Back in the USA

We got up early on Wednesday and walked down to the Falls again. The day time pix were even nicer than the ones from the evening before.

We had a lovely drive taking back roads most of the time (I suppose to be fair I shouldn't call them back roads. They are secondary roads). The roads were in very good shape and the traffic was ideal. We ran into our first real construction zone about 15 miles from our destination, Old Forge. We lucked out as to our timing; the road was down to one lane and we arrived just in time to make it into the active one. The car behind us was the last one going our way. When we arrived at the other end about 10 minutes later there was a very long line waiting.

The Adirondack mountain area is almost devoid of leaves. There is color here and there, but for the most part we are a bit late. The woman at the desk at The Forge Motel said they'd had a very heavy rain a few days before that took most of the leaves off the trees. 

When we first arrived on the American side via the Rainbow Bridge, we stopped at the Whirlpool Park where I got this picture. There appears to be a gondola that you can ride across the chasm separating Canada from the US.

 

I took pictures out the car windows along the way when the hubster was driving. I didn't take any while I was driving (grin). Surprisingly some of them turned out quite well. Here is one of a barn that I rather like.

Today we are driving to Lake George. It is cloudy, but sunny and we are hopeful of a lovely drive. I will try to get some pix today to share.

Gotta go. I am posting this from the lodge (the only place at the Forge Motel where I can get access) and it is really hot in here. I am dressed in flannel pajama pants and a heavy sweatshirt (my outdoor wear).

I did a sketch last evening in the room of an artificial flower arrangement. I haven't taken a picture of my sketch yet, but may be able to share it tomorrow.

xoxo

Photo of the Day and Addition to Watercolor WIP

Today's photo is a favorite of mine where for once a butterfly actually stayed still while I took its picture. In most cases, by the time I really get the settings as I want them and get focused, they flit off. I sometimes think they should be called butterflits, not butterflies.

I have made some additions to the watercolor I am working on and have learned quite a bit from all your wonderful comments. I don't have the Magic Eraser, so will have to try it another time, but I did use a wet brush to remove some of the green from the trees. Unfortunately, the area where the trees meet the sky is very messy, but this is not for framing, it is for learning.

I used a sea sponge to add a bit of color to the trees and used a rigger to add a bit of tree trunk and branches. I tried to dry brush a bit of dark brown onto the barn, but parts of it were too globby (I don't think I removed enough paint from the dry brush.), so I added a little bit of water which rather defeats the purpose.

I think perhaps this was rather a difficult task I set myself as a first try, but am happy to have learned as much as I have, much of which I can thank you for. I do really appreciate all the input I get here.

I am planning to try another watercolor today, but something smaller (the barn is 10 x 8). I'll share it with you tomorrow.

A reminder about the Rhodia Webnotebook giveaway (see Monday's post); if you haven't left a comment yet, you have until I get up next Monday morning and choose a winner. It is a great journal and I've been writing in mine with a fountain pen and loving it. The paper is so smooth and the fountain pen glides along beautifully. Your comment needs to be left on that post, not this one.

For now, I need another mug of coffee, a bit of breakfast and then onto the treadmill. After that the rest of the day is mine to do as I please. I hear my watercolors calling!

xoxo