The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed.

Genesis 2:8

My second “shake down” walk with the new Nikon z50 camera was Monday, around the campus at Southeastern. The seminary and college occupy – for those who don’t know the history of our town – the old historic campus of Wake Forest University.

The parklike setting has the most marvelous collection of mature Magnolia trees. Also some ancient oaks, a few dogwoods, many beautiful Japanese Maples, and azalea shrubs – both red and white. Additionally, several bedding areas feature a variety of tulips and other brilliant seasonal flowers.

Central to the campus, the chapel provides a strong architectural, and spiritual, focal point. Then the perimeter – and I will have to photograph this feature another time – is outlined by a continuous stacked stone wall.

All in all the grounds are lovely, and contribute to making Wake Forest a more complete small town. But the school is starved for space, and this is one of the reasons Wake Forest University moved to Winston-Salem in the 1950’s.

In terms of proximity, all of this is walking distance from Maul-Hall. From our front door, along Holding Avenue then South Main, the center of the town is less than a mile, sidewalks all the way. It’s actually 9/10ths to my favorite coffee shop on White Street.

From there it’s scarcely another hundred yards to the old campus.

My next photo project, I think, needs to be that walk. Trees, flowers, and architecture along the way. Then I can reward myself with a cappuccino from White Street Coffee Company.

So be prepared, at least while the initial excitement lasts, for a bunch of photos coming up.

Because this is an idyllic neighborhood, in a picture perfect community, in the most beautiful of states.

Blessed, and grateful – DEREK

take a moment to scroll through – each picture is worth a second look: