Monday, February 27, 2012


Hello, Everybody.

 Well, here is another shot of Webbs Mill in Spring Hope, NC. I can't wait 'till the trees turn green again, so I can go back and get some more shots of this mill. After all, it is only five minutes from my house! I am also waiting 'till they get this mill operating again. That should be a sight to see. For now, they keep the gates open, so no water falls over the spill way.You can see the water flowing thru those in the picture. And, if they ever close them again, I'll have a place to go fishing! When closed, it makes a pretty good sized pond behind the spillway.                                                                           Until next time,
        Jeff

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

State Fairgrounds Mill



Hello Everyone!

 Well , heres something different! A double picture post. Couldn't decide which one to post, so I posted both. As The title says, this is the mill at the NC State Fairgrounds mill at the Heritage Village. It is a working mill during the State Fair. Well I'm out of room. So I hope you liked these.
Jeff

Friday, February 17, 2012

Perrys Mill. Bunn NC

Hello,

 Today my wife and I took a drive to visit Perrys Mill, ouside Bunn NC. This is all that remains of the mill after volunteers rebuilt what was left after the flood from hurricane Floyd took the old mill totally off its foundation, and took it down river. They dragged back what they could find, and built what you see here. I'll have to post an old photo I took just before the hurricane hit. The previous mill is also a rebuild of the original mill that was built in the 1700's! The previous mill was also a favorite spot for weddings and other get togethers. The mill pond is more like a small lake with a boat ramp. I think it still costs $1 a day to go fishing. I don't know if Mr. Perry is still alive, but I will always cherish the conversations we had as he would take me around the mill and tell me of it's history. His face would just glow as he talked about his old family heirloom.

Until next time,
Jeff

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Posted!


Hi Everybody,

 Well, as you can see from the heading, this mill is located on posted property. You can see it from the road. So, it doesn't have a name or a location like the others, to protect the innocent! I went in to get a few shots, and I wasn't there 10 minutes, when I decided that I had wore out my welcome and started walking towards my truck, when a county sherriff deputy met me half way there. He asked me how I was, and what I was doing there. I told him I was just there to take a few pictures and would be on my way. He said "this sure is a pretty spot, we have had problems with hunters and fisherman. But your ok, I come here alot myself!" I breathed a sigh of relief!!
There was a phone number on the posted sign. I called, and spoke to the land owner and I was denied permission to go on the property just take pictures. Oh well, this mill will just continue to rot from neglect and fall into the pond like so many others have in this area. I can't help but wonder why we are denied access to places like this. But then there are so many people who would just go on the property and show no respect for the land or it's contents, or the owner. I am not bitter with the owner, like the deputy said, "we have had so many problems with hunters and fisherman" and any one else. It's people like that, that I am bitter with! They make it hard for people like me to gain the trust of the landowner to give me permission to be there.
I think these mills should get some kind of recognition as landmarks in our state. I also wonder if the landowners could apply to the National Register of Historic Places, or something like that, to get a grant to help restore these pieces of history! But then, they would have to allow me access to their property.
Not really sure if this is a Grist Mill, or what kind of mill this was. I developed this pic this way so you could see the rusting spokes of what is left of the wheel. And if you look under the mill you can see some of the complex pulley system it has to drive the mill.
So next time you are on a back road, keep your eyes out for a gem like this. I may post a few other pic's of this mill at a later date.

Thanks for visiting,
Jeff

Friday, February 10, 2012

Laurel Mill, Louisburg NC

 Well Ladies and Gentlemen,
 Here's another mill for you to enjoy! This one is named Laurel Mill, located outside of Louisburg NC. I think it is my favorite one in the series of mills I plan to shoot and add here. If you haven't noticed, I  photographed this one in HDR. which means High Dynamic Range. If you saw the last batman movie, that whole movie was shot in HDR. In simple terms, it means you take three exposures and blend them together. I will probably do the rest of the mills in this format.
This is such a beautiful place. The pond behind the mill really pretty too. Looks like it could be a nice fishing spot . So quiet, just drop a worm in the water, and listen to the water run over the spill way! No need for a iPod. Maybe I should make a long recording for when I go to sleep!I have had some intrest in other photographer friends wanting me to do a workshop/tour of the mills in my area. We'll see how that goes. It would be fun. Just don't know which ones to go too. I can think of 9 so far! Bring your lunch!
Well, hope you like this,and keep checking back.
Thanks for looking!
Jeff