Thursday, October 06, 2011

On the Road

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I headed to Asheville, NC today for a polymer clay play day with friends and decided to take a round-about way to get there. I got lost twice (and I NEVER get lost) but I still had a great time driving to Asheville. The weather could not have been any more perfect, the sky was ultra blue, the air was clear with no summertime haze in the mountains and traffic was light. I enjoyed my time seeing once again the real Georgia (which doesn't include Atlanta) and reconnected a little with my "Georgia-ness", probably even increased my drawl a little. The leaves in the mountains are just starting to show their beautiful fall wardrobe and I had a delightful trip. The beauty of the north Georgia mountains gives me a profound sense of peace and I feel at home in them, even though I'm really from the peach orchard area of middle Georgia. And my ancesters are from the true farmlands of South Georgia where the peanuts and soybeans grow (love me some boiled peanuts). All of those places are the real Georgia, not the skyscrapers and harsh traffic and non-Southern accents of Atlanta, and it felt good to be out in them. I don't think I got over 65 mph, which for me is something of a miracle - I have somewhat of a lead foot when driving.

I'm thinking of trying a photographic series about "My Georgia", trying to recreate some of the Georgia I grew up in - assuming that it still exists, of course.  I noticed on my drive today how generic things are becoming.  All of the little towns had their McDonald's, Arby's, Wendy's, CVS, Walgreen's, Applebee's, Red Lobster.  The little hometown "meat and 3" restaurants are few and far between.  But the people are still welcoming and friendly, they wave when they see you drive by and they smile at you when they pass you on the sidewalk. 

The "watercolor" painting should be ready for unveiling one day next week.  Be forewarned, I don't do pretty flowers, etc.  You know I like old, rusty things, right?  Just sayin.......

Joy Journal: Lone*Star Steakhouse Ribeye

2 comments:

Sherry C said...

I was born and raised in California, and when my family flew "back east" to Ohio to visit my grandmother I was so aware of how different everything was. The stores were different, the music was different, the neighborhoods were different. The neighborhoods still seem different - no fences around everything, but the music and shopping centers seem to all be the same. Even driving through southern Canada it's sometimes easy to forget that you're in Canada.

I would love see a photographic series on your Georgia. I know that the photography would be amazing.

Shelley said...

Ernie, I would be delighted to see a photo series of "your" state. You are a fantastic photographer, and it would be great to see Georgia through your camera lens, as well as the memories and stories you would share. Your writing is such a wonderful complement to your images.

Can't wait to see some more of your famous rusty shots too (and I'm also looking forward to your watercolor unveiling). Your talents are really blooming these days!