Baltimore Training Class

I just got back from a great training class in Baltimore. They were stimulating in class and we always had a wonderful time after class.

Shenandoah Valley, Rain and Shine

I went through the Shenandoah National Park on October 25 and 26, with the 25th rainy and foggy in the mountains and the 26th sunny and clear. I enjoyed both days and the park was beautiful both times. The lightening-struck tree above is the same place on the two days and, I think, gives some idea as to how different the same places were on the two contrasting days. In some ways I enjoyed the rainy day more. The limited visibility forced me to concentrate on the small scale, the close-up, because the vistas were shrouded in fog. Of the two photos above, I prefer the foggy day shot.

There were still some wonderful, grander views on the 26th when it was clear.

So you can look at the photos above and see for yourself. For me, both days were beautiful and I find the contrast in the two sets of pictures to be fun. Don't be afraid of a rainy day!

Becky's Kids

I had a nice visit with Becky, Mike and family this weekend. It's always nice to be loved and welcome. These are all on the swing set at their new house. Great house and nice, big yard.

Touring Vermont-Covered Bridges

In all fairness to the Granite State, the covered bridges shown below are equally divided between Vermont and New Hampshire, with 2 in each state and 1 that spans the Connecticut River and connects them. But we spent most of our time in Vermont, so they get the nod on that basis. Mom and I spent the day today playing leaf peeper. We fell into collecting covered bridges by accident. The first one we found, near Brattleboro, VT, we found only because we took an unintended turn. Most of the rest were also serendipity, including a sixth bridge I found 2 weeks later on a separate trip to Virginia.

The second bridge, also in Vermont, was the one in the most questionable condition. I've lost track of exactly where we were, but it was some where near Manchester.

We found the third one because I saw a sign on Highway 12A in New Hampshire that said Covered Bridge #23 was down this little dirt road. We wound around about 3/4 to 1 mile down a narrow lane and found this bridge, still in regular (if infrequent) use and in good repair. This is between the towns of Cornish and Clarendon. I would say that this was my favorite bridge, still practical, not ornate or a tourist attraction, but functioning still a link in this small country road. There are houses on both sides of the stream the bridge spans.

Bridge #20 (our fourth of the day) was this long span across the Connecticut River between Cornish, New Hampshire and Windsor, Vermont. Notice the outrageous cost ($9,000)!. I enjoyed the sign reminding riders to walk their horses across the bridge or face a hefty fine ($2). While I was taking these photos a young man emerged from the bridge on his skateboard. I think it safe to say that the builders of the bridge never imagined that.


A mile or so down the road from bridge #20, we saw a sign for bridge #22, so we followed that arrow and found this bridge. It was getting late in the day and the sun was fading fast, but I think I got some decent photos of this last bridge, also near Cornish, New Hampshire.


Finding covered bridges wasn't something we planned as part of our day, but it ended up being fun. If we'd set out to hunt them, I would have gotten a map, made a plan and maybe we'd have missed the joy of the unexpected.

Talking about unexpected, bridge number six is one I stumbled upon in Virginia! I was driving the Shenandoah Valley on October 25th to see the mountains and the battlefields, and there was a sign for a covered bridge. I drove not too far down a farm country road, there it was. It's a beautiful bridge over a small stream (in local parlance, a run) near the town of Mount Jackson (Yeah, that Jackson), VA. I was in Baltimore for a 2 week training class (inflicting training on others) and rented a car for the weekend. More photos on my drive along the Blue Ridge in a separate post.

Tagged reply

I've been told that the convention is to post the response to one's own blog, so here it is, with "Thanks" to Becky:

3 Names:

Jim, Grandpa (my favorite), Dad

3 Restaurants:

The Double Muskie (Girdwood, Alaska)--this is on the same little dirt road as Ted Steven's remodeled house, the house that (with any luck) got that obnoxious old coot out of the Senate and into a pleasant prison cell; Louisiana (Baltimore); Thai Siam (Seattle).

3 trips this year:

Philippines/Thailand, Baltimore, and Philippines again
3 pets:

Lady, Max, Sputnik

3 things I did yesterday:

Fly from Seattle to Boston, take pictures of my grand-nieces, talk to my mom

3 things I ate today:

Turkey sandwich at Panera, Frank's Lasagna (pretty good), bagel

3 fears:

John McCain elected and then dies (SHUDDERS!!!!), continuing financial collapse, delays in dealing with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

3 things I will do today:

Drive to Long Island, take my mom to get her car at the mechanic, go to bed soon

3 favorite Holidays:

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July

3 favorite drinks:

pass

Addenda: Mom's car wasn't ready. The number 3 restaurant may change at any moment. It may not be coincidence that numbers 1 and 2 are cajun. I really think I need to visit New Orleans. I will be visiting Bangkok in a couple of weeks and maybe then a native Thai restaurant will be added.