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Maggie goes to Wallace Lake, Bennettsville

Lois, Maggie and me decided to hop in the truck and go to Wallace Lake in Bennettsville so Maggie could have some fun. Weather was perfect.

 

You sure I can roll in the mud?

Maggie at Wallace Lake

Getting serious with sit command / Marker training

Sit...

Then a few Downs

down...

What's that watery shiny stuff? Can I walk on it? Today was the first time she saw water, except the water bowl.

Maggie

Sit Pretty. We're waiting for the left ear to get up.

Sit pretty

We could tell she had loads of fun. She even got to meet a few young girls that got to give her treats. Perfect.

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Introducing Maggie the Shiloh Shepherd

Picking her up Saturday in Virginia. What a hoot thats going to be.

 

 

The John Blue House, Laurinburg, NC

Since I just took posession of a Olympus 12-60 High Grade lens, I figured I'd go try it today. It was overcast, but still a decent day, so I decided to visit The John Blue House in Laurinburg, NC.

Steamboat Gothic architecture, the century-old John Blue House provides a glimpse into an important part of Scotland County's past, and the culture of the rural Carolinas. It was not open when I was over there, but was still able to walk the grounds. Would like to go inside at a later point.
While it beckons from a distance, the home also revels in close-up. Featuring no fewer than 12 exterior doors, each with its own stained glass light above. It also sports nine fireplaces and rare double circular porches.

The home, nestled in a grove of pecan trees, is the centerpiece of a collection of structures that tell the story of a different time in the region. These structures include, three authentic log cabins, a restored pre-Civil War cotton gin, restored country store, the Scotland County Museum and an operational miniature steam locomotive.

The grounds are always open and are used to host numerous festivals throughout the year. However, when I walked though, I was the only one. As for the lens, what can I say. Tack sharp, typical Olympus quality.

John Blue House

 

John Blue House

 

John Blue House

 

John Blue House

A bell was hanging on the back side of the house, all rusted.

Bell

One of the cabin doors

Cotton gin driveshaft. The gin had one shaft on each side, all wood.

Cotton gin (pre-civil war era), probably dual donkey driven

I looked up,

Tool Shed, deteriorating, but still standing

This cabin was the best kept, right across from The John Blue House itself.

 

 

Maggie Kenyon, Lois Langvand liked this post

Reflections of Last Fall Colors

Last chance to shoot some fall colors yesterday. The leaves are already turning brown and falling off.

 

Last Fall Colors

Which way…is it growing…

Which way....is it growing.....

Full Treetop Fall Colors

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Season…….Fall

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Rails to The Light

Rails to The Light

BMW F800GS first valve check

After coming back from a 6K long trip west, it was time to really bond with my 800GS to do a late 12K service that included valve check. I didn't expect anything to be out of spec. Sure enough, all 8 valves were in the middle of the spec range. These engines are notorious for seeping oil along the valve cover seal, so I installed new engineered taller seals. Good deal. Good for another 12K.

Spilled guts

BMW F800GS valve check

 

BMW F800GS valve check

 

BMW F800GS valve check

Day 21: Leeds, AL to Home

425 or so miles for the day. Dodged the rain in Alabama, and also the rain when we got home in SC. All day slabbing on interstate 20, which is not our favorite way to ride, but gets us from A to B the fastest way. Came home and unpacked, sorted and cleaned equipment. 3 weeks riding and about 6000 miles later leaves a lot of nice pictures, videos and memories. It'll take weeks to sort through it all. Wish we could stay out longer, but work calls. We'll have to  wait a while.

Thanks to everyone that followed us on the journey.