Driftwood

Yes, me too.

Nice thread Pirl, I have been a driftwood collector for years. I also bring home unusual shape branches and hollow logs for planting. In 1999 we happened to be vacationing in the Outer Banks N.C. during hurricane Dennis. After the storm Ric and the boys took our small 14ft boat out in Manns Harbor they came back loaded with driftwood. The boat was riding low in the water from the weight and the guys barely had a spot to stand in. One of the pieces was so large that they towed it in. Luckily our son in law had come down in his truck or we would never have gotten the load home. We kept the largest piece for ourselves and quite a few of the smaller pieces. The rest several large pieces were given away to friends and family.
Here is the largest piece which was towed to shore. It is 8ft long and 5ft high and 21/2 ft wide. We have it standing up in the yard as a natural sculpture.
Ric's comment "If anyone had seen us come in they would have thought we were crazy"

This piece of wood was destined for the wood stove. Hard to see in this pic but it has a very nice curve to it. It was just the right size and shape to be used as a border for a small corner bed near the patio. This summer it was just laying there but I think I may sink it in the ground just a few inches next year.

Holly, The whole time your computer was broken, I kept thinking you should post your photo of that big piece here. It really looks wonderful in your garden and, when seen in person, the size is staggering.

Oh, It is sooooooo nice to have the computer back. I only have about 1/3 of my pic downloaded and Ric is slowly working on organizing them. I was lucky that to have a few driftwood pic in this first batch of pictures. I have several other pictures of driftwood and branches to post later when we get more of the pictures downloaded.
Pirl, My son Jamie just gave me the idea last month of using some of the small pieces of driftwood to make picture frames. Much like that mirror frame. I have a watercolor that we picked up in the Bahamas that needs framing and I thought that would be a good project. I'll post a pic of it when I get it done. Not sure when that will be.

HollyAnn, you better put a guard by the large piece standing. That is absolutely outstanding. If Pirl and I were there we would have understood what you were doing but the majority of the population, excluding DGers, would not have a clue. They would walk right by your magnificent piece and not even see it. I cannot wait for your other photos. Thanks for sharing. This is not driftwood but a pillar under a wharf near LaJolla, Ca. Many pillars were wrapped in canvas. I understand it was done to protect the pillars. Well God did his thing and this is what they look like after two years. There again, I was standing there in total amazement and everyone else was just walking by.

Holly, I love your big piece of driftwood. It is absolutely a perfect sculpture all on its own. I also like the way you used the wood to edge the bed. I just ran across an enormous old cottonwood the other day, but didn't have my camera. I'm going back for pictures and maybe I'll find some good windfalls with it. I'll have to post the pics now that I've finally gotten that operation figured out. I'll be looking forward to seeing your picture frame. My daughter is quite an artist and I would love to make some unique frames for some of her nature work.

Willow

This a group photo.

skwinter, I was typing when your pictures posted so didn't see them 'til just now. What fabulous colors. When I first looked at the small pictures I thought it was a piece of wood on fire. God does the most amazing canvases of all! You're absolutely right, most people would walk by and never see that at all. I'm really glad you were the one who caught it and could share.

Willow

Willow, I could not determine where the red and orange came from. I studied for some time and then spotted a very large nut and bolt above on the pier that was very rusted and bleeding on to the canvas.

skwinter those posts are beautiful.
I is amazing how unaware many people are.
I dont understand anyone not even noting the passing of the seasons

Or the beautiful song bird just singing his heart out. Or just a little bird watching you from the tree. I always stop and talk to the bird. I can assure my neighbors think I am a little batty.

I'm sooooo glad to hear of someone else doing that. I have regular conversations with my birds, and I do think they quite understand a good bit of the time.

Willow

Ultra fantastic driftwood Holly! The big piece would command a very hefty price and the border piece is ideal. I also have a curved border piece in one garden to help lead the eye.

We were back gathering driftwood for the mirror project a few weeks ago and came home with bags filled with it. Anything not used can be kindling unless I find another project. You've given me an idea to frame the art work we bought in the Bahamas so it may end up that we'll make more beach trips as we did the day before Thanksgiving.

We found two more pieces but we'd need a crane and a huge flatbed to get them home so they'll remain at the beach for someone else to consider for their gardens.

