Trip Day 10  Monday May 3, 2021 Woodbine ,MD

Rather threatening weather today with some rain drops this morning, but nothing but threats all day long. Overcast.

As the morning was Bible Study at 10:30 that took care of the morning activities  and I always look forward to that .  Later in the day we will try to get in sone laundry and a trip to the store for  a few items. 

 

 

 

 

 

A Red Tailed Hawk at the rehab center In the Nature Center.

After the Bible study had started about 20 minutes, I received a long awaited phone call from ”Bill” a mechanic who was going to look at by brake hookup for the trailer as it was not functioning properly.  I turned the Bible study over to Carol, bless her, and stayed with Bill until he finished. Bill stayed with the problem until he believed all the wires were working on three of the brakes but one. Without taking the trailer into the shop. (Hard to do until you are ready to leave) he could not do a more thorough check  to see if that ‘blue’ wire for the brakes would function properly. We set up a plan to try them on the road and if they didn’t work to contact him and see if we could get it to either his shop or another to repair. We believe the brake is working as all indictors read positive.  He was a thorough worker and did not want to charge the second hour (he was here for 2 hours) on the bill. We will get the “acid test” on the road on Saturday when we take a short trip to Fredericksburg and camp at a KOA near there.

Meanwhile Carol had long signed off and we were an hour past lunch time.

That meant an attempt to wash some laundry  possible here at the three washer campground facility. We got all ready and drove to the laundry. Voila! There were three empty washers. So we lucked out .  (God is good) While waiting for the washing wheels to finish their turning, we read books, had a “Dove” chocolate ice cream bar, and folded the dried laundry. It was a quiet time, I am reading  “The Servant of the Lord and the Servant People”.(Tracing a Biblical theme through the canon.)

 

 

One of the largest barns we saw in Carrol County MD.

 A pond in the Nature center.

 During that time we met the resident maintenance lady who cleans the laundry room and is in charge of all the beautiful flower beds in the campground. They are beautiful and well maintained. Turns out she was a “Military  Brat”, and is a member of a total military family. Mother ,Dad, Husband, and numerous other family members. (We noticed many military haircuts in the Park.) Her husband works at the Pentagon and is home she said only about 5 nights a month.  Talkative lady! She had son at age 47, and coincidentally she was born when her mother was 47!!! She was 58 years of age.

The groceries were next  and we took the short 6 mile  drive into Woodbine and the Food Lion again.  A very well kept store, neat and efficient as was the help. Ruth could not find a good cheese for toasted cheese sandwiches so had to settle for ‘semi soft part skim cheese’ …What on earth is that?

That was it for the day and I settled for a supper of leftovers ,which always helps to trim down the space in the “fridge”. The bird count was down to a dozen today ,and if it weren’t for the squirrels and a few birds at the feeders it would have been a “oh hum” day. at the trailer.
The squirrels forced me to move and adjust the bird feeders as they could get to the feeder from the tree. (jumping) .Moving the feeder enough so it was a distance from the nearest tree, they are stymied for now at least.

 

We did have some Goldfinches at the feeder.

                                  A Kestrel we saw yesterday was on a wire.

 

The campground is much quieter today as the ‘weekenders’ have left and there are a number of vacant spots back here in the back of the Park.

Tomorrow Ruth has an appointment to remove a ‘stuck’ eyelash  in Mt .Airy, and then we will hit a few birding spots not too far away, on the way home.

See you then.—Jim

 Trip Day 9,  May Sunday  2, 2021

It looked like a very fine day as the sun rose this morning at about 6:00 AM here. No,I did not see it but only the light coming through the windows and the blues sky that was a welcome greeting. We all love sunshine and blue sky.

