Tag Archives: travel

Four Seasons on Tervuren Avenue

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I don’t know how many times I’ve said, “I’m going to get this shot in all four seasons!” Only I never do.

That’s what makes me love this series of photos so much. I caught the autumn leaves before they passed their peak and had a blast shooting the “tunnel” of trees in all their orange glory.

As my dear friend lived on this street, I was around often enough to notice the changing of the seasons and grab the next shot.

Snow days in Brussels were scarce and typically short lived. One year it snowed a little and I snapped some shots, but it was just a dusting and I wasn’t happy with the scene. As our departure from Belgium loomed, I resigned myself to the fact that I wasn’t likely to get the winter photograph I wanted.

In January of 2017 I caught the break I was looking for. It started snowing in the early hours of the morning and was still snowing when I got up. It was just enough to give me what I wanted, but not so much to be snowed in.

I finally had my four seasons series! Will I ever repeat it with another scene? Who knows?

Scootin’ Around the Station

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I don’t always use a wheelchair, but when I do, I take the opportunity to take a lot of pictures! Inspired by a recent trip to the zoo in which we brought out the power wheelchair, we decided to venture downtown to visit Denver’s Union Station.

I have been to the Union Station in DC a million times and never get over the feeling of awe it inspires. And my university team used to go to the Model UN conference held in the former Union Station in St. Louis – which is now a hotel, conference center and mall. In fact one of the first places I crossed paths with my husband was at this former train station. Both places left a lasting impression, so I have wanted to check out the station here to see if it lived up to its cousins in other cities.

Getting around downtown Denver is no easy feat, and my mobility issues make it even more daunting. Add cold weather and I just couldn’t do it alone. Luckily we had a free weekend and the weather was unseasonably warm. We loaded up the power chair and found the closest parking garage to the station. While the idea of using the wheelchair full time is daunting, I can’t deny that it is handy for longer outings and makes it possible for me to use my big Sony camera.

Union Station in Denver is an impressive structure, built in 1880. It’s smaller than the other two stations mentioned, as train travel west of the Mississippi River has never really taken off, but still worth a visit. The inside is also less ornate, but classy, and filled with bars, restaurants and shops, with the bulk of the building taken up by the Crawford Hotel. Local, regional and national trains stop here and it’s a great place to start or end your train travel adventures.

One feature of the Dairy Block not to be missed is “The Alley.” In December , this heated alleyway is home to the Mistletoe Market filled with stalls selling everything from jewelry to artwork to culinary delights. An interesting feature is the mirrored ceiling in the middle of the alleyway. Pass through after buying your Christmas presents, or stop for a drink (or ice cream!).

Another noteworthy block nearby is McGregor Square. In December it boasts an ice rink set up in it’s center. But this would be a great location at any time of the year to have some beers while watching a game on the giant TV overlooking the square. Built to mimic nearby Coors field, the buildings housing various eating and drinking establishments wrap around this space, giving you the feeling of being on a baseball field.

At the end of the day I was satisfied with my little outing. I got some great shots of the station and practiced seeing – and getting – shots from my new vantage point. I still need practice, but the whole exercise boosted my morale. And I finally got to explore part of downtown Denver (LoDo as the area is called by locals).

It helps that Denver is a fairly accessible city. Most areas have curb cut outs in the sidewalks for us wheel-dependent folks. And a large number of businesses have an accessible entrance somewhere. Not all the sidewalks are well maintained, but nothing I encountered was enough to hinder my exploration. I look forward to taking the wheels out for a spin in other parts of downtown Denver again soon!

*It is worth mentioning that the Accessible/Family bathroom in Union Station requires a code to enter. You must track down a security guard who will come let you in. There is plenty of space and grab bars near the toilet, but the sink is not really accessible. I didn’t go into the main bathroom, but I did notice that the main doors are propped open, so that is one less obstacle to overcome.

For more information on Union Station Denver visit their website at https://www.denverunionstation.com/

To learn more about the Dairy Block, visit their website at https://dairyblock.com/

Learning to Pivot

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I’ve written and rewritten this blog post multiple times now. Trying to decide how much detail to go into is difficult! But ultimately it comes down to this – I have been diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia with Ataxia. It’s been a multi-year journey to get to this diagnosis, with my walking going from bad to eating pavement regularly, and no longer navigating stairs or declines without handrails and some help. I am a full time wheelie walker warrior now, and balance issues negate me standing up while holding anything, much less an expensive camera.

