Photos

Jonesborough, Tennessee is the state's first established town. This photo shows the historic center. Walking along this main street is like taking a stroll through a Norman Rockwell painting. You see buildings dating to the 1700s, antique shops, and haberdasheries. Many of the shops have the original hardwood floors and many display old photos of when the space used to be a pharmacy or general store. You can still see stones that were set in place as a stepping stone for entering horse drawn coaches.

To me, this photo captures everything that is life in small town, old time America. The numberous waving American flags, the college placard (ETSU is East Tennessee State University), the old courthouse (on the right) dominating the main street, the steepled church, the lightposts and benches, and of course the motorcycles. It almost seems like the town is a creation of a Hollywood setmaker.

I had my camera set up on the curb ready to take some photos on this beautiful day when this caravan of motorcycles happened to come rolling through. How fortuitous! I think it added so much character to the photo and placed another complimentary element of interest in the scene.

Jonesborough is near Johnson City in the far northeast corner of Tennessee. If you travel along interstate route 81, there are signs leading to it. I would recommend a visit if you like what you see. It's a very charming little town.

Shot at 1/60th, it was just slow enough to capture some motion blur from the lead motorcycle and freeze everything else (like the flags) in place. I utilized a circular polarizer and cropped it slightly on the sides.