Trip Day 37 May 31,2021, At Morris Rec. Farm Freeland MD

The skies broke this morning with a blazing sun shining through the windows. It was 47 F this morning but got up to 71F by afternoon.

Monday is always Bible Study for me and with the use of Technology we continue it each Monday. The group decided that enough of them were available that we should meet on Memorial Day,  and we did. There were eight of us  and we covered some of the 4th chapter in 1John . (God loves us as exemplified by Christ’s death on the cross).

As we were invited to the Simmons home for the Memorial Day , we left for their home some 20 miles away across the State line into Pennsylvania. (Red Lion).  ()W are in Maryland by the old Susquehanna Trail). We had not been to their home since they moved in last year so this was a chance to get a good feel for it. It is about 1/2 acre of land on a hill as well as on a cul ‘d  sac with 8 homes on it. They are very spaced from each other and no fences. Steve says he is very  happy to have the neighbors he has. Most are retired and 5 are original owners since 1978.

The "spread" on Memorial Day at Simmons

Time to "Come and get it".

 

 

 

 They have already begun  to work on what has been needed with both the house and the landscaping. Some trees that were dying (Ash borers), and some new trees to replace the ones that are gone.

Remaons from trees cut, and fire pit

Steve said not to post this but this was wet wood.

 

Sarah and Emily  were able to get a corn hole game from Sarah’s friend and we played a number of games  in the very sunny but comfortable afternoon. Kathy served a very good lunch with all the trimmings. As she continues to stay on her diet which helped her lose 120 pounds,  she limited herself to what she should eat. We all had full plates  as you might have guessed.

Steve was just finishing the lawn when we arrived.

A neighbor played taps 6 places today (89 yr old)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was time to share as we had a lot of catching up to do, and Steve was anticipating a medical procedure soon, and was not able to take  anything but water. (Poor guy)

It was a good time to share and be with each other as that was the first (non masked) get together we have had since March of 2020.  Kathy really enjoyed it. We had not seen them in two years.

We headed for home  filled the tank with gasoline at $3.14/gallon, and found our way back now that we know the way by heart.  Believe me it takes a few times to remember all the turns.

Ruth was tired and excused herself as soon as we returned and I did some writing  (Is that what we still call it on the computer?) on the blog and email.

Tomorrow will bring another day of exploring ,so stay with us to see where it takes us.

Trip Day 34  Thursday  May 27, 2021 At  Merry Meadows , Freeland MD on the Mason Dixon Line.

After the heavy rans last night it turned into a sunny day today and the rains cooled the air by about 10 degrees. That made it quite pleasant.

The "Bum" laundromat in Shrewsbury. Really Bad!

The tavern as it appeared in the 1900's

 

An 1897 license for the Tavern below

We decided that laundry should be done as Ruth needs socks quickly.n We headed into town where there was  a laundromat. Another adventure in the Laundromat? Yes! This was used heavily, but, there evidently had been no attendant for weeks as only about 6-7 of the 25 washers were working and the money got stuck in the slots and after trying to start three of them and transferring loads we decided it was not worth the effort.

Trying another one closer to the Simmons, we found one in Stewartstown that had new machines and was well managed with a gal on duty who was keeping everything clean from the floors to the machines by wiping them down constantly while we were there. That was a relief and the machines and coins slots worked well.  We were able to finish the laundry by noon. YEA!

As it was lunchtime we headed closer to Kathy and Steve’s place into their town of Red Lion, PA where there was a community restaurant named “Lion’s Pride” (The HS had the mascot of Lions). We found it comfortable with a good lunch menu and I settled for rice noodle soup (Orso) with a salad.  Ruth had  a wrap  of meat and cheese. That was good and the wizened waitress  of 22 years ‘Christy’ served us well although again we did not get any ‘quittins’.