This has meant that my plans to climb all over the hills and streets of my Ozark town, taking photos, doing portrait sessions, developing a photography tour of Eureka Springs, were thwarted by my own body. What has happened since, is that through the encouragement of my husband, and the richness of the landscapes we find ourselves touring at the moment in the Rocky Mountain region, I am doing what all good Foreign Service spouses do and pivoting to new subject matter. I’ve been doing that for most of my photographic journey, so it (now) makes sense for that to still be the case. It’s been a tough mental exercise to finally get to that understanding. It’s not unlike having to leave Belgium and my lucrative print/portraiture business for a tiny post in the Caribbean without those opportunities. Or the subject matter shifts in my previous moves from country to country.

For the moment I take most of my photos from a vehicle. My husband has developed skills at positioning the car or truck so that I can get some really great shots. I recently went on a photography ride alone and experienced first hand how difficult it is to find a place to pull over, out of the way, to get the shot I am aiming for. I also have a couple of chair options – power chair and a seat attachment for my walker, so that I can get some photography in at more urban or restrictive (ADA accessible!) sites like the Royal Gorge and various gardens. I have yet to venture into downtown areas. This is a slow process getting used to my limitations and my startling visibility. I miss my covert status!

I am starting to connect with other photographers and travelers with various conditions that either hinder their mobility or put them full time in a wheelchair. Some have either picked up photography as a hobby or have adapted their photography businesses to fit their circumstances. The range of abilities and tenacity is inspiring! I am now considering more options for going forward. I might just get the portrait sessions going again, once I reconfigure how I do things. That is still very much a work in progress!

I am also reaching out to other photographers, regardless of their mobility status and trying to learn, and be inspired by their work. No I can’t hike to that remote spot in the mountains to capture that landscape, but I can train myself to see the landscape shots and try to get out at the best times for natural light (also still working on this, lol). No I can’t jump around and speaking issues will limit my ability to communicate clearly, but I may find a calmer, more intentional way to shoot portraits.

Whatever I do, the important thing is that I continue to keep doing what I really enjoy. Editing, purging, and posting? I will continue to struggle to sit down and just do those just like I have for years! But eventually I will do those things because I enjoy sharing what I’ve captured. And I hope that you all enjoy seeing the world through my eyes no matter what vantage point I see it from!

Please, as always, like, comment, and share my posts with others! And if life throws you roadblocks – Pivot! Pivot! PIIVVOTT!

Finding My Feet on the Back Roads

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It’s been awhile since I picked up my camera. Or rather it’s been awhile since I picked up my camera without fear.

Due to some sort of joint/muscle problem keeping me wobbly I’ve been afraid. Afraid of falling, afraid of tripping, afraid that whatever is wrong with me is permanent or serious. In normal times my fear of doctors keeps me procrastinating, putting off getting that diagnosis. But this year, COVID-19 hit. And then we were in the process of moving to our forever home. So why start this fact finding journey in VA.

I finally have an appointment with a doctor so I whatever is wrong whether it’s just a funky disc, or something else, at least I’ll know. I do know that as I’ve lost some weight and cut way back on bread products, I seem to be walking better. Not sure what the correlation is, if any. Maybe I’m just having good days while these warmer, Indian summer days are here. Whatever the reason, I’ll take it.

So I took the opportunity this morning to wake up early and get out the door. I’m about 3 days too late for the better fall colors, but at least I’m out again. I needed to remind myself that I am still a creative individual. I needed to remind myself that I am a photographer. I needed to remember that I enjoy the exploration of the world around me and capturing the beauty of what I see in at least one or two good pictures.

Reflecting with Monet

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Monet's House

Monet’s House

One of the biggest impediments to my photography practice has always been my emotions. I’m not talking about the self doubt – though that has stopped many a creative process throughout my life. I often find myself taken by intense emotions when witnessing the beauty, majesty, and soul of a place. And then when I snap that picture, the images seem to fall short of what I experience in that moment. Often I don’t see it until I get home and download the images. Wait, what? No, that does not do that moment justice! And then there are the times that I (being a chronic overshooter) am so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of images I took that I just can’t choose which images best match the experiences I want to share or the emotions that those experiences engender! The process is exhausting and I find it may take me days, weeks, months, and even years before I’m ready to finally wade through the folders and to share the beauty of what I have encountered.

Japanese Bridge

My family trip through Normandy (with a sidestep into Brittany) in May of 2016 was one such emotional ride for me. Finally getting to share that part of the world with my husband and my girls, while also discovering new gems I never dreamed would tickle my fancy was just magical. The sheer amount of photos and the attached emotional responses were overwhelming and while life was taking it’s customary chaotic turns for this gypsy Foreign Service Family, I never got the chance to just sit, edit, process the emotions, and share what it was about those places that touched my soul.

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Free flowing tulips

So here I am – 3 years later – finally ready to devote the time and confront the emotions that come with remembering, editing and sharing. My girls are now grown and that brings up new emotions while I edit, knowing that those times of us all together are going to be fewer going forward, making the process all that much more bittersweet.

HerrensatGiverny

My kids are used to me dragging them to places they are underwhelmed by – shopping malls, ancient gothic churches, caves, museums, national parks –  you know, pretty much anything when it comes to teenagers traveling with their parents. So I planned our trip to northern France knowing that I would probably be more excited about it than they would be.

When my oldest daughter arrived home from college I told her about the trip and asked if there was anything in Normandy besides Omaha Beach that she wanted to see. I was shocked when she came back to me and said, “Monet’s gardens look cool. Let’s go there.” Giverny is technically in Normandy. It’s just way south of the route we were planning to take from Brussels on the edge of the province! But given that this was a one of those few times she actually showed any interest in something even remotely related to French artists, I jumped at the opportunity and rearranged our itinerary.

Now, even I was not on the bandwagon for this particular destination before this. I mean, how many times have you visited the home of some historical figure and been completely underwhelmed? And while I love Monet’s paintings, I just couldn’t see how visiting his home was going to add any more to that appreciation, especially given the crowds, the weather, the possibility that we missed peak blooming season, etc. I could not have been more wrong!

Since I tucked this stop into our first day of travel, we arrived at a less than ideal time – well past opening. It had been raining on and off all day. We did find the group entrance ( I read on Trip Advisor that they would supposedly honor pre-purchased tickets and help you skip the line at the main gate) and were let in without a fuss – right in front of a huge school age group. Oh boy. This could get unruly…

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But coming into this part of the garden first, going to the right and experiencing the water lily pond was just what was needed to start this little adventure off on the right foot. The gardens were gorgeous even though we were a little past peak bloom for many of the spring flowers. The paths are set up so that even with lots of people, you still get a good feel for the beauty of the pond, and can see for yourself the inspiration that Monet must have experienced himself. Sure there are some people in my shots; but I found that they often added a certain “je ne sais quoi.” And everyone was so well behaved. No pushing. No lingering too terribly long at each vantage point (I may have been the offender here). And I never felt too hurried, even by my own family!

A Little Monet in My Soul

The thing about the gardens is what do you focus on? The overall picture? The particular design of each garden? Individual flowers? The reflections in the lily pond? Oh I could spend hours playing with light, textures, and points of view! I get especially lost in the reflections and capturing that classic Monet feel.

A little Escher Influence…

Mindful that my daughters’ attention spans could only endure so much of my photographic fervor, I limited myself and we moved on to the house and gardens. They also did not disappoint! So many flowers! So many opportunities for the romantically nostalgic to get lost in dreams!

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The house, however charming, is, well, a house. You’ve seen many a house preserved as it was (or might have been) from the historical time period it came from. But there are aspects about it that do have you imaging Monet and his family living there. For me those moments came when looking out of windows and doors into the gardens. And then there was his collection of Japanese engravings. It’s always interesting to see what another artist collects in terms of art and those items they choose to put on their walls that they did not create.

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At the end of the visit, we all agreed that the experience was well worth the stop. Even my youngest, an artist herself with little interest in French impressionists (imagine my horror when she admitted that to me!), came away from the experience with more appreciation for Monet’s work. And so, a little bit soggy, we all happily piled into the car and headed to our next destination on my (almost) ultimate French road trip.

Dreaming = Creating
Sweet Sister Moments
Told Ya!

Backroad Waterfall

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My husband found this gem on Greenwood Hollow Road (or County Road 301?) by accident the other day while exploring Eureka Springs. He said it was a quaint trickle at the time, but after the heavy rains last week it is now gushing quite nicely. I’m glad I caught it just as the trees were beginning to get dressed for warmer weather, as I’m sure the leaves will obscure much of the view of the waterfall later this summer.

Greenwood Hollow Waterfall

A satellite map view shows a small lake (spring fed?) just above it. There are no signs, no names I can find. So maybe when I live here longer I can dig into the locals’ store of knowledge and find out if this lake and it’s waterfall has a name. If you are from Eureka Springs, reading this blog post, and you know this place, feel free to chime in with any information you might have!

