I discovered a new motivation for walking – a camera! I also discovered a new motivation for blogging – a camera! O.k., you may already know about the power of the little gadget, but this morning I actually took it on a walk and learned about a whole new world. As I left the house, I thought, “Maybe a photograph will give me a blog post idea. It’s worth a try.”
So, this is the story about how I learned walking is more fun if my sole purpose is to take photographs to blog! And this is the story about how a blog post and more than one came from walking and “seeing things” from my camera’s eye view.
It was a surprisingly beautiful day, with clear blue skies and those big fluffy white clouds that make irresistible photo ops, and there was a cool breeze after last night’s rain. I parked on Main Street right next to our city cemetery. I love cemeteries – not because I expect to wind up in one, but because they are always so serene and somewhat haunting. Did I say haunting? By the way, I love steeples too. They are so uplifting.
But, my mother is buried in this city cemetery and my best friend, Meche, along with many soldiers of the American Civil War, including Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Jackson was a Confederate general who won many a battle against the Yankees. Before the war, he lived in our downtown in a neat little house on Washington Street and he taught at the Virginia Military Institute.
After paying my respects in this haunting cemetery, it was back to Main Street where I was struck by an overhead street banner announcing a local Pie Festival. Where else but in a rural community like this would you be urged to enjoy a pie festival? Our ice cream social was such a grand success I suppose someone thought pie would be a good idea too. After the serenity of death in our lovely cemetery, this sign screams “life” and the enjoyment of luscious living.
Onward I walked, and I took a few photos of our main thoroughfares. The tourists were out enjoying the sun, and the Lexington Carriage Company was clip-clopping them around town by horse and buggy. I stopped in at the carriage company tack room/preparation center and met two new horses who were being introduced to the city. They had just had their baths and were enjoying lunch. Their owners invited me to take pictures and said I could learn more about their operation by “liking” their Facebook page at LexCarriage. Amazing what sporting a camera will do in terms of introducing you to new folks. It’s much like walking a dog!
As I roamed around town this morning, always looking for likely photo ops, I suddenly realized I was panting and could hardly trudge back to the car. And checking my watch, I discovered I had walked 40 minutes! True, it was not fast power walking, but I wandered much further than I would have without my trusty Camera. The fact is, until the final slog back to the car, I was having a grand time looking around town for likely photographs that might be the inspiration for a blog post.
All the experts advise that walking is the best exercise. Walking in fresh air and sunshine is even better. They also advocate finding an exercise you like to do, something you can have fun at. I must admit, I have never found exercise of any kind to be “fun.” I much prefer the couch and have to force myself into the right state of mind to actually move.
Now, however, I see myself as a foreign correspondent, looking at the world through my camera’s lens. O.k., so the pics are pretty amateurish. And the locale is local and not foreign. But the act of photographing while walking is my newest inspiration.
“I thought about making a fitness movie for folks my age and calling it Pumping Rust.” ~Author Unknown
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I loved this Dor! I love seeing other countries, towns and cities, how they look, what they offer, the little things that make them unique, I think your camera is a fabulous idea – and like you say, even better when you have a ton of exercise you didnt intend!
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Your photos are not amateurish – they are wonderful!!! I can see it now – you are goiing to become addicted to photography just like me and will never go anywhere without your camera :). It is truly wonderful how much more you will notice about the world around you when you are looking through a camera lens, and with digital cameras you can experiment all you like and it doesn’t cost a penny!! Thanks for taking us along on your maiden camera/walking tour and I look forward to many more!
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Your pictures are wonderful!
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The ton of exercise and ideas for blog posts were a wonderful bonus I attribute to the camera in my hand. I want to name it now – maybe call it “Pal.” Thanks so much for commenting Karyn. 🙂
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Keeping up with your fabulous photography would literally do me in Cindy! I can hardly figure out how to “review” the shots I take and the buttons are so small on my camera that I hit “click” and the camera turns off. Yep – true amateur. But you are right. I will now be addicted to having “Pal” (my new name for the Cannon something-or-other) with me at all times. I think it’s a “sure shot?” Thank goodness. 🙂
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Sending love and thanks through cyberspace! I am inspired. And that’s the wonderful thing about having blogging friends isn’t it?
