365 Photos, or Shadows on Beech Mountain

When I launched #PhotoJambo, I set a goal to post a photo a day for a year and today marks one year of photos! I really appreciate all of the people who have supported me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and everywhere else!

Taking the photos is the easy part but actually editing them and sharing them with the world has taken a bit more effort. I've posted my daily photos from all over the world, including a tent in the middle of a hurricane to a ship in the middle of the ocean. You have no idea how much you rely on a fast internet connection until you have to upload a 20mb photo over 3G!

My first photo was of the top of Beech Mountain so I thought I would return to my roots with today's photo. 

Thank you to everybody who has supported me over the past year!

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

The Land of Oz opened in 1970 as a Wizard of Oz-themed amusement park on top of Beech Mountain. It closed in 1980 but that didn't keep the "cast members" from returning for a reunion every fall. There has been a resurgence of interest in The Land of Oz in the last few years and in addition to being open for one weekend every fall, it is now open on select weekends over the summer and you can even hire private tours of Oz for parties. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Playa Mujeres

With the weather changing, I could use a little beach time and I think a trip back to Secrets Playa Mujeres would do the trick! It's hard to believe all of this undeveloped beach is just a few minutes outside of Cancún. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone. 

Only this and nothing more...

Much of the East Coast was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew last week but it sounds like Charleston managed to get by with minimal damage. Poe's Tavern lived to serve paradise on a bun another day. Sometimes, it's the little things that really matter. "Only this and nothing more..."

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Joyride

At a mile high, it's fun to watch small airplanes, such as this one, buzz around the top of the mountain. Sometimes, the planes will even fly below you. This one made several runs directly over the top of the mountain, where we were relaxing, before heading off. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

USAF Jeep

This well-restored Willys USAF Jeep is on display at the Aviation Museum at Robins Air Force Base in Warner-Robins, Georgia. You usually see original Jeeps in their matte Army Olive Drab color but this one looked striking in a glossy USAF blue. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Tree with a View

I never get tired of this sunrise! This is the morning view off the back deck of Slopeside on Beech Mountain. We were up there last weekend and the leaves were just beginning to start changing colors. It's a great time of the year to visit the mountains!

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Charlotte Crossroads

This is the intersection of Camden and S. Tryon in South End. It's amazing how this area has grown since we first moved to South End in 1999. It'll be sad to see the block of buildings in the middle — former home to the beloved Common Market — when they get torn down but I guess that's the price of progress. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Linville Falls

Linville Falls is just a short drive from Slopeside on Beech Mountain. The hike takes a bit of time but is moderately easy. For scale, check out the tiny red dot to the right side of the falls, that's a person who is exploring the face of the falls. The park rangers mentioned that somebody was on their way down to ruin their fun and write some tickets. I'm guessing they'll think it was still money well spent... provided that they made it back down in one piece. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.

Blue Blaze Tasting Night

Have plans yet this weekend? If you live in Charlotte, check out Blue Blaze Brewing! The beer is great and the atmosphere is unlike any other brewery in town. I once heard it described as a treehouse, which is exactly how it feels. Did I mention the beer is great?

This photograph was captured with a Sony a6300.