Fort Washington, M.D.

Sunday was another cold blustery day and I met up with other urban explorers at Fort Washington which, for over 180 years, was the only defensive fort guarding Washington D.C. We had some new members attending and so wanted to visit a level 1 area to introduce them to our group. The fort slipped in and out of military use right up until it was handed over to become a parkland and now has been preserved with some of the original cannons still present.

Many of the bunkers are still intact and the above image is the ceiling of one of them.

This was looking through one of the stone windows of the bunkers.

Further back inland was the first modern artillery position built for the Defense of Washington. Battery Decatur is named in honor of Commodore Stephen N. Decatur, a native of Maryland who served with distinction during the War of Tripoli and the War of 1812. The above steps led up to the battery.

We weren't sure what this outbuilding was for but it made an attractive photographic subject. It may have been the hospital.

Inside there was a derelict wall cabinet...

and this wonderful old electrical box.

This set of steps led up into the old fort which was a very damp building with moss and lichens covering the shaded areas of the walls and rivelets of water continuously coursing down the stonework.

This was the gateway leading out of the fort which was once partly surrounded by a moat and used a drawbridge.

We found a lot of old batteries back further in the woods and were glad we had flashlights as some of them had rooms underground.
Once we had finished at Fort Washington, only a few members remained so we scouted down D.C. and discovered that an old hospital which had been abandoned was now due for demolition soon. Watch this space!

Annapolis, M.D.

Driving back from the Polar Plunge, I had to pass Annapolis, and not having visited before, I stopped for a walk round. The icy rain that had been forecast was late in coming so I made the most of the few dry hours I had remaining.
The inn above reminded me of the Flat Iron building in New York and in the background, the dome of the naval college can be seen.

This goose was well dressed for the cold weather...

...and in this shop, called Re-Sails, there were jackets and bags along with other items made from old boat sales. I loved this jacket but not the $300 price tag, yet all the products were eyecatching and unusual.

This display box was outside an old store called Johnsons which provides fine clothing for the public and the military. The box shows the history of the store.

I initially drove all round the town, and then walked the parts I wanted to explore further. My growling stomach was getting embarrassing and so I stopped at a small backstreet cafe where I had a marvellous brunch called a Snug Harbor, which was crab, poached eggs and tomato on top of an English muffin with melted Swiss cheese over the top and garlic potatoes on the side. Washed down with a cup of hot tea, and I was in paradise. Feeling fortified, I continued my tour of the town.

This is Maryland State House which had enormous pillars. You have to be there to appreciate the frontage of this building as it overwhelms everything surrounding it.

I zigzagged up and down the streets, quickly looking in gift and pottery shops but spending more time taking in the museum and the outside scenery. The harbor was smaller than I had imagined but parts of it were very quaint.
Groups of naval officers constantly traversed the streets. Small groups, big crowds or simply walking on their own. They were very friendly and gave a safe feeling to the town.

People threw bread to the seagulls and ducks and the birds squawked and chattered as they bombed and swept over the pavement. I was happy to spend my last half hour sitting and watching them feast greedily on the morsels thrown their way. They all looked very well fed and healthy. This lovely chap below briefly stopped chomping for a quick portrait but had no intention of standing longer for more pictures.

After they had finished their snacks, the birds flew off and I strolled back to my car, more than ready to head home after my full day. As I drove out of Annapolis and headed south, the skies darkened and the promised icy rain started to fall.

National Polar Bear Plunge 2009

On Saturday, the hike I was due to go on was cancelled because of icy rain expected early afternoon. Undaunted, I changed to Plan B and headed for Chesapeake Bay where the 4th Polar Bear Plunge in Chesapeake was taking place.
As I stepped from my car, the wind grabbed my scarf and my hands automatically plunged deep into my pockets. I headed for the sandy beach with my chin tucked in and came across a large group of cheerful people who were smiling and chatting away as though at a summer party. Edging past these mad characters, I spotted a large steaming urn and helped myself to a mugful of organic coffee and a homemade cookie which were both delicious.