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Hi Dor! What a great way to enjoy a walk! Thanks for sharing!
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Beautiful pictures! I can’t believe I’ve never been to Lexington. It looks like a wonderful place to visit. I love all the history!
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And thank you too Cathy for stopping by. 🙂
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O.k. – Plan a visit! I will be your personal guide. 🙂
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I really think you notice different things and see more details when walking with a camera in hand. Very nice shots!
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First off, those photos are not amateurish, they’re interesting and well-taken! Second, I too have found going for a walk with the camera is really quite fun (and provides great blog material too!). Thanks for taking us along on your walk!!
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Thanks winsomebella… a real eye opener for me.
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Watch out, you may be deluged with on-line walks ala Dor! 🙂 P.S. I’m having some problems commenting. I write something out and then get an “ooops” message, “page can’t be found.” So forgive any comments are drifting in unusually late.
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Good job! When it’s cool enough here, I’ll do more of that–walking or biking. The town shots look much like my hometown where I was born, minus the hills.
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The cooler weather here helped too and everything came together as if nature planned my excursion. Hope to repeat the process tomorrow or am I getting overly ambitious? Thanks Lilly, and I’m glad you found Lexington town a familiar kind of memory.
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🙂 🙂
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My husband walks at one of two parks nearby. He likes me to go along but many times I felt “too busy” (or lazy) to go. I found that taking my camera engaged him and me more so in all around us.
You live in very interesting surroundings. I enjoyed this virtual walk. Keep walking, keep writing, keep taking pictures.
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Thanks Georgette! Your comment is truly inspiring. 🙂
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Great photos Dor and interesting subjects too. Keep up that walking girl 🙂
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Tomorrow! Tomorrow! 🙂
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Loved the “tour” around your town. Isn’t it amazing how writing a blog causes you to always be on the lookout for “material”?
I walk 30 minutes almost every morning (unless it’s raining, or I have an early appointment). Some mornings it’s more difficult than others, but I always feel better after it’s done!
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Hi Dianna, I envy you the morning walks, but since a bear has come down our road several times in a row now, I have to drive to town instead. I always get so determined to walk this time of year when it begins to cool off. Let’s hope the camera keeps me motivated. Thanks for your lovely comment. 🙂
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I did a daily photo challenge last year. I agree – it really did help me get my exercise! I would encourage you to use it to get to know your camera better and improve your technique.
Here’s my own thoughts on doing a daily challenge last year:
http://livingtheseasons.com/2011/12/01/why-a-photo-challenge/
Nancy
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Thanks Nancy. I will surely read your suggestions about the photo challenge and learning more about my camera, but since my true enjoyment is really in the writing, I simply prefer to illustrate blog posts with my own less-than-professional snapshots (rather than worry about assigning credits). Your advice is well taken however and much appreciated. 🙂
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Thanks for the gracious response! I agree with you about the enjoyment being in the writing, but I find my readers much more responsive to the photos. It’s a big disappointing, but that doesn’t stop me from writing anyhow.
I do like using my own photos to illustrate my blog. Some photos are truly spectacular, but others not so much. I still like them all.
Nancy
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Thanks Nancy! 🙂
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Dorann-
This is a really brilliant idea. I am going to do this! Thank you for the inspiration. What a great concept, I’ll go for a look see and post some shots around the holler! Should be interesting!!
This post was just delightful as is your town. I am SO JEALOUS about the pie festival….can you go and take photos next year? Do you know how much I would love a pie festival? Any excuse to eat dessert!!
Love post, photos & town!
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Thanks Cindy… it’s a very sweet little place with more to do than in most small towns. That’s because of the Civil War history and there are two colleges mid-city.
I have been lazy about the “camera-walking” but you’re inspiring me to get back out there. 🙂
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