Arlington Place: Pathway’s to Heaven
Arlington Place: Pathway’s to Heaven is a photo series deeply personal to me. Long before the neighborhood existed, it was just a dirt state road leading to the Neuse River. Most of the road was lined with thick woods, and near the river, vast open fields stretched out on both sides. Tucked away in this quiet place was a hidden gem—Mill Creek.
This land sat just behind the home where I grew up. I knew every inch of it, because it was my playground. This was a time before video games and cell phones—a simpler, slower world. I remember walking that dirt road with my parents, the air filled with the scent of pines and earth. My mom and dad would lead us to that magical spot called Mill Creek. To get there, you had to leave the road and weave through a forest of hardwoods, surrounded by untouched natural beauty.
To me, it felt like stepping into a movie—how could a place this beautiful exist in what was essentially my own backyard? Looking back, I realize this was where Mill Creek Photography truly began, long before I ever dreamed of starting a business by that name.
"Riverside Stillness" Pastel evening light melts into calm water as a weathered dock reaches toward the horizon. Tall coastal grasses frame the scene while distant clouds glow with the last warmth of day.
"Lamplight Boardwalk" A softly glowing dock lamp leads the way through a tunnel of green. The worn planks and rope railings invite an unhurried stroll to the quiet water beyond.
"Path to Mill Creek" Framed by thick summer foliage, a narrow boardwalk draws the eye to glassy reflections ahead. Warm lamplight adds a welcoming touch to the shaded path.
"Mirror Cove" Trees and sky double perfectly on still, tannin-dark water. Subtle textures in the clouds and shoreline create a serene, symmetrical coastal study.
"Sky on the Water" Billowing evening clouds sweep across a narrow creek and echo in the mirror-smooth surface below. A ribbon of marsh grass separates forest from reflection.
"Dockside Pause" A weathered bench and warm lamplight set the mood for lingering at the harbor. Working boats and pilings line the boardwalk, ready for another tide.
"Marsh Walkway" The boardwalk threads through dense coastal woods, guided by a single amber lamp. Rough-hewn posts and ropes add texture to this intimate path to the water.
"Adirondacks at Ease" Two seaside chairs wait on a quiet dock, perfectly placed for sunset watching. A soft blur of creek and pines sets a dreamy, coastal backdrop.
"Last Light on the Neuse" Dusk sinks through low clouds and silhouettes the shoreline oaks. Gentle ripples catch the gold, turning the wide water into a ribbon of evenings last light.
"Framed Sunset over the Neuse" A golden sun sinks below the horizon, framed by live oaks on a quiet coastal bluff as soft reflections ripple across calm water.
"Sea Oats at Last Light" Slender grasses silhouette against a cobalt pre-night sky while the bay and distant pier rest in morning stillness.
"Boardwalk to Day's End" A weathered wooden walkway slips through the maritime forest toward a mirror-still creek; warm lamps guide the way.
"Marsh Edge, Evenings Glow" Rope railings and dew-bright reeds catch the last pink light beside the dock at the water’s edge.
"Pastel Sky over Mill Creek" Cypress and pines surround a quiet lagoon as cotton-candy clouds reflect in glassy water.
"Marsh Mirror at Sunset" Streaks of color paint the sky and echo in the narrow waterway as reeds sway along the bank.
"Quiet Dock, Quiet Night" Long perspective down a working dock lined with skiffs and glowing lamps, bordered by tall marsh grass.
"Dusk on the Boardwalk" Evening settles under the canopy; a single lamp pools light on the planks as the path meets the creek.
"Coastal Farmhouse at Blue Hour" A welcoming waterfront home glows at twilight, porch lights and landscaping warmly lit.
"Neighbors on the Point" A wide blue-hour view of neighboring coastal homes with the sound shimmering just beyond.
"Carriage Lights at Dusk" A modern coastal farmhouse glows at blue hour—warm carriage lights and cedar doors set against crisp board-and-batten siding, while soft landscape lighting curves along the drive under a cobalt sky.