My Daily Photo Walk: August 2013

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Day 363 - Wining Down the Days

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Almost ready for harvest

The Tasting Room

Oops! Did I leave the "d" out of the title of today's entry? I think not! As I sip my glass of Viognier from Black Ankle, I am both "wining" and "winding" down the days. Ah, but I certainly am not doing any whining.

On this nice Sunday afternoon, I decided to once again visit my favorite winery, Black Ankle. I have walked there in the winter and in the spring, but today I needed to pick up my wine allotment anyway, so I knocked on my neighbor's door and asked Mary Alice to come with me.

Wearing Fall Colors

Sisters with Mom

This was Mary Alice's first visit to Black Ankle. She lived on the Shore for many years, on the other side of Salisbury from me, but we did not know each other until she moved here a year ago. We walked down the lane to the barn area where the barrels of wines are stored, saying hello to the fellows at the drinking trough. Next we walked up the hills among the vines, admiring how fat and purple the grapes are looking.

Hangin' with the guys.

We continued our walk around the vines, then back down to the tasting room, where we admired the stucco walls, the stone fireplace, the grapevine/resin countertops, and the racks of bottles. A hostess led us to an outside tasting room, where we tasted four wines today. Mary Alice is partial to the reds; I love them all.

The original farm; barrels age in the center barn.

It was a pleasant afternoon walk at Black Ankle, and I was happy to introduce Mary Alice to not only my favorite local wines, but to one my favorite places to walk, regardless of the season.

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

Friday, August 30, 2013

Day 362 - Maryland State Fair

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Tail Grooming

The Midway

My friend Gary suggested about a week ago that we go for a photo walk at the Maryland State Fair. Ever since he said that, the song from the musical "State Fair" has been running through my head: "Our State Fair is a great state fair...it's the best state fair in the state." Today I met Gary and his wife Karen to check it out.

I had never been to the state fair before, for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is held after school has started. Second, I lived three hours away from it until recently. So, capping off my year of photo walking by doing a walk at the state fair sounded like a great idea.

Sewing Competition

Olivia Reid

We entered the fairgrounds near the Cow Palace. Heifer judging was going on inside, and it was great to see how the handlers walked the cattle, paraded them, and then lined them up and held them still for judging. After the winners were determined, the Frederick County Dairy Princess, Olivia Reid, delivered the ribbons.

Next we strolled a portion of the Midway, walking past every type of fair food imaginable, including fried everything, past some of the rides, and then into the 4-H building. Here we looked at the photography entries (no, I did not enter), quilts, baskets, paintings, sewing, and more. There were some beautifully made items.

They round the corner!

White Tiger

We left that building, and continued along the midway, passing by more food, rides, and some pig races. We entered the building that housed the honey bees, vegetables, hay, sheep's roving, plants, and more. It was fascinating to hear the beekeeper talk about the roles of the queen bee, the workers, and the drones. The phrase "busy as a bee" is not an exaggeration.

The last building we entered was the commercial building, with displays from cell phone companies, cookware companies, mattress dealers, replacement windows, and so on. There was one entire room billed as the "largest bulk/penny candy store" in the world. It smelled heavenly.

Chain Saw Master

Artery Cloggers

Next we returned to the Cow Palace where we got ice cream and sat to watch some cows being milked. It was amazing to watch a cow with a gigantic udder get hooked up, and in 20 minutes walk away looking relieved and leaving behind about four gallons of milk.

We had a good walk at the state fair. I'm glad I finally got to visit it. And I can heartily agree that our state fair is the best state fair in the state.

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, August 29, 2013

Day 361 - Preparing in Frederick

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Please join me on the last day, September 2, for a celebration photo walk! Registration details are here.

Feeding the Fish

Lily with Bubbles

The days of my year of photo walking are coming to a close very quickly. I've been working on the four themed walks for Monday's photo walk downtown, and I realized I did not know the exact location of two of Frederick's cast iron dogs.

One of the dogs is very famous. It is modeled after Dr. Tyler's dog "Guess," and it sits on the front stoop of the house he built in 1814. Dr. John Tyler was one of the first eye specialists in America. Before the battle of Antietam, in 1862, the dog was stolen, supposedly to be melted down for bullets. The soldiers never got around to it, because the dog was found on the battlefield and returned to the house to keep watch over it. Today, the iron dog "tweets" facts for the Historical Society of Frederick County.

Weinberg Walk of Fame

Not in Europe -- right here!

