Deadly Duo

Frederick Md
Seen on Market Tis the season for the annual observance of the celtic observance of Samhain when the dead presumably rose to walk amongst and terrorize the living. These mannequins caught my eye. I think probably a lot more folk celebrate this night than any other "religious" festival save Christmas. The Druid priests were likely to take a human sacrifice and burn him in a holy fire this night. The fires were to keep the spirits at bay. Some clerks of the church have been wont to apologize to pagans for evangelizing the folk from their ancient beliefs to Christianity. Well, I'm rather glad Patrick came to my ancestors and brought them from ignorance to Light.
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Blues in the Attic

Biker Bar - Blondes in the Attic -- I came down off Pen Mar Rock into the valley and found this interesting little bar advertising blues 3-6 Sundays. They did some of Eric Clampton's style of blues which was just all right with me. They were really surprisingly good for a small rural Pennsylvania group. A delightful little repast in today's trip. Enjoyed a Miller's and a hugh plate of Old Bay fries. So much for the diet! I'll remember this little spot.
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Geometry and Color

This shot is of a RR bridge spanning the Sabillasville Road looking South toward Thurmont. I had to locate a CVS to get some batteries for my light meter (energizer 355/MS76/SR44) and found myself heading out this mountain highway toward Pennsylvania. My quest this day is to capture some interesting fall pictures. I think this one does a good job as it captures the beautiful clear blue sky, the fall colors on the mountain side, and something unexpected in the geometric play of the man made objects against the natural geometry. Notice how the rail bridge seems to cut an angle across the hillside, and also the road and creek. The supports meanwhile provide a perfectly vertical line which emphasises the other features and their angles: road, rail, power lines and angled support cables, ridgeline, and trees. Very pretty and one to keep. I also captured it on 35mm for perhaps an enlargement

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Bowstring Arch Truss Bridge

About 1872 this bridge was placed in Carroll County. It now spans the Hunting Creek by the old furnace at a reduced width. A pretty design that reminds me of a bridge I once designed and built
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Pen-Mar

Washington Co Md at the Appalachian Trail and Mason Dixon line & Monterey Pass.
From this park looking from the trail into Pennsylvania. During Lee's withdrawal Gen Killpatrick's cavalry attacked the trains in this pass in a night battle that began at 9:00 pm. I got a panoramic with my 35mm as the view and expanse was just too large for one shot Every Sunday afternoon this park offers a swing concert and dance. One sees the hikers pass by along this trail. We are near the halfway point: Maine is 1080 miles north, Georgia 920 south
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Fort Ritchie

Cascade Md
I had heard of this from some HQ. Co-workers who used to work at this beautiful mountain Army post-now civilianized. There were signs outside advertising rentals. It sits just 4 miles from the Appalachian Trail and has a beautiful lake in this little valley. Would be a wonderful place for an old veteran who appreciate these hills to retire
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Hill & Dale

This is Harbaugh Valley along the Sabillasville Road. I am shooting from the Catoctin Range toward South Mountain (the continuation of the famous Blue Ridge on the Maryland side. The farm setting and crossroads at Sabillasville make an picture worth remembering
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Catoctin Iron Furnace

This furnace was constructed in 1858-named Isabella. It was the second of three iron furnaces here. The first nearby on Hunting Creek made bombs used at Yorktown. There is a new plaque here on a stone dated today dedicated by the Daughters of the American Revolution. A historic marker tells of the contribution of this furnace to the war effort-including the ironclad USS Monitor. I should like to see the dedication but must move on to new sites on this beautiful Sunday autumn day
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Lincoln's Wit :)

An editorial in the post today spoke of Lincoln's appearance and wondered whether such a face could ever have won the Presidency today.
Douglas in the campaign said Lincoln was two faced - Lincoln responded "If I had another face, do you think I would wear this one".
Touche. Wit and humility.
;)

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Forks of the Kentucky

This shot taken from Happy Top Park high above town shows the Fork of the Kentucky River. The North Fork is clearly visible to the left. Home is just about 800 meters from the fork. One may make out a small white house near the center of the shot, which sits above our home
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Aster