But my morning was highlighted by two squirrels that were determined to get on the bird feeder which was surrounded by trees  and easily accessible. First I took down the feeder and that eliminated the largest problem, that was the suet. Somehow they could reach that but not the seed feeder (I had two feeders), The suet feeder also has an orange and dish for grape jelly. They did not bother the jelly. After removing the suet I waited a while  before putting the Oriole feeder back up and that seemed to (so far) discourage them.Time will tell. Chickadees, “Chippies”, White Breasted Nuthatch, Titmouse, and Goldfinches have all stopped to get  black sunflower seed.
 

The Salt Box Park from the rear view mirror .You can see it is down in the valley. The words on thesign are reversed!

The squirrel on the feeder hanging by its toes.

Below the flowers on a Dogwood in the Salt Box fields.

 We took time for church services on “Zoom” at 10:00 and always enjoy and get uplifted by them.

 That left us getting started to look for more possible birding spots. I had scoped out a 1/2 dozen so we would try to find them, and pursue the birds.

The first one was just a mile south of us on a road of  different name. “The Salt Box Park”. Simple enough? Sure, but we only asked two people on the way where it was and it didn’t appear on a sign anywhere. We did pass a small sign on a one track road and returned to see if that was it.  It was, and “voila” there were two full size hardball baseball diamonds.  and lots of space besides. After taking down a tent  from a celebration the day before, a group gathered by their trucks. I stopped and asked if this was “The Salt Box”? “Yes”they said but it was more than that. After I also asked if they could tell us where the Gillies Road Reservoir was, They all chuckled . (Local secret?) Almost. Many years ago the county wanted to make a reservoir out of this space as it was surrounded by hills. It never came to pass but the name stuck. So we “killed two birds with one stop”.  Oh the “Salt Box”?  Right! The hill by the entrance is so bad in the winter that the county put a large salt box  on the side of the road to use when the road was difficult or icy. The name stuck.There were no birds there ,so we moved on.

 We finally drove right to Marsh Road and the County park named Piney Run and Nature Center. We found it to be delightful.  It was named after the part of the reservoir named Liberty. (We were in the other side of it yesterday). and although the beach area was crowded and filled with many boats, (you could rent one there), the Nature Park was quiet with few visitors. It was not open indoors, but the raptor rehab building had 6 species of birds outside, recovering . Because of the wire fence, photos did not take well. A Great Horned Owl, a Red Shouldered Hawk, a Red Tailed Hawk, A Barred Owl, and a Pygmy Owl all were in various stages of rehabilitation. There was a large garden area , in early stages of opening. A few flowers, and displays like the Eagle Scout project of a large “insect house:” Again the birds were few.

 

 

After driving back to the trailer and downloading photos and getting refreshed we stayed until suppertime and agreed on some take out meal . We opted for Popeyes Louisiana Chicken and proceeded back to Westminster (17 miles) to get it. We may never have driven so far for a meal while trailering.  (Although we did drive from Grand Rapids to Sault Ste. Marie for dinner  for Ruth’s brother-in-law.. We have since limited the miles for that “free meal”.)

The day ended with getting final touches on tomorrow’s Bible Study, at 10:30 AM. As we study Moses arguing with God before the 40 years in the desert. (Exodus Ch 33 and 34) —-Tomorrow laundry?

 This is an Eagle Scout Project that holds bees (bamboo pieces) and various materials for insects and larvae to nest.

A yurt at the Nture Center whichis being constructed into a gift store and demonstration center.

                                    This flower at theNature Center is named Dame's Rocket.

Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

 

 

    Trip Day 8 , at Woodbine May 1, 2021

It was a very cool morning with the temps getting to 44 F but reaching 62F and sunny skies all day.  Can’t beat that for good days to get out on the sun and enjoy the fresh air.

We did just that with a trip to the Archibald Audubon Sanctuary we had put off two days.  We followed MD 144 again and this time were able to stay on course. Making one turn onto Boyer MIlls Rd. we found the Sanctuary with a very unobtrusive entrance as I went by at 50 mph. Ruth says “there it was”. There was  just one sign at the entrance. We drove through deep woods to the parking area and found some benches and a picnic table at the edge of a very large meadow. 

