Weekly Photo Challenge – Foreshadow
“A memory of golden grey, foreshadowing a pale tomorrow.”
Taproot, The Episodes
Long ago, as a young girl, my parents drove me through the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania on the way to my first day of college. I can clearly remember a conversation from that trip, which I was reminded of when I considered my response to this week’s challenge “Foreshadow”.
“Shadows present, foreshadowing deeper shadows to come .”
Herman Melville
I had been admiring the mountains, commenting on how beautiful they were. My mother, never interested in anything much beyond our own backyard, concluded that my interest was inherited from my father – who always looked for beauty in nature and often talked about traveling to see the world.
“There are things that are not yet, but which cast their shadow before.”
Agatha Christie
Now, I am the first to admit that, like many little girls, my father was my idol. It seemed to me even at a young age that he had chosen a much more interesting path than my mom. Her comment that long-ago day foreshadowed what was to become one of my passions – seeing the world and all of the wondrous things in it.
“A way foreshadowed is not a way made.”
Donald G. Mitchell
As a nature lover, mountains are high on my list of favorite things. I’ve been fortunate to have seen and photographed some of the world’s most impressive ranges. One of my fondest memories was waking up in crisp white linen sheets and down quilts surrounded by the Austrian Alps in the middle of summer. We’d arrived in the dark the night before and the snow-capped peaks were dazzling as they reflected the morning’s light.
“Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat.”
William Hastie
On another adventure my husband and I arrived in Denali National Park at about 9pm one evening during our trip to Alaska. Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, was glorious in the deep dusk of Alaska’s midnight sun. I happily shot away until finally turning in at 11pm. Little did I know this would be the last time the mountain would be visible during our entire week’s stay in the park. It remained shrouded in fog, which I later learned is much more the norm than our first night’s clear view.
“Foreshadow, plot buster or red herring… only time will tell.”
Tana French
This summer, my husband and I will add to our mountain experiences as we explore some of China’s majestic peaks. Who could have known that the wanderlust and sense of adventure foreshadowed so long ago would take me to so many amazing places and introduce me to so many incredible sights. Here’s to adventure, wherever it takes us!
This week for the first time I’m also posting to Sonel’s Black & White Challenge “Upward” . To see more of those entries, click here. For more “Foreshadowing”, click here.
Brilliant post Tina. The black and white approach really helped me to focus in on the unique forms. And your commentary and quotes pulls it all together into a wonderful story about your mountain experiences. Well done. Happy trails in China!
Thanks so much Bruce! Appreciate your visit–hope to shoot endlessly in China 🙂
Sent from my iPad
All your mountain pictures are so impressive. I share your love of mountains, but haven’t seen as many. But now I can enjoy admire them through your lens.
Thanks Bente! So happy to share them with you!
Sent from my iPad
Now I have seen most of the post to this theme and to me, yours is the winner, Tina. It’s the right mix of words and images, memories and wonderful quotes that gives it a deeper meaning and totally captures me. My das was my hero as well, so different from my mother. Your words brings back so much to me right now. Thank you! ♥
Big hug
Dina
What a lovely compliment Dina-thank you so much! I found this one a bit more difficult than most but once the memory of the moment occurred to me it became a pleasure to write.m happy to have jogged your memory as well!
Sent from my iPad
Stunningly beautiful photos and a beautiful recount of your journey and journeys.
Thank you Anne! It was a very warm memory for me. I am often reminded of things my parents said to me along the way that have had quite an impact on my path. Interesting how a small comment can have a major effect isn’t it?!
: )))))
An excellent B&W presentation.
Thanks David! A nice change of pace to leave color behind at times 😉
A lovely post Tina. I love the B&W. I am looking forward to reading about your China adventure. It is bubbling up to the top of our bucket list.
Thanks Ron! I’m very excited about china. You’ll be seeing lots of shots I hope!
Sent from my iPad
An incredibly beautiful and dramatic series of landscapes Tina! And great idea combining the two challenges 🙂
Thanks Madhu! Been a while since I’ve done a combo! Appreciate your lovely compliment 🙂
Wonderful compositions.
Thank you Rabirius-they were wonderful subjects!
It’s a great thing that you took pics of McKinley when you could. It just reminds me to seize the moment because you never know what tomorrow may bring! I’d like to invite you to link up on my blog on Wednesdays for Wanderlust Wednesdays. You can post until each Saturday. Here’s the link: http://www.timetravelplans.net/hotels-in-palm-desert-shadow-ridge/
Thanks Dana! Checked out your site–looks great! I linked my Angkor Wat post of last week since its more travel oriented. If you can edit that, you might change its name to Angkor Wat instead of my name, didn’t realize what was being asked for! See you again with my next travel post, thanks for the invite!
i guess we were all mama’s boys or daddy’s girls at some point 🙂
Probably true Brad! It would be interesting to see how many girls favor daddy and boys favor mom vs same-sex favoritism!
Sent from my iPad
wonderful landscapes ! would love to see large formats…
http://sreeniviews.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/weekly-photo-challenge-foreshadow/
Thank you Srini, haven’t been bitten by the large format bug…..yet! Appreciate your visit and comment.
Sent from my iPad
What a beautiful post, Tina. The images are excellent, and so is your story.
Thanks Gracie, it was a nice memory
you’ve written a wonderful tribute to your father’s wanderlust!
Thanks FT! Sadly my mom didn’t share his interest so mostly he only traveled on business
Sent from my iPhone
This is truly such a beautiful series of images, and simply perfection in black and white.
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks so much Lisa!
Sent from my iPad
Lovely post, Tina.
Thanks Jane!
Wow Tina – these shots are amazing and lucky you going to explore China’s peaks.