Blazing, beautiful autumn.

This weekend, I headed up to Harpers Ferry for one last taste of autumn. (Until Virginia tosses summer right back in my face this week, that is. 80 degrees? Really?) The weather in Harpers Ferry, however, was perfect; just spectacular.

I climbed all over the ruins of the Shenandoah Pulp Factory...

...and walked through the beautiful woods and along the sparkling Shenandoah River.

What are men to rocks and mountains? -Jane Austen

The Niagara of the South

On Friday, I went to visit Great Falls National Park and what a beauty it was. Had I waited a week or two, the leaves would have been more colorful, but the weather was so fine I couldn't take the chance of missing out.

There were some really beautiful trails along the canal.

And the trees, despite being more green than orange or red,
were really beautiful.

The first overlook reminded me of Devil's Den in Gettysburg,
with lots of big rocks to scramble over.

It was a lot of fun. Also fun? Watching people in dress shoes
trying to navigate these boulders.

The falls are gorgeous and also really powerful. It's hard to tell  from
 a still photo, but the water rushing over those rocks was ferocious.

Also, the Potomac River apparently drowns people left and right. Tucked into my national park pamphlet was a warning card, letting me know that the river was lying in wait, hoping to claim any victim foolish enough to pass too close to its shores.

Try not to drown, okay?

Then, as I walked to the first overlook, I saw this sign:

Seriously, you guys, please don't drown.

Finally, on the way to the second overlook, this huge poster plastered across the footbridge reminded me that the Potomac was desperately trying to murder me.

This is not a drill. We have both capitalized and underlined
the word "deadly."

Deadly and beautiful.

A thousand times Wes.

I just got back from seeing The Grand Budapest Hotel. It was wonderful.

Wes Anderson's films are polarizing. People usually adore them or loathe them. I fall into the former category. I think he's a rare talent. His films are always so beautifully art directed and shot, and I love that you can look at one of his films and immediately tell it's a Wes Anderson.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is perhaps his most gorgeous film yet. It was filled with lots of beautiful images and stunning shots. And the characters and story were great, too. I was delighted from credits to credits.

A key component of the unique Wes Anderson aesthetic is his ubiquitous centered shot. They're so beautiful. I love when he centers a shot and then swings the camera around 90 degrees to another centered shot. There are lots of those in Grand Budapest Hotel, and indeed, in all of his films. Check it out, and note the double 90-degree pan around from Moonrise Kingdom at the 25 second mark:



I have always been drawn to symmetry.

And finally, if you do treat yourself to a viewing of Grand Budapest, you will surely leave the theater craving the scrumptious pastry that plays a pivotal role in the film: Courtesan au Chocolat. Happily, you can click here to learn how to make it.

And make one for me while you're at it.

A truly splendid sight.

This post of 100 Photos of the Day from 2012 is well worth your time. Below, a few of my favorites.