Waterford Park
As in "a star": how pretty. Maybe when I get back to Southfork for a bit, or for good, I will make an effort to replace some of the not so attractive plants along the creek and fence line with some of what I see here. It would also play a roll in providing sustenance to our critters and bugs. In addition to this Aster there is: Goldenrod (Kys state flower), Skullcap, Beebalm, Arrowwood Viburnum, Dock, Wingstem, Cranberry Viburnnum, columbine, Solioago, Nannyberry Viburnum, Meehan's Mint, False Sunflower, Jacob's Ladder, Royal Fern, American Hornbeam, Wild Geranium, Penstamon, Maple Leaf Viburnum, Bleeding Heart, Jewelweed (touch-me-not), Woods Phlox, Red Chockberry, Bottlebrush Buckeye, etc. I think the idea might be variety. In addition I think a large herb and mint garden would be nice, where I could start a soap and balm specialty business on ebay. Dream on! Best part would be that I would not halve to mow the lawn.
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Confluence

Carroll Creek to the left and Rock Creek in the foreground and then they flow beneath the limited access Mountain Parkway. My abode and Baker Park are just across the highway, but I cannot cross. The tunnel is "colorful" where youngsters have defaced it and left their marks
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A Splash of Color

Waterford Park
As the Rock Creek meanders toward its confluence with Carroll Creek, the Park names change. I found this to be one of the most colorful trees so far in my trek. I think it to be a Pin Oak like Zetta's Baby at Southfork
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Old Spring House

Just across the creek where an apartment complex stands I spied this delightful little spring house. I would dearly love to have it back at Southfork as a garden house. It has four windows, one on each end and two creek side, plus the remnants of cellar doors creek side
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Rock Creek Park

Frederick
Figuring to walk out some of the soreness from yesterday's jaunt, I did a map recon for a place to walk and found this little park. It goes a few miles beginning west of the apartment and joining Carroll Creek. I had the sun to break through today's overcast for a moment and caught the light playing on the ripples as the creek winds through the park. Nice walking path here. It will interesting to see how far it goes.
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Freedom

The theme of Freedom in yesterday's run put me in mind of this mural adjacent to Canal Bar on Carroll Creek at Market. I mused that the artist might of had Francis Scott Key of Frederick in mind based on the attire. The sense of exhilaration and a breaking forth in joy is certainly to be inferred here, as well as one of motion. I had hoped to have morning light on the mural, but am pleased to have had the shade if one of the trees on Market to form a frame of sorts for my subject.
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Pretty Mural

Boonsboro
This is the back of a building facing the National Road. Only the top two windows are real. It is just across the street from one of my favorite stops-a reward for my successful run today with a big ice cream from the Potomac Street Creamery.
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1st Freedom's Run 10k

Shepherdstown WV
Great day and a nice set of runs from Marathon to 5k walk. Indeed you could walk any distance. This was a PR for my age grouping at 55:22 on my bum, burning foot. The Marathon began at Harpers Ferry and ended here after going through the battle ground at Sharpsburg. Not unlike the march that AP Hill made when he slammed into the flank of Burnside and saved the ANV. The battles at Harpers Ferry and Sharpsburg along the Antietam Creek help preserve the freedom of the CSA in their struggle for independence--for a spell at least and set the stage for Lincoln to issue his Emancipation Proclamation and orders to his Armies that granted Freedom to the "Contraband" slaves liberated in CSA controlled areas.
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Old Shepherd College

Shepherdstown
Walking (home) last night from. The local pub I came upon a most beautifully illuminated and grand Classical revival building on German Street. This picture really doesn't show the true effect, but I am glad that my little BB captured this.
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Lee Monument

As evening gathered over the battlefield at Sharpsburg, I drove down the pike from Boonesboro en route to a "Freedom Run". Off to my right in a clearing, was this most impressive equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee. The tribute upon the base accredited him with out-maneuvering a force twice his size and fighting to a draw. It said that although he was personally against secession and slavery, he cast his lot with his home and the South for the right of self determination.
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