We have had a few frosts in the Washington, D.C. area and the leaves of the deciduous trees have started to turn yellow and red. The pines and magnolias retain their verdant hues and will stay green throughout the winter.

A favorite pastime of local residents at this time of the year is to take a day tour of the Shenandoah National Park which is about 75 miles from Washington.  The park is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and has campgrounds, hiking trails, and many natural attractions.  Along the crest of the mountains, the Skyline Drive allows visitors to drive through the woods and get a view of spectacular panoramas.  The Appalachian Trail takes visitors through a wonderful wilderness that has been preserved for many generations.  On previous occasions, I have seen fleeting glances of black bears crossing the road and groups of wild turkeys feeding along the roadside.

Today is a bright sunny day.  The temperature is a crispy 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and the air is calm.  I think I will go out for a walk and enjoy the view.

We have had several rainy days in the Washington, D.C. area lately. Yesterday, after a brief thunderstorm, the sky cleared up and we were left with a beautiful, bright rainbow. I like rainbows and moonlit nights.

Clementina Rivera

Clementina Rivera, noted for her realistic paintings of coastal sea creatures, visited the Washington, D.C. area recently.  Clementina has won many artistic awards for her portrayal of wild life along the East shore of the United States.  Her studio in Rockport, Texas is located just minutes from the sea and provides magnificent opportunities to observe the migration of birds and the activities of the local fishermen.

Click here to see Clementina Rivera’s Paintings