Monthly Archives: November 2007

Moana Surfrider

Built in 1901, the Moana is referred to as the First Lady of Waikiki. Underwent a $50 million renovation in the late 1980s. Beautiful hotel, we saw many weddings taking place. Our hotel was directly across the street.

Sunset cruise

Sunset dinner cruise off Waikiki Beach.

Lone palm

Oahu’s west side, a lonely palm guards the beach.

Above the clouds

Summit of Haleakala on Maui’s highest peak, you find an island in the sky where the clouds spread out below you like a second layer of ocean. Directions: go to the stop sign, turn right at the clouds.

Clearfork River Covered Bridge

This covered bridge crosses the Clearfork River in the midst of the forest at Mohican State Park. Built in 1963, it is less than a mile downstream from Pleasant Hill Dam. Another rainy day photo. Use the Digital Darkroom link below the photo to see a black and white version.

Oh, deer!

Emilia had a retreat for her lab at Mohican River State Park in Northeast Ohio this past weekend. As we left the lodge on Monday morning, we came across a small group of deer in the parking lot. Emilia shot (oops, photographed) this pair before they headed off into the woods.

Days gone by…

The Cox Covered Bridge was built in 1884 by the Diltz and Steel Company and uses a variation of the Vinton County Queenpost truss system. Built for a very utilitarian purpose, covered bridges were masterpieces of engineering – but horse and buggy America called them “kissing bridges.” Their dark interiors proved ideal for what a later generation was to refer to as “spooning.” It was also common for lovers to steal kisses in the backs of buggies as they passed through the darkness of the bridge, the slower the horses (and the longer the bridge) the better. Apparently, drive-in movies weren’t yet available. As a result of these questionable extracurricular activities, covered bridges actually received public condemnation by concerned local ministers. They were called wishing bridges too, for everyone knows that a wish made in a covered bridge comes true. Wooden bridges tended to deteriorate rapidly from exposure to the elements, having a useful lifespan of only nine years. Covering them protected their structural members, thus extending their life to 80 years or more. Covered bridges were also constructed to be used by travelers during storms and inclement weather.