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I left Hot Springs this morning (bad decision to overnight there) and wandered back east through Brevard, Old Fort and arrived in Statesville in time for the mass ascension in the afternoon. The festival was chaotic in terms of organization. Cars were approaching from at least three different access roads and all merging into one lane and parking in one field. It took at least an hour and a half to park – just a little less than it took to get through the I-26 traffic jam on Thursday on the way to Asheville. Anyway, I digress. This picture was taken after sunset – the balloon glow.

This year I was determined not to miss the Fall color display in the Blue Ridge/Smoky Mountain areas of North Carolina.Every time I visit, I realize that I need at least a week to explore all the roads less traveled, especially on a weekend when the BRP becomes a parking lot. I spent a lot of time (and a lot of gas) chasing rabbit trails sometimes, but that’s the fun of photography. If you knew that you were going to hit the jackpot around every corner, it wouldn’t be so much fun.I have a lot of images with gorgeous colored foliage, but for here and now I tried to pick a few that were different for various reasons.Today I traveled from Black Mountain up and down the parkway a little (before everyone else was up and about) and then took the rural roads to Max Patch Bald, Cherokee, Hot Springs. Tomorrow I will move back East, ending up in Statesville where there is a hot air balloon festival in progress.

So we made a second attempt to photograph working shrimpers in Port Royal Sound, but there weren’t many out there – I guess they’re catching too much shrimp this season and can afford to sleep in some days. There was one really pretty boat from Oriental, NC anchored in the sound. The crew started to wake as the sun came up. This guy was enjoying his first cup of coffee and watching the sunrise.

I always find such neat stuff down here. I guess one person’s trash is another’s treasure, but this area is a photographer’s paradise. Expect more shrimp boat images tomorrow if everything goes according to plan, but in the meantime, how about this Seabrook country store.

Another gorgeous evening out at Folly Beach and we photographed Paul and Laura, who are expecting their first baby soon.

I’ve known Sven since he was 2 years old, and this evening I watched him marry the girl of his dreams. Congratulations Sven and Kristen.

Today was one of those very neat days when I get to wear multiple hats. The morning was fairly normal except that we had a birthday celebration so there was some great Panera fare to munch on as the day progressed, then this afternoon our engineering department needed some images of a job where we are removing lead-based paint from contained areas of one of our large industrial clients. So I changed down for the occasion, found a hard hat and hit the road. On the way back to the office I got a little lost, and stumbled upon the ruins of Biggin Church, burned three times – twice by forest fires and once by the British army in 1781. Couldn’ resist taking a few shots.

I think I will start a collection of shrimp boat images for a future coffee table book. In fact, I will start taking advance orders as of now. I don’t know what it is about them – a way of life that is in danger of disappearing – a nostalgia for a part of America that instinctively we know we are losing. In a couple of weeks I am going back for yet another stab at capturing the essence of this lifestyle and the people who represent it. These were taken on my last trip to Beaufort.

So Katherine and John are officially married. It was a beautiful evening – perfect for the happy occasion. I was privileged to document the event.

Went back down to Beaufort this weekend with a friend. The plan was to leave the boat landing on Lady’s Island by 6.45 on Sunday morning and photograph the local shrimp fleet as they worked the waterways. Apparently the season has been particularly bountiful this year, so we were looking forward to some action. However the local community failed to inform us that they were sleeping in this Sunday, which necessitated our finding other photographic subject matter. Never a problem in Beaufort, and I will be posting some images later in the week. In the meantime, this was captured on Saturday evening at the 11th Street Dockside in Port Royal.