Shenandoah Wine & Balloon Festival

On Sunday, 19th, I joined some Brit friends at Long Branch for the Wine & Balloon Fest. It was quite windy so we weren't very hopeful that we'd see balloons in the air, but at least there was a great wine selection to sample from and plenty of other amusements. We rushed to get our free glass and then headed immediately to the wine tents. This was obviously so we would avoid the rush later on as more people arrived and definitely not because we were licking our lips in anticipation of an early liquid lunch.
After an hour and a half though, we found that the wines were all starting to taste the same so we headed towards the vendors that were offering a more substantial repast.

Pumpkins were plentiful and there were many stalls featuring the orange orbs decorated in humorous and garish manners or just heaped in piles.

These faces were very appealing and were decorated with acrylic paints.

There were also rows of wonderful old cars and trucks lined up with their proud owners sitting close and eager to answer questions.

The car above caught my eye as I'd never seen the underside of a hood with a mural before. It was very impressive and I loved the abundance of chrome.

I was really pleased to see 7 or so old fire engines which I spent a long time looking over and taking photos of. I was intrigued to see a bulldog fire mascot on the Mack above. I know that the mascot is usually a dalmation dog so had hoped to get an explanation from the owner, but unfortunately never saw him.
We spent an hour or so chatting to 2 gentlemen who were with one of the balloon crews and learned that it was probably too windy for them to fly. The breeze had picked up and now had a biting edge but we doggedly sat and waited for the final verdict. As we chatted, I learned that the balloons are made out of nylon and the baskets are crafted here in the States. The outfit costs upwards of $20K and a pilot's license is required to fly them. They will also avoid flying in winds above 10 knots, (11.5 mph).

Eventually the final decision came that no-one would fly but BB&T decided to set up for the crowd's benefit. Everyone excitedly drew round the van as a large bundle was unfolded and spread out and the basket rigged up. Fans were directed into the balloon's opening and as it filled, it gently hovered over the crowd like a silk cloud. It was great to be allowed so close up as they prepared the balloon and as I took the shots below, I welcomed the heat from the burner.

After only about 15 minutes, the balloon was vertical and anchored to the ground with several ropes held by men. It slowly bobbed and swayed in the wind and as we left to find our cars and head to a warm pub for dinner, we were happy we'd stayed the course to witness it.

SGIA Atlanta, GA

Very early on Wednesday, 15th, I flew with some colleagues down to Atlanta to see the SGIA show. The show highlights the latest innovations in digital imaging and we were there to research firsthand the technology that applies to our business. We stayed in a hotel with spectacular architecture and the photos below show the foyer looking upwards to the 55 levels reminding me of the Alien movies. The elevators zoomed quickly skyward like in a sci-fi movie and the whole place was a photographer's paradise. The pink structure was the focal point in the bar area and changed color every few minutes.

The photo below was taken from my room's 36th floor looking down to the foyer and bar with the light structure in the middle.

The outside entrance of the hotel had a wonderful water feature which vehicles circled to pick up or drop off residents.

This photo below shows the Atlanta skyline from my room.

At the show, I visited one of my favorite areas showcasing screen printing and the equipment used for printing. T-shirts were being printed here with 11 screens, layering colors with gel and glitter.


The artwork below was featured all over the show promoting Epson printers; here Joe and the 2 Mikes grabbed an opportune moment to pose with the painted lady. A smaller poster made its way back to our offices.

The printer below was my focal point. I've been researching these printers for 3 years assessing various companies and their machines. How remarkable that a desktop printer can produce a printed shirt as simply as printing a sheet of paper. The machinery was hypnotic and drew crowds of amazed onlookers. The techology still has a long way to go but there are a couple of these printers which are worth investing in now and which produce vibrant prints.


Aesthetically, the booth below was one of my favorites. Their products had no relation to our company but their stand was definitely eyecatching.

Another crowd draw were the vehicle wrap stands. This is another method of advertising which has really taken off and developed in leaps and bounds. It was fascinating to watch how these wraps were applied and the attention to detail that was required to complete each vehicle.


This frog looked a little lonely at his table so we grabbed a photo op but Mike seemed to hold a grudge against the poor fluffy defenceless critter.