We found our way just 2 miles to the Simmons place and had a grand visit and sharing. First (after long awaited  hugs) a tour of the house they recently moved into, and then a chance to share time with Sarah who was off work today, and Kathy , who after her 100 pound weight loss , brought us up to date on how that worked. The house has a  bathroom in the basement as well. Emily was working and they will all be there when we get together on Monday for some grilling and story telling on Memorial Day. The campground is quite empty but a few are pulling in on Thursday evening, including gals and a guy who are next to us. They have a new trailer and are set up for most anything.

The birding is good here and as we did not go out to do any today we will have to live wth that list for today.

The roads here are very twisty but not as hilly as some places. Ruth says it  is strange when you are on a rural road , that you turn a corner, and then without warning there is a small town.That is true . There must be 15-20 towns within a 10 mile radius and connected by these 2 lane roads. Different from what we are used to in Michigan.

More tomorrow as the “troops”move in

Trip Day 36,  May 30, 2921 At Merry Meadows in Freeland MD
 

It is a  short note tonight as it was still very cold  (44F to 53F) and we did not go out until 1;00 PM  and only for a short 1 1/2 hour ride.

This morning as usual was our church service on Zoom and for the second week it was presented live from the church with few people. The three ministers, a pianist, a soloist, and two people behind the scenes. Oh, and Pastor Dr. Bob Hundley!!!

Pastor Joan gave a very effective sermon today on understanding the difference between earthly love from God and Heavenly love from God. (John 3- the story of Nicodemus and Jesus).

We did not have any lunch because after our short trip we would put on the grill (our portable one) and cook two T Bone steaks we brought along for this weekend. (That is Ruth does the grilling).

A deer seen on today's ride

Two times we have seen Bamboo growing.

 T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The short trip today was to a Reservoir called “Pretty Boy”. It, as other reservoirs do, serves Baltimore City as a water source and like others it has no private land on it and preserves the water source for the city. It is completely forested  for acres around it. The reservoir is 79 square miles of surface water. The entire property is owned by the city of Baltimore. --Where did “Pretty Boy” get its name?
According to tradition, the lake was named after a settler's horse, Pretty Boy, who drowned in a nearby creek.  

Birding was very limited (We saw only 16 birds today  and few of some that we usually see). The drive was mixed with some very rural homes and old sites and some very large, new manicured yards with large acreages. Quite a contrast.

Look close and you will see the deer...again

This is the most beautiful Dogwood we have seen..

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

We did get the steaks on at about 3:45 and they were a treat as we seldom have steak. along with my favorite vegges - California mix, it was a very good meal. I saved a few slices of the steak for sandwiches this week.

A mock up of a cicada by a trailhead.

 

In a short walk after supper I found two Cicadas and a cicada shell and brought them back to the neighbors to show, They are familiar with them  and it was a good discussion point.
 

So, may we remember those who died in the wars and conflicts that has kept us free... on this special day tomorrow… Memorial Day
Only a few photos today, but some family photos tomorrow.

 Trip Day 35, Saturday May 29,2021 At Morris Farm Campground Freeland MD

As I stated yesterday the rain was coming and it did rain all night. We received 1.2 inches then, and today have received 1.1 inches already. Later in the day it stopped and got brighter, but more is scheduled this late evening.

Three trailers around us are all from the same neighborhood in Red Lion PA. They share meals with each other and have one big  canvas kitchen that they move from one trailer to the other. Interesting concept of community
 

There is ony one Buffalo now.

The Torrey C Brown trail was  RR.

 

 Ruth and I stuck to the trailer this AM working on crafts for Ruth (Christmas comes soon)?, and some letter writing for JIm, along with some bird counting data.

About noon we determined it was time to eat lunch and head for the grocery store to “fill the larder” once again. We are blessed.

A trip to the Giant Market in Shrewsbury and a short side run on some back roads on the way back, along with a 1/2 tank of gasoline ($3.19/gallon.)  The Buffalo was there in the field laying down… Again. We were  back at the trailer at 3:00- PM  (I hope the price drops some by Tuesday.) was the afternoon.

More of the same in the afternoon, and a supper of tomato basil soup and toasted cheese sandwiches with horseradish cheese.  That was perfect for this chilly day.

An Eastern Kingbird (NB tail color)

One of the many camping areas full this wknd.

 

The day is getting lighter some but the temp still hovers around 50 F where it has been all day. Tonight down to 43 F so no relief in sight until Monday when it should reach 70F. We hope.

So a short blog  tonight and the photos may or may not be posted depending on how many of the hundreds in those park are on the wifi. At one point this afternoon it was quite good and then it was lost as soon as it got good.

A bigger than life cicada bythe trail.

Some of the camping areas

One of the wooded roads to the campsites.

 

 We did manage to get 12 birds today but nothing out of the ordinary.

See ya!

It's Memorial Day Weekend and filled!

Children in a pickup game of soccer ...and trailers

 Trip Day 35  Friday  May 28, 2021 At  Merry Meadows , Freeland MD on the Mason Dixon Line.

This Memorial Day weekend here in MD will be rainy it looks like. We traveled out to get to some birding spots before the rains came and we did just that. The rains were not severe at first but just steady drizzles.

The neighbors that moved in next to us were friendly and cheerful. That always helps in a close quarters situation and these sites although they are long 80-90 feet, are about 20 feet wide.

Those cedar "hedges"

 

 

 

 

The Tulip trees are still blooming in MD

 

 

 

 

 

 

By this evening on Friday of the weekend they are pouring in to the campground and filling all the spaces that I showed in a photo yesterday.

We headed out at 9:30 for a place called Bee Tree Refuge. It has trails but because of the heavy forest and meadows could be good bird watching. We started out on Mt. Zion Rd near the campground which has a United  Methodist church on it of the same name.

The road leads to many small homes back in the hills and again  then roads are those winding, up and down type. Not so steep as southern MD but beautiful especially without the trailer behind.  There were many places to stop and view as the traffic was nil. That gave us a chance to view a few birds we have not seen much. Namely the OLIVE SIDED and the WILLOW FLYCATCHER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, EASTERN KINGBIRD, HOUSE WREN, and NORTHERN FLICKER among others with a total of 25 today.

So far on the trip we have seen 90 species , but nothing that is new to our “big ”list”.

The goal was to get to Bee Tree Refuge , but we passed the ‘turnoff’ road and just continued on Gore Mill Rd as it was a beautiful drive. We turned around and came back to the turn road so it worked out well.  BUT on Gore Mill Rd. was a beautiful site where a Mill built in 1735 still stood. It is still owned by a grandson of the family and although pieces of the wheel and the sluice bringing water from the stream still are there they are not in use any more (see). We did talk with the grandson briefly. (see chimney).  It was the longest operating Paper mill in Maryland. (1950's)

The old Gore Mill site years ago

The mill race today with the old dam

The Gore chimney at paper mill     

 

 

 Bentley Rd. where we turned, has on it some very unique cedar hedges. They are really tall and closed in. (see) There were quite a few “blocks length” worth of them, rising up about 40 feet or  so. Amazing and dense for the birds to hide.
 

Roadside gardens in th neighbrhood

Before the Refuge ,the Presbyterian church of Towson, which owns the properties has a cemetery that is entered only with permission (gate locked) . (see) Few  birds there.

But a little further down the road was the Bee Tree Refuge itself  where we found a platform shelter  and a place to eat lunch. This was overlooking the meadow, and the greenery was made for wildlife. There was a large “open play yard”, in the middle of the meadow. We did see some species there and listened to a House Wren for minutes until we saw it just before it flew. The Refuge  was a hidden place on this quiet road (Kaufman) and probably seldom visited. (see)

The Cicada are found almost everywhere and sing together at times during the day , which fills the air mysteriously. The shell the cidadas leave when they come out of the ground is called  an 'exuviae' and is very hard from the years of excrement under ground.

