My Daily Photo Walk: June 2013

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Day 301 - Rockville, MD

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Beall Dawson House

Bee on Coneflower

If you are a regular reader, you know that I love historic districts. I am known to suddenly make a turn off the road to follow a brown historic district sign. Because I was going to Rockville today to see the gallery opening of my friend Beamie Young, I planned to do my walk today in the Rockville Historic District.

Moderization

My anticipation of a good walk turned into frustration fairly quickly. First of all, I could not find the historic district. The gallery was away from downtown, so I looked up the Historical Society and decided it would be at least near the historic district. I eventually found what looked like it might be the district, and I parked my car to begin my walk. That's when it started to rain. Ah well...

Fire Museum

My friend Norma was with me, so we walked toward what looked like a historic church on West Jefferson Street. We walked along various streets called Middle Lane, Adams, Montgomery, Van Buren, and Wood. We found the Beall Dawson House, which had a few outbuildings and a nice little garden. The barn/garage contained a library.

911!

By this time, the rain was ending, so the umbrellas came down, and we continued our wandering along the streets, finally ending up at the modern center of Rockville, known as the Town Square. We opted not to go into Town Square, because it might be a location for a future walk, but by this time, Norma and I were wearing the humidity like a blanket. She stood under the shade of a building while I detoured to the courthouse, then we worked our way back to the car.

The Old Red Courthouse

I have been spoiled by historic districts where they are fairly well contained. In Rockville, there was so much new mixed with small pockets of old, that without a map or a walking tour, I am sure I missed most of what there was to see. I did see a number of historical markers, part of an African American History walking tour, so that would definitely be worth checking out.

Cool "art deco" style building

I was somewhat disappointed by the walk today, at least as far as the historic parts. We ended the walk needing to mop our faces, so you know what we looked for immediately afterwards. Yes, you guessed right. Ice cream.

I'm soooo predictable lately!

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Forward me by email any receipt for an online donation made to the Red Cross for disaster relief, and I will send you a 5x7 print of your choice from any of my daily photo walks or from my website. Offer good until September 2, 2013.

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email: cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Day 300 - Baltimore's Inner Harbor

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Classic Baltimore Icon

What a gorgeous day it was! To celebrate Day 300, I decided to go to Baltimore to walk around Inner Harbor. Veronica, my new intern/boarder, who is from New Jersey, had never been to Baltimore, so off we went in the red convertible to enjoy a sunny afternoon in the city.

Although I am not a city girl, I like downtown Baltimore's harbor area. I know where to park, the spaces are wide open, and it is easy getting in and out. I parked at the Royal Sonesta on Light Street, across from the Maryland Science Center, and we first walked to the top of the battery at Federal Hill.

That's how Baltimore rolls!

All the elements of the harbor in one.

The large, commanding, flat-topped hill overlooking the harbor has played roles in both the War of 1812 and the Civil War. You can read the history of Federal Hill here: history. The views from atop the hill are fabulous. On one side, you can see the stadiums; on another, you can overlook the harbor and all of its hustle and bustle. On the third side you can see the famous Domino Sugar sign; the fourth side is a neighbohood of homes facing the hill.

Street Musician

We walked down one side of the hill to the Museum of Visionary Art below, having fun with looking at the highly decorated bus, the mirror mosaics, and the funky metal sculptures. Then we walked back toward Inner Harbor, passing the beach volleyball courts that were busy with players.

Only in Baltimore

We continued past the anchored tour boats, then entered one of the sets of buildings where there are numerous shops and restaurants. I had to buy a children's crab book for Norma. Next we tried to get a table at one of the seafood restaurants, but the wait was an hour. I suggested we go to Little Italy, so we continued walking on Pratt until we turned right on President, finding Mo's Waterfront. The crab cakes were amazing -- Veronica's first.

1813 Flag

Lovin' Life

We went back to the area of the harbor known as the old Power Plant, walking by the Barnes & Noble, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the National Aquarium. We walked on the waterfront past the paddleboats, then rounded the harbor and went into the Visitor's Center. Children were having a wonderful time playing in the water spouts outside the center.

All in all, it was a great afternoon at Inner Harbor. Groups of people were wearing Yankees gear, as well as Orioles gear, because there is a game this evening. I dropped Veronica off at the stadium, where she met my nephew. Veronica is from northern NJ, so you know who she's rooting for.

Go O's!!!!!

Federal Hill Pano

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Friday, June 28, 2013

Day 299 - Seneca Falls, NY

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Women's Rights were Born Here

Waste Not, Want Not

Today was my last day in the Finger Lakes region, and I definitely wanted to do a walk in Seneca Falls, near where we are staying. However, I wanted to get this walk done early, since I have a long drive home, so I got out on the streets of town around 6:30 a.m., when few people were out and about.

Seneca Falls is famous for being the birthplace of the women's rights movement. There is a National Park here, which offers tours of the Wesleyan Chapel, where the first Women's Rights Convention was held in 1848, the M'Clintock House, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad as well as the place where the "Declaration of Sentiments" was drafted, and the Elizabeth Cady Stanton home.

1940's Rumsey Electric
Lawnmowers were made
in Seneca Falls

I parked downtown and first studied the maps at the National Park Visitor Center. It told me that the building nearby was the Wesleyan Chapel, where the convention was held. I walked around the side of the chapel, discovering a plaque that said that Elizabeth Cady Stanton moved the resolution of rights, and that it was seconded by Frederick Douglass! As a matter of fact, there were 32 men who signed the declaration along with the 68 women. I could go on and on about the history and the movement, because there is a lot of information both at the park and online, but the point of this blog entry is really a photo walk, not a history lecture, so I hope you will take the time to explore the links I have provided.

On Bridge Street

As I walked along the commercial district, which has suffered many fires over the years, I noticed many references to the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." It is widely believed that the town was the model for the film's fictional location, Bedford Falls. Director Frank Capra visited Seneca Falls several times in the 1940's while the screenplay was being written.

The angel got his wings!

To capitalize on the similarities between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls, there is a museum dedicated to the movie, a hotel named Clarence, and many little references throughout town to Bedford Falls, including signs on Bridge Street labeling it on one side as "George Bradley Lane" and on the other as "Bedford Falls Blvd."

More Recent History

The town of Seneca Falls is split in half by the Cayuga Seneca Canal, which has a working lock at one end of town. There are homes and businesses on both sides of the canal, which is connected at both ends and in the middle by bridges.

The Famous Bridge

The seeds of change were planted here in Seneca Falls in 1848. Women in the U.S. did not get the right to vote until 1920. Thank you, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the other forward thinking and brave women who set the wheels in motion. The women of America owe you a debt of gratitude.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Day 298 - Fairport, NY

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

The raised bridge over the Erie Canal.

After Norma and I toured the George Eastman House and Museum in Rochester, NY, where we admired the man, his home, his work, and his legacy, we headed to Fairport, NY, located on the Erie Canal. In Fairport, we met Norma's friend Linda for lunch at the Tow Path Cafe. I left Norma and Linda after lunch so that they could catch up on each others' news, and I walked in and around Fairport.

Fairport is a blend of old, historic Main Street buildings and newer, more modern buildings, which allows for a variety of shops that cater both to locals and to tourists: gift shops, hair salons, a gourmet kitchen shop/grocery store, restaurants, a dry cleaner, medical offices, and other professional services.

The bridge tender's house with raised stairway.

The town's centerpiece is its old metal lift bridge (1914) that raises up the center structure on both ends, taking the roadbed with it, parallel to the water. The bell clangs, the mechanism turns, and the entire bridge raises up off the water, connecting to two raised stairways on either side. If the bridge should need to be open for extended periods of time, at least foot traffic can cross the raised bridge by climbing the stairways to the bridge. I saw the bridge go up at least three times in my short stay in Fairport, twice to let canal "barges" through and once to let the tour boat, the "Colonial Belle," come through. The "barges" are really canal style boats that people can rent and then cruise along the canal, sort of like floating campers. They have bicycles stored on the tops of the boats, for use in the many towns along the canal.

