As someone whose lived away from home for my entire adult life, I really appreciate my semi annual excursions back to the homeland. Each year I make it back at least twice, always for Christmas, and most always during the autumn, for the fall foliage extravaganza. But on a good year I will also make it back during the summertime, for something of a bonus visit. Such was the case during 2009, when I was back both in the beginning of May and the end of August. These images were compiled during these two journeys.