A Sweltering Spicy, and not so Spirited Saturday

Jeff and I set out on a seriously steamy Saturday to have a look round Harrisonburg, VA. We were looking for abandonments but it seemed as the journey progressed and after a few stops, it became an unspoken mutual agreement that it was just simply too hot to leave the car. We became progressively lazier and lazier, spending most of our time chatting and just catching up. We trundled down Rte 11, a glaring sun burning through the windscreen and the AC on full blast. Not surprisingly there wasn't much traffic on the roads, it seemed most folk were preferring to stay in their cool homes, protected from the sun's demon rays.

Jeff hadn't ever seen a covered bridge, apart from on the internet, so we stopped at Meem's in Mount Jackson. It appeared to have some restoration work done on it, its wooden sides looking a little 'new' and in immaculate condition. The fields next to it were filled with corn, quietly whispering in the ever so gentle breeze. We were wishing for icy gales as we stepped out of the car and were amazed to see a family picnicking under a shady tree, flies and mosquitoes buzzing about in very apparent bliss at having found victims to persecute. We walked up to the entrance, hot, stuffy air blowing through the dark tunnel and feebly snapped a few photos. I thought Jeff might want to walk through to admire the intricate woodwork but he'd had enough and we shuffled back to the sanctuary of Stanley.
Our next stop was Route 11 Chips. Their factory was very close and neither of us had previously investigated this gourmet delight. A few people were inside the building, listening to the owner explain the process involved in making these popular potato munchies. I'm a huge fan so was eager to press my nose up to the glass and see the magic firsthand. The production area was spotless, slow moving conveyor belts heaped with crunchy crispy delights, and I had to marvel that none of the staff were overweight. I would be as big as a house if I worked there. I was having a hard time snacking in a polite restrained manner as I checked out all of the sample dishes. Every flavor was placed in small cardboard sample dishes and I had to work very hard at not emptying each and every one. (I'm particularly fond of the dill flavor and also the BBQ. Mum also loves the dill and I regularly send packets over the pond.) I made the circuit a few times and then very reluctantly backed off. We weren't allowed to take photos of the production room, which was a shame, I would have loved some shots of the process, and after a look through the t-shirts we left to resume our car ride.

I spotted this Civil War memorial at New Market and jumped out of the car because I'd spotted a cardinal perched on the soldier's hat, looking just like a jaunty feather had been placed there. I managed to snap a shot just before it flew off. This monument is a marker named The Bloody Cedars. It was originally dedicated to the Union soldiers who lost their lives here but more recently a new placard has been erected at the base of the statue saying that it now represents all the lives lost in that battle.

We drove on down and nearer to Harrisonburg we came across an old antique/flea market store with outbuildings that had been closed down and was now up for sale. There was still some interesting stuff inside but we just took a few photos as we walked about, strong mold fumes wafting out from the windows and doors as we got close. Our movements were slow as we ambled along the walls, peering into windows, and making more of an effort to stay in the shade than to take photos. What an apathetic pair we were, it was as if our batteries had nearly run down, our feet dragging as we unindustriously plodded back and forth. My hands spent more time waving mosquitoes off than operating my camera. Once again, we silently agreed to give up and made for the car to continue on to Harrisonburg.

Once we arrived at Harrisonburg I made a beeline for a sculpture that had intrigued me when I read about it online, Guns Into Plowshares. The sculptures name comes from the bible quote, "They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks," - Isaiah 2:4. Situated at the Eastern Mennonite University, it was created to be a symbol that violence needs to stop. Created from over 3000 handguns collected by DC police, (where the sculpture originally came from), it's an impressive sight. I was glad we saw it as very soon it will be returning to DC. Here in the peace of this campus grounds, it made an imposing statement, its 16 ft black sheer walls dominating the open space. Of course it begs to be touched, it's so unusual and I was amazed to find that even though it had been painted black it didn't feel hot under the blazing sun.

It was mid afternoon and we were starving. Spotting a Jimmy Madison bar downtown, that was boasting bourbon and southern food, we made a beeline for it, blinking in the gloom until our eyes adjusted after the sun's bright glare. It smelled wonderful and I perked up immediately at the prospect of food and beer. I ordered a brisket sandwich which was outstanding. I mopped up their signature sauces, enjoying them all and washed them down with a Sam Adam's summer ale. I could quite happily have stayed there all afternoon, it was divinely cool and the staff were very friendly. We asked one of them if there were an interesting old or abandoned buildings in the town area and she came up with a complete blank. An old ice factory had been close by but was now converted into condos. We walked a few neighboring streets but it was simply too hot to endure. I felt as though I might fizzle into a melting pool on the tarmac sidewalks if I stood still too long. We both sank thankfully into the car and once again turned on the AC full blast. Harrisonburg was a nice university town but more suited to shopping and bar hopping than exploring, so we began the journey back towards home.
Back in FroRo, we lazily drove directly into the cemetery, rather than park on my drive and walk up the hill. I wanted Jeff to see the confederate graves and Mosby's men memorial and then we dawdled slowly around, half-heartedly snapping our shutters.

I took just a few photos, trying to get different perspectives but each time I bent down rivulets of sweat trickled down into my eyes, stinging and blurring my vision. We soon gave up, energy and enthusiasm completely sapped. The sun and suffocating humidity had beat us, all we wanted was to be indoors.
Jeff left soon after and I collapsed onto the sofa, to enjoy a huge glass of water and cool down in the AC. But the memory of discomfort became distant after a couple of hours as I sat fully refreshed and feeling a little bored. Since I've moved to The Blue House, and not having cable or dish connected, I watch very little TV and don't miss it. I read a lot more and find other ways to fill my time, and now I was thinking of the Front Royal carnival that was in town. It was here for a week and it would be less likely that I'd go during the week since I go to bed early, therefore tonight would be the best time. My camera batteries were fully charged after such little use during the day so I grabbed my bag once again, and my tripod, and went to the carnival.
It was packed but being a small town I had no problem in finding a place to park Stanley. It seemed that most of Front Royal were here, faces smiling, lit up with the neon lights that flashed from the rides. Small kids darted back and forth, clutching balloon toys with faces sticky from cotton candy. Motors whirred while 70's pop and soft music played, it was a great atmosphere. It was still hot and oppressive but at least I had something to focus on rather than my back getting damp from the weight of my camera bag. I set up my equipment and started snapping.

I started with the ferris wheel. I'm not keen on these newer rides with their harsh LED lights. The patterns as the wheel turns are not so interesting as the older machines which also had the softer glowing light bulbs. I played around with my lens for a while trying different effects and then moved on. My reading glasses which were perched on top of my head constantly fogged up in the heat, it was like walking in a tropical jungle.

I strolled through the whole carnival taking photos of most of the rides, but after a while I found myself preferring to photograph the people on the rides themselves. Expressions of approaching dread before the ride began, excited 'pretend' terror as they screamed through their two minutes of superspeed elevation, or the relief once their ride slowed down. I enjoyed watching them all. With so much hate and meanness in the news it was wonderful to see so many joyful faces here tonight, so for a while I forgot my discomfort of damp clothing and constant itching from bug bites.
I had heard from the locals that for one week only at this carnival, the firefighters would be selling their famous Fireman's Relish. They had made about 500lbs and had declared that once it was gone, it was gone. Facebook had been alight with comments from people proclaiming their addiction to the stuff and planning to stock up for the year. I found the stall selling it and chatted with the firefighters. The recipe had originally come from the Washington Senators baseball team. The grandfather of the firefighter I chatted to said he had got the recipe and it had never been changed. Of course it was top secret, I didn't even dare ask. I noticed that it was stacked up in plastic containers in the fridge so inquired as to how long it would keep for. One of the other firefighters spoke in a strong Virginian accent, telling me, "Well, you keep it in the fridge, and it keeps working. I keep mine for the whole year in there. but if you put it in the freezer, it stops working and goes soft" I guessed that the 'working' part was the strength of its heat, it was known to be a little spicy. After a taste I bought 3 pots.
Back home I made a mature English cheddar sandwich and slathered on the relish. For those that know what Picalilli is, it tasted just like that, with a different texture. Lots of veggies, vinegar and heat. Delicious!