St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery

On February 13 the Photo Club took a little drive out past Florence to visit St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery. We had visited last year however the architecture and gardens are both unique and well maintained and proved such good photographic subjects.

A dress code is required if you plan to visit so check their website for appropriate attire. They do have clothing inside the front gate incase you dress a little too immodestly as did the ladies in our group. You can see a picture of their appropriate dress below. Looks like a shot of my grandmother. Very 2 centuries ago.

I thought I had got every possible shot last year however by taking my 70-200 lens in addition to my 16-35 I found lots of different compositions that I wouldn't have considered with only the wide angle.

Before entering the gates to the Monastery grounds you come upon a white chapel on a hill. It is a very beautiful setting and the vivid colours make for beautiful shots. This time I walked around the perimeter of the hill and got some shots from a few angles.

 

The cactus is getting ready to blossom

The gates to enter the main grounds

The trees are painted to prevent insects from destroying the trees

The grounds are immaculate as are the buildings.  

Crosses everywhere. 

Very fashionable.  At least in the 19th century. 

We had a great afternoon and topped it off with lunch and some cold beer at the River Bottom Grill. We figured a Thursday afternoon well past the lunch hour rush there would be very few people in the restaurant. The outside patio was packed with live music to entertain. All in all it was a great day and I think the River Bottom Grill deserves another visit.

We are heading to Roosevelt Dam on Thursday, a Rodeo on Saturday and Lori tells me there is an arts festival she needs to see on Friday.

Later.