Devils Den Duel

In 1863 on the 2nd instant of July three guns of the 4th NY faced a Confederate Brigade(Robert's). The artillery dueled as the 4th tried to break the Rebel attack. They were not successful but did manage to hit a native fellow son General John Bell Hood who was in command of the Texans and lost his arm here. Three guns were captured by Hood's Division. In the background is Little Round Top.

Natural Bridge Kentucky

Fifteen miles from my old Kentucky home -- Carrollton on the Southfork
This is a beautiful day for a healthy climb up the trail to the bridge. Late autumn always provides for scenic views as seen here as the late afternoon sun illuminates the underside of the bridge

Purple Cow

I never saw a purple cow.
I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow
I'd rather see than be one.

Beattyville

Sears 35mm KSX 1000 Review

Picked this little jewell up for a $7 donation at the goodwill. 1979 sears KSX 1000. Made by Ricoh (Chinon) and it is their KR-5 model. Came with the 50mm f/2 prime and a 135mm f/2.8 in plastic like the Nikon series E. very compact. No brassing on the body. I understand this lightly used kit would have sold for about $320 new in '79. Uses the Pentax K mount like for our K-1000 camera. I have also a 28mm Pentax to use with it. Batteries leaked a little but no residue in the camera. The flash was dead but I tried two others and both worked. The Nikon speed-light E operated the flash ready signal in the eyepiece and so it acts like a dedicated flash. This camera is small and light -- a bit smaller than the Nikon FG and lighter. The ISO/ASA dial locks down. The match needle light meter is right on, and with it you can easily estimate your shutter speed by the location of the match. The film advance is super smooth. The focus screen is clean and has split image and microprism focusing. There is a red light beside the lens up front that flashed with the shutter and is on while the timer is operating Very nice little feature. The only faults so far are a worn-out mirror bumper, which I will replace, and the missing handle on the timer (timer still works great and locks the mirror up for those critical landscape shots). The film advance works like the Nikon FE as an off on switch-but better. It has a spring to close it. You can operate it to take spot exposure readings. The seemingly stuck shutter probably fooled the person pricing this camera as it did me at first. The body is the hard plastic like the Nikon EM. Leather excellent. Got me a hippie strap and bag with it to boot -- also all original manuals. A nice little addition to my classic cameras and a trash to treasure project SN 189174 body

Creekside Step Sign

Carroll Creek Park. I spotted the sign on one of the paving stones near the entrance. Well done--Roman Engravers font. One can plainly see the step in the relatively clean cold water today. This level of detail and small touches of good taste are found throughout this small city park