A Dim View at Light City

Saturday was a cold day that threatened rain, and then threw down a few showers accompanied by noisy strong gales. I did little outside except to drive to Blandy and snap a few images of the daffodils that are shooting up through the grass. I'll be keeping an eye on these, with the dogwood buds tentatively opening with the red bud trees this scene will look beautiful in a few days. That's if we get any more warm weather, it seems that winter decided to return, like one of those obnoxious persons who storms up beside you, grinning wildly, and claps you heavily on the back with a very loud, "Did you miss me?"
So Sunday started with sunlight bursting through my bedroom window and looking like maybe the weekend would be salvageable after all. I was meeting the Urbexia crew, and picking Jeff up on route, to drive up and see Baltimore's first ever Light City Festival. We met at Waverley Brewery to quaff a few pints and eat while waiting for dusk to fall.

Rob struck an awesome pose by one of the stuffed impalas that graced the wall behind our seats. Not really sure why there were trophy heads in this place but it was an interesting area and a welcome change from all the industrial, cold and echoing tap rooms that so many breweries seem to favor. It was after dark when we realized the time and drove down to the festival. We were fortunate enough to find cheap parking close to the Inner Harbor and wrapped up warm, as once again it was chilly outside.

This was a holographic display that was being shown on the water. We all stood watching it while a dire depressing soundtrack thundered across the water, then wove our way forward through the crowds.

This pink contraption had huge flat white eyes on the front so that it resembled a lobster but I preferred the view from this angle where the eyes weren't visible. They really didn't enhance it.

These lanterns were in the shape of paper hats, changing colors as we stood and watched.

There were a couple of people dressed in lights from head to foot, looking awesomely magical. They reminded me of when I'd been to the Glastonbury Festival in England, these were so eye catchingly beautiful, especially when they moved. There was a guy I spotted later who was wearing a jacket made completely of lights. These individuals made the festival for me, far more innovative than the static displays, which were pretty far apart. As we walked we were continuously craning our necks, trying to look for the next bright lights. I had imagined the place would be lit up like daylight with vibrant colors, beams of lights sweeping the harbor, buildings painted with colored gel spotlights, a sensory overload of neon lights. It wasn't so.

We came across this huge illuminated peacock which caught our attention for a while. The feathers changed colors and laid down.

A brightly lit bridge which we could only cross very slowly due to so many folks stopping and looking up. Which, of course, we did too. Walter joined the kids and had a go sliding out of a huge metal shell bathed in a reflex blue light.

These girls spent an inordinate amount if time taking selfies by this tubular installation while their guys friends were more interested in banging it to produce hollow deep tones that reverberated through the ground. The girls never noticed me taking photos of them. At every installation people were using the displays as props for self portraits, it really got old. There were a lot of blue framed structures along the quay which I realized, after reading the article linked at the bottom of this blog, were diamonds. These were all being used as giant portraiture frames by young girls holding up cell phones.

As we worked our way around the harbor the winds were progressively getting worse and I was actually grateful for the huge throngs of people that acted as barriers for me against the cold drafts. We had only got about half way round when the misty, damp air took on a wetter, heavier feel and huge drops of rain started sprinkling, and then hammering down upon us. We ran for cover as thunder cracked above and lightning flashed across the water.We stood with others watching the sky and it soon became apparent that this was here for a while. Shortly after all the lights closed down and we knew the evening was over. Folks started flocking to their vehicles and we joined the crowds, pushing against the gales.

We had to seek sanctuary in a Little Italy bar, the winds pretty much pushed us there. Lines of cars were backed up every street trying to leave the city. We were going to be here for a while...
So overall I wasn't impressed with the festival, there was nothing that had made me go, "Wow!" which disappointed me, I had been expecting a brilliant display of wondrous lights and colors. The others didn't share my view, they thought it had been fine, but the overall consensus from people had not been overwhelming delight. I found this report pretty quickly online, which summed it up rather adequately for me. But it does have a couple of videos of the displays I did like.
And so, rather than finishing on a low note, here's a photo of the gorgeous grape hyacinths that are brightening up the meadows at home.

Spring has Sprung around Sperryville

Saturday morning meant another cycling session with the group. I almost pulled out as it was very cold and windy when I loaded the bike on to the back of the car, but I quickly berated my cowardly self and started driving. There were only 6 of us today and then after 8 miles or so, we dropped to 4. I was working really hard and felt pretty chuffed as I started using gears that I'd never engaged before and made myself pedal on the downhills instead of just freewheeling and relaxing as I'd done previously. We covered just over 21 miles and Alex announced we'd soon be ready for the 'big boy' route with a dreaded  hill which was then discussed for the next 5 minutes and was obviously held in revere. I may have to check it out on the sly before they jump me through that hoop!
On the way home, I stopped at a local park to see if there were any cherry blossoms in bloom.