I couldn't resist a photo of what must be the oldest working laptop in the world. What a chunky lump of plastic!

After a whirlwind tour we left late on Thursday. Our visit was a soaring success and we left with a pile of goodies to enhance our business and a lot of valuable information. Due to the economic slump, the show was not attended by as many people as in previous years, yet this worked to our advantage as we were able to walk around unimpeded and strike some great deals. Roll on next year in New Orleans.

Mount Vernon Trail

On Saturday, my friend Debbie and I drove down to Mount Vernon and offloaded our bikes to cycle the Mount Vernon Trail. It was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and a slight breeze and after a false start when we had to dash back to the car and pump up our tires, we set off.

Along the whole route, the landscape changed constantly. One moment we were cycling along wooden boardwalks across marshy terrain and then we'd be on an open path with grass on one side and the Potomac on the other. Many people use this trail and we shared the path with other cyclists, walkers, joggers and skaters.

The new Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge is an amazing piece of architecture and I was awed to be able to get so close to it and see it from a different perspective from the drivers who course its surface. We cycled along side it and also underneath it where the sheer enormity of it forced me to stop and just stare.

About halfway along the trail, we wound our way through the streets of Alexandria that flanked the river. We stopped on seeing the van above offloading its cargo of noisy but friendly parrots. The keepers were setting up their stands on the sidewalk and letting people have their photos taken for a donation towards the care and training of these birds, most of whom had come from abusive backgrounds. They were gorgeous and I could've spent all afternoon with them, they were so attentive.


The small shops in Old Town Alexandria were all geared up for Halloween with windows and doorways decorated for the occasion. The guy above was on the side of the trail enjoying the sunshine with a coffee whilst catching up on some TV.


After leaving the hustle and bustle of Old Town, we were once more on the open path, this time heading towards Roslyn. We passed the Ronald Reagan Airport ,with low flying planes taking off, and the Navy and Marine Memorial with its gulls flying over the crest of a wave.

Cycling through Lady Bird Johnson Park and past Theodore Roosevelt Island, we then crossed the Potomac and ended up in Georgetown to stop for a well deserved lunch and a photo.


The canal passing through Georgetown is pictured above alongside Debbie and I with our bikes, ready to start on our way back.

On the way back, at Theodore Roosevelt Island we passed a lady on her bicycle pulling a trailer with three chihuahuas inside. They looked very pleased at being carted around and not having to lift a paw except in welcome!

Looking across the Potomac, you can see many of the landmarks in D.C. including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Below is the Inner Harbor in Maryland with the Gaylord Hotel in the middle.

Peddling through Dyke Marsh Preserve, I noticed a woman crouching down in the undergrowth with a camera, and being nosey, I had to stop. We had a great chat about the garden spider which I'd photographed in the past but not seen as large as the ones I saw here. We both squatted side by side leaning forward with our cameras and Laura was actually brave enough to reach out and touch them. I took a photo of her taking a photo so the image would show how large these spiders were.

Debbie and I were very impressed with the thought that went into this trail. Along its course were water fountains and the photo below is of a water fountain especially for woofers. The bowl even has a pawprint in it. We also passed two trail wardens who walk along the paths offering help, water or first aid.

By the time we'd got back to the car, we'd cycled between 38-40 miles, but because the trail was so pretty and so easy to navigate, it seemed like much less. Only later did my sensitive posterior remind me of the time spent on a saddle!

Harpers Ferry, WV

Last Saturday, I drove to Harpers Ferry with some fellow Brits where we spent the day strolling round the town and catching up on news. I parked at The Hilltop Hotel so I would have a good workout at the end of the day walking back up the steep hill. I was surprised to see no cars in the parking lot and then shocked to see 'caution' tape strung along the front of the hotel. It looked run down and had a neglected aura about it. I walked up to the doors and looked into the foyer, saddened to see how empty the entrance hall was. This was once filled with old paintings, ornaments, rugs and antique furniture. Further investigation with my nose pressed to every window I could find found that all the rooms were empty.

I chatted to a local who informed me that the hotel had been bought by a large company, (he didn't know who), along with quite a few other houses in the vicinity. The hotel would apparently re-open in 3 years time. Digesting that news, I headed down the hill to the town to meet up with the rest of the crew.

All the buildings in the town are old and it's easy to feel like you're stepping back in time. As well as reenactments with people dressed in period costumes, the frequent trains passing through and blowing their whistles lends an air of an industrial working town.

Making our first stop at a restaurant for lunch was a must as most of us were starving and I decided to try a cheese beer soup in a sourdough bread bowl with a bottle of beer on the side. The beer was great.

After lunch, shops had to be searched for souveniers and in my case, photos to be taken. I loved these glass globes above.


It was great meeting Abe Lincoln above who gave a very interesting, if lengthy, talk on life in Harpers Ferry while he was president. I strolled down to the river and managed to snap these guys below coming back from a whitewater trip splashing and paddling past the 3 ducks who managed to continue dozing on their rock.

Mary and I snuck off from the others and headed to the portrait shop where we had tremendous fun dressing up in period costumes for a photo session. Picking out the outfits was wonderful especially as we didn't have to worry about any colors matching our accessories since the photos would be printed in sepia. We had such a laugh but would've enjoyed it more if the Jack Daniels bottles weren't empty!

Later we walked up past the church to the graveyard where we sat on some rocks and enjoyed this spectacular view.

The graveyard was immaculately maintained and I saw these old Harper graves dating back to the 1870's. Just after sunset, we all separated to go home, most of the others taking a shuttle bus up the hill to their cars, while I tried to work off my stodgy lunch with a routemarch back to the Hilltop Hotel, bidding it a fond farewell and fervently hoping it wouldn't become a commercialized chain hotel stripped of all character when it reopened.

Inner Harbor, MD

Last weekend I went with friends to see the new Inner Harbor on the Maryland side of the Potomac. It's a brand new town with upscale shops and restaurants built on the water's edge and giving a grand view of the new Woodrow Wilson bridge. There are still many retail spaces yet to open but there was plenty to see walking around. The steps leading down to the boardwalk had fabulous tiled murals on each side. Below is part of one with a fisherman holding a basket of real clamshells. There were also real crab shells incorporated into the design and many different tiles and stone used to create a wonderful texture.

The giant sculpture called The Awakening has been moved from Hains Point in D.C. to here. I couldn't snap my camera quick enough when I saw this funny photo opportunity below; two seconds later and I would have missed it.



The giant now lays in the sand of the harbor and gets enjoyed by many more tourists than previously. Below is a photo I took of him last year at Hains Point where he was really a secret of D.C., but I think he had more impact there as he was the last thing you expected to find when driving down to that rare remote spot in D.C. I'm glad I have photos of him with the cherry blossoms.


We strolled into a restaurant not to eat but to admire this lovely glass bubble chandalier. We got some funny looks as we craned into position and snapped photos. I love the geometric look from below.

Further down the harbor is the new Gaylord Hotel with a water fountain at the back entrance.
The hotel is built in Vegas style with plenty of excessiveness in everything and something wonderful to view at every turn.

The photo below is taken inside the hotel where there is an enormous 18 storey glass atrium with gardens, gift shop 'houses' and restaurants and a water fountain display reminiscent of the Bellagio. The hotel rooms overlook all of this.
After spending some time watching the fountains and strolling round checking out the menus and shops we went upstairs to the main lobby. Again, it was so like Vegas, I almost felt homesick for the Strip, with heavy granite and marble floors, counters and elaborate crystal chandaliers. There was a shop selling glass sculptures costing several thousand dollars. I really wanted to take some photos of those but the saleslady looked very ominous and I shrank from her stares. And that was from outside the store!


This stunning glass cube was in the lobby and slowly rotated on its plinth with a 'do not touch' sign below it to keep it free from our pawprints. The colors that sparkled from it were amazing, it was almost hypnotic. Double click to get a better effect.

All along the boardwalk were lights in a sailboat style which lit up as the sun set. As the sun got lower, music was piped along the waterfront and the lights changed colors. It was very Vegas-like. By the way, I'm very fond of Vegas.
Below is an image I took from the Internet showing the harbor with the Awakening in the center and the Gaylord to the right.