Flowers blooming in our yard

Here are a few more photos I took yesterday afternoon of some of the flowers currently blooming in our yard.

Today's Photo - Dandelion Puff

Our lawn has more than it's share of weeds.  Since it is just about impossible to get rid of them, I might as well use them as photo subjects.  Today's subject is the dreaded Dandelion Puff!

Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve

Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve

Greenville County, SC

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Johny, Andy, Boone, and I had a great hike this Sunday to the Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve.  I am not in the mood to write a full trip report, so instead I will document this adventure with only photos and captions.

The Three Amigos

Jack, Andy, Johnny

Tree Fungus

Boone taking a drink

Wildflowers

Johnny

Boone and Andy

Iggy checking out Johnny's Hat

Fiddleheads

Interesting Mushrooms

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Wildflowers at Moonshiners Falls

Andy and Boone entering the Cave to Cave Falls

Cave Falls

Lower Cave Falls

Colorful Mushrooms

Dogwood Bloom

Cascades downstream from Cave Falls

Wildflowers

Andy rock hopping across the river

Boone

The complete set of photos is posted here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/579974086EpHqBI

Self Portrait from todays hike

My hiking plans for Saturday were rained out, but I was able to get out today.  Plus yesterday's rain helped make some normally low flow waterfalls much more impressive today!

Here is a self portrait I took at one of the waterfalls.

Me at Cave Falls

We call this one Cave Falls because you have to crawl through a cave to get to it. 

Master Bathroom Remodeling Project - Shower Progress

Waterproof Liner Installed on bottom

Backer Board Installed.  Bench Installed

Almost ready to tile!

Amy doing some painting

Master Bathroom Remodeling Project - Making Progress

Continuing with our Master Bathroom Remodeling Project Status Update

Wallpaper removed

Spackled, Sanded, and Primer Coat Up

Making Progress on the shower

It seems I had a bit of spackle dust on the Lens

New Counter Tops

Another small edition was a second set of outlets at the end each counter so we can plug in all our stuff.

Hair Dryer, Curling Iron, Electric Toothbrush, Space Heater.  Two outlets just wasn't enough.

Another change was the center drawer of Amy's vanity.

Originally, the center of the counter top flipped up.

We got rid of the flip up and instead added another drawer.

Master Bathroom Remodeling Project - Lets Tear-er Down!

Over the next few days, I will bring you up-to-date on the status of our Master Bathroom Remodeling Project. 

Step 1  - Tear out the Old Shower

If it was up to me, we would have waited years before getting around to this project.  But I am glad Amy talked me into it.  Unbeknownst to us, there was a small leak behind the old shower and the plywood was rotting and growing mold.  This would only have gotten worse over time.  Thanks to this project, we nipped it in the bud and prevented it from becoming a potential disaster!

Step 2 - Tear out the Old Tub

Master Bathroom Remodeling Project - Before

For the past month, we have been in the middle of remodeling our Master Bathroom.

Why are we doing this?

1. Our house was built in the 1980s and all the bathroom fixtures were original, worn out, and dated.
2. The wallpaper is also almost 30 years old.  Plus, we are not big fans of wallpaper to begin with.
3. Carpeting in bathrooms is nasty and in my opinion should be against all building codes!
4. The Jacuzzi tub was on its last legs.
and of course the most important reason
5. My wife Amy wanted to.  I could have lived with the current bathroom for many more years, but when it comes to household remodeling projects, my wife is the boss!

Here are some before photos:

 Over the next few days, I will catch you up to the current status of our project.

The first day of Spring at Hatcher Garden

Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve
Spartanburg, SC
Sunday, March 20th, 2011

One of my favorite places for photography when I don't feel like travelling very far is Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve.  Located less than five miles from my house it made for the perfect spot to celebrate the first official day of Spring.  I spent about 2 hours this morning wandering around the garden with my camera and tri-pod.  Here are some of my favorite shots from this morning.

The full set of photos is posted here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/579933216yClXtd