…is an old song but in the car world I have a soft spot for the Mini. My MINI was great fun to travel for 18 years then I got to teach grandkids to drive a stick with it before it went to auction.
This one used to be green and white but after an accident and a two-year rebuild it now sports new colors.
This park is very near the Blackwater NWR in a corner of Eastern Shore, Maryland that is still quite rural. Harriet Tubman is a titan of American history and it is worth reading any of the books you might find about her singular life. Born a slave, escaped slavery, hunted, free woman, underground railroad “conductor,” spy, nurse, Civil War guide, farmer, leader, suffrage supporter, speaker, and in her later years - she opened and ran a home for black women that had no where to go. She did all of this with little education and little support. She had an iron will, unbreakable courage, a faith in God that might have made the book of Acts if she lived in another era and a determination that no circumstance could deflect. We visited her New York home in the Fingerlake region and were enthralled with her story. This museum is dedicated to her work on the Underground Railroad. It is built about 5 miles where she was born an enslaved person. She had a very hard life. The store pictured below is where as a girl she was hit with a heavy weight for not helping secure another slave and she suffered lapses of memory and more the rest of her life. Harriet Tubman will soon be the portrait on the US twenty dollar bill, a very fitting honor for one remarkable woman.
I like the dark storm clouds over the museum and Visitor Center, Mrs. Tubman had very few days that were not full of storms. The reeds and other fauna on a short walk are the kinds of plants common when and where she lived.
The museum has several vignettes from her life. Nicely done.
This private field was a part of the plantation where she was born and began working almost as soon as she could walk.
This store was where she first openly asserted herself and paid a price.
One of the fountains during the night time music and light display.
Fort Washington, like Piscataway (see August 1, post) is not on the usual routes one might just happen across it but it is more accessible than Piscataway. Located not far off Indian Head Road on that section of Maryland south of Annapolis bisected by Route 301, it is a large park. Most of it is given over to fields and recreation for the area but the centerpiece is the old, impressive Fort Washington. The brick and stone fort was built starting in 1809 to protect Washington DC. It was an active fort until 1946 when technologies made it completely obsolete. There are buildings from the early 1800’s through WWII on the grounds. The fort can be toured on weekends, unfortunately we were not able to be there on a day it was open. Still enjoyed the old light house, the extensive green space and a nice view of the fort.
Lighthouse on the Potomac
Remains of an 1890’s artillery platform.
This is the shakiest and most uncomfortable fire tower I have ever climbed. It is 89 feet hight and built in 1929. So it has been upright a long time. The first two sets of steps were rebuilt with metal the rest were thick wooden boards and not all of them were even. The railings were added on the lower portion and they were about waist high but the top three platforms were only a bit over my knee. The very top was two and one half boards wide. The metal seemed very thin and not at all sturdy. Nonetheless, it is still enduring nearly 100 years in and they still let you climb, which is very neat. The view was supposed to be 10 miles and it might have been but only the tops of trees.
View
The Orchids at Longwood are a highlight. They have several hundred varieties of the 30,000 kinds. This was one of my favorites.
A handful of starting grid photos from this year’s vintage car races at Schenely Park in Pittsburgh.
This driver was most talkative when I strolled through the paddock area and anxious to talk about his very cool car. On the grid he was totally focused on what he would be doing in a few minutes. Note the race courses outlined that he has competed on are on his helmet. More on his car later.
Those stickers on the rear window are race inspections from various years of the PVGP.
This was a nice car and it finished third
This car raced with this engine at Indy in the 30’s
Another place to keep you helmet to aid in staying a bit cooler
All 14 cars waiting for the signal to take the start lap.
We are back at the starting grid again. Just some random shots of a few of the 14 cars or drivers competing in this race for under 2 liter sports cars.
Trying to keep cool.
If the car doesn’t need an adjustment the driver’s suit or helmet does!
This guy in a Sprite meant business. He won the race going away, very consistent and very fast.
The waiting seems endless
This 356 Porsche had a misfire that slowed it down on the track.
Before we return to the racing…. lets seek some solitude in the woods at Cook Forest State Park in Pennsylvania. We were on a short loop trail and saw this Hairy Woodpecker seeking a bit of lunch. The woods were cool and calm after the noise and heat of the racing in Pittsburgh. Glad we took a break and went to the park.
Piscataway Park and the Colonial Farm that is located here were established in the mid-1950’s to protect the view from Mt Vernon across the Potomac River. Unless the park is your destination it is unlikely you will just drive past and choose to stop. It is well off any major road. It showcases a Maryland farm on the eve of the Revolution. The house was moved here in 1987 and is thought to be built between 1760 and 1770. The property also includes a separate kitchen and a large tobacco barn also from the era. There is a kitchen garden, farm crops - all authentic to the time period both in type and in how they are grown and harvested as well as several pastures and hay fields. The rest of the park consists mostly of shore line with a nice dock where you can view a distant Mt. Vernon. The VC and most of the buildings are only open Saturday and Sunday but the grounds are open sunrise to sunset and the house was open when we were there as the staff were working on the crops.
The Laurel Branch house circa 1770.
The kitchen
The lane to the farm
A watermelon in the kitchen garden
The lovely Mt Vernon - covered in scaffolding.
So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous.
For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.
Cook Forest in Northeastern Pennsylvania has beautiful old growth forest. We were here in 1969 or 70 in the late spring with some snow still on the ground and finally returned. This is the place I was first awed by being in the deep woods.
I decided to share a story. The photos are from the starting grid, my favorite place to shoot at the race. Except for the three shots of the race, those are from the first lap/ start/ corner of the race for the cars that were on the grid.
