October 21, 2024
Yes, my birthday requires several rounds of cake! First, some cupcakes from the DMV’s Bakeshop from my guy. We got the pumpkin, red velvet, funfetti and chocolate-chocolate. We enjoyed the cakes more than the frosting. There was this pleasing Devil Dog flavor in the the chocolate-based cupcakes and great pumpkin Read more…
October 12, 2024
There I am in my current DC apartment… but we are moving in a few days. I always need to have a go-to Thai place and I was happy to find Charm Thai Restaurant in Silver Spring, MD on my walk. I got the usual Pad See Ew with spring Read more…
October 11, 2024
Fall definitely has a feel. My hunt today was to capture it in Shenandoah National Park. This would mean hiking probably too strenuously considering I forgot to change into my hiking boots and had no water. But here, enjoy the autumn I found.
October 10, 2024
I’m not a jealous person. I love when other people are beautiful and adventurous and well-adjusted and successful, contrary to petty haters whose lack of confidence pervades all their behavior and rottens their head and heart, poor things. But I’ll admit… when the Aurora Borealis starting showing up vividly near Read more…
September 5, 2024
This bizarre radar dome was part of Nike Missile Launch Site W-83 back during the Cold War days. Time moved on and grew a community in the space that once were the grounds, but this thing remains. It is out of place next to some baseball fields attached to an Read more…
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia might be one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. I mean, they have the Space Shuttle “Discovery” INSIDE the hangar, as well as 3,000 other artifacts–HUGE & small. My Dad would know the names of all these planes. Wish he Read more…
August 23, 2024
With more work means more places to stayover. To follow: Norfolk, VA; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Stamford, CT and sites and eats. It is a joy to be able to combine my love of “going places” and “eating places” with my job. But it has me spending a lot Read more…
July 17, 2024
A day off would have me returning to Great Falls Park–a stop I attempted to make while on-call. I unfortunately could not enter the park because there was no cell service. This time, I had no responsibilities but to see and capture beauty with my camera. And in this capacity, Read more…
May 31, 2024
Once I saw that a rural cemetery was just a mile or so from my hotel, I hit the hot streets of Norfolk for a quick meander. Inside Elmwood Cemetery were some gorgeous monuments. But the blazing sun drained my energy quickly. Here are some of the best shots I Read more…
Another night, another city. This time a lovely stop at Norfolk, Virginia with a lot of time to kill thankfully! I explored by foot, hitting up an old rural cemetery I had looked into before arriving. But there was also these huge navy ships around… one directly across from my Read more…
May 11, 2024
One of the prettiest cemeteries I’ve been in quite some time, The Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, established in 1847, spans 135 acres. Home to many gorgeous pieces of funerary art, it was well worth the stop. Like no other, you can’t be replaced Loved this stark white monument She’s Read more…
May 10, 2024
I’m just going to put these pics here. Yes, the weekend I decide to explore Virginia and not go home the Northern Lights show up intensely in Rochester. Argh! My regret is potent and not diminishing. 🙁 But yeah, this was a really good veggie burger from Fresca on Addison Read more…
July 22, 2021
Even more into the green now, I’d spend my third night without running water in the gorgeous Spruce Knob Lake within the Monongahela National Forest, driving up to the highest elevation of the state. With starry eyes, I thought I’d see the stars best here–but weather was uncooperative once again Read more…
July 24, 2020
My trip to Virginia’s dark sky parks was a good effort, but cloud cover was a big issue. In the brief sliver of time when the clouds opened up at James River State Park, I did mange some shots. Then the rain came again, bringing me back to my tent Read more…
July 23, 2020
Just happened to see this behind some trees as I pulled up to James River State Park. Nice to find it by chance, especially at a dark sky park! It had such nice faded pastel hues. I guess I could have just stayed in there overnight! But it was structurally Read more…
Though the strong rains invaded the majority of my trip, I managed to set up camp at James River State Park in spite of it. It also happens to be another IDA certified Dark Sky Park–well what do ya know? But first, some daytime scenes, mostly in the river, mostly Read more…
Though most of the old Western State Hospital, whose history I summarized here in my DeJarnette post, has been repurposed or is in some phase of construction to be repurposed, there are still some parts to explore. Like the old steam plant–available for sale! And it looks very much like Read more…
Of course I had a couple of abandoned spots on my recent itinerary, starting on day one as I drove through Baltimore. Though I devoted a good amount of my morning trying to access Forest Haven Asylum, all my efforts were in vain. It was actually quite humorous as I Read more…
July 22, 2020
Since I declared my intention of visiting all of Virginia’s dark sky parks and camping three evenings, forces of nature have threw me some curveballs. But I subscribe to several related philosophies that have me generally accepting, catching curveballs and admiring each. Though my que sera sera-ness might not serve Read more…
The closest National Park to my home is a pretty one, with undulating blue waves in the sky–the Blue Ridge Mountains. Shenandoah National Park‘s views are quite gorgeous. And its scenic Skyline Drive allows you to keep your social distance… and blast your music. On display, the cranky mountain air Read more…
July 21, 2020
If the weather cooperates in the evening, I will shoot at all of Virginia’s dark sky parks by the end of my trip. But that’s a big “if.” The mountains are tempestuous, already thwarting my first evening of camping. Though I am not proud of being in this motel room Read more…
(Words: Soy latte with a heart… from Gathering Grounds)
How delightful a find in Luray, Virginia! After checking out the cute historic town 10 miles out of Shenandoah National Park, I discovered vegan options were available at Happy Mart & Deli… a gas station. A gas station that serves up authentic Indian food?! I called to verify they were Read more…
August 30, 2019
Day 18 would be my last adventure… the Assateague Island National Seashore, the barrier island shared by Virginia and Maryland where feral horse roam freely. Wild horses. If that is not enough, the beach is beautiful and washes up a slew of shells. I hit the shoreline early as the Read more…
August 29, 2019
Do you know how much I dislike the I-95? Well, I’ll tell you. It’s the worse kind of roadtrip driving. Direct but uninteresting, it eliminates half the magic of the road. Though South of the Border, an original gangster roadside attraction, has expanded a great deal since my last visit Read more…