Bear at Southfork

Zetta called at noon to inform me we had a bear in our driveway this morning. The Sheriff and game wardens are working the area to get the bear removed from the residential area

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Summit

I climbed to the summit of Sugerloaf shown here by these rock on the northern side and "reclaimed" it for the Carroll Clan ;0)
I thought of The Army of the Potomac which set an observation post here and sighted Lee crossing from Virginia. It relayed a message to Gen McClellan, who mobilized the army for movement to contact. He was slow, and many days later fought Lee in the gaps of South Mountain where he was further delayed while Lee had time to gather his divided Army of Northern Virginia behind the Antietam River for the bloodiest single day of combat in US history in September at Sharpsburg. One can still see the Potomac, where now a power plant is marked at the River by its smokestacks. The boys in Blue on Surgarloaf skeedaddled as the ANV approached. They were able to evade an infantry regiment approaching, but were later captured at Urbanna. A salute to them for their dedication to duty to observe to remain vigilant, until virtually the last moment, and report the movement of the ANV.
Likewise, I imagine I see those men in Gray assembling for the crossing. They believed their cause was a struggle to preserve those rights won by the first patriots, like Charles Carroll, and revolutionary soldiers, like the sons of Humberston Lyon, and to confirm their independence. More to the point the wanted to feed the army on the harvest and to recruit
Last night I was very pleased to see the Old Guard in Twilight Tattoo show two of its members in Gray vis a vis two in Blue and speak correctly of the nature of that struggle. It was right recognition that all in that Late Unpleasantness were Americans and worthy of our recognition of their valor, persistence, and various struggles and causes in the context of their day. They ought have a permanent place in our history devoid of latter-day incriminations. Sugarloaf will always be here will keep that struggle before the minds of her visitors who take note of her history

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Sugarloaf

Today I intend to climb this mountain. A rise of about 800 feet from the surrounding valley. I take this shot from "Old Hundred" and recall Zetta's ancestor, a Scott named Humberston Lyon farmed here at Monocacy Hundred in the early 1700s and was an elected constable. Sugarloaf was part of my kinsman's Charles estate of Carollton, a wealthy contemporary of Humberston and eventually a leading patriot.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Twilight Tattoo

The Old Guard3rd Infantry on Parade at Twilight Tattoo
A beautiful evening in Frederick and a great performance drum fife and bugle corps, drill platoons, color detail, command and staff, and continental drill teams
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Salsa

Urbanna
Music Festival and dance instruction warmups before the Latin Band takes the stage. The were going slow to teach. Salsa of course is HOT sauce and today was appropriate as the sun is burning down with temperatures in the 90s. I learned the salsa from some very pretty local ladies in La Paz, Honduras, years ago.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

AT & I70

South Mountain.
Elevation 1,200 Feet
This is the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and Interstate 70. I hiked up Hartman Hill this morning and will switch back for a cool swim and lunch in the spring-fed lake at Greenbrier Park this afternoon. I still hope to hike the AT end to end one day
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Carroll's Mead

Fathers Day Frederick
I spent the morning at Holy Communion with the folk of Holy Cross anglican and then retired to Laziza's Restaurant where they presented me with this wonderful Father's Day Present of Carroll's Mead. It carries the crest of th family from Ireland. In about the 13th Centuries the King of Munster gave the name to the family after their most stunning fight against the Vikings. The two golden lyons symbolize courage and the sword the family name which comes from Gaelic and means "slaughter, and hacking". The motto is" in fide et bello forte" -- in faith and battle strength.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Hearty Welcome

So reads the greeting at the Hofbrauhaus in Abbotsville. They specialize in Bavarian cuisine, and this day I had a knockwurst, brot, und katoffle salat (I'm not sure I remember how to spell these German specialties after 30 years, but it is sausage, rye bread, and hot potato salad ). They have a good selection of stiens that surround the dining area. Some are the same I have collected from festivals. It would be nive to return to Germany collect a few more