The story is focused on Abby, driving the yellow Bug-eye Sprite. This is her first race. Her last name is Patterson, and they are a racing legend at the PVGP. Her grandfather was one of the founders of the race. He raced in Europe and at Le Mann as well. A few years ago he had three bagpipers to lead his car out of the paddock and down to the grid. It was a treat to watch them. I took some photos of them from 2008 and I will try and find one or two. Her father and brother and cousin are drivers also. But this is her first start.
At the start grid, her father is in the open wheel car in front of her and he will stay there to give her guidance for this race. I think, on the last lap he slowed and she passed so she did not come in last on her first circuit. We learned a lot about the family from the couple we were sitting next to where we parked. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have four old sports cars that they show and drive but Mr. BIshop’s driving days are past. They know the Pattersons and have been a part of this organization over the history of the PVGP. They were super nice folks.
Mom and Abby wait for the cars to move onto the track.
An adjustment and a hug from Aunt? Sister? Friend?
A one point I think she was understandably a bit nervous.
Dad is a bit more relaxed and proud. Note the Scottish plaid on the car!
Alerting other drivers to her novice status.
Start of the race with dad leading Abby up the first hill.
Here is the first time Abby is at the PVGP in competition. I think she was well prepared and actually drove well. It is not a simple track. Congratulations on a successful start.
And she is off on what may be a life long hobby/ career. Go Abby.
The Paddock is a great place to visit during the weekend. I like going on Saturday as most everyone is working on something before the actual racing takes place on Sunday. Most of the folks are open, generous with their time and willing to answer all sorts of inane questions - of course mine were thought provoking, excellent ones and definitely not the ones Cadillac asked. More on him next week. I have some very short human interest type tales that I will do next week, tomorrow the grid, my absolute favorite place to shoot photos. And one story.
So, you want to impress a pretty girl, let her ride to the gird with you and the car won’t start:)
Lots of gloves rest on the dash
Getting two carburetors to work together properly requires skill, patience, magic and, apparently, a lot of cursing.
Air drying a racing suit between sessions
Going over the practice laps with a crew member.
Red on red on red
Some folks get the celebrity treatment.
No idea what happened - none of my photos would load last night. So, PVGP week is on hold. This is a sunset shot from Lancaster.
Dejection. This driver/owner was running a strong third and gaining on second until he wasn’t.
The tow back to the paddock is a lot longer and tinged with disappointment than the optimistic drive down to the grid.
The PVGP is a 10 day event, racing on a track with the bigger, more powerful vintage cars, Ferrari, Ford GT 40, Cobra et al, there are special dinners, a Black Tie Gala, auto rally and drives by clubs, three invitational car shows and more. These culminate in what was the sole event of the PVGP 40 years ago, historic cars from about 1920 to 1973, small block, light racers. Along with the racing there is a bring what you want car show that covers a large portion of the golf course, Ferrari, all the elite Italian cars, MINI, MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Porsche, Volvo, Lexus, Bentley, VW, Jeeps from WWII, one off exotics, classic American pre and post war and endless unexpected like an English taxi. I did not do that part of the day justice. It was mid 90s by the time we walked and shuttled to the course and the bus missed our “off” and we had to walk another 3/4 mile up a hill and it was lunch the crowds were thick and the heat just sapped my energy and so only a few shots. So we simply walked from end to end but skipped most of the cars this year. Sadly. Here are a few just to get a bit of the flavor of the show.
More than 300 Porsche automobiles on display
Lots and lots of food venders, this is a local favorite (Mint Gingerly!) made near to where we are from.
Not everyone wears old shorts and a T-shirt. Lots of fancy dress with the fancy cars.
E-Jags are a fan favorite.
Triumph TR-4s in several lollipop colors.
We just finished two days at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, the 40th year of racing in Schenely Park. I would love to write a bit here and show lots of photos but I am beat. It was hot, over 90 the whole time, we walked 4.6 miles day one and 2.4 Sunday. And, it was hot.
So I am just going to show a couple of photos today, then over the week some stories and photos with different aspects of the event. Most of my race photos are at the chicane - we walked to other sites but this is a great spot. Our car was parked here along with our cooler, food, water, lemonade, cookies, well, you get the point. We were not going to be gone too long.
These two BMWs exiting the chicane were in a tight race with a Porsche you can just see behind the green one. He was trying hard to find a place to pass and they were trying hard to say “no".”
Setting up for a fast right hand turn, slightly uphill. I guess they are about 65/70 here and three feet apart. This is just like I-95 except these drivers are not drinking coffee, texting and putting on makeup. They are paying attention to driving.
Beautiful Porsche braking hard for a right turn onto the Panther Hollow Bridge.
“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
This is a very well done National Park Service unit. The Visitor Center is an architectural gem. You walk from the parking area to a dark path that is the actual flight path of the plane. It leads to a small opening in the wall of the VC that is intended to restrict your vision to the immediate line the plane is on. As you enter the opening in the wall, the entrance to the center is on your left and then after you walk past that entrance you exit the second wall onto an elevated walk that leads to a view of the crash site and the debris field. The impact site is marked by a single boulder.
The grounds and the views are extensive, this is a large site. You can also walk or drive down to the Wall of Names etched into white marble. Near the entrance to the park is the Tower of Voices. This is a unique experience. In the tower are 40 chimes set to work when the wind is above 10 mph and each one is slightly tuned to be distinct, one for each of the passengers.
The park will evoke emotions and memories - come prepared.
Under the word “field” is the Wall of Names, just past that you can see the boulder that marks the impact site, the path to the right is one that allows you to walk the circle around the area.
The flight path leading to the elevated viewing platform.
Cindy at the wall of names
Tower of Voices