Sipping and munching happily, I started to study these strange people more closely. There were some weird outfits and I also noticed an air of excitement about the place. These people were here to draw public and media attention to the issue of global warming and most had got sponsors to donate to the cause while others were here to be part of a powerful photo opportunity promoting a national event, www.keepwintercold.org .

Before the plunge, we listened to speeches from the organizer, a clean energy representative and Annapolis Senator Paul Pinsky. A small band played fitting songs but how they played their instruments was beyond me. I was standing with a thermal t-shirt, a fleece top and a ski jacket with a scarf and I was still frozen to the core. If I brought my hands out from my warm pockets, they actually started hurting after 2 minutes exposed to the icy winds. I'd started chatting to Barbara, who was there for the 2nd year and even though she was visibily cold, I didn't sense any apprehension or regret at turning out for a second year to plunge into icy water. She firmly believed in the message she was putting out there, as did every other person present.
The band sang a final song, 'Let's Go Swimming', and then once everyone had quickly shucked their clothing, they grouped on the beach. A countdown from 10 and then they dashed by to jump, leap, plunge, plop, saunter, totter or simply stand in the freezing waves.




Bloody mad, all of them, but what a noble throng. Not one person changed their mind and nearly everyone spent long arduous minutes making their point by staying in the water and splashing around. Balls were tossed and frisbees were skimmed and slowly they emerged back out to the beach and the cocoons of warm fluffy towels.

Barbara let her guard down for a fleeting second as I snapped her cold but glowing countenance.

This guy was the last one out and I was simply amazed that everyone emerged with smiles on their faces. Apparently, once the body gets over the shock of the cold, a numbness sets in, allowing people to smile and even laugh about their jaunt.
Laughs aside, these people got on local news and their numbers have been growing steadily each year. They wanted to make people aware of our planet's plight, and they wanted to make people listen. I heard, and who knows, maybe I'll join them next year.

Days with my Father Essay

I've just been perusing some blogs of artists whose work I like and came across this amazing work of art. It needs to be shared:
http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/default.aspx
Use your scroll button to travel to each page.

Workhouse Arts Center

Today, MJ and I went back to the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton which had reopened after the holidays. Our first view as we turned the corner was their fallen over Christmas tree. Note the sign sticking up halway down the tree. You can see two of the studio buildings in the background.

This used to be Lorton prison and is still being renovated. Coming soon will be more studios, a cafe and also an art supplies store which I will be very interested in.

There is a gallery as well as studios and this housed a collection of work from students as well as the studio artists.

We were able to see some of the artists at work as well as their art. Nearly all of the works were for sale and included glass and clay as well as paintings and photography. There weren't any metal artists yet. MJ did like this rather fetching hat which went nicely with her handbag.


I liked the two paintings above but not enough to pay the hundreds of dollars that they were each asking.

We found a window towards the back of the complex and peering through found that parts of the old prison still existed. There will be a museum opening later showing aspects of the Lorton Prison.

This is my piece of art for the day and if I'd had a frame in my pocket, I would've quickly printed it off and slapped it on one of the walls with a $300 price tag. Alas, I could not see an Epson around nor did I have a frame. This was the sun shining through a glass door onto the wall creating a spectrum.

Patrick O'Brien was the only woodturner present today and his studio was awesome with lots of fascinating tools and gadgets. He's polishing a wooden bowl in this image.

I was very pleased to see the art center has retained the prison watchtowers. I've always liked looking at these as I've driven by in the past and have often daydreamed about buying one for the backyard and sitting up on top reading a book while my butler passed up cold drinks or wine in a crate with a rope and pulley.

I took this on the way home of a local haulage yard's antique truck. I've passed it a few times over the holidays wanting to take a photo and tonight the natural light was perfect to capture the lights as well as the old truck and trailer.

