Please click to start the video. The music will definitely enhance your walk along the boardwalk.
Life on the islands is never boring. Why, just yesterday we sat in our kayaks a mere twenty feet away from a huge blue heron as it fished for its lunch. The big bird took a few glances at us before deciding that food was more important than flying away. It was an amazing sight to see, especially at such a close distance.
Earlier, hermit crabs shuffled along the banks, dragging their seashell homes as they passed two feet from my boat. Thousands of scurrying fiddler crabs moved along the shoreline, like soldiers storming a foreign beach. Pelicans dove into the water, oyster beds jutted up and out of the water, and I got sunburned. But it was a wonderful day.
And late Thursday afternoon proved to be just as spectacular, when we took a several-mile-long bike ride along the Bull River across the marsh from our house. So hop on your two-wheeler and join us. I think you’ll be glad you did. By the way, Writers’ Police Academy t-shirts are great for bike riding…
After riding for a few miles we stopped beside a rickety old dock that had pulled away from the shoreline. But, not wanting to pass up the views, we simply had to explore.
A lone pelican was scanning the water for dinner. We were lucky enough to see it catch a few appetizers.
Yep, we live on the other side of that marsh. Made me realize just how far the trip back would be. Unfortunately, there’s no road or path across, so its back the way you came…all the way around.
This shot was accidental. There was a four- or five-foot space from dock to land, and I guess I hit the camera button as I jumped. My movement at the time of the shot caused the illusion of the curved boards. They are actually straight.
You never know what sort of wildlife you’ll see in and around these waters.
Don’t forget, tonight the moon will be at its closest point to the earth. The “super moon” occurs at 11:35 p. m., but the best time to observe is during its rise and set. It will appear extremely large against the horizon.
And we say goodbye to another day in paradise…
After years of photographing the dead and the macabre, Coroner’s Investigator Paul Beecroft finds pleasure and comfort in capturing the images of the living, especially the happy little things in nature that people often overlook. And that joy can be found, well, all around us if you just take a moment stop and look. Here’s more of what caught Paul’s eye and imagination as he continued his trek through the countryside of New Zealand.
Note the Sparrows in this tree
…and the little Fantail in this one
Paul Beecroft has spent a good deal of his life in law enforcement, in England. He’s worked Foot Patrol, Area Car, Instant Response Car and also as a Police Motorcyclist. He currently serves as a coroner’s investigator and has traveled all over England, Wales, Scotland and even Germany to investigate crimes.
Paul Beecroft has spent a good deal of his life in law enforcement, in England. He’s worked Foot Patrol, Area Car, Instant Response Car and also as a Police Motorcyclist. He currently serves as a coroner’s investigator and has traveled all over England, Wales, Scotland and even Germany to investigate crimes.
Paul Beecroft has spent a good deal of his life in law enforcement, in England. He’s worked Foot Patrol, Area Car, Instant Response Car and also as a Police Motorcyclist. He currently serves as a coroner’s investigator and has traveled all over England, Wales, Scotland and even Germany to investigate crimes.
A little over an hour drive north of Seattle lands you in some pretty nice scenery. Actually, anywhere in that area is spectacular. The countryside is simply beautiful, and full of surprises at ever turn. You’ll see our biggest surprise of the day in the last photo. It was during the drive home through the mountains.
After hiking upward on narrow, twisting and winding trails, we wound up miles deep in the thick woods. When we hit this clearing I wondered how someone got the materials there to build the bridge. Helicopter?
What a surprise it was to run into this on the way home.
Our Weekend Road Trip this week takes us to Washington state in the mountains overlooking the San Juan Islands. Take a deep breath. The hike up and over to the water is not for the weak. Enjoy the view.
* No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, this is a repeat post. I’m painting our house this week and today I’m trying to beat a long line of thunderstorms before they move in. I’ll do better next weekend, I promise. In the meantime, enjoy the view…and sign up for the Writers’ Police Academy. The remaining few spots are waiting for you!
I was exhausted by the time we reached this point. The scenery, however, made me forget all about my aching calf muscles. Breathtaking!
