More Furman photos

October 19, 2013 / sugarsitaspell / Leave a comment

This isn’t the first time I’ve shared photos from a trip to Furman. This really is one of the loveliest campuses that I have ever visited. I’m thankful that it is just a short drive away.

These photos were taken on various visits during the summer.

Soft purple grains dot these tufts of long green grass

“I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
This cabin is a replica of the one Thoreau lived in while writing Walden. Seeing this helps put his work into perspective. It also explains why he spent so much time in nature as staying inside this tiny cabin would drive me mad. Perhaps he paid so much attention to those ants to avoid going home.

Shi Center for Sustainability

Turtles fighting for bits of bread

The ducks are out for a swim before darkness falls.

In the summer, the Japanese garden is a gorgeous, lush green.
Sun sets on the rose garden

This former Buddhist temple became part of Furman’s campus in 2008.

Good night…

Forgotten photos – my solo trip to Biltmore

March 3, 2012February 29, 2012 / sugarsitaspell / Leave a comment

A few weeks ago, I got up early and headed for Biltmore Estate. I love the house but I decided that I wanted to spend my time exploring the grounds. Since I have an annual pass, I didn’t really feel guilty about this. The house itself is so overwhelming that it becomes difficult to really explore the grounds if you are seeing the house too.

I am finally posting these pics for your viewing enjoyment.

There was a slight bit of haze but it was still easy to make out the gentle giants in the distance.

The house looks just a bit smaller from this angle. Side profiles must be slimming – at least if you are an enormous manor house.

Love the fleur de lis detail here. It took so many talented artisans to construct the house.

A bamboo forest along one of the many paths leading to the woods surrounding the house. I love the lush, tropical look of these plants.

Gorgeous flame dogwoods provide a welcome burst of color during the winter.

The boathouse by the bass pond. I had the whole place to myself and it could not have been more tranquil. It is a gorgeous spot, even in winter.

Serene

A shot of the pond with the boat house slightly hidden by a tree on the right side of the photo.

This is on the upper side of the bridge/falls. I love the shiny copper under the murky water and wonder how many of those wishes came true.

These blooms had a beautiful ecru tone. They were delicate and somehow the perfect “flower” for a winter’s day.

Greer City Park Photo Walk

February 7, 2012January 29, 2012 / sugarsitaspell / Leave a comment

Greer, South Carolina has a lovely city park complete with a shagging fountain (the dance, people), swings, and a gazebo. Enjoy the pictures from my trip there.

This part of the park isn’t quite as relaxing as the upper part with the fountains. It’s lovely but the aerating fountain at the far end of the pond is a bit noisy.

This low bank of fountains is adjacent to the row of big porch swings.

I spend a good 20 minutes, “just a swangin’.”

The dancing fountains

Greer Photo Walk

February 5, 2012January 29, 2012 / sugarsitaspell / Leave a comment

Last Friday was sunny, warm and simply gorgeous. It was the kind of day we left Ohio for, so I decided it needed to be enjoyed to the fullest. I hopped in the car and made the short drive to downtown Greer where I sat out with my camera. Here’s the first of two posts showing what I captured.

This marker is for the trains that run through Greer.

These three mysterious buildings (barracks? chicken houses?) are surrounded by a barb wire fence.

This abandoned farm supply store is quite close to the three mysterious buildings. The remaining gravel from the parking lot is very hard to see. I can only guess this place has been closed for quite some time.

Spartanburg Photo Walk – Vacant Lot Edition

January 13, 2012January 6, 2012 / sugarsitaspell / Leave a comment

I took a load of photos during my walk around downtown Spartanburg. This post focuses on those I took at a vacant lot downtown. It a large space located between two stores. I like the fact that the city didn’t board it up. Instead it’s grassy (mostly) and easily accessible. I’d love to bring Mr. McB here for photos. I think this would make a really cool background.

Lately, I see beauty in surprising places. I think these photos prove that something can be abandoned without becoming an eyesore. I love that things that might seem broken to some, can be lovely with the right eye.

Spartanburg Photo Walk

January 10, 2012January 6, 2012 / sugarsitaspell / Leave a comment

This is the first of two posts from my photo walk in downtown Spartanburg last Friday. It was a very bright day so while that caused some photographic challenges, my body was so glad to feel the sun that I didn’t mind.

Statue on the side of the Extended Stay America’s HQ. He is chiseling himself out of a block of iron/clay/mud.

This tree was full of soft pink buds and busy bees.

I love the sunlight on the water here.

This is for Mr. McB as Denny’s is one of his favorites.

The Palmetto and Magnolia Fountain by Berry Bate with the Daniel Morgan Monument in the background.

First Baptist Church of Spartanburg

A fountain at “The George,” USC Upstate’s business school

Bubbling waters at The George

Blues Blvd

Morgan Square
Finally the SC flag is flapping in the most delightful way.

Another busy bee

Spigot fountain behind Denny’s HQ
A subtle reminder to wash your hands before going back to work?

Furman Photo Walk

January 5, 2012January 5, 2012 / sugarsitaspell / 1 Comment

These photos are from our visit to Furman University back on December 17, 2011. Mr. McB and I had planned to go to the movies but we thought better of when we realized what a mild, sunny Saturday we’d been blessed with.

Furman is known for having a gorgeous campus, see number 12 on this list. In addition to the beautiful buildings, the campus also features many beautiful natural areas. They even produced a field guide to the trees and animals that you’ll find at Furman. Here are a few images from our little photo walk.

Lakeside housing

This is the original building that housed Furman’s two classrooms. It was moved from its original location and can now be found near the lake.

Sky mirrored in the lake

Furman’s Florentine belltower and bare trees
This photo was not touched up in anyway. The sky was just a stunning shade of blue.

These trees flank the pathway to the bell tower. They are so smooth, I could have rubbed them all day. These are the kinds of trees that are heaven to a tactile person like me.

The clouds showed up in this photo of the pond in the Japanese gardens.

The last remnants of fall were trapped in the pond.

Even dead grass can make an interesting contrast.

Cattails that look like big fat corn dogs – albeit moldy, furry corndogs.

Sugar, come sit a spell.

Live gently. Love fiercely.

photo walk