Backyard - Ruckersville, Virginia 


Baseball's regular season is over, and what an ending it was.
 
At the beginning of September, the playoff berths in both leagues seemed secure and the final weeks of the season promised little drama. Statistically, the season was all but over, but then the Red Sox and Braves both managed to string together a series of losses that destroyed their wild card lead and opened the door for the  Rays and Cardinals to stage the most remarkable September comebacks in the history of the game. It was all wildly improbable.

Baseball is not a game of statistics, it is a game that defies statistics. That's what makes it so much fun.

Ocracoke Light Station - 1823 - Ocracoke Island, North Carolina 

Island Ford - Rockingham County, Virginia 

I came across this curious little board and batten building in the Shenandoah Valley back in the spring. It is located next to the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks a few miles south of Elkton. The location and general appearance of the building make me suspect that it may have had some connection to the railroad at some point in the past, but I have not been able to identify the building or learn anything of its history. It appears to be unoccupied, but is in reasonably good condition.

The tracks through Island Ford were originally part of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, which operated from 1867 to 1890. The section from Elkton to Waynesboro was completed in 1880, and the line continued southward, reaching Roanoke in 1882. The tracks are now part of the Norfolk Southern system.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse - Currituck County, North Carolina 

I hope none of my friends in North Carolina were offended by my "chigger city" remark in yesterday's post. The truth of the matter is that coastal North Carolina is beautiful this time of year. The crowds are gone, the air is cool and the autumn light has a special glow.

The photo above was taken in early October of 2008 from the grounds of the Whalehead Club in Corolla. In the background is the 1875 Currituck Beach Lighthouse, which is still in operation.

The Art Nouveau style Whalehead Club was completed in 1925. It is now owned by Currituck County and is part of the Currituck Heritage Park

Accidental abstract - Currituck County, North Carolina 

Let me start by saying that I did not take this picture. In fact, nobody took this picture.

Several years ago, in early October, I was hiking with my friend in North Carolina. The camera was on a strap over my shoulder, and at some point during the day, the camera managed to snap a few shots on its own. Something must have bumped the shutter release as I was walking along with the camera bouncing at my side.

If I had known my camera could take photos without me I would have stayed home that day and not been eaten alive by chiggers.

 Chigger City, North Carolina

Gone to seed - Greene County, Virginia 

Today is the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere. Summer is over, although warm weather will linger for a few more weeks. Soon the woods will turn yellow and red and gold. It is a time for gathering in and storing up for the long winter when night falls early, and the flowers of summer are gone

Late summer trees - Greene County, Virginia