My Last Sale at Embassy Brussels

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Where it all began – a very timid booth at the Information Fair!

 

It was a very sad week for me! I had my last showing at the Tri-Mission Association shop at Embassy Brussels. I cannot express how thankful I am to the Embassy community for supporting my work and encouraging me to push beyond my comfort zones in pursuit of more and more opportunities. This venture has been more successful than I ever would have imagined possible and I have learned so much along the way. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your purchases, for your compliments and for your friendship!

Though I know I won’t have quite the same, sweet, set up I do here at Embassy Brussels at my next location, I now have a basis on which to build and learn, and I hope to get my online presence up and running as successfully as my in person sales. To that end, I will be slowly transitioning my photos onto my sale page at www.brandy-herren.pixels.com. Here you will be able to continue purchasing my prints – framed, canvas, etc – as well as fun photo products for home, office, and personal use!

As a thank you, I would like to offer a 10% discount on my image markup on the sale site to my US Foreign Service community members. Contact me and let me know your name and your affiliation with the US Foreign Service and I will send you a discount code to use on your Arklahoma Muse purchase through the website.

Thank you and Happy Clicking!

Fun with Castles

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Did you know there are more castles (sometimes referred to as chateaus) per square mile in Belgium than in any other place in the world? For anyone who has ventured even a little out into the Belgian countryside, this is no surprise!

Castle Gravensteen

Castle Gravensteen

Some castles are now museums and public domains. Others have been converted into event venues and are only open to the general public during certain times of year. And some are still privately owned and inhabited, and may or may not offer tours.

Chateau de la Hulpe

95. Chateau de la Hulpe

Some castles have been rebuilt and recreated, such as Castle Gravensteen in Ghent, or Beersel Castle just off of the ring road around Brussels. Some have fallen into ruin, never to regain their former glory and a lucky few have found saviors working (and providing funding) to revive them.

 

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79. Beersel Castle

And then there are those that have been maintained and cared for over a multitude of generations, decades and in some cases, centuries. No matter your preference, there is most likely a castle or château that catches your fancy and stirs your imagination.

57. Bouillon Castle

57. Bouillon Castle

Last year I was fortunate enough to visit quite a few around Belgium. I have merely scratched the surface in this area, but a very lovely surface it was!

In the fall, just before a majority of tourist destinations in Belgium go to sleep for the winter, I jumped at the chance to tour the Chateau d’Attre, located in the quaint little village I have driven through numerous times on my way to the commissary.

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109. Chateau D’Attre

Castle Attre was built in 1752 on the foundation of a previous castle from the 15th century and is still privately owned and lived in. The castle and its grounds are only open to the public on Sundays from April to September, but they are willing to work with groups to provide tours on other days of the week when asked.

Private Altar

Private Altar

While the house and its interior is lovely and full of great details and curiosities, I fell in love with the grounds! My friend Sarah and I braved the drizzle to explore a bit and man are we so glad we did. She’s super patient with me as I spend lots of time photographing the fall foliage and on one such stop I happened to look behind us and noticed a cave opening. We looked at each other, asked “Do we dare?” and took off into the unknown (having seen a spot of light in the distance first!).

The Entrance

The Entrance

 

We emerged at the base of an amazing ruin! Having read absolutely nothing about the castle or the grounds, we weren’t sure what we had stumbled onto, but we knew it was cool. We spent the next hour (the rain had stopped – seriously people you gotta learn to soldier on. The rain is rarely constant here) climbing around this odd old building and having the time of our lives.

It turns out that the ruins were not ruins at all, but a feature that was built to look like old castle ruins in the 1800’s for the castles residents and their visitors. But, wait – that’s still pretty freaking old! Whatever its origins, it was still pretty cool and a setting for all kinds of fun and make-believe.

Next time on Arklahoma Muse I will take you to Gaasbeek Castle, located just off the ring road and close the Neuhaus Chocolate Factory!

 

 

 

 

Winter Walk

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So much blogging to catch up on! Here’s a little something to go on from our walk this afternoon.

There were tons of people out today soaking in the unexpected sunshine and Tervuren Park is a favorite outdoor destination for many living on this side of Brussels.

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Winter Walk in Tervuren Park – featuring sunshine between two hail storms traveling in opposite directions!

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Christmas on Spring Street, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.