The Archibald Audubon Sanctuary

 A good place to start. Near the covered gazebo, were two large Swallow houses built near the ground much differently than the ones high up a pole at Audrey Carrol A.S. we had seen two days ago. These were large houses about 5 feet off the ground with two baffles  (snakes and varmints). The Tree Swallows were abundant. We sat and listened and watched for the activity in that spot which began to return after about 15 minutes. Birds don’t like interruptions. A Mockingbird caught our ear ,so finding it was  the problem.( We do not count any bird if we cannot see it even though we know what it is. Birders unwritten law!) It was persistent but distant.  Its voice carries like the Meadowlark a long ways across the land.  Finally it flew which was a giveaway as the white wing flashes were  easily seen.

A large hedge off to the side saw two Catbirds fly out suddenly and land in a tree at the edge of the meadow.  They hung around all the time we were there and their musical call is evident.  There were the ubiquitous Chipping Sparrows , many Tree swallows, Bluebirds, Cowbirds, and both a Hairy Woodpecker and a Veery.  We did eat our packed lunch there as a being in a parked vehicle with the windows down, often brings good bird watching. (Saw the latter two birds then

 

Those Swallow nests near the ground .They were huge.

Driving back toward Woodbine and  Piney Run Lake, we did see our first Red Winged Blackbird in MD, some Canadian Geese and Mallard ducks. The two bodies of water were not accessible until we found the boat ramp on one of them, that was the Liberty Reservoir. On the way there we passed a DQ and I told Ruth we would come back this way .During the first “drive by” the line was snaking out into the road, but the second time just three vehicles in line. (No inside service).

 

THere are two Pesky squirrels at the suet feeder only, as I revoved dead branches for access to the seed feeder.

After the DQ it was “head for the trailer”. It is always  a good plan for us to have some “down time” when  coming back to the trailer in order to download photos, make notes, clean out the cooler  and put everything in its place once again. 
 

Downton Frederick MD

So after the supper of Taco salad, one of my favorites that Ruth makes, and dishes done, we chilled out while  I did watch the evening birds. They  begin to be active for 30 minutes before the sun went down.  Heard a few  and saw some, but after 17 months of no “on the road birding”, I can see our senses need sharpening .

Tomorrow we will stay here, as on Sunday, the roads in this area will be very busy. (We’re just 20 miles from Baltimore).  The campground is full but there might be time for some horseshoes  or if it gets to 87 F as predicted, maybe a dip in the pool which is filled and ready to enjoy.

 

 The children enjoy a ride in the hay wagon.

 Tomorrow we will recap the day again. See you in church.

            Day  7 Trip east At Woodbine MD

It was very windy today after that heavy rainstorm last night. It stayed in the 25-35 mph range with gusts up to 60 mph until supper time this evening when it started to quiet down . Still breezy but not like the day.

We did not intentionally seek birds today and our daily list went from a meager 17 yesterday to a paltry 7 today. Without trying that is still very few birds. I can do better in my backyard!!!~

So instead, we visited the historical town of Westminster just north of here about 30 miles.  IT was established in 1784 by William Winchester.  We are still in Carrol County MD . So as I said yesterday planning doesn’t always work out what was expected..

Because of the building of the B and O RR (Baltimore and Ohio for those o you that haven’t played monopoly lately) here in 1891 Westminster became the “jumping off” place for folks heading west. The main street with its still operating hotels is a testament to that boom time. The German immigrants brought with them that sturdy brick architecture  seen still in  Main St
architecture. An Opera House was built before the Civil War and the name B.F Shriver will be mentioned again here besides his canning company of the 19th century. (see later for comments about the Union and Confederate troops marching through near here in the same 24 hour period. They were that close to each other on their way to Gettysburg.

The old row houses in Wincester, MD

 We stopped at the City Hall at the Visitors Center.  IT was originally the home of John R Longwell and at it’s building was declared the most beautiful home in America. He was the publisher of the Newspaper that lives yet today.  In those days newspapers were very biased and were “owned “usually by a political party. There were over 100 newspaper from the mid 1800’s to the present in Carrol County. Most were weekly and didn’t last but a few years.

