I finally got on the road around 8pm and started my trek up I95. My favorite bridge, purely for the way the highway winds through the mountain toward the arrow straight crossing, is the Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge, however I hadn’t picked out the place I wanted to photograph it from yet… So I went with the Delaware Memorial Bridge which I’ve looked at on more than one occasion but never photographed. My phone died on the way there but I managed to find my spot without incident until…

I set up my camera and got comfy. I took a couple of shots to get my settings right. I changed my angle a litte… and then I started hearing things. Like things that go bump in the night but different. I looked over toward the water where a small grove of trees were and then I realized what the sounds were… There were about 25 – 30 dear which were probably playing with each other but to me there were there to claim their territory… and I was trespassing. I grabbed my  tripod, camera still attached, and hightailed it back to my car. I slammed my trunk closed, jumped in the drivers seat and flung the camera tripod contraption in the passenger seat. Thinking I still wasn’t safe, I rolled up my windows and started a slow drive away from the site.

I’m a city boy, and though there were dear in my city, I still haven’t learned to trust them on any level. Especially when they throw themselves at moving vehicles. When I finally got away, I stopped to look at my camera and see what I had, even though I already determined I was going back that night. I found this shot… and I’m cool with it.

Considering it was the only shot I got after I adjusted my angle, I’m rather pleased with it.

Today I walked out of my house and saw firetrucks parked out front. I went over to find out what was going on and saw HazMat trucks on the other side. Not Cool! Turns out there was a white powdery substance in one of the cars nearby. Instead of running scared though I ran for my camera…

… and after much set up and tear down it was determined that there was thankfully no threat after all.

More photos can be seen here

This year I was really surprised to learn that there was an event that brought out a couple of my interests and I was scheduled attend. I’m a big fan of history. Not really history class but experiencing, being a part of, or revisiting history. And… I’m a big fan of baseball. I played for 8 years and might have gone pro if I’d known it was an option for a left-handed pitcher that threw in the mid 80s, but I didn’t know how to achieve it so I moved on. Even back then I was toting a camera around whenever I could though so I guess it’s fair to say I still followed my dreams.

What I really found interesting was how the game has kinda flipped since the 19th Century. Back then the object was to get the ball in play. No one wore baseball gloves back then and pitchers and batters got warnings for throwing bad pitches or not swinging at good ones. You could also catch a ball on the first bounce and the batter was considered out unlike now where you have to pick it out of the air. All the lingo was different, but it was really cool to see it all come together. And it was interesting to see how competitive these players were. Then I found out that they are an actually league and naturally I now wanna put down my camera and get on a team.

But I did bring my camera…

There are these though…

I am an American Airman
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my nations call.

For 11 years now I have gladly donned the uniform of my United States Air Force with great pride. Yesterday while in Charlotte, NC I was privileged to see a former member of the Army’s Golden Knights, who is now a double amputee, parachute in on the 2011 Patriot Festival pulling the American Flag on his USO chute.

“Supporting America’s troops was the first mission of the USO. In 1941, as it became clear that the nation was heading into World War II, several organizations mobilized to support the growing U.S. military: the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created synergy among these agencies by forming the United Service Organizations, with the objective of providing the emotional support the troops needed.

Over time, the USO has evolved, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the troops and their families, while holding fast to the original mission.

Today, the USO continues to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families, and will continue to be there for them until every one comes home.”

My gratitude goes out to all military members, past and present, for their voluntary service and willingness to fight alongside the greatest men and women in the world in the defense of the liberty we sometimes take for granted. And to the families of our members, I extend not only my gratitude for your support, but also for the heartache that you endure while we deploy globally in harms way.

Embrace the feeling you get on Memorial day and extend it to those you connect with every day of the tear.

Members of the U.S. Army’s Black Knights.

Photo’s can also be seen in the online album, :people.

The Alamo, The Crockett, and on the far right in the distance is the Tower of The Americas.

The Alamo stone wall to the right of the front entrance.

A beautiful tree located inside the Alamo walls. This was actually taken during the day.

A palm planted inside the Alamo walls that was lit this awesome green during the night.

The Crockett hotel. Rich with history and folklore.

There are more photos from the trip in my albums people:, places:, and things:.

Patrick Wray was happening.

I took a moment to listen and was rather impressed with what I heard. Patrick had a large book of songs from which it seemed any song was ready at request, I stayed a listened for a moment and, of course, took a few photos.

You can visit Patrick’s fansite to hear samples of his music and follow his schedule.

from tragedy’s blow
ashes settle, waves retreat.
life rebuilds stronger

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