I hope this note finds you doing well and that those reading it from the eastern coast have weathered the storm. I know that last weekend was an extremely trying time and there is still much to deal with in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

I find myself looking back one year ago this week and reliving the fact that Hurricane Earl chose to visit the Outer Banks and the eastern seaboard, interrupting the last summer holiday weekend, Labor Day. Giving consideration to all the weather information, we chose to ride the storm out with friends and stayed on the island. Luckily for us all, the hurricane never came ashore and the flooding was minimal. With Hurricane Irene coming ashore this weekend, the island along with all the residents that chose to stay have not fared quite as well. Massive flooding, strong winds and high surf have left the Outer Banks with out communication and due to two breaches in the only road in or out, Hwy 12, the islanders that did stay are currently stranded and cut off from the mainland.

I was fortunate enough to have corporate travel scheduled and had left the island a few days early. Knowing that there was a
possibility of a direct hit on Hatteras Island, I chose to pack up the most vital things and left the rest behind for Mother Nature to deal with. Throughout the weekend I watched the news with extreme anxiety knowing that I had left friends behind and wondering what was to be left of the island on my return. I was able to stay in contact until late Saturday and then all went silent. It appears that the islands and those that stayed have fared fairly well but now there is allot that they will need to deal with. The first and most important thing to do is find a way to repair the breaches, reconnect the communication channels, allow the flooding to subside and start the repairs. I am currently unable to reach anyone or know the extent of damage that may have occurred to the Hwy 12 Gallery.

The good news is this is not the first time they have dealt with a hurricane, or the loss of access to Hwy 12 and the island.
Hurricane Isabel paid them a visit and it was months before things were back to normal. Until the repair of Hwy 12, the ferry systems that service the islands will be in overtime, picking up new routes ferrying people and vehicles back to their homes and businesses. I can only sit and wait until I hear the news of the island and wonder the fate of my friends’ homes and business.

Until  then … may god bless them all and to those all along the eastern seaboard that are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

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Have Camera - Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

The weather has been absolutely stellar on the Outer Banks this past week. I have had the luxury of being here for all of a week and now find myself leaving paradise once again to travel for corporate assignments. It looks to be a stellar week ahead.

During my years of travels I have come across many interesting subjects but these structures, dotting the landscape of the US, provide their own unique place in Americana. My two most previously encountered “Spaceships” had both landed in Florida. One in my hometown of Tampa that sat on top of a “dance” club called the 2001 Space Odyssey and the other on Pensacola Beach, sitting atop a blockhouse, currently the headquarters for the Pensacola Beach Preservation and Historical Society. My newest sitting of the “Alien Space Ship” happens to be in Frisco, NC which I pass every day on my way to Hwy 12 Photo gallery (www.hwy12photoarts.com). It is definitely an eye catcher and many stop to take photos of themselves and the unique structure.

The Futuro House, as it was so aptly named, was the brainchild of Finnish Architect Matti Suuronen. Around 100 were built during the 1960’s and 1970’s providing 300 square feet of living space. Its flying saucer elliptical shape evoked images of Alien space pod invasions, interplanetary travel and science fiction futurism. Today, roughly half of the fabricated alien ellipsoid structures have been accounted for.

With the thought of Orson Wells “War of the Worlds” blasting over the radio, I give you my own “Alien Encounter”! Of course, I do not think I have ever envisioned aliens of this beauty. Many thanks to Alabama’s own, Ms Kristi Green, for making the futuristic trek to the Outer Banks and gracing the islands with her “out of this world beauty”.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look around this website or visit http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial

Best regards ………
~dK~

To each and every one of you that text, emailed or called, I cannot truly express to you how each of your comments or discussions helped bolster my spirits while dealing with the recent loss of my mother. It would be impossible to explain just how important and meaningful each of your contacts has been and came at times when needed most. For my family and myself, it is truly appreciated.

During times like these I have found it best to be busy and stay busy and that is certainly what I have tried to do. After leaving Phoenix I was back in the Outer Banks for a couple of days and then flew to Chicago to instruct at a photographic workshop in Michigan City, IN.

At the bend of Trail Creek in the Michigan City harbor stands an historic old structure whose beacon has served as a guiding light for Great Lakes sailors for more than 100 years. Every year that we have conducted a workshop here I find myself at the same location at the end of the second day, watching the sunset at the Lighthouse. It must be true that the light provides safe travel and directs your path. It is always a beautiful scene.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look around this website or visit http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial

Best regards ………
~dK~

For those of you that actually read my blog every Monday, my apologies for missing last week. My mother had fallen ill and I was on a plane to Phoenix with the hope of arriving in time to see her one last time. She had been in an extended battle with cancer and it had become very apparent that she was losing the battle.

I always struggle when giving consideration to writing something emotional or personal in my blog. It has always been my desire to post a unique or inspirational photograph and message to start the week off. Given last weeks circumstances, I knew it would be difficult not to write about her. I came to realize that my blog could be a very uplifting tribute, a celebration of her life and not a sorrowful note of her passing. Writing this, like writing her eulogy for her memorial service has provided great solace to me.

I arrived in Phoenix Monday evening and rushed to the hospital in time to share a few special hours with my Mother. She had lost consciousness a day earlier and was fighting the battle of holding on until I arrived. My sister suggested that even though she was unresponsive that I should talk to her. As I sat with my mother I spoke to her about our love for each other, our time together, about her family and her long struggle with cancer. I assured her that if she chose to move on we understood. I then began to read a short story to her by Henry Van Dyke (from a pamphlet, left in her room, that gave an explanation of the stages of dying) that was an analogy of a ship sailing off to sea and dying. Music had been playing in the background and while I read to her, one of her favorite songs, “Angel” written by Sarah McLaughlin and being sung by Jackie Evancho began playing. As I finished reading, I looked up and my Mother had passed on. She left this world on her terms and was finally at peace.

My mother, Lucy Mae Landers Keim, was an extremely beautiful woman both inside and out, blessed with incredible wisdom and patience. She lived an exceptional life for 89 years. You can only imagine what a saint she would have had to be having to deal with a son like me, as well as, an extended family of 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren that my sister was blessed to have. To say the least there are too many stories to tell.

I am truly amazed and will be forever grateful that she had the faith, as well as, the will to hold on to life until I arrived, allowing us time to be together. It is that thought and her angelic look that I will forever hold dear. It was in that moment that I realized that you never know when saying; “I Love You!” may be the last time you get to do so. I highly encourage you do it – OFTEN – with the ones you love.

For those that would like to read the eulogy, you can click on this link:

May God Bless you and your family!!

Best regards ……….
dennis keim