 

 

 

 

 We don’t always stop at visitor’s centers but this seemed a good idea as the road system was  not laid out by an engineer but by the original  trails.The visitor Center was directed by Diane who shared with us some highlights of the area. Birding was not on the agenda, but… Barns were, when Ruth spotted a brochure on “Quilt Barns of Carrol County”. That was it for the day, a good day for moving with the truck from Barn to Barn.

Before the first barn visit,  we saw a huge crowd at a garden/plant sale at a Grist Mill that we wanted to visit. It is an annual sale of the Foundation at the house where B.F Shriver and  his brother divided loyalties during the Civil War  (see one photo)  did house the Confederates on one night and the union soldiers on the next night on their grounds, His brother lived across the street. The garden sale covered three large building and the lawn with a barbecue pit running for lunch. (No…we had packed a lunch, remember?

Carroll County has about …no …EXACTLY…34 barns with the quilt designs on them. This has been done by the County Community as a joint project  since 2013.  The pattern each farm chooses is their own and comes from  classic quilt patterns of the past and some that retell the story of their farm family experience. Hence we have here a “Barn Quilt Trail” of sorts that one can follow throughout the county. Ruth and I managed to visit 4 of them today and added 3 other barns that she spotted along the way.   One, we could not find, (wrong address in the brochure) but I found it later on Google earth.   (Isn’t that a great creation?)  (See photos)  It was a fun experience and gave me a chance to solidify somewhat, the roads of Carrol County.

B.F. Shriver's Manor House

 

 

 

 

 

Stars and Bars Quilt pattern

We headed for the trailer in mid-afternoon and even though we talked about stopping for a DQ, we did not see one, and I hesitated to look for one on the phone.  (Ruth has a rue about eating anything after 3;00 PM before supper.

Log Cabin Quilt design

 Churn Dish 

 

 

 Carpenter's Wheel Quilt Design

 

 

 

It was a good day in spite of the wind.

 Day 6 Woodbine MD April 29,2021

Getting settled after the first day at Rollin’ Pines RV Park!   Some ‘resituating’ always needs to be done when moving from one campground to the other. At the first park we did not put up our awning over the slideout. (We have the one) , so that was a “get ‘er done”, before the morning was long. All went well. After 17 months of no using it, the trailer has its own mind sometimes, so always be ready for what can be revealed. That went well ,thankfully.

 The female E.Bluebird came out. The male is taking food to the box so their must be young ones.

 

 

 

 

 

Then we discussed how long we might be out each day, and that usually determines whether we take a lunch in the “cooler” (Ours is red and white and holds enough for a simple lunch.)  We do this most birding days. We decided ‘no’, as we would not be out past 1:00 or so. (We weren’t back until 2:30!!!). Follow along here.
We headed out for the Audrey Carrol Audubon Sanctuary on Old Annapolis Rd which was part of the original road from Washington DC to Baltimore. Then it happened again. We took the road we had planned on but it turned out NOT to be the right one, so in backtracking to Mt. Airy (which we started on,… we stopped and asked! “Vicki”the barber knew exactly where to go. And we did.

This Annapolis road had many beautiful homes on it. With 167,000 people on the rolls, the county has a median income for a household in the county of $60,021, and the median income for a family is $66,430 (these figures had risen to $78,912 and $90,376 respectively as of a 2007 estimate).  So it is a wealthy County . English Speakers were a minority , with German dominant until the Civil War. The KKK was influential here as late as 2018, and was a stronghold  until the present. Joseph A. Banks and Penguin House Books are 3rd and 4th employers in the County.
We decided already that we would miss lunch in the trailer so stopped at an Arby’s in Mt Airy, where we split a rueben sandwich and Ruth ordered one of those Peach Cream shakes. (I am on water the entire trip.) Go ahead and ask?

