Friday, August 31, 2007

Vigilant Hose Co. No. 6



Welcome to the Vigilant Hose Co. No. 6 in Emmitsburg, MD. You can find them here.They have been around since 1884. I took these pictures while I was down taking pictures at the National Fire Academy. The Vigilant's House is no more than a mile from the Academy. It sits on Main Street next to the Ott House Restaurant. The plywood you see on the right of the top picture is an addition they are building for offices, bunkroom quarters and various other administrative rooms.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Riding Off Into the Sunset


Yes, leaving NYC and heading home. This is from June 2006 as we were leaving the City. This is, of course, the George Washington Bridge, when we entered the City we were on the lower deck (there are two decks, yes, a little freaky) at night it has lights on it that I tried to get pictures of but they didn't turn out too well. The GWB is a suspension bridge that carries I-95 over the Hudson River and connects Washington Heights, NY with New Jersey. When it opened in 1931 as the Hudson River Bridge it had the longest main span in the world at 3500 feet. Click here to read more about the George.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Big Old Paint Can (PG XXIII)


That's right this weeks Painted Gentleman (number 23) is a big old paint can. This started life as an oil recycling business that never took off and was taken over by a paint store, a Benjamin Moore Paint Store. This monster can of SoftGloss can be seen at Exit 24 of Interstate 81 in Shippensburg, PA.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Flowers, Flat Tops Scenic Byway


These flowers were on the Flat Tops Scenic Byway about half way between Meeker and Yampa Springs, Colorado, just east of the Trappers Lake turn-off. The Byway was a beautiful ride although I never heard the end of the fact only 41 of its 82 miles were paved. The gravel portions were posted 40 MPH, but with washboarding 25 was pushing it at times. We drove this in the summer of 2003 stopping a couple times, once to play in the June snow and another to have a picnic. We also saw mule deer, elk and an eagle this day. A larger size of this picture graces my living room wall.

Monday, August 27, 2007

I'm Going Camping


This weekend is Labor Day, the traditional end of summer. The kids are already back to school and the heat will some be gone. I'm going camping this weekend. Stare at the fire, cook up some bratwurst, drink a beer and relax. Oh and I'll probably take some pictures. Check back Monday evening.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Name That Baseball Movie!




A fun game anyone can play at home. A game we call "Name That Baseