Cold Turkey!

To borrow some words from John Lennon, "Cold turkey has got me on the run!"  But, in my case it was for a very different reason.  I tried to casually sidle up to this gang of wild turkeys to take some pictures, but they would not let me get close and kept steadily moving away.  So, I just went charging after them only to be left in their snow dust as they scampered through the trees.  

Free Winter Decorations!

Free winter home decorations are provided by Mother Nature in the Pocono mountains in the form of long needle-like icicles.  These icicles at the Bear Creek Cafe look like they could be deadly!

Forest Fire Prevention

Prevent forest fires - Let it snow!

Train in Vain Station

The lack of passenger trains can be explained away, but the heartache's in this station 'till this day.  Unlike the subject of the Clash song "Train in Vain", who sang about being alone and keeping the wolves at bay, this abandoned station could not keep the vandals away.

Mount Pocono Train Station

Freight trains still rumble down this track which leads to Hoboken, New Jersey.  A plan to have passenger trains travel here from Steamtown in Scranton had built up a head of steam, but somewhere along the way got derailed.

Electric Sunset

I think this sunset photo has a nice watercolor look to it and might make a good pop photo painting subject.  I have never tried photo painting, but some examples I have seen of photos turned into paintings showed terrific results.

Cold Morning Moon

The past few days we have been waking up to temperatures below 0 degrees (fahrenheit) here in the Pocono Mountains.  The air has a sharp and cold look on mornings like this.

Statue of the Blessed Virgin at Marywood University Entrance

This statue of the Blessed Virgin is set atop the entrance arch to Marywood University.  It was erected in 1925.  The lighted halo of stars creates a striking visual impact.

Marywood University Entrance

 Marywood originally opened in 1915 as the first college for women in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  It was also the first Catholic college for women in Pennsylvania.  Today the coed university has an enrollment of approximately 3,400 students, and its mission and policies maintain a Catholic identity.

                                                                              

Winter Road at Sunset

Twilight in the bitter cold January air of the Poconos of Northeast Pennsylvania has a very distinctive  tone and beauty.  It's especially enjoyable from inside a heated car.

Winter in the Valley

Looking south across the Lackawanna Valley toward downtown Scranton, another snow storm begins to move in.

Seriously Orange Sunset in the Pocono Mountains

Wall Mural Art With a Heart

This wall art is in a back alley behind the Catholic Social Services building in neighboring Wilkes-Barre.  It certainly demands attention when you pass by.  The challenging and the provocative are often elements of good art, with subjects and form that shout rather than whisper.  I think this wall mural succeeds on that level.  Obviously, it is art with a heart!

Pocono Mountains Sunset

It was a beautiful winter sunset yesterday as I was driving through the Pocono Mountains, but there was no safe place to pull over and take a picture.  So, I lowered my window, held the camera up, and took the picture at sixty miles an hour.

Snowmobiling in the Poconos

Here they come.....

.....and there they go!


Click here for more snowmobile pictures.

Snowmobiles at Mount Airy Resort

A golf course isn't much good for golfing in January in the Pocono Mountains.  However, the wide and snow covered fairways do make an excellent snowmobile course. 


Click here for more snowmobile pictures.

Market Street Bridge

The Market Street Bridge crosses the Susquehanna River and connects Wilkes-Barre and Kingston.

Susquehanna River Bend

This is a view looking south along the Susquehanna River in neighboring Wilkes-Barre.  A classic winter day in NEPA.

Holiday Wreath

A little holiday wreath can have a big visual impact.

Winter Thrill Ride

I admit it.  I have secretly always wanted to see a runaway truck go blasting up a runaway truck ramp.  But, since these runaway ramps never seem to get any truck action, I think they could be pretty entertaining if opened up for downhill sledding and snowboarding for winter sports enthusiasts.

Shoppes at Montage Banner

Scranton is a city that is crazy for banners.    I think the banners for the Shoppes at Montage look quite good paired with the old fashioned lanterns.

Giant Christmas Tree Bulb

Jenny's Inn Ladies Entrance

Ladies, want to have a night out without  having to subject yourself to the horrors of passing through the crude debauchery of a bar to get to the dining room?  Then Jenny's Inn in Scranton is the place for you! 

Subaru Lunch Truck

They don't make lunch trucks like this anymore.  And that's probably a good thing judging by the organic parking brakes.  The emblem with six stars below the windshield indentifies this little old-timer as a Subaru.  

                              

Evening Colors

This view caught my eye as I walked down the street just after sunset.  The view is looking south down toward the University of Scranton.  It was a hand held shot at just 1/6 second and ISO 1600, so it is not a tack sharp photo, but it did capture the beautiful color and lighting.

Power Sunset

Taylor Borough Mural

It is always a pleasant surprise to stumble upon another street mural depicting life in the Scranton area.  I spotted this one in a store parking lot in the borough of Taylor on the west side of Scranton.

Joseph Fellows Memorial

The Joseph Fellows Memorial is located in the Hyde Park borough of West Scranton.  

Marcellus Shale Trail

Northeastern Pennsylvania marks the northeastern border of a huge area of Marcellus shale that extends to the west and south into Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.  A huge amount of natural gas is obtainable, but there is substantial risk to waterways and wells, and a huge battle is raging between supporters and opponents of drilling.  More information and maps providing details can be viewed at geology.com

Happy New Year!