 

In the Audrey Carrol Audubon Sanctuary are a number of Martin houses . Tree Swallow claimed!

 So the Sanctuary of Audrey Carrol is a walk around only , and composed of open areas and forests on the edges. As it was raining slightly I walked a bit and Ruth watched from the truck for birds and wildlife. A large “gourdlike“ village”of Martin nesting sites was a center of the area. There were Tree Swallows that had taken over that roost.     Not being able to stay out side for  long did not give us much of an opportunity to identify many birds although they were there.  (Cardinals, Song Sparrows, Blue Jays, etc).

These are nine Azalea bushes  at one home "next door". Thousands of these in the area.

Heading back to the trailer we stopped in Woodbine at the only grocery on town, the Food Lion…and bought what we needed. Right next to the campground the first home has a beautiful display of Azaleas of which I will post the photos.  The area  here is an Azalea paradise, with almost every home having one at least, along with the Redbud, and those pure white Cherokee Chief Dogwood. There is a vista at almost every curve and hill in the roads, and there are many curves in these old roadways. The blooms will continue after the cherry and  then will come the Bradford Pear (non commercial) and the Crepe Myrtle right through July. It’s a “Bloomy Paradise”.

                            A combination of Dogwood and Redbud in the Sanctuary

One of those "Oreo" cows that is irresistable.

             And some of that Pennsylvania Dutch art work.This is not a hex that is used at times.

                                                                 Of course many trips show those "Oreo" cows.Just one here.

 

The day ended with a huge rain shower at supper time lasting about 20 minutes and it “came down in buckets” as they say.  I will try to post a video of it. —Tomorrow we  will visit a second Audubon Sanctuary a bit further away.  I think we can get to that one without a “hitch” , …he says!- Catch you tomorrow when the wind is suppose to get up to 40 mph. 

Day 5 on the “Bell Trip” April 28, 2021

Good day to you all,
I realized that I didn’t identify the first post yesterday, I will remember from now on.

As today was a travel day  there were not many photos  but a few will be shown.

Generally we travelled NE to SW from PA to Maryland. I realize some of you are just learning English  so I should not abbreviate  so much. It is difficult to know the meanings of abbreviations unless you “know the territory”.

Most of the trip was on divided highways as getting to our destination  the shortest and fastest was was essential. Once there we can take our time and enjoy the days.

Just north of Philadelphia was where we started at 9:15 as the roofers were just  getting started to put the shingles on the roof. (see photo). We followed I-476 south toI-76 and took a 20 minute longer route than otherwise as it allowed us more rural driving  through the countryside and over the  Susquehanna River. As it happens sometimes we missed seeing the exit sign for route 222 and being on a freeway, there was no exit for 20 miles. That meant a  31 mile trip to catchup to  US 30 east of York ,where it would have only been 14 miles had we been alert enough to see route 222.  So watch those road signs !!!There was some’ one lane traffic’ due to ??? You guessed it—-summer road construction. Up here, it is the only time that can be done.That is one advantage Western European countries have  in that they have a much shorter cold season and not so cold  as the northern tier of states in the USA.

 

 

 The roofers are ready put on the shingles. Note the platform they use to support their feet, then sit to nail the shingles.

 

 

The highlight of the day was yet to come as we stopped for lunch at the Burger King in New Freedon, PA, where granddaughter, Emily Simmons  was working. For her it was wonderful sharing time, albeit she was busy working as the line at the ‘drive through’ was 10-12 cars long at noon.  Ruth and I did set a record in the restaurant. THIS WAS OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO EAT AT A RESTAURANT INDOORS SINCE MARCH OF 2020. I think we will survive as we have our vaccine shots and the restaurant was following guidelines as to number of customers. Emily insisted on buying our lunch. (Sometimes you have to say “YES!”)

The “Ramblin’ Pines” campground is off the highway for sure.  The nearby town of Woodbine is tiny (1500?) and the campground is another 5-6 miles on a very winding ,beautifully  visted (sic)  road, and although it is large with  150 campsites we are situated at the very back of the sites, away from the pool, office, horseshoe pits, laundry  and the children’s activity yard. (Of course I’ll throw a few ‘shoes’ one day and hot the pool if it stays like this (82 F today).

We arrived at about 3:15 PM and the site ,though our site had a steep drop off at the edge of the site. I only mean a few feet, but as it was all covered with the last years leaves (lots of oak), I had to be careful  when putting up the bird feeders when moving up and down that incline.

 

                                             Our campsite at the back of the park in the woods.

 This shows some what  the precautions are that  we have to take at this age (89) when all the appendages aren’t moving like they did some 10 years ago. Getting up after getting under the trailer for a release of “gray water”is one example.  Just can’t “pop” right up anymore.

So we got settled in, ate supper, and just chilled in the evening. I headed to the back of the trailer where I could see and hear the birds in that marvelous woods. Ruth got her i pad going with a good read. Tonight it is “The Face of a Stranger”.

 Our next door neighbr feeding the "Mrs" while he stands guard and gets her food. All day!

                                                Yes,It is an Eastern Bluebird

 So that is pretty much the day, and tomorrow we will start with making hummingbird syrup (one part sugar and 4 parts water  …boiled and cooled), and putting grape jelly in the  Oriole feeder.We have seen neither but we want to be ready. Let me know when yours arrives!!!

See you tomorrow as we will be here 10 nights and I should be able to put up a blog each day. Sometimes many photos , sometimes a few.

See you tomorrow,

Jim
 

 Hi there all friends and family.

We are on the road again after a 17 month hiaitus.  The object was to take the Church's handbells to Plumsteadville PA, drop them off, have a good time touring the local states (MD, PA,VA) see a few friends and family, then on the way back, pick the bells up after they have been refurbished and "just like new" (said the man who signed the receipt). That should be about 5-7 weeks.

So with two nights on the road , we are just 40 miles north of Philadelphia and south of the Leheigh Valley. You have the area in your mind? Tomorrow we head for a site near Fredericksburg MD

The campsite is one of very few trailer sites, as the most part of the park are permanent double wide residents.  100's of them. It is a well run park and has been here in the middle of Hatfield PA for a long time. Neat ,clean and orderly.

The three days we spent here Ruth and I have seen some beautiful blossoming spring trees, especially the Kwangsa Cherry. The most full of the spring blossoming trees .

 

 

 Tomorrow we head for Marylnd near Fredericksburg to do some serious birding. The migration is just about starting and with the warm days (it was 74 here today and 80 in Red lion  at Kathy and Steve's place).  We will attempt to meet Emily at her place for lunch. Burger King iswhere she works .

This is a beautiful evening here and all three have been  clear but two were cooler. I am sitting in the lawn chair  in my shorts for the first time this season, beside the trailer, where the shade and the breeze arejust right. The robins give their evening call and a few House Finches can be heard in the trees but they are elusive.

Neighbors are out ,seemingly for the first time,  enjoying the camaraderie.

 

Also we will try to meet up with Emily Simmons  at a Burger King  just off of I-83 on our way south to MD.

The owner of the Park,Teresa, had the office roof redone and added a veranda of sorts to shade the sun , so the workers have been here each day with their automatic air hammers,ladders, and roof coverings.T hey cleared the old shingles today , and will possibly put the new ones on when they come.

One of the barns, (you know Ruth loves old barns,), was seen near where we saw the blooming Kwangsa Cherry trees  and it had character,but as you can see there was a "gate" in the opening which Ruth said took away from the beauty. OK!

 

One of the vagaries of trailering is equipment. On departing a service station, I turned sharply to enter the lane on the main road and hit the low spot of the drive with the tongue of the trailer. That released the plate used to set the trailer on when unhitching. We had to get a new one at a local RV  sales on one leg of our journey today.

The Barn.

That's it for this one, and is a start. Hope you can follow along in the month of May.-Jim