird houses came out to talk while I was taking the photo. He makes the houses as a hobby. He professed at having no plans to work from; just looks at the wood and builds the house that is appropriate. I haven’t quoted him accurately, but the way he said it reminded me of the famous quote attributed to Michelangelo – “I look at the marble block and know what image is in there.” I did not buy any because I thought Margaret wanted to and would do the selection. It’s not far from here, so we might drive back so she can make her purchase.

The leaning silo is not particularly unusual along back country roads, but this one seemed to be still in use. Not sure how long it will last.

And finally, the large barn. Again, very typical of farm structures in the country side, not only in Vermont, but in Pennsylvania, New York, and probably anywhere in the USA where there is (or was) an operating farm.