Slow Walk Snow Walk

Last time I walked was last year... business and weather have conspired to keep me in the cabin. Ventured out Friday to visit Scarritt Point and Cliff Drive.... above and below the Point.

There are, not unexpectedly, a large number of animal tracks in the snow.... it's somewhat reassuring to see that the deer paths from last year are still in use.
Above the view up from the Point... below the view from the Point.... Pendleton Heights is on the horizon.



Above.... this portion of Kessler Park, in which Scarritt Point is located, is in the Reduced Mowing Program... which at first I didn't like but now do because of the more natural appearance it brings to the hillside. Below down on the Drive.... which really, except for the sky, is totally monochromatic.





Very rugged and stark all winter..... all photos taken with the D3 .... five exposures of each image sandwiched softwarily to give higher dynamic range. All taken with the 24-70 zoom at 400 ISO.
This month, Jan 6th in fact, marks the second anniversary of Hyperblogal.... time flies.

"Tis The Season

Princess Amber

Across from a 19th Century brownstone mansion the gates to the Kansas City Museum are open this year to special visitors seeking favor from the Princess.

Dressed in their best finery kids know that you can tell a Fairy Princess all your secrets.

Many Princesses have listened down through the years. First at Kline's Department Store.... and now at Corinthian Hall.

The entryway to the throne room is specially decorated.

Above, Princess Amber, one of four helper royalty this year greets her tiny subjects who think meeting a real princess is pretty cool.

Special needs children have their wishes too....

Princess Amber listens intently as each child, boy or girl, describes their Christmas "needs" and then, with a wave of her magic wand, a chest opens and a gift is revealed.

Mom's and Dad's can take photos or the Princess special Photo Elf will take one for a special folder.

While their pictures are printed the kids can make special decorations.....

Or, above, visit the Princess Shoppe..... but, on the way out, don't forget your cookie (no one does).

Tomorrow is the last day the Princess will be available. Visit the Museum website for location and times. http://www.kcmuseum100.org/fairy.html

Gray Til May

In winter nature sleeps. She tucks her colors away for a warmer day. I don't mind the cold so much, but I hate the endless gray.

Homes For The Holidays - Finis

The home of Patricia and John was built for a Scarritt Family member in 1899. It backs up to the bluff overlooking Cliff Drive and the east bottoms.
The house has undergone extensive renovations by its current and previous owners and has retained a vast amount of its original charm.



A picture, above, of the original owners on the staircase. Patricia and John are lucky to have many photographs from the earliest part of the last century taken in and around the house.

Above, beautiful woodwork throughout. Below, the last stop on the tour the Edward Steven's home built in 1906. Current residents Bob and Jeff embrace the spirit of Christmas decoration heartily.

Above, in the entry hall the main staircase leading to the upper floors.



Above and below the kitchen. There are sixteen Christmas trees in the house.



Floral arrangements were furnished by Mike Stringer.
Guests arriving for the tour.... the Kansas City Museum is directly across the street.
Several residents have already volunteered their homes for next year's tour... I'll keep you posted.