Fort Washington #008

C checks out the visitor's center at Ft. Washington.

We were so vile sweaty and still had a bit of a way to travel. It was so bad I considered taking a "bath" at the 7 11 with wet wipes and perhaps a shower under the Slurpee Machine.

Seriously, hot and humid.

I swear he does this just to torture me. Because when we finally reach our destination he grabs a beer and relaxes - while I'm unpacking, taking picks, and organizing dinner. . .

Not to demonize C but it does seem shady no?

Fort Washington #006

Imagine the steps of militia and a fife and drum corp. . .Imagine the energy and excitement for a fledgling country. Imagine the tenacity, resolve, and ingenuity these patriots possessed. Imagine the sacrifices.

Imagine what you can do. Imagine your potential. If you hear the call. If it sets your heart on fire. If you feel it in your belly. If you believe in it. What can you do?

You can be revolutionary. It doesn't always take material resources. If some little kid can create "Beiber Fever" why can't we come together and fix a bigger problem? Healthcare perhaps?

Fort Washington #005

My Husband loves old forts. I think it's the history that attracts him.

I walk these structures wondering about lives and souls and the people that worked, lived, died at these places.

It's not really a ghost story for me. It's inspirational. It's humbling. Despite all the jokes I might make in hindsight, I walk grounds like these with tremendous respect and reverence.

A civilian will never know or understand completely. But we can respect. And C and I do.

Fort Washington #004

A glorious view on a hot and hazy day.

Fort Washington #003

This part is actually very cool.

1. It's like crossing a moat

2. It's cool and shaded

3. There are vaulted brick ceilings

4. There are very cool mechanisms that used to open and close the doors.

5. It's shaded, there's a cross breeze.*

*This I believe was the only mitigating factor in my chaffing thighs not starting a brush fire at this National Park.

Fort Washington #002

Clearly someone in our "party" is more excited about seeing the fort than the other someone. . .

Fort Washington #001

This structure was originally a bell tower for fog warnings. It currently serves as a channel marker on the Potomac.

Dream Northern Neck Winery Tour Starts Where?!

Yup. C won't be happy unless I'm sweating Chardonney. . .Or Baccardi. . .Or Miller Lite! Hahaha.

We started out pretty much on schedule thanks to C's hard work on Friday getting the house in order for a weekend away. We committed to leaving the house Saturday AM sometime about 8ish. We did pretty good. Thanks to his work, I just had to pack and gets the pets in order and make myself look pretty!

We pitted at the Hollywood Diner on Eastern Ave for breakfast and we were off towards Ft. Washington. (This C later admitted was a tad out of our way). However, we weren't in any hurry and I knew I could collect another little stamp in our National Parks Passport!

It was nearly 100 degrees and nearly 100% humidity by the time we hit Ft. Washington about 10:30 AM.

What was I thinking?!

Yeah. . .It was up hill. . .And I think it's been well established, I hate sweating, walking up hill, and pretty much anything that involves both options jointly.

Happy Memorial Day #14

The Eastern Kingbird. . .As best as I can tell. :)

Happy Memorial Day #13

Happy Memorial Day #12

Happy Memorial Day #11

The fishing pier at Downes Park is really nice. A little ways beyond the pier is a beach dedicated to off leash dog swimming. On a clear day, I would imagine the views of the Bay Bridge would be wonderful from the fishing pier. A little too hazy and humid this morning.

Happy Memorial Day #10

Happy Memorial Day #9

Flora that very much resembles honeysuckle. Although it looks more like a bush and less like a vine.

Happy Memorial Day #7

Another Eastern Kingbird. . .This one at Downes Park. I like that these birds belong to the family of "Tyrant Flycatchers." They aren't the biggest birds yet they are "tyrant."

Happy Memorial Day #6

Crab fishermen working their pots off the shore at Downes Park in North Anne Arundel County.

Happy Memorial Day #5

An osprey tended the nest the entire time we visited Downes Park. Downes Park is located almost to the end of Mountain Road, close to Gibson Island in North Anne Arundel County. It's very well maintained and would be an excellent picnic spot. They also have wooded trails which is a nice respite from a lot of sunny shoreline. The Bay Bridge was just barely visible today through the haze.

Happy Memorial Day #4

Doggie Dips at Fort Smallwood Park. The hazy outline of Bethlehem Steel is barely visible on the horizon.

Happy Memorial Day #3

An Eastern Kingbird at Fort Smallwood Park. This particular bird seemed pretty combative and tangled with several other species in the air over the water. I would think this could be related to mating or nesting although I haven't researched further.

I saw in several flyovers, something that resembled a flycatcher but appeared to have more yellow beneath. Perhaps an Eastern Phoebe?? Although I didn't notice their name saying call "fee-bee, fee-bee." That doesn't mean they weren't calling. There was a lot to take in at that moment.

A lady I imagine to be Susan Riccardi based on the fact that she looked as if she was prepared to spend the day and I know from the MDOsprey posts, Susan Riccardi does official counts at Ft. Smallwood Park nearly every day, was sure to point out where the mocking bird next was. We didn't want to get too close or disturb. Maybe we'll see them in a few weeks when they are older.

Happy Memorial Day #2

A little Killdeer hops along the shore at Fort Smallwood Park. Killdeer are easily identified by their double lower neck/breast bands. They also happen to be a "name sayer" frequently calling kill-dee or kill-dee-dee. It's a rather piercing call. A very distinctive bird. Frequently seen along shores and riverbanks, they also seem to like meadows and airports - yes airports.