Sharon - what wonderful photos of the pillars and such great colors, too.

Maybe all of the wind last night and tonight will show more of this driftwood. It's just too large for the truck.

I knew the truck would come in handy.
Those are nice

Originally the large piece was laying down and I was trying to decide if I was going to turn it into a large coffee table with a glass top and then one day we stood it up and I said this is what I want. We have moved it around the yard from spot to spot but always in the back where I can see it from my windows.
skwinter, Very interesting pics I especially love the group shot. I can't remember ever seeing pillars covered with canvas like that. Wonder if it keeps the barnacles from attaching?

I really do not know why but they are beautiful. They were aboutm4 miles down the beach from the condo. I had to hike back and get my camera. That was not easy but I was afraid it might not be there the next morning. I got my work out that morning. I am really pleased you enjoyed them.

The photos were well worth the hike, Sharon.

Just ran into this thread and decided to read through it. Very nice pieces of driftwood,sculpture and flowers planting.

Just had to say HI to willowwind and wonder how she got her name. I picked it for me because of 'Wind in the Willows' which I read as a child. Now I'm 71. Willowwind2

How funny! I also picked mine from that wonderful book, many years ago. When I very first got adventerous enough to get on some websites, coached by my kids, I discovered I had to come up with a name. I was sitting by my bookcase and the first thing that caught my eye was that book. I didn't want to use Frog or Toad so Willowwind came to me next. We also had willows growing by the pond so it seemed to fit where I come from. We now even have a big, white percheron named Willow. Here's her picture(rather dark) getting a kiss from my granddaughter. This Willow is bigger than both of us put together. LOL Great minds must follow the same lines!!! :) It's so nice to meet you.

Willow

She's a beauty!

Beautiful horse. I had horses when I was young. Had a 4-H horseclub.
Nice to meet you also. I was born in Indiana. Lived in Carlisle. Moved out here in '41.

What a gorgeous photo of your grandchild and the horse!

I just knew that today's adventure was going to yield something great!

Magnificent. Where was that and what is the name of the trees?

I've been driving down this road for almost 40 years and there has always been a chain & a "Do not enter" sign across here. Yesterday, I noticed that it wasn't there and decided that today I would check it out.

I'd always noticed that there was a pretty large herd of white tailed deer roaming back there. It's about 4 miles off of the back side of Valley Forge National Park. There are several mysterious entrances to old large estates back there. One of them is John James Audubon's Mill Grove. None of the others are open to the public, including that of his father in law "Flatlands".

These berries intrigued me and then I noticed these stone slabs across the stream. Hmmm, looked like they were made to let a carriage cross.

Passed lots of this stuff.

Then I started seeing these.

Here's the trunk of that one.

Coming around the bend...

I could not believe the state of disrepair of this magnificent structure.

Oh Ev Vey.. Probably spelled wrong but you know what I mean. I was Jewish is one life, just not this one. Now I am English, Indian. Welsh and whatever. If I was a dog my pedigree would state mongrel. I worked for Chase Manhattan for over 30 years. I was chased all over the world. You guessed who was the chaser. I never got caught...Smart girl. I would see them, married, coming and just follow behind them around the room. At the end of the conference they would say, "I have not seen you all week". I would answer, "I was just so busy, Sorry." Kept my job for over 30 years. My mother did not raise a dumb girl.....LOL. Actually she did, I learned all my tactic from working for an advertising agency for the strip hotels for two years. I learned very quickly. Believe it or not, one week was enough for the girl from the sticks to figure out that all the pretty boys spoke with forked. I was so fascinated with this gorgeous boy that told me everything a young women would want to hear. Well the next day, he was at the next desk talking to another secretary the same way because he wanted to see someone else in the agency. All he wanted was to get in to see my boss. The light went on an on, an on. I was very young, 22, but I never forgot that lesson.. I, still to this date, could not believe he was talking to her the same way he talked to me at the next desk the next day. My poor husband has paid for that for over 35 year. LOL...

I was imagining the parties once held under this portico.

stormyla, that is so sad. Is that house in the condition it could be rehabbed?

sk, you are truly a hoot!

Maybe, it would surely take some doing. Apparently it was once called "Walnut Hill". Can you believe that the Boxwood Hedge is still living?

Look how big it once was.