 Looking up I saw Elsa from the Disney movie, Frozen, grinning down at me. It was an excellent day for flying kites yet some poor kid's pleasure had been cut short. It wasn't that high up though so I was curious as to why nobody had got it down for her. Maybe they were on their way back with some steps....
Back home I started on spring cleaning. Throwing open all the doors and windows so the gusts of wind could blow through the house.

 Kota was most put out that his nap had been disturbed and so my punishment was that he refused, very adamantly, to look at the camera when I wanted to take his photo. He twisted his head every which way, then finally jumped down and sauntered out the door flicking his tail furiously. Rosie Lee watched her big brother's dramatic exit and then chose to adopt his attitude, trotting out of the door after him before I could focus my lens on her.
On Sunday I drove to the Sperryville entrance of Skyline Drive but was bitterly disappointed when I got to the park and realized in my attempt to travel light, I'd left my pass at home in my handbag. The rangers have computers at the gate but can't check membership so I had to accept the fact that I would not be getting in today. Boo! I drove back down the mountain and stopped at Little Washington to see how spring had made it's entrance there.

I saw this view from the street and was very carefully balancing on my toes while trying to lean forward without encroaching on what I was sure was private property, when a young waitress approached laughing at my dilemma and informed me that I could walk through as it was the garden of the Little Washington Inn. This has a very expensive and well reviewed restaurant, and as I wandered through the courtyard I wistfully wondered if their food was prepared with as much care as their garden. I'm sure it was.

As I spotted this rock in the flower beds wonderful nose-twitching aromas were wafting out towards me and I looked longingly at the kitchen window where brightly polished copper pans hung. I could see I was being watched by a chef sporting a tall white hat so I didn't take a photo of the window. I'm sure he spotted me licking my lips though. I'll never have the privilege of eating here as the prices are so high, but I've heard the food and experience is exquisite. An idea of pricing is here.
It brought to mind the Blues Bothers' famous restaurant scene.

I carried on my stroll around the village but the cold was soon biting through my thin sweater so I made my way back to the car.

Driving through Sperryville, I stopped at the Creekside Cafe and Deli. I'd been meaning to try this place and was sure I could afford their prices! I walked into the small building and was promptly greeted with smiles. I ordered a breakfast egg, cheese and sausage (made locally) biscuit and a freshly made lemon slice. They had just brewed Sumatran coffee, earthy, heavy and rich without a hint of bitterness. My lunch came to less than $10 and was absolutely delicious. If I had room I would have wanted to eat the whole meal over again. The sandwich was full of fresh flavor, the biscuit buttery and warm. The lemon slice was divine, not too sweet with perfect pastry. I shall definitely be returning. I had to stop and finish my meal as I was dropping bits everywhere and spotting some vultures in a tree I stopped to watch. This was the 4th venue of vultures I had noticed this morning, and wondered if it was the time of year for migrating vultures to return.They were all watching me quite intently so I finished my meal with my window wound up. I'm sure they were eying the pastry!

I later followed some back roads that wound and bent along tricking streams. There seemed to be little brooks bubbling at every turn. Old long forgotten houses were on the verge of toppling from hilltops, clumps of daffodils brightened dreary leafy woodland floors and forsythia splashed bright yellow along dull brown branches. A fresh breeze was blowing through the car announcing spring with every waft that ruffled my hair. And there were little farm animals frisking through fields, lambs and calves chasing each other or sleeping under their protective mother's eyes.

The lambs didn't want to come close but I came across a calf who was very used to human contact and was obviously a family pet. He had no teeth so licked and sucked my fingers and arm while enjoying a lot of stroking and scratching from me. When I left after about 10 minutes I was filthy, but it was worth it. Who can ignore a baby animal wanting affection?

 This old school bus rotting quietly in a field made me slow down and stop for further investigation. There was other rusting machinery lying nearby and as I looked beyond it I spotted a beautiful old wooden house on the brink of collapse. I toyed with the idea of clambering over the gate and hiking up there to see it closer but the multiple 'no trespassing' signs made me nervous. Just as well I held back, because as I leaned close to the fence to frame a shot of the bus, a pickup truck drove by very slowly, its occupants glowering at me as they passed. I was glad I'd listened to my inner voice to not leap the gate, and also that I'd left Stuart's engine running. I finished up and decided it was time to head home, my 'drive about' completed with a photo of this very handsome longhorn youngster, who was happy to pose for a portrait.