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Bird in Hand

Breakfast in Bird in Hand Pennsylvania. The old inn by this name stood a few miles east of Lancaster as a stop on the Philadelphia Lancaster Turnpike before the Revolution. The inns of that day chose signs that could easily be recognized by illiterate folk traveling this road. This is day four of my Pennsylvania excursion and I'll continue to visit about Lancaster before heading back through Gettysburg this evening. Yesterday, I visited the graves of Gen John Reynolds who fell at Gettysburg and his brother Rear Admiral Will Reynolds. I stood about where Reynolds fell in a visit to Gettysburg last year. Reynolds was able to bring up sufficient forces in the meeting engagement to stem the Gray tide (thanks to Gen Bufford of Versailles) allowing Meade to take the high ground and eventually prevail in the battle.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Hershey Gardens

Just down the hill from the mansion and overlooking the Hershey Chocolate Factory is this garden established by Milton Hershey in 1937. He got the idea when the Smithonian asked him to sponsor one in Washington. The pond and gazebo were here then. I showed my ID and got in free. Great day to be a soldier. I've no interest in the amusement rides these days. This is about as much excitement as I desire
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

War College Graduation

I enjoyed visiting with my long time correspondent and friend Fulvio Poli as he graduated from the War College at Carlisle Barracks Pennsylvania this morning. It was good too to visit with the family. His four legionaires were as spry as always. Monday they return to Rome. Godspeed. Chow.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Truck Replacement ??

I am tempted--100 year Anniversary Silver Harley $8500. 1903-2003
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

My Panama

Yesterday I stopped by Kohls and picked up a new Panama. I consider this essential gear for these sunny days of summer. I started wearing a Panama in about 1963 or so as a kid at Myrtle Beach. Everyone in the family that surf fished did the same. Last night I told Zetta I had been reminded of our honeymoon at the beach with the family when a cool morning breeze blew the curtains. She knew exactly where and when. We hope to go back next year in the early fall to commemorate 40 years.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

D-Day Commemoration

Memorial Park Frederick
I sit to the side of this memorial looking directly at the old National Guard Armory on the corner of Benz and 2nd. The Bell in the foreground came from the USS Frederick. In the background is a very large double sided monument that contains the names of those KIA in WWII. I note there are 11 Carroll kin named. In front of the monument is a stone memorial to those who participated in the greatest amphibious and airborne invasion on this day, June 6, in 1944. It is dedicated the Maryland National Guard 115th Infantry. Off to my right, in Baker Park, hymns play on the grand Bell Tower. I think it would be proper today if they were to play the Navy Hymn. May these folk who were killed in action from wounds this day, and fell with the mark of faith, rest in peace until that mighty Day of the Lord and final awful reckoning and jubilee.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

D-Day Commemoration

Memorial Park Frederick
I sit to the side of this memorial looking directly at the old National Guard Armory on the corner of Benz and 2nd. The Bell in the foreground came from the USS Frederick. In the background is a very large double sided monument that contains the names of those KIA in WWII. I note there are 11 Carroll kin named. In front of the monument is a stone memorial to those who participated in the greatest amphibious and airborne invasion on this day, June 6, in 1944. It is dedicated the Maryland National Guard 115th Infantry. Off to my right, in Baker Park, hymns play on the grand Bell Tower. I think it would be proper today if they were to play the Navy Hymn. May these folk who were killed in action from wounds this day, and fell with the mark of faith, rest in peace until that mighty Day of the Lord and final awful reckoning and jubilee.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

FDR Monument

As he requested. The size of his desk the inscription. The location in front of the National Archives. Humility. This day there is a simple piece of paper on the top of the monument held from blowing away by five pieces of gravel which reads his full name. And below it.
" Commander in Chief
Armed Forces
United States of America"
Touche

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Fort Stevens

1864 11-12 July. Early's Corps attacked Washington but did not get beyond this point. The delaying action by Lew Wallace (Ben Hurr author later) had given the time necessary for the Federals to rally for the defense. Lincoln stood on the parapet and came under direct sniper fire. The parapets and ammo bunkers still stand. A victory here would have surely had an effect on the elections, as would have the death of Lincoln, but it was not to be and within one year all Confederates forces would be surrendered or ineffective. (13th Street 6000 block)
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T