Empty Factory Windows

I walked first along North Main, passing a wonderful gourmet kitchen/grocery store named Lombardi's. Farther down the street, off Main, there was an old, abandoned factory, now for sale, called the American Canning Company, once a major employer in town.

Erie Canal Boat Charter

Also on this side of the canal was the old trolley station, a pet grooming store, a gift shop, a tattoo parlor, and a bar.

I crossed the bridge and walked along South Main. Here were remnants of the old, historic downtown mixed in with the new. The "new" included Packett's Landing and Fairport Village Landing, both with the aforementioned modern shops. Farther along South Main there were churches, old homes converted to businesses, and neighborhoods with remnants of the past, such as hitching posts and "upping stones" or "carriage blocks," which were used for stepping up into carriages.

The Green Lantern Inn

Pure Oil Gas Station

One of the outstanding structures on this end of town is a tall Gothic Victorian that houses the Green Lantern Inn. This was originally the 1876 mansion of Henry DeLand, who made a fortune in the baking power industry. Directly in front of the building, facing Main Street, is a small white building which was identified on a historical marker nearby as a "historic gas station building." Research led me to the fact that this is one of six remaining Pure Oil Company service station buildings designed by August Peterson in 1934. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Upping Stone

My walk in Fairport was both informative and entertaining, due to the numerous historical plaques positioned around town. They are so helpful to photo walkers like me -- thank you, Fairport, for a fair day!

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Day 297 - Skaneateles, NY

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Skaneateles Waterfront

Church Steeple

The name of the New York lake town where I did my walk today is both difficult to spell and to pronounce. It is Skaneateles, from the Iroquois for "Long Lake." Tourist brochures encourage remembering the name by thinking of "Skinny Atlas."

This village, population 2,700, is on the shores of Skaneateles Lake. It has public parks along portions of the lakefront, providing a swimming area and shaded lawns for sitting and reading on a summer day. A gazebo looks over the waterfront, and a fishing pier leads out into the lake.

Mary, Norma, and Connie

Friends Norma, Mary, Connie, and I arrived around 9:30 in the morning, and first we drove all around the town and through the residential areas. We parked in one of the public lots, then walked into the town to find the lake. We first walked out onto the pier, amazed at how clear the water was in the lake. We later learned that this lake provides drinking water for the surrounding area and for Syracuse. We could see large carp swimming in the water below. A young woman paddled by on a standup board, and once she was out into the calm water, she began various yoga poses on the board.

I take it back; this one was pretentious

The Reuel E. Smith house on West Lake

There were some amazing waterfront homes visible along the right hand shore of the lake, so we walked along West Lake Street, admiring the variety of homes and the beautiful lawns and gardens. I think it was the most beautiful street I have ever been on. Many of the homes were historic, and although they were obviously worth a lot of money, none were pretentious. One of the homes, the yellow one pictured here, is available for $535,000. As a matter of fact, while driving through town, we noticed a lot of homes for sale. All seemed well-kept with lush landscaping. Numerous homes and buildings in town are on the National Register.

I love this house! It's for sale.

After our West Lake Street Walk, we sat in the courtyard of a small patisserie and had coffee and muffins. Then we took off on a walk of the commercial district, going in and out of gift shops, art galleries, and antique stores. In one of the shops, we bought a book of Finger Lakes photography by John McCarthy, who happened to be at the gallery while we were there. He gladly signed our copies for us.

Sherwood Inn

We finished our walk with a great lunch at the historic Sherwood Inn. From our lakeside table, we could see more yoga board paddlers out on the water practicing their downward dogs. We could only admire their flexibility and balance.

