Maryland Renaissance Festival

September 21, 2008

Summer is not complete without a trip to a renaissance festival. This year took us to Crownsville, Maryland to Revel Grove. The highlight of the trip was the jousting tournament with the knights, horses and all the other things that could maim or just outright kill you. Fortunately these are skilled horsemen who know what they are doing and there was very little blood letting this day. The crowds were rowdy, the horses were galloping and the costumes were, well, I have not been able to post those picture where most people say: 'How do they do that?'

Next year we look forward to another renaissance festival, perhaps in Pennsylvania or another location nearby.

Great Falls NPS - Virginia

September 26, 2008

Great Falls continues to offer ever changing opportunities with changes in landscape colors and the level and flow of the Potomac River. This was an early morning capture.

Vegas & Hoover Dam

September 11, 2008 – 9/11

When you visit Las Vegas you really need to visit Hoover Dam. It is one of the modern wonders of the world. When it was it built it was the largest concrete structure in the world. Words can not describe it. There is current construction on building a by-pass so that the interstate does not go over the dam itself. Immediately below the dam is a new bridge being built. The roadway up to the bridge on either side is already complete. I would like to go back in the spring to document to progress of the bridge.

The night-lights of Las Vegas truly bring the city to life and the fact the temperature drops quite a bit does not hurt either. ‘Dry’ heat is a term that must have been created in Vegas – sorry, it’s still HOT even when the sun goes down. The Excalibur Casino and the Paris Casino offer wonderful views in the evening.

Lancaster County Pa

August 23, 2008

This summer has been very busy visiting many places in the mid-Atlantic region. A favorite place to visit in Lancaster County. These shots are from a museum opened in 1925 with am emphasis on the local buildings used by the Amish and Mennonite.

Another favorite place to visit is Strasburg RailRoad with the obligatory ride on the steam locomotive drive train. This is one of the longest running railroads in the United States.

More photos can be viewed at my site: http://www.imagesofwildlife.com/

Mount Vernon

August 22, 2008

Mount Vernon. Home to our first President. By the mid 1800s the plantation was purchased from the family by the Ladies of Mount Vernon and has been preserved since. Mount Vernon sits on the banks of the Potomac River offer views from river boats and those from Maryland. A new museum and interactive learning center have recently been added and the mill and whiskey distillery are now open.

Knoebels Amusement at night

August 19, 2008

Summer is the time to visit the amusement parks. These are night shots from Knoebels Amusement park in Pennsylvanian close to Bloomsburg. Night shots always appear to be more dramatic with all of the lights working.

American Bald Eagle

August 18, 2008

Everyone knows the American Bald Eagle is the national system. But, many people have not had the chance to see on up close. Here is a shot from one that I caught in Pennsylvania.

Railroad Bridges Between Easton, Pa., and Phillipsburg, NJ

August 9, 2008


Due to many railroads traveling between New Jersey and Pennsylvania there were several RR bridges across the Delaware River. Here, three bridges still stand. The fourth bridge is open for public traffic.

Steam Locomotive - Phillipsburg, NJ

August 9, 2008

There is a steam train in Phillipsburg, New Jersey which is across of Easton, Pennsylvania. The train runs down the Delaware River and then returns. This is the only running steam locomotive in the state of New Jersey. Easton and Phillipsburg were once host to: Central New jersey (CNJ) and Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W), the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), Lehigh Valley (LVRR) and Lehigh and Hudson River Railway (L&HR).