Zedler Mill with Nana

I know I said 2 days ago this post would be up tomorrow....well it's finally tomorrow! :0)

I've been to Zedler Mill before and even posted about it a couple of times. I decided to take Nana there while she was here. We drove to Luling after poking around in Palmetto State Park taking pictures all morning. We found a picnic table and ate our lunch then wandered over to see Zedler Mill. We took photos from the top of the hill above the river facing the dam then wandered around to the other side to view the other buildings on the property. When we rounded the corner of one of the buildings we could see construction equipment and crews over much of the property. It was exciting to think the old mill may be restored but it was hard to tell what was going on. We talked about just walking over and asking someone about the project but didn't right away. It turned out we didn't have to. One of the men from the crew came over and introduced himself to us and told us all about the project. He's obviously very excited about all the plans. The current construction underway is to build restrooms. Then a pavillion is planned on the site of the building that burned in the 70's, in addition to an amphitheather on the bank of the river, and eventually restoration of the mill itself. A restaurant is planned for the big house across the street. I'm anxious to go back periodically and check out the progress! He even told us of the paddling trail that ends there and gave me his business card so I can bring Marty back and take him on a canoe trip. I'm thinking I've found another summer activity to plan!!! I haven't been in a canoe since I moved out of Missouri!

I had Nana pose for a photo with the backdrop I wanted for our family photos this year. The day I took our family photos the sun wasn't cooperative at all (imagine that!) but this day was overcast and perfect for photographing in midday.

The dam at Zedler Mill.

I've found that I'm liking taking photographs of reflections. Sometimes the reflection makes a more interesting photo than what is being reflected.

There were even flowers blooming here and there around the mill property.

Beyond this neat little building you can see an area of dirt that has been leveled. That's the future site of the pavillion.

The back (or front depending how you look at it!) of Zedler Mill. I guess technically this would be the front (it faces the street) and the back faces the river?

I wish I'd taken photos of the construction in progress. I will update you any time I head back over there and see anything new. It will be fun to see the progress.

In Which I Torture My Family...

Since I canceled the shopping trip I'd planned with Heather today I decided we should go take our annual family picture for the Christmas card. It appeared to be warm outside as the rain and drizzle has finally stopped and the sun was shining...however the wind was blowing hard making it feel pretty cold at times. Looking outside early this morning I thought it would be a great day for the picture taking. When I announced to my family this was my plan, by the looks on their faces you think I'd told them we'd be extracting teeth today. But, they cooperated. Mostly. We all piled in the car with camera and tripod in hand and headed to Luling to see if we could find potential backdrops at Zedler Mill. The backdrops I had in mind didn't work out with the direction the sun was shining, but we found some that worked out almost as well as I'd hoped. I kept having to give Marty and Heather breaks from picture taking in the shady areas to put jackets back on and go warm up in the sunshine. Despite the wind constantly blowing our hair in our faces (except Marty) and the cold, we got a couple of shots we could use.




Here are a few that will not be on this year's Christmas card.

And of course, it wouldn't be me not to take photos of the scenery while Marty and Heather warmed in the sun.

We attemped a few poses on this, but the shadows on our faces looked awful. I did manage to rip my jeans tripping over the rake on my way back to the camera to set it for another photo.

This is where I wanted to take our pictures, but the sun glared too brightly on our faces.

Zedler Mill

Since Marty's working the entire weekend, Heather and I decided to take him lunch after church today. If I'd had any idea we'd be stopping along the roadside to take pictures I'd have gone home first to change!







We took lunch to the construction site in Luling and headed toward home to tackle housework. Just outside of Luling we crossed a bridge and saw a mill and waterfall, so we turned around for a closer look. What a pretty spot! We took several photos from the roadside where I parked the car, then decided despite having on the wrong shoes (heels again!) we would walk down the hill for some closer shots of the waterfall.







It turned out to be a wonderful afternoon. The spurts of drizzle and rain missed us while we were taking pictures. Heather was in a rare good mood and we enjoyed the unexpected picture taking opportunity.

I could have wasted the entire afternoon just looking and listening in this spot! Sigh...but housework awaits.....

Heather, I really enjoyed this afternoon with you!

I never seem to be properly attired for these picture-taking jaunts....but it doesn't keep me from grabbing the camera and stopping when the opportunity arises anyway!

Zedler Mill

I don't think I'll ever be as good as Erica at taking photos like this: