Writing / Photography Retreat

Living in Florida, I never have a shortage of photographic subjects. Palm trees, birds, sunrises, and sunsets make each day interesting. The Florida sky alone can occupy my interest full time.

Occasionally, however, I long for new scenery. In August, I rented a house for a month of photographic bliss in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Full of anticipation, I packed my cat and all my camera equipment and headed for the hills (literally).

The house was on the side of Black Mountain. I loved my perch up high in the sky once I got used to the driveway - it was a straight shot to heaven. I had little trouble with it after I learned to hold the steering wheel steady and floor the gas until I reached the house. I also learned that if you brake quickly enough, rarely will you hit the back porch.

Out in the woods and on my own, my schedule was simple... I'd choose a destination the night before. Then, I'd head out before dawn to catch the variations of the changing light. I'd shoot for a couple of hours then return to the house to spend most of the afternoon working my way through the 200 to 300 photos I shot in the morning.

For a photographer, there isn't a better vaccation than that.... See more pictures of Black Mountain in the gallery