I found three more dogs. One is is front of the building on S. Market that now houses the Frederick Arts Council. It is large and curly-haired. Another is at the corner of W. 3rd and Bentz; it is usually adorned with beads. A fourth is near the corner of W. Church and Bentz, a little bulldog. I have messages out to two friends to find out if there is a fifth.

Cool sticker on a pole

I decided not to include these canine photos today, because they are one of my themed walks for Monday. Hopefully, those who choose to find these dogs on their walk will share their photos of them later.

Reflection in the Creek

I walked all over downtown, running errands, dropping off the lunch count to the restaurant, etc. As I was walking along Carroll Creek, I got a little nostalgic, thinking about how much I am going to miss this. But then I realized -- I can do this whenever I want! It's not like I'm moving away. I could even continue it every day for another 365 days!

Fun with a Flower

Then common sense and reason returned, I smiled, and I finished my walk. Whew! That was close...

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, August 28, 2013

Day 360 - Sykesville, MD

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Please join me on the last day, September 2, for a celebration photo walk! Registration details are here.

St. Paul's Methodist

Gives new meaning to
"house over garage."

Sykesville is a place I have walked before, but tonight I wanted to go to dinner there before a camera club meeting nearby. Norma and I parked at Baldwin Station on Main Street, and we walked north on Main Street until we ran out of sidewalk, then came back down Main Street, turned on Church Street, and then returned back to Baldwin Station via Norwood Avenue.

Ladder to nowhere

It was about 5:20 when we arrived, so most of the small shops along Main Street were closed. There are some gift shops, an antique shop, a clothing shop, a dog grooming business, and a business specializing in robotics.

Addams Family?

The town is still an active railroad town, and as I wrote before, it is like a smaller version of Ellicott City. The Patapsco River runs south of Main Street; then there is the railroad tracks; then there is an historic train station, and then shops line Main Street, many built into repurposed old granite homes and hotels.

The St. Paul's Methodist Church is a beautiful building, always a pleasure to photograph. Baldwin Station is now a restaurant, with outdoor seating options lining the track.

Caboose Steps, Going Down

It was a great little town to visit, but we had to walk, eat, and run.

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, August 27, 2013

Day 359 - New Market, the "back" roads

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Please join me on the last day, September 2, for a celebration photo walk! Registration details are here.

79 Degrees

Fire Siren

Not New Market again, you say? When I get in a crunch mode for time, as I am today, I fall back on what is easy. But to give it a twist, I decided to walk the "back" roads.

Paralleling Main Street is a road that starts on the east side of the fire hall and ends about a quarter mile away, with Main Street on the left and the busy roar of traffic going by on I-70 to the right. This road is appropriately named South Alley. Along it are some homes, deep back yards of homes facing Main Street, and the New Market Grange Hall.

Lichen the crab apple!

Left Hanging

I turned left on Federal Street and walked north, crossing Main Street, and then turned left onto the appropriately named North Alley. Along it I passed a Verizon building, the New Market Methodist Church (1821), two cemeteries, backyards of homes facing Main Street, and a pond near the side yard of the elementary school that was covered in duck weed.

Come on in!

I had walked North Alley before, but never South. Which brings me to a good point when walking old, familiar towns. Go down the side streets. Look for the back alleys. They may not present the best "faces" to visitors, but they can make for some very interesting photo opportunities.

Sinking into the graveyard

Enjoy your day -- I'm off to the shower!

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, August 25, 2013

Day 357 - Hancock, MD

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Please join me on the last day, September 2, for a celebration photo walk! Registration details are here.

Little Apple Lover

It's been a fantastic day. First of all, I got up, went out to get the paper, and the story of my photo walking year was on the front page of Travel section of the Frederick News-Post. Hurray!

Rail trail on far left; canal
on immediate left;
tow path on right;
Potomac River on far right
out of frame

Having this whole beautiful day to myself, I hopped in the Hummingbird Feeder with the top down and headed west. My destination was Hancock, MD.

Hancock bills itself as a rail trail and canal town, and it is justified in doing so. Located at the point where Rt. 68 splits off from Rt. 70, the town is actually on the old National Road, which you know I have been following for much of this year. Hancock is also at the narrowest point of Maryland, with Pennsylvania just a few miles to the north, and West Virginia just a stone's throw across the Potomac River, which parallels the main street of the town.

Wayne and Ray keep town watch

There are lots of things that line up in parallels in Hancock. To the south, there is the Potomac River. A few steps away is the C&O Canal towpath, which is now a national park from Cumberland to Washington, DC. Next to the towpath is the canal, and then there is the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a paved path over the old railroad line. Next is Main Street, and then W. High Street located on the hillside above the town, and finally the Rt. 70/40 combo.

I sure hope so...

This canal town is also a bike town. In fact, I saw more bikers here than any other types of people, including local residents. Later, when I drove west out of town to find one of the last remaining National Road tollhouses, I saw that most of the local residents were at the park west of town, playing beach volleyball or baseball, picnicking, or using the pool.

As I walked the streets of town, I occasionally found myself behind Ray and Wayne. They must be regular town walkers, because they stopped to talk to nearly everyone who was outside or emerging from the local downtown restaurant, Weaver's. As I passed by Weaver's, two couples emerged from having had their Sunday dinner. One woman said, "Lord, I shouldn't have eaten all that. I try to watch my weight when I eat out." The other woman said, "Oh, I watch my weight. I watch it go up, and up, and up!"

I love this wrought iron

And look at this beauty!

I walked down to the bike shop located by the rail trail, where lots of people were either loading or unloading bikes on the back of their vehicles. I vowed then and there to do more biking on the local trails and tow paths in the coming year. (I might even bring along my camera!)

I noticed some beautiful wrought iron fences and gates in this town. They were quite elaborate, and would cost a fortune to duplicate today.

What if I'm on a bike?

Most of the businesses were closed on this fine day, and unfortunately, many of them permanently. The economy has taken a toll on Hancock.

Hancock Toll House

Next time you are whizzing by Hancock in your car on Rt. 70, or rolling by on your bicycle along either the rail trail or the tow path, take a few minutes to stop and explore the town. Stop in for lunch at Weaver's, and take home a pie. According to their website, they bake over 500 a week. I can't vouch for them personally, but judging from the number of people I saw emerging with bakery boxes in hand, they must be good.

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

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Day 356 - Downtown Frederick at Night

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Please join me on the last day, September 2, for a celebration photo walk! Registration details are here.

One of the chefs

Upside down images!

A summer evening on a downtown Saturday night when there is low humidity and great temperatures is a real treat. People are out, some shops are open, and there are lots of great photo opportunities.

The trick, however, is working with the low lighting conditions. I upped my ISO, steadied myself on a lampost or a parking meter, and took lots and lots of shots, hoping for the best. If I had not been going out to dinner beforehand, I would have toted a tripod along for my shots. It would have made a world of difference.

Evangelical Lutheran

Cool Eyeglasses

This week is Frederick Farm to Fork, so Norma and I went to Ayse Meze Lounge for dinner. Everything we had was great and at least 60% of it was local. The eggplant cheesecake was fabulous.

We then walked down Church Street, back to Market, and along Carroll Creek. It was a great evening with great food and photos, even though they were a bit challenging. Many of them came out golden, due to the sodium vapor lights.

Hope you had a great evening, too!

Chandelier

Carroll Creek Cascade

Pink Waterlily

White Waterlily

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, August 23, 2013

Day 355 - A Walk in the Rain

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Please join me on the last day, September 2, for a celebration photo walk! Registration details are here.

Drippy Dahlia

I see me!

Rainy days...in a couple of weeks, I won't have to make myself get out and walk in the rain. But today, because it was raining, I decided to make the most of it and concentrate on photos that I couldn't take unless it was raining. And because I could do that almost anywhere, I decided to do it right here in my neighborhood.

I don't have much to report about my walk, other than I did the neighborhood loop, so I will tell you how I got the last photo.

Circles among circles!

Isn't water amazing?

I took an old frame that had a clear piece of glass in it. I sprayed it with Rain-X, which will make the water bead up on the surface. I placed in on the front steps to collect rain while I did my walk.

When I got back home, I held the frame up over a pink rose that is growing in a pot on my front doorstep. The raindrops act like little mirrors, reflecting the flower from below.

I also had a treat today -- it is a thrill when I get an email from someone I don't know, who tells me about the effect that my blog has had on them. Today Lois wrote to tell me that she lived in New Market on Central Church Road back in the early 1960's. She said that my walks make her homesick for the area, and she appreciates the memories they bring back. Her family moved away in 1963. I just love getting feedback like that from people I don't even know. It makes me realize there are lots of other people on this adventure with me.

Rain-X Fun!

If you find yourself out in the rain, feel free to jump in a puddle. You may as well enjoy it.

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