Ashley Fetner Fine Art Photography

 
  In the mid 1800’s train crews would build a box-like shelter on spare platform cars to protect their cooking fires. In the 1830’s Nat Williams a freight conductor, for the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad, would sit in the last car on the train either on a box or barrel, to direct the train’s operation. As trains grew longer railroads provided platform cars for the train crews and then begin to convert box cars for shelters for the crews. From this the modern day caboose, equipped with stoves, refrigerators, electricity, gas heaters, and even specially designed Pullman - type crew seats, has become not only an efficient office , but a “home away from home” for conductors and train crews.
Kay

The Cedar Creek Nature Trail is a mile long trail that begins along Cascade Creek and ends at Lace Falls. Along the trail you will find some very interesting places, plants and birds that are unique to Natural Bridge Virginia. One of these is the Ancient Arbor Vitae Tree. A member of the Cypress family, the name in Latin means “tree of life” due to its alleged medicinal value of the resin. This tree is said to be 1500 years old.
Kay

 
Midway Geyser Basin is a collection of springs and geysers along the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park. The geyser basin is located in a low flat area that was left uncovered by surrounding lava flows. Midway Geyser Basin is an extension of the Lower Geyser Basin but due to the isolated location between the main features of the Lower and Upper Geyser Basins, it became known as Midway. In 1889 Rudyard Kipling visited Yellowstone and referred to Midway Basin as “Hell’s Half Acre”. This steaming geyser field is home to two of the worlds largest hot springs, the Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser. Large colonies of algae, cyanobacteria, thermophiler and other heat loving micro-organisms tint the thermal areas with brilliant colors.
Kay
 

 
Old St. David’s Church in Cheraw South Carolina was the last Anglican Church built in 1770 in the state of South Carolina under King George lll. During the Revolutionary War both the Americans and the British used St. David’s. Confederate and Union armies also used the church during the Civil War. There are soldiers from every American War buried in the cemetery at St. David’s.
Kay

At one time in this country, family farms were a way of life. Farmers raised fruits, vegetables, wheat, hay, cotton and livestock for meat, eggs, milk, butter, and wool to meet their family’s needs. The work was difficult as it had to be done by hand or with the help of horses or mules to prepare the fields for planting. To succeed, the entire family worked together to harvest the crops. Through the years farming has become less important as a way of life and has developed into a business enterprise. Because of ongoing research in plant and animal production, there have been major increases in crop yields and animal products. With the use of modern farm equipment, planting and harvesting can be done more efficiently. Farmers today have to be knowledgeable not only in agriculture but also in account ting, marketing and finance. The small family farm may be disappearing but farming remains the most important occupation in the world today.

Kay

Built by the Southern Railway in 1898 in Barber Junction, NC, the depot was moved from the original location in1980, to serve as the Barber Junction Visitors Center for the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. The museum is on the site of Southern Railways largest steam locomotive repair facility and is part of the Division of State Historical Sites and the Department of Cultural Resources. Thorough the exhibits you can see a history of North Carolina transportation. The Roundhouse built in 1924, was one of the largest ever constructed, now houses forty restored locomotives and rail cars. The Bumper to Bumper Exhibit is a collection of automobiles and bikes from the 1920’s through the 1980’s that include a 1901 White Steam Stanhope, a 1938 Highway Patrol Car and a 1947 Whizzer Motor Bike. The Wagon, Wheels and Wings exhibit includes a dugout canoe, 1922 fire engine and a Conestoga wagon built prior to 1810. The Back Shop that was built in 1905 and was once the largest industrial building in NC. It served as an enormous machine shop where the locomotives were disassembled and repaired with new parts. The outside has been restored and restoration is being done on the inside so that more exhibits can be added. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, so Smithsonian travel exhibits are often on display. The museum offers tours, train rides and excursions as well as special events.
Kay

  “Bison and Calf”

 Lamar Valley is located in a remote northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. A trapper in the 1830’s wrote in his journal about a “Secluded Valley” and the wild and beautiful nature of its high country meadows and ridges. Its wide expansive valley is home to Bison, Elk, Coyote, Grizzlies, Black Bear, Pronghorn Antelope, Cougars, Wolverine, Big Horn Sheep and the number one area to see Wolves. Bison are the largest mammals living in the park and Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 where the population of wild bison has persisted since pre-historic times. This area is definitively the place for serious wildlife watchers to visit!
Kay

 
 The Valley of Fire State Park was dedicated in 1935 and is the oldest state park in Nevada. It is located near Overton about 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas Nevada at the north end of Lake Mead. This is a valley of petrified dunes, strangely-shaped rocks and sandstone cliffs. It is said to be one of the most colorful locations in the Southwest especially at sunset when the rocks take on a deep red glow.
Kay

Located on a marshy island bordered by the Currituck Sound on the Outer Banks, is the unincorporated community of Knotts Island. A small hunting and fishing community with a number of well-known hunt clubs, Knotts Island was the birthplace of the conservation group “Ducks Unlimited”. Located on Knotts Island is the Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge, an 8,219 acre tract of land that is home to many endangered and threatened species, including peregrine falcons and American bald eagles. It is also an important wintering area for thousands of geese, ducks and swans. 
I have never experienced a rainbow with “Neon Colors”—– they began fading as quickly as they appeared-
 Kay

 
  Southern West Virginia is made up of nine counties and considered the heart of Appalachia. It is known for its rich coal mining history as well as the natural beauty that makes up this unique area of scenic countryside to amazing mountain views. With the many parks, forest and rivers, it is considered a recreation paradise- “Wild & Wonderful”.
Kay