Independence Day 2016

Today was a productive day.  In addition to getting the daily practice knocked out on a schedule that didn't cause too much difficulty, I got to see a good fireworks display, participated in some grilling of burgers and dogs in spite of the rain, and put in another good day of miles out on the trail.

Fireworks - Annapolis, MD

The perennial fireworks display in Annapolis, MD reminded me once again that trying to capture photos of these sparkling flowers is really beyond my technical and artistic capability.  The photo above is the best of probably fifty or so that I took during the display. The lesson repeated, once again, is that I should probably stay in the moment instead of wasting the experience trying to capture some pixels of the moment. C'est la vie...but if I'm writing the same sad tale again next year, I'll consider it a failure.

The miles I put in were good miles, and I covered a loop around Spa Creek in Annapolis that took me past places that I had not trod past before.  I completed the location of the three Little Free Libraries in the immediate walking distance, and I've even managed to get photos and locations of the quaint little boxes added to the main database of Google Maps. My interest in these little boxes of surprise titles probably deserves it's own posting (if I haven't already done one), so I'll suffice it to say I consider getting these three libraries mapped is an accomplishment that I take some pride in completing.

The walk took me past some old standby locations, and I enjoyed seeing Ego Alley in downtown Annapolis in a relatively serene state before the comings and goings that surely happened later in the day.

Ego Alley - Annapolis, MD

Even the mouth of Spa Creek between Annapolis and Eastport exhibited more activity than the high dollar moorings downtown. A couple of fishermen were just weighing anchor as I crossed over the Eastport Bridge.

Mouth of Spa Creek - Annapolis, MD

It's a bit hard to see in the photo, but the steeple at St. Mary's is showing some new scaffolding.  That makes two picturesque landmarks along my usual training routes that are getting a makeover to the detriment of contemporary photography.  I suppose it's just another example of how the illusion of stability is fractured into the reality of constant churn and change if you bother to really observe what's going on all the time.

Today was a productive and fulfilling day.  We'll see what tomorrow may unmask, but as always, I'm looking forward to facing it with a sense of optimistic adventure.

Superbowl Sunday with a Serving of Gratitude

It occurred to me this morning that the fracture in my left foot has caused me to slow down quite a bit over the last several weeks, and because of that docile pace, I've been granted the opportunity of noticing things that have escaped my observation over of the last 14 months. I certainly didn't relish giving up on my walking streak, but overall, it seems to have become a welcome respite.  It has given me the opportunity to refocus some aspects of my daily practice that had taken a step or two out of the foreground.

This morning, I drove down to the Annapolis Yacht Club parking lot, and I was able to recapture some of the gratitude that I felt early on in my walking discipline.

Sunrise over Eastport

Once again, the still of the morning radiated a sense of serenity on both the water and the land. The day, in all its promise, was just breaking over the horizon.

Gratitude on Spa Creek

When I was walking over the bridge, I spotted this sloop moored at the AYC piers, and I did a double take upon reading the name.  I really wish this panorama had lined up, and it hadn't given the double image to the left, but I suspect there's a message in the imperfection that manifested itself. Gratitude has been clearly doubled, and I'd venture that message is something that I should take onboard. While not intrinsically perfect, the message was just what I needed to start the week.

Gratitude and Serenity on Spa Creek

In spite of some slight flaws with the panorama, I was able to capture some of the Gratitude and serenity of the morning from the overlook of the Eastport Bridge.

The foot is feeling much better, and I only have about two and half weeks to go before I can start getting back into my ambulatory swing. I looking forward to tomorrow and whatever it may bring.

End of Month Wrap-Up

Yesterday for reasons unknown, the WiFi connection was not available so the daily post didn't get generated.  If it had, it would have said something short like this.  The weather today (actually yesterday) was a study in contrasts compared to the previous three days.  The morning dawned wet, chilly, and raining. Getting the opportunity to revel in this meteorological splendor, I was struck by the fact that the contrasts in many things are what give life the spice and texture that is so rewarding over the long run.

St. Mary's Church from the Eastport Bridge - Cloudy and wet day

I don't know if I would have appreciated yesterday's (actually day before yesterday's) vista looking at St. Mary's Church from the Eastport bridge quite as much as I did if I'd not previously seen it cloaked in moisture and dinginess like I did today (actually yesterday).  While there might not be any such thing as bad weather (only inappropriate clothing), there is definitely a thing called good weather.  That wasn't today (actually yesterday), but the contrasts are often what makes things really pop when things are going well.

Today, I'll tack on another short addition.  During my walking this month, I cleared just over three hundred and forty miles.  I fully intended to add another six to that total this afternoon (I'd already added the first six to yesterday's total this morning), but the fact that I misplaced my hat (and was therefore was not possessed of appropriate clothing) led me to wrap things up and go get some dinner for myself and my roommates instead.

Panda Express...Dinner is served

Sometimes it just feels really good to grab a big bowl of orange chicken and chow mein.  This was a great way to wrap up another fantastic month.

Four Bridges (Plus Two) Part Deux

Today, I availed the opportunity afforded to me of a relatively clear morning schedule to conduct a rehash of last weekend's four bridges route.  This time I did extend the distance a bit, and included two more bridges with reasonably good accessibility.  Like last time, I tried to capture the bridge placards, but I was not quite as successful with the two bridge additions.  These are the markings I was able to find.

Bridge Markings from the Four Bridges (Plus Two) Route

The top two markings are from the high bridge over the Severn River on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. This is the bridge that replaced the drawbridge at the bottom of "Oh, shit" hill as discussed here.  This addition to the four bridges route added about 1.2 miles to the total route.  I was able to capture a panoramic shot of the mouth of the Severn River.  The picture doesn't quite do justice to the scene of the sunlight filtering through the low overcast.  The light was a cool soft light that contrasted nicely with the dry warmth of the morning.  I suspect if I brave this path over the river this winter, I'll think with longing on how the walk felt today.  Last February it was a bit biting with the wind knifing out of the north and not being slowed by anything at all as it fetched down the river.  It makes me a little cold just thinking about it.  That was not at all what it was like today.

The mouth of the Severn River from the Baltimore Annapolis Blvd high bridge

The second bridge that I added today was the drawbridge that spans Spa Creek from downtown Annapolis to Eastport.  This is a great bridge to watch the parade of lights from if you're early enough to get a spot.  It's also covered in the second row of markers in the first photo in this post.  There is quite a bit of history on both ends of this bridge, and it's a really nice area of Annapolis to visit.  The Eastport end is probably not the first place that tourists would go, but in this area there is plenty to see and do to make it worth the trip.  

This time I was able to capture panoramic views both up and down Spa Creek.

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There is quite a bit of wealth moored at the Annapolis Yacht club in the left hand side of the photo above. Additionally, there were more than a few boaters out soaking up the waning days of summer in advance of the work that goes along with owning a boat that inevitably come due in the fall.

Spa Creek looking upstream from the Eastport Bridge

The boat in the middle was headed upstream, and there are plenty of Grover Clevelands, Salmon Chases, and even a Woodrow Wilson or three tied up at the Eastport Yacht Club.  Overall it was a fantastic little jaunt with great weather, good scenery, and a good amount of asphalt put under the feet.  Covering old ground from a slightly different perspective is always a good practice as well.