State Fair

Colored Lights and Streaking Stars

So if you are looking at this picture and saying to yourself, 'What in the world are those red and green lights that are everywhere...even in mid air,' then do I have a story for you.  I was at my girlfriend's apartment when I was cordially invited to go star gazing at Thunder Hill on the parkway, and seeing how I had no idea what Thunder Hill was, and based on the sheer weight of the name, I was very interested in going.  Once we got their, I was told that there was homemade chili involved and the night just kept getting better.  We, meaning me and about 10 others, hiked the short distance to the top of the hill and set out a couple of blankets on top of what we found out were thorn bushes.  We dished out chili and were having a grand ole' time when all of a sudden...someone pulled out some glow sticks.  I still don't know where they came from or why anyone even had them with them, but they ended up being a lot of fun.  I was taking a star trail, or picture like the one above, when we started to throw the glow sticks back and forth.  Next thing you know, we were throwing them as high as we could in the air and then at each other and then back into the air.  Needless to say the camera caught all of that in one single picture and that is what you see above.  The above photo shows the beauty of the night sky, while also showing the beauty of simple pleasures or random fun times.  I didn't even know who all was there that night, but I got to experience community and share life and fun times with others.  I love this picture, because you can't look at it and not wonder what is going on in it.  

And this is when you realize, It is Different on The Mountain

I had a nice time in the high country today with my older brother Billy, his girlfriend Kayce and my lovely girlfriend, Erika.  All photos are from Beacon Heights on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Pictures just can't do it justice.

Billy and Kasey 

It doesn't get much better than this...A beautiful girlfriend, in front of an incredible backdrop.

Dad's Birthday Breakfast

Here are some shots from my family's celebration breakfast for my dad's birthday yesterday.

Viaduct Stars

I took both of these photos from approximately the same place, but I took them on different nights.  One of the nights, the moon was out, and the other one it wasn't.

Stars

Spider

The Cabin in the Snow

Shulls Mill Road

Price Park/Lake

Due to the incredible conditions outside right now, I thought that I would show a couple of pictures that remind us of warmer days.  Price lake and Price park on the Blue Ridge Parkway are favorites for many ASU students during the fall, so here they are.  

Price Lake

Price Park

ASU

ASU Campus Crusaders representin' for App State!

Grayson Highlands

Everybody knows about the ponies in Grayson Highlands right?  This is right by Wilburn's Ridge.  

Christmas Break

 After a nice long day and into the night of studying, it feels good to be expectant of my amazing 3 hours of sleep before getting up only to study some more.  One of the thoughts that gets me through is the knowledge that I am only a couple days and seemingly impervious finals away from my Christmas break with my family.  I thought that I would break out a couple of photos that I took during Christmas break last year to get me into the spirit of one of my favorite times of year.

My family almost always pulls out a puzzle over the holidays to have 

something that we can spend time doing together and watch it as it is completed slowly but surely.  Inevitably my younger brother and mom, along with the occasional bust of action from my older brother, will do most of the work while the rest of us poke our heads in for the occasional confidence building finding of one or two pieces.  And of course there is no Christmas without the piano in the living room.  I am pretty sure that I take a picture of it every year, just because it looks cool.  

Time for some Zzzzz's and dreaming of easier days.


Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

The snow has stopped!

 I had the great opportunity to get outside today without the snow obstructing my ability to feel my hands enough to grip my camera to take some pictures.  Unfortunately, I went out to explore behind Greenwood parking lot on ASU's campus a little bit too late and the sun set around 5:15 which stole any light that would have been necessary to take pictures.  Thankfully I was able to take a couple pictures before the sun went down.

Although finals are coming up and the semester is nearing the end, I always can relieve any stress that I might be experiencing by taking pictures.  It is such a simple thing, however, it brings me great joy.

The snow that we have experienced over the past couple of days here in Boone has been awesome, ridiculous, huge, fluffy, cold, dangerous(The Wreck), and even a little bit fun.  However, I am telling the truth when I say that I am glad that it has stopped, at least for now.  It is always fun to talk to my parents and brother on the phone and tell them, 'yes, the snow is still coming down...it totals about a foot or so,' and then proceed to ask them how their 3'' of snow in Oak Ridge was.

Best of all is that the snow means that it is time for me to officially break out the skis (even if I have unofficially had them out for about a month now) and hit the slopes.  Although I have yet to experience for myself what kind of heavenly powder the latest snow storm has brought us, I have been told that it is beautiful.

Skiing- one of the most fun things that I have ever done.  When I was first introduced to the art of snow skiing by my girlfriend, Erika, in the spring of '09, I knew that it would be a life long hobby. Granted, the slopes were icy and there was no snow on the ground except for the slopes, it created in me a desire to learn more and get better at such an adrenaline pumping sport.

I am just ready to be done with school for this semester and begin my work filled Christmas break.  Only one more week and three finals and I will be sitting at home on the couch hanging out with the fam.

Moses Cone Manor

From earlier this fall.

ASU Mountaineers vs Western Illinois Leathernecks

Freshman wide receiver Tony Washington runs the ball to bring the mountaineers to the 6 yard line.  Washington's run paved the way for junior running back Cedric Baker to run the ball in for a touchdown to bring the score to 28-7 going into halftime. 

Junior quarterback keeps the ball and runs it for a mountaineer first down.  

ASU special teams came close to blocking a couple of the Leatherneck's punts on Saturday afternoon.

Senior defensive back Mark LeGree breaks up a Leatherneck pass to sophomore wide receiver Charles Chestnut during the end of the second quarter on Saturday in Kidd Brewer Stadium.

ASU players bundled up while on the sidelines to keep warm in the low temperatures on Saturday. 

While some fans sat in the stands and froze, others were creative with the snow that kept falling. 

Running backs coach Chris Moore watches as the Mountaineer offense dominates the Leathernecks in the snow .

During timeouts and in between some plays, Kidd Brewer Stadium deployed an army of snow blowers so that the yard lines would be visible.

Head Coach Jerry Moore took his team to the ground on Saturday with their running game accounting for 417 yards .

The App State offense takes a break as the 'snow crew' blows the snow off of the yard lines of the field on Saturday.  

Despite the cold weather and snow, 13,322 loyal fans came out to watch ASU dominate.

Freshman wide receiver Tony Washington shows his intensity and determination on the sidelines Saturday after his run to setup junior running back Cedric Baker to score late in the second quarter.  

Saturday brought head football coach Jerry Moore's first snowy game at home in his entire 22 year career at App State.

First Big Snow

Here are the photos that I was able to take before I slid off the road.

The Wreck

The approach

 

Context 

The damage

More damage

Where the car was after it got towed out