Lions and Tigers and Bears…not quite ;-)
Cats and Birds and Squirrels are more like it. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Author Archives: anyonecantakeapicture
Gettysburg & Hershey PA 2011
It occurred to me that I hadn’t posted the Pennsylvania vacation we took a couple of years ago. But then again, it’s the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg, so in a way, I waited on purpose ;-) Well, it’s a few days late, but that’s the story I’m sticking to.
We started in Gettysburg at the visitors center, of course, where we grabbed maps of the 2-3 hour self guided driving tour around the park.
There were statues and monuments everywhere. I think it would have taken a week if you stopped to look and read them all. So we settled for taking pictures instead.
Everywhere!
Aw man, really? Had to put the metal detector away :(
We did get out and walk around a little in The Valley of Death.
I don’t think this barn had anything to do with Gettysburg, just someone’s home, but it looked serene and I couldn’t resist taking a picture ;-)
We stayed the night in Harrisburg. Not much to do in Harrisburg, except take pictures of the Capitol building.
The next day we set off for Hershey!
Not much in Hershey either, unless you’re 8, so we set off for Amish Country to look for some of the old covered bridges.
Except that it was pouring down rain, and rain is not a photographers friend…
So we headed home a little early. I would like to go back some day and actually see some of the covered bridges under nicer conditions ;-)
Fireworks on the 4th! – 2013
I love fireworks! And thanks to my new camera, I can take REALLY good pictures of them! Ok, it’s a little bit of a cheat, there is an actual fireworks display function specifically for fireworks, but hey, as long as I get the shot, I don’t really care how I get it ;-)
I typically only see fireworks on the 4th in D.C., but we didn’t go this year. So instead I went about 2 miles away from my house to the fairgrounds. I can usually see some of them from my house, but the tree line is a bit too tall to see them really well. I braved the traffic and the crowds and ended up getting a pretty good spot! Out of the 150+ shots I took, here are the best of the best (and there are still 30 or so, just couldn’t seem to cut them down any further!).
Happy Independence Day!!
Here we go…!
I really like the residual streaks in this one.
This show was very impressive! Some of the fireworks had distinctive shapes. This one was a heart ;-)
Grande Finale!
If I’m not in D.C. next year, maybe I’ll try the downtown fireworks. Only reason why I haven’t before is because the traffic, not to mention the parking, downtown is AWFUL! But I would love to get shots with the fireworks reflected in the river. Maybe I’ll hire a limo, HA!
Mount Vernon
Independence Day week wouldn’t be complete without some sort of historical, proud-to-be-an American trip somewhere. We decided not to do DC this year, so what’s the next best thing? Visiting our first presidents’ home, Mount Vernon, of course. And what better day to do it than on Mom’s birthday! ;-)
Inherited by George Washington in 1754, he lived there on and off until he died there in 1799. There was no photography allowed in the house itself, and unlike the Biltmore, there were too many guides stationed around the house for me to sneak a shot or two. So I had to just look, listen and appreciate it.
I got plenty of shots of the outside, grounds and gardens though ;-)
This is a “Necessary,” basically an outhouse…but I must say it looks like a nice one, it’s even got windows!
That’s what I call River Front Property!
One of my favorite vegetables, artichokes, were growing in the garden.
Peaches and Apples
I guess even Washington had problems with those nasty, pesky beetles.
His other garden had plenty of colorful flowers in bloom.
In the education center, there is what looks like a picture of a bust of George Washington. But as you walk past it, it’s as if he is watching and following you! I think it’s some sort of projection, but part of the wall is concave. However it’s done, it’s a very cool optical illusion!
The day ended with an early dinner at Macaroni Grill, our favorite Italian restaurant! We then stopped off at Wegmans to pick up a few groceries then headed home where Mom opened her birthday presents.
It was a very good, family fun-filled day!
Happy Birthday Mom, love you!!!
anyonecantakeapicture 