A climb down led us to this deserted stretch of beach and remnants of long-forgotten civilization.
Orcas often frolic and feed just offshore.
* * *
* Coming soon…an exciting interview with Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys! Did you know the Elvira crooner is a successful author? Joe is also a supporter and fan of our Writers’ Police Academy. As usual, he and his fellow “Oaks” have generously donated several autographed items for the WPA raffle.
All the leaves are brown
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk
I’ve been for a walk
On a winter’s day
On a winter’s day
I’d be safe and warm
I’d be safe and warm
If I was in L.A.
If I was in L.A.
California dreamin’
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day
Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
Got down on my knees
And I pretend to pray
I pretend to pray
You know the preacher likes the cold
Preacher likes the cold
He knows I’m gonna stay
Knows I’m gonna stay
California dreamin’
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day
All the leaves are brown
All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
And the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk
I’ve been for a walk
On a winter’s day
On a winter’s day
If I didn’t tell her
If I didn’t tell her
I could leave today
I could leave today
California dreamin’
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day
California dreaming
On such a winter’s day
California dreaming
On such a winter’s day.
California Dreamin’ ~ The Mamas And The Papas
January 14 is a date I’ll never forget. One year ago today, on our wedding anniversary, is the day Denene broke her leg. And boy did she ever do it right. Broken in three places. Surgery. Plates, pins, and screws. Lots of physical therapy. Wheelchair and crutches. A blue cast. And…it broke my heart to see her like that.
Well, the date has rolled around again and we’re going to try to have the celebration we missed out on last year. But you can bet that I’m going to be watching every step she takes today. No slip ups this year!
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to take a peek at a few of the places we’ve been over the years. And you know what…we’ve done some traveling! Lots of hiking, walking, climbing, paddling, driving, flying, and boating to get to some of these spots. Shoot, we’ve even stood on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.
How about you? Recognize any of these sights?
Pacific Coast Hwy/Big Sur.
Washington State, overlooking the San Juan Islands. We found the spot by parking the car and taking a walk through some pretty dense woods. What a pleasant surprise when we reached this clearing.
The bridge to Mt. St. Helens.
Somewhere in the thick of the Cascades in Washington State. Another hike. A very looonnngggg hike.
Boston skyline.
Sydney, Australia
Hearst Castle swimming pool. San Simeon, California.
Okay, you know where this was taken, right…
Grand Canyon during a cross country RV trip.
Somewhere in Arizona.
Heading south on Hwy 1 from San Jose, California.
Jockey’s Ridge, N.C.
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire.
Santa Barbara, California.
Sunset in Capitola, California (Think Hitchcock’s THE BIRDS).
Anyway, here’s to many more years of happiness, and happy I am.
Happy anniversary, Denene!
After twelve months of planning, tons of hard work, lots of fun, and three wonderful days of playing cops and robbers, it all boiled down to the stroke of pen. On Thursday, Denene and I traveled to Guilford Technical Community College to present the Writers’ Police Academy’s donation to the Criminal Justice Foundation. So, thanks to the hard work and generosity of everyone involved, we are pleased to announce that our donation for 2011 was…
A whopping $10,000.00!
That’s right, I said Ten Thousand Dollars!
Eric Holloman, the department chair for the GTCC public safety department, accepts the WPA’s $10,000.00 donation. The money is used for training and supplies above and beyond the department’s extremely limited budget.
Denene Lofland, Eric Holloman, Nancy Metzner, Jo Williamson
Thanks again to the Writers’ Police Academy recruits, Sisters in Crime, the High Point Public Library and “The Library Ladies,”our fabulous sponsors, the planning committee, volunteers, GTCC instructors, Guilford County Sheriff BJ Barnes, all the police officers, firefighters and EMS workers who donated their valuable off-time, presenters and speakers, those of you who donated items for the raffle and auction, and everyone who spread the word about our one-of-a-kind event.
Reflections of 2011…
See you in 2012 for an all new, even more exciting program, including the fabulous Lee Child, our 2012 keynote speaker!
Police Procedure and Investigation: A Guide for Writers
