Farewell Seattle?

Posted on December 15, 2015 by azgilstrap

Lake Union – Seattle, Washington

Over the past couple of years, Mary and I fell in love with the Seattle area. Our youngest son, Will, was there to complete his studies at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE). We were fortunate enough to visit him several times, and always took advantage of the opportunity while in the Seattle area to squeeze in ample amounts of photoremedy.

AIE is located in the Armory Bldg in the shadow of the famous Seattle Space Needle

AIE 2015 Graduation Ceremony

Greg, Will and Mary Gilstrap at Lake Union (after graduation)

Will has now graduated and is back in Arizona and scheduled to open the doors to his new career in January.Featured below are some of the Seattle area–photography and digital art–I’ve played around with this year.

Lake Union Area

Volunteer Park

Seattle Flowers (most are from the spectacular Volunteer Park Conservatory)

St. James Cathedral

ShrineBlessedVirginMarySeattleStJames 2j

ShrineBlessedVirginMarySeattleStJames 1j

Seattle Dining (photos from one of our favorites – Pasta Freska)

Fall City, Washington

Rural Washington

We don’t have any Seattle or Washington trips planned for the near future. I have a feeling, however, that it won’t be long before the seductive landscape, cerulean waters, unique dining, and magical fall forests call us back. And–yes–I’ll bring my camera!

Seattle Neighborhood

Quail Ridge

Posted on September 19, 2015 by azgilstrap

The last RV park featured in our summer Verde Valley (area) series is, ironically, the first place Mary and I stayed with an RV. Quail Ridge–located near Dewey, AZ–promotes itself as ‘A beautiful, friendly and clean park – always 10-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix.’

Quail Ridge RV Park – Dewey, AZ

It is good to note we concluded Quail Ridge believes in truth in marketing. Not only was it beautiful and clean, the park operators recognized we were ‘newbies’ and spent considerable time helping us to set everything up correctly. From Quail Ridge, we could visit all of the other destinations and attractions featured in this series. It is more closely located to Prescott than the others; we made a rainy day trip there to visit the highly regarded Thumb Butte Distillery.

Downtown Prescott, AZ

Yavapai Co. Courthouse – Prescott, AZ

Thumb Butte Distillery – Prescott, AZ

Visiting area farms and farmers markets is another awesome Verde Valley day trip option for those staying at Quail Ridge and other nearby RV parks. Mary and I were particularly fond of the sweet corn.

Verde Valley, Arizona

One of our most pleasant surprises was Montezuma’s Well – featuring the well, historic ruins, springs, and beautiful walking trails. The well is often overshadowed by Montezuma’s Castle, but it is an equally breathtaking destination attraction.

Montezuma’s Well – near Camp Verde, AZ

We have lived in Arizona since 1993, yet we somehow managed to miss visiting many of the attractions and colorful locations featured in this series. I guess that proves there’s just as many reasons to going exploring (and pursuing photoremedy) near where you live as there are when on a vacation that takes you miles away from home.

Zane Grey RV Park

Posted on September 13, 2015 by azgilstrap

Our summer series featuring a few of the great RV parks and resorts in (or near) Arizona’s Verde Valley continues with a look at some of the photoremedy we enjoyed while staying an hour or so to the north of our Anthem, Arizona home. This post features one of the most lovingly maintained parks we’ve come across – Zane Grey, located to the southeast of Camp Verde.

Zane Grey RV Park

While staying at Zane Grey, we explored Clear Creek, the historic Clear Creek Church, colorful Camp Verde, and the mountain top charm of the Pine and Strawberry areas.

Camp Verde, AZ

Clear Creek Church – near Camp Verde, AZ

Clear Creek at Zane Grey RV

Clear Creek wildflowers at Zane Grey

Strawberry School – photoremedy.me archives

Arizona’s oldest standing schoolhouse – photoremedy.me archives

Pine, AZ – photoremedy.me archives

Sidewinders – Pine, Arizona

Up next, we’ll conclude our series with a look at Quail Ridge RV Park, the hidden secrets of Montezuma’s Well, and photoremedy enjoyed while visiting Verde Valley farms.

National Park Service’s Montezuma Well

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Verde Valley Thousand Trails

Posted on September 2, 2015 by azgilstrap

As highlighted in our most recent post, Mary and I have spent a portion of the summer at three RV resorts that are located in cooler country about an hour north of our Anthem, AZ home. All of the attractions and scenery in this series can be easily accessed from any of the the three campgrounds, which are roughly located 20-30 miles from each other.

In this post, we focus on Verde Valley Thousand Trails.

Verde Valley RV Resort

From Thousand Trails, we targeted sightseeing and photoremedy in three primary areas.

Cottonwood, AZ

Alacantara Vineyard – near Cottonwood, AZ

Near Verde Valley Thousand Trails and Cottonwood

Summer Storm – near Cottonwood, AZ

Immaculate Conception Church – Cottonwood, AZ

Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Bing’s Burger Station – Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Larry’s Antiques & Things – Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Firehouse Donuts – near Old Town Cottonwood, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

West Sedona – From Airport

West Sedona from Airport

Chapel of the Holy Cross – Sedona, AZ

Jerome, AZ

Jerome, AZ

When our Arizona summer series continues, we’ll feature photoremedy from Camp Verde, Pine & Strawberry, and the farmer’s markets of the Verde Valley.

Photoremedy is primarily based on the role that photography has played in helping Greg W. Gilstrap attempt to combat ongoing chronic pain issues that stem from his degenerative cervical and lumbar spine challenges. It is designed to encourage others fighting chronic pain (and other illnesses) to consider pursuing the benefits associated with what is popularly known as art therapy. It’s important to note that many of the photos Greg takes and develops frequently blur the lines between traditional art and contemporary photography, much as art therapy often blurs the lines between traditional and alternative forms of medicine.

Hippies – Now and Then

Posted on May 25, 2015 by azgilstrap

Last summer, Mary and I stumbled upon a “Hippie Vehicle” that stimulated a lot of response here on Photoremedy.

Two Hippies Beach House – 501 East Camelback Rd., Phoenix

I’m happy to report that, courtesy of Main Street in Camp Verde, Arizona, this year we have found what appears to be the four wheeled forefather of the great American Hippie Bus.

Main Street – Camp Verde, AZ

This should dispel the notion that any one decade or generation has a corner on producing colorful, unforgettable times. What can you do to make other people smile or to ensure your generation is memorable? Let’s commit to making this the best, most momentous summer of our lives – one that history will never forget!

Houmas House Plantation

Posted on May 4, 2015 by azgilstrap

Located along one of the many scenic Mississippi River curves south of Baton Rouge lies what is often referred to as the Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road. The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is a destination for both tourists and locals.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

The one time sugar plantation, originally owned by the indigenous Houmas Indians when they were given a land grant to occupy the fertile plain between the river and Lake Maurepas to the north, now features a myriad of attributes that keep visitors coming (and coming back). On its grounds are an historic inn, beautiful gardens and statues, spectacular oaks trees, several themed restaurants, wedding amenities, guided tours, and motion picture history.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

There are even rumors of a couple of ghostly spirits that have reportedly been witnessed by mature, sober adults.

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Houmas House proved to be one of our top Louisiana photoremedy destinations. We didn’t encounter any ghosts, but we saw enough to understand why someone would want to return to this magnificent destination.

photoremedy.me

The ultimate alternative medicine.

Tag Archives: art therapy

Farewell Seattle?

Quail Ridge

Zane Grey RV Park

Verde Valley Thousand Trails

Hippies – Now and Then

Houmas House Plantation