Rhubarb and Pomodoro

I'm so glad we made the trip to this beautiful village today along the lakeshore. It reminded me so much of a coastal Maine town. It was the perfect way to spend a summer day.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Day 296 - Village of Penn Yan

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Gilded Gingerbread!

Buggy Parking Only

On our way to Keuka Lake, also known as the Crooked Lake of the New York Finger Lakes, friends Mary, Connie, Norma, and I stopped in Penn Yan for today's photo walk.

This cute little village, the name of which is short for Pennsylvania Yankee, was founded in the early 1800's, primarily by Pennsylvanians and New Englanders. Located at the northeastern tip of Keuka Lake, it is a small town with a true "Main Street" feel, which is just my kind of place.

The Old Bank Vault

Now that's a big pancake!

We parked at one end of town, then walked three or four blocks in one direction and back around. At one section of town, there was some beautiful artwork in the window, and the shop clerk beckoned us inside, to see the vault door. The building, which houses the Arts Center of Yates County, was once a bank. The vault holds the jewelry, of course. I bought a beautiful cherry and copper wine rack for my dining room.

We continued down the street, ending up at the Birkett Mills, which is one of the world's largest producers of buckwheat.

Birkett Mills

Still a drugstore

Penn Yan once produced many of the grapes used in winemaking in the region. Today it is home to Keuka College and caters to local tourists who are visiting the many wineries in the region. While we were there, Amish buggies passed by on the streets and Mennonite women were out running errands. The Amish and Mennonite are apparently relatively recent residents in the area, having come in 1974 seeking lower priced land.

The Fox Inn B&B

Bonus Photo: Vineyard Barn

We enjoyed today along Keuka Lake, and walking Penn Yan was a good choice for me. You know how I love historic small towns!

NOTE: Each linked "Penn Yan" above is to a different source of information.

Bonus Photo: Working the Vines

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Monday, June 24, 2013

Day 295 - Watkins Glen State Park, NY

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Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

The Cavern Cascade; you
can walk behind this fall

Spillway at the start of the park

Watkins Glen is a small town in New York, located on the Seneca Lake, which is one of the famous Fingers Lakes of New York. The town is famous for its Nascar track, as well as for its amazing state park, which follows the Glen Creek gorge.

Norma and I parked at the lower end of the park, which is the end that is closest to the town of Watkins Glen. We started up the more than 800 stone steps, following the gorge trail. First we came to a water chute that was chiseled into the stone by millers who wanted to direct water to a mill that was once located at the base of the gorge. Then we started up the stone steps.

Occasional wildflower

Central Cascade

The park's trails consist of mainly stone stairs and stone paved walkways, which were built by a public works project in the 1930's. The stairs and bridges pass by numerous waterfalls and spill pools, surrounded by steep canyon walls that have been cut over eons by the Glen Creek. We walked up these steps, which were wet and slippery with a fine sheen of silt.

There were many great places to stop and take photos, whether of people admiring the falls, the moss covered rock walls, the falls and spill ponds, the scoured out potholes, or the soft green ferns clinging to rock ledges.

My favorite shot today

Fern and fall

I walked approximately half of the two mile park, stopping at the Central Cascade and Glen Cathedral. Norma opted not to continue the hike, because heights and the wet slipperiness of the stone steps caused her some concern.

At the Central Cascade, I took a lot of photos with the tripod, concentrating on composing good scenes and capturing the good light that was highlighting some of the trees.

Amish women buying ice cream

I returned to the car, this time going downhill all the way, using my tripod as a walking stick in places to keep myself from slipping. I happily made it safely down to the base, but my hair and shirt were drenched from the heat and humidity.

Watkins Glen is well worth the visit. Be sure to wear the proper footwear, take water, and surely don't forget your camera.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

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Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

walk every day
the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
post a photo every day
use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
no weather excuses
walk only where it is safe to do so

Sunday, June 30, 2013

***Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.***

Saturday, June 29, 2013

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Friday, June 28, 2013

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

***Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.***

Monday, June 24, 2013

***Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.***

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.

Scroll down to see my offer for Red Cross donations.