Philtower Building

Waite Phillips brothers Frank and L. E. were Phillips Petroleum, but Waite struck out on his own in 1914 to produce, refine, and market oil from his own company.  My brother Mat purchased his Tulsa operation several years ago, turning it into a chemical company.  Now he is restoring Waite's personal office space located on the 21, 22, and 23 floors of the Philtower building, which Waite built and completed in 1927.  Photos are available so furniture, tile, and rugs will be replicated, making the office look just as it did when Waite occupied the space 84 years ago!  An exciting project that hopefully will be completed in the Spring of 2012.  From the original building plans, some walls had to be removed in order to restore the area to its original design.  The first image is Waite's office prior to being restored.  The second image was taken today to show the beauty of the buildings neo-gotic and art deco architecture.

"After the Storm"

One beautiful area of the world, southwest Virginia!

"Evening Serenade"

Tazewell County Virginia!

"Ben"

Mondays our gallery is usually closed and on this particular day I was cutting wood, mowing, and picking weeds right up to our late afternoon portrait.  Before the portrait I thought I had overdone it and was wondering if I had enough energy to do justice to my portrait session.  Then Ben came into the studio!  What a marvelous young man.  He had enough energy for everyone, and I was no longer tired!  In fact afterwards I went out to photograph the fall foliage.  

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

"Below Lower Catawba Falls"

"Crabtree Falls Panorama"

"Crabtree Falls"

 70 feet Crabtree Falls, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 339.5, in the Crabtree Meadows Recreation Area.

"Linn Cove Viaduct"

Mile post 304.4  along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.  This bridge built in 1987 was the final piece of the puzzle, completing the BRP.  As to not deface the mountains, it was built using helicopters.  As you cross over the bridge, it appears you are in midair flying.  The undisturbed massive rock structures around the bridge are magnificent, along with the view.

"Upper Catawba Falls"

Click on any of these images to enlarge them.  Located near Old Fort, NC.

"Elk River Falls Panorama"

Just returned form the beautiful North Carolina mountains.  Looking forward to sharing other images as time allows.  This beautiful 45 foot waterfall is know as Elk River Falls.  The image is made from nine photographs.