New Years Day 2008

The first day of the year had me bouncing out of bed and rushing to get ready for a trip down to D.C. I had decided that today would be a day of first visits for me so I wanted to see places I'd not been to before. D.C. is a fabulous city and has so much to offer so I was a little surprised to find it not as busy as I had thought.

My first stop was the National Aquarium where I met these handsome fellows who were happy to pose for their photos. I was quite surprised to see an alligator there but a little sad to see the poor chap was all on his own with no other alligators for company. I hope he gets a roommate soon.

These beautiful lamps and masonry were the front of the Department of Commerce Building. I then walked across the Mall to the Smithsonian museums where I visited the Freer Gallery of Art.

These beautiful screens, The Four Sylvan Sounds, were painted by Thomas Wilmer Dewing based on the four forest notes, the Hermit thrush, the sound of running water, the woodpecker, and the sound of the wind through the pine trees.
The above photo is the Peacock Room which has to be seen to be appreciated fully. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be taking photos so I snapped a couple quickly. Whistler was asked to make minor alterations to a client's room housing one of Whistler's paintings and a collection of china. He added imitation gold leaf peacocks to the walls and gilded shelving and wooden shutters while the owner was absent. Not a minor alteration but absolutely stunning.
I took this photo in the Sackler Gallery; it's a funky mirror which gave a cool fish-eye effect. I was told off for taking these photos as apparently the artist hadn't given permission, but the attendant was very gracious and allowed me to take four before she stopped me from taking more.

This is the Smithsonian Information Center which held a cafe and an eclectic collection of interesting artifacts. The Christmas decorations were sumptuous inside and out.

This mocking bird actually made me jump as I passed underneath so I paid my respects and stopped for a while listening to him herald in the New Year.

This was an old pen shop which I would've loved to look around if it had been open. The sign really stood out on the street. I did find a Filene's Basement that was open and was another first for me. I bought a $109 pair of designer jeans for $35 with tiny shiny sequins and bleached streaks, very different, and a pair of casual shoes which were really unusual. I rounded off the day with a delicious salad with fruit and a coffee before I ended up back at my car. I'd walked about 4-5 miles and had experienced a variety of 'firsts'. A very satisfying day and a wonderful start to the new year.

Christmas in Occoquan

My friend MJ and I decided to go out for a day after Christmas and see some arts & crafts at a center near Occoquan. Unfortunately, the center was closed so we decided to visit the small town and walk around instead. I'd spent a lovely Christmas Eve with MJ and Martin with fabulous food and company and we both wanted to walk off some of the calories we'd consumed over the two festive days.
The decorations in the town were beautiful and this little park looked like we'd stepped back in time with its tree and old fashioned lanterns.

These townhomes were not built the last time we were here, so we decided to have a nose around the model home. They were very nice and well finished but only had two bedrooms with a possible third and little privacy from the neighbors across the way. I don't think I'd be willing to pay the $900K that they were asking!

This window of a contemporary gift shop won second prize in the best dressed window competition. It failed to get first prize because the ruling was that the windows should be dressed in a period Christmas theme in keeping with the town, but I had to agree with the owner that a period look would not have suited her shop's merchandise. I thought she had done a splendid job and wasted no time in telling her so. The window itself incidentally is nearly a hundred years old and came from an old ship. We later saw the first prize recipient which I actually walked past until MJ alerted me to the ribbon in the doorway. Say no more...

The store above amazed me as it was an Aladdin's cave of furniture, paintings and home furnishings which spilled out on to the balcony at the front of the store. Apparently, this merchandise is left outside at all times and subject to the elements, so I had little interest in purchasing anything from there.

The store above is my favoritist shop in the town and I could quite happily just move a bed and tea kettle inside and take up residence. I never bore of walking around this store and would love to have a home decorated as abundantly as this. Not sure about the dusting, though. But whatever the season or holiday, this shop never fails to capture the atmosphere or drag a few dollars from my purse.