Just before we left that remote area near the main road (York Hwy.) there was a dead end street  I just took to “see”.It was a short street loaded with well manicured homes with landscaping that was exceptionally well done. See these few photos . I liked the one especially with the fern lawn and an entire ground cover yard. (see)

Ruth selects the barns to photograph

One of millions of Cicada these days

Siberian Iris at pond by Buffalo farm

 That ended the bird watching on the back roads but the next road to the RV Park we like to take. It is Morris Rd that used to have a herd of  Buffalo. Today there was just one, but we did find birds on this hilly ,winding ,open land where we could see a long ways .There was a pond (see) and some wetland area of which there is very little in this hilly land.

It is 6:30PM and the rain is starting to get serious out there, so after a supper of spaghetti  we are slowing down for the evening, Ruth with a movie “Brassed Off”(British), and me here on the blog. The campground is essentially FULL.

Rain is scheduled through tomorrow noon so we will have a late  start to that other site ,the “Pretty Boy” Reservoir about 8  miles from here.  See you then.

 

 

 

Trip Day 33  Wednesday May 26, 2021 Moved from Staunton, VA to Freeland MD on the Mason Dixon Line.

Mountan Laurel still abounds.

Uor campsite at Morris Farm Campground, MD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving those Pileated Woodpeckers behind was tough as they were so active and watchable. We made a “dump stop” before leaving and headed “up” the road (north and east) to the Mason Dixon Line.  It was a relatively easy drive on Freeways most of the way, but heavy trucks determined that focusing each moment was important. At one point of I-695 around Baltimore ,Ruth was absolutely frozen by two double bottom trucks that went by both sides of us at the same time. Just have to stay in your lane.

We did go through Harpers Ferry and a few other historical places on this leg. The road goes from VA, into W.VA,  into Virginia again and then into MD.  This evening we went into PA to eat supper, and back to the campground in MD. Many states in one day. This route (340) takes one through the Cumberland Narrows a 1,000 foot gap and main travel route for pioneers going”west” . One large water tower was decorated wth beautiful apples as that is a key industry of Western Maryland. When we crossed the Shenandoah River we were just 1/2 mile from where it  joins the Potomac River. That is where John Brown’s Fort is located at the peninsula between the two rivers.

Our arrival was at 2:30 and the campground (we have stayed here three times) charges $5.00 if you come in before 4:00PM  .Pardon me?  (Didn’t read that in the ads on the internet.) Our site is on a hill overlooking a small valley so it has a great view and just a stone’s throw from some great forest cover where I can hear many birds as I type. (Outside at the picnic table)

We did get set up in the 91F heat  and were sweating profusely when we finished. Turned the AC on  and Ruth cooled off first as I set up a few things around the trailer (chairs, tables,  two small American flags, etc). I have one fun flag shaped like an a windsock to indicate the wind.

Soon we got settled in, and slowed down a bit to cool off with the air on. We discussed supper and decided to try an indoor restaurant  and it was Cracker Barrel. As we left the campground (MFRC) it looked like a heavy rain was coming and when we were about a mile yet to go it came down in sheets. Lots of splashes and and a clean car (Where we had been camped before was a heavy amount of pollen (pine mostly)  and the truck was covered, but no more!) The rain removed all  of it cleanly. We had a fine supper  with two side dishes and no room for “quittins”. Our waitress Robin, tried  to talk us into some, but I actually took home two biscuits and  piece of maple syrup slathered chicken  (with bacon) with me to have later. It was a good supper.

By that time the temp had dropped significantly to 73F,  a 17degree drop in 30 minutes. It  felt much better and the air was drier (a bit).

Storm gathers the first night.

 

After coming to the trailer the storms started building again and were around ,and we will probably get another one or two during the night. The weather forecast says rain for many of the next 5 days.

