Murray's Mill

Yate's Mill in Raleigh is a fine example of a 18th century water powered grist mill, and Murray's Mill in Catawba County, North Carolina is an equally well preserved late 19th and early 20th century example.  Built in 1913 by John Murray, whose father, William, had operated a mill on the site since 1883, Murray's Mill is a combination of water powered stones for grinding corn and roller mills for grinding flour. The equipment is almost completely intact from the day it ceased operation in 1967. Next door to the mill and part of the Murray's Mill Historic District, is the Murray and Minges General Store run by John's brother Oley. For more info on these historic structures, go to http://www.catawbahistory.org/historic_murrays_mill.php.

Merlot Harvest

Early September means grape harvest for Leslie and Norm Zimmerman of Zimmerman Vineyards, a family run winery in Trinity, North Carolina. Family and neighbors get together on this day to pick Merlot grapes. There was an overcast and a little rain, which made things a little more comfortable for the pickers. The Merlot wine should be good, because Norm said the sugar content was real high this year. For information on Zimmerman wines, tastings and venue info, go to http://www.zimmermanvineyards.net/#.

  

Chesapeake Dock

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Travel image, Chesapeake, Virginia.

Old Hitch Ring

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

An old hitch ring on the wall of our barn in Grays Chapel, North Carolina. The barn was built about 1870 to house work-horses and mules and the ring was to tie animals outside of their stalls. Though it's been some 60 years since we used a mule, the old ring still hangs there waiting.

Playground Basketball

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Pickup basketball. A look back at some earlier work.

West Virginia Mill

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Glade Creek Grist Mill, Babock State Park, West Virginia,

Julian Milling Porch

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Jimmy Horney checks the morning paper on the porch of his business in Julian, North Carolina. Jimmy sells hardware, farm and garden supplies and still grinds feed at Julian Milling Company.

Afternoon Take

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Part of the afternoon egg take, two Bard Rocks and a Bantam.

Travel and Leisure

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Out-take from a recent commercial travel shoot.

Gary Mac's Pickup

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

My neighbor's 40 Ford pickup in the car shed.

Russell Mize

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Portrait of neighbor Russell Mize, doing body work on his car at Routh Oil Co. in Lineberry, North Carolina.

Duke Homestead Interior

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Interior of Duke Homstead, Durham, North Carolina, home of American Tobacco founder, William Duke.

New Crop of Caterpillars

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

A black swallowtail caterpillar, one of about twenty-five or so on the parsley in our garden today. Looks like we were spared the hurricane and we'll have a new crop of butterflies.

Pimentos

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh0

Still life, pimentos from my son's garden.

Portrait with a Bike

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Portrait of motorcycle collector Ramsey Allen.

Tobacco Barn

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Tobacco barn, Durham County, North Carolina.

Butterfly in the Meadow

Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh.

A butterfly feeds on wildflowers in the meadow of our farm in Grays Chapel, North Carolina.

Tristan's Seeds

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

My son Tristan's seed reserve.

Yates Mill Miller

Head miller William Robbins (above) and Donnie Evans grind corn at the historic Yates Mill in Raleigh, North Carolina. William is a woodwright by profession and was instrumental in the restoration of that historical structure as well as it's operation.

(Photographs copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Paddling

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Paddling in Chesapeake, Virgina.

Old Horse Drawn Wagon

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Old wagon, Durham County, North Carolina.

Jack

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Neighbor Jack Gray in his garage from a recent commercial shoot.

Hard Neck Garlic

(Photograph copyright 2011 by Dan Routh)

Still life, hard neck garlic.

Yates Mill

Last week I was passing through Raleigh, North Carolina and I stopped by Yates Mill on Lake Wheeler Road. Yates Mill is a fully restored, and operational circa 1756 gristmill.  Located in Historic Yates Mill County Park, the mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only restored operational automatic mill in North Carolina and probably the most complete, accurate, and original example in the country. Head miller William Robbins kindly showed me around and invited me back to watch the mill operate and grind corn meal, which they do every 3rd weekend of the month, March through November. For more information, go to http://www.ncsu.edu/project/yates-mill/home.htm or http://www.wakegov.com/parks/yatesmill/default.htm.

(Photographs copyright 2011 by Dan Routh0