I did call my daughter Kathy and we will meet with her tomorrow at her house as she has Thursday off.  We have not seen her family since the funeral of their son, Adam,  almost three years ago..That will be a good sharing time.

We have stayed in this campground a few times and the bird life here is very good. That should make our stay a bit more enjoyable we have not seen the number of birds that we usually do on these 6 week trips.

Tomorrow (May 27th ) is my sister Connie’s 91st birthday. Happy Birthday Connie. She is doing good living on her own in an multi level home for retirees. Her daughter looks in on her each day .

See you tomorrow. 

Trip Day 32, Tuesday May 25, 2021,Last day at Walnut Hills Campground Staunton VA

A rather overcast day, which turned sunny, led us to the city of Staunton, to visit yet another Park called Gypsy Hill Park. Although the birdlife was limited to Starlings, Grackles and Crows, we did appreciate the use that the park has for the citizens of the community. There were many walkers, joggers and cyclists. Here is a little background on the park.

The memorial to the Statler Brothers and below as well.

"Shorty"Maunch flew with Doolittle's raiders to Tokyo in 1942. He was from Staunton.

 

 

During the mid 1800s, the area now known as Gypsy Hill Park served as the water supply for the city of Staunton via a local pumping plant that utilized the many underwater springs found in the area. In order to protect the surrounding 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

area, Staunton purchased approximately 30 acres of land by 1876. By 1890, the city had purchased 60 more acres. A proposal was presented to the city council, which subsequently created the park. After the proposal was approved, the lands between Churchill Avenue and the Baldwin Fair Association were designated as the perimeter for the new park, thanks to the planning of Staunton resident Captain William P. Tams, along with others. It came to be known as Gypsy Hill Park due to the many gypsies that camped in the area. In order to accommodate more park features, Staunton bought the Baldwin Fairgrounds, a local park which already had a slate of activities that drew people to the site. As the park grew, so did its attractions, including a zoo.

In 2008, a documentary about Staunton during the Jim Crow era debuted revealing the truth behind segregation laws in the city. Staunton citizen Rita Wilson, who eventually became a member of the city council and served for 16 years, spoke out about the issue. She recalled not being allowed into the park's premises. One day out of the year, blacks were allowed entrance. Since 1988, Staunton has held an African American Heritage Festival which focuses on various aspects of African American culture including various types of live music, crafts, presentations, and displays.

Cabbage Whites at the Garden Center

"Supertuna"

"Bloomstruck" (Hydrangea)

 

A back up plan was to see if there were birds in an "not so usual" place and that was the “Staunton Plant Company", a sort of nursery , landscape place.   A few photos from there showed Ruth desire to bring home a few more plants (We did not!).IT was good to see the flowers , trees and shrubs done so well in this place, however. 

I-64 had some fog as we approached Afton MT.

It was apparent that the fog was thicker up some few feet.

Driving through a section of old Staunton

 

Then with still some time left in the day we decided to attempt to do the “0” mile to the “29” mile of the Blue Ridge  Parkway as long as we were just 15 miles from the entrance at mile”0”. We drove I-64 east, and stopped in Afton at the entrance to the Parkway where there was a Visitors Center,  up a long hill and after a switch back,  with two ladies attending. By the time we arrived at the center (up hill  about 500 feet,) the fog had appeared and the ladies confirmed that it would be that way all day (They had rain yesterday and helped create the fog. ) In the conversation with the ladies  we mentioned that we were from Michigan . One lady clearly stated , (which I missed at first…) “Oh , you have a wicked Governor". I was walking away but Ruth  heard the remark. It was the first  political statement that anyone had mentioned since we have been on the trip. I was ready to go back and ask for an explanation, but thought it better to let it ride as nothing would change. I remarked to Ruth that I had better remember where I am …”In deep Republican country”. Although the city of Staunton (and Virginia) voted for Biden, the County of Augusta (this county)  voted 72-38%  for the “other guy”.

So we took the safer path and headed home and stopped at a Taco Bell PARKING LOT and ate the lunch we had prepared.  Still no birds.

That got us back to the trailer by route 606 and 340, in time to  some homework with the bird listing  and blogging.  (Oh we did stop at the DQ once again!~ (Root beer float (average) and Ruth's usual ...that small Heath Bar Blizzard.

The sun now is out here at 81 F and a light breeze.
Tomorrow we will be north of here on the MD/PA Border.
 

Trip Day 31, Monday May 24, 2021 At Walnut Hills Campground VA

They kept moving the threat of rain back every few hours today,  so up util 6:00 PM we had not had any. Then at about 6:15 PM , we did get a downpour for about 2 minutes and then it stopped and dried up quickly. It’s still cloudy but no more as yet. The air is dry near the surface and it tends to dissipate quickly.

In the afternoon we tried some bird areas in Staunton, and in the morning Jim had Bible study on Zoom so in between we ate lunch. Speaking of spiritual things, the church Sunday did have the first participation of some congregation members live in the sanctuary. Five members of the choir sang a few hymns and one of them did some of the readings. It was quite nostalgic to see and hear them in the church once again. The target date for reopening the First UMC once again is this June. We are all excited even though it will still be under careful guidelines.

So, back to the story of today. after lunch we headed for what is called Betsy’s Hill in Staunton. It is a untouched forest with a one track gravel road leading to the top, which is at an elevation of 1,950 , some 550 feet  above the town of Staunton. Some say it is a treacherous road, but other than the bumps and a few switchbacks it is relatively, easily traveled.  (It is a slow uphill all the way)We stopped a few times  along the way but heard nor saw any birds. It has a good reputation for birdlife. At the top we parked again ,and walked a bit to the overlook which looks out on the Valley and a bit of the northern part of Staunton.  The trip down was in low gear as the road is steep and bumpy all the way.A good ride even though there were no birds. (It was a cloudy, gloomy day and that may have affected the bird activity .)  I might add that this “hill”is completely forested with mature cover and much second growth understory. 

The one track up Betsy's Hill.

The vew from the top of Betsy's Hill

A second park drew our interest for the same reason.It was recommended by the local Audubon Club for good birding  .This was Montgomery Hall Park, a multi-use park for all kinds of sports and outdoor activity, much like we had seen in Martinsville. Again, no bird activity  at all. We drove most of the main roads of this 148 acre park. Interestingly this was the only park of many in Staunton that was integrated before 1960. All other parks were strictly “white’s only” until after 1960.

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library is here.

A rural home that was reconditioned we  believe.

The lookout on Betsy Hill (1,959')

Another view of the one track coming down Betsy Hill.

 There were three cars on the road, but none were IN the road at that time.

 Not having much luck with birding we ended the afternoon by a stop for groceries at the Local “Food Lion”.  A huge store  by any store standards and immaculate in it’s appearance and very helpful staff.

Ruth was happy in finding what she wanted and needed. During this pandemic time many items  are ‘out of stock”.

Tomorrow is our last full day here and we may take a short ride on The Blue Ridge Highway from the “top”end (Mile 0). This time without the trailer. The option would be a glass blower that has demonstrations all day in Staunton…pronounced “Stanton”.

Here are 10 words that Virginians pronounce a bit differently …maybe? Try your luck.

Q. The town of FRIES.—- Indian Name CHILHOWIE—-Town of BUMPASS—- Town of MCGAHEYSVILLE, —-town of STAUNTON—- City of NORFOLK—-town of BOTETOURT—Town of BUENA VISTA—-and finally…GLOUCESTER (a town)

Answers: FREEZE,   CHILL-OW-IE,   BUMP-US, MA-GAK-EES-VILLE, STANTON,  NOR-FIK, 

BOT-UH-TOTT.   BYOONA-VISTA,   GLOU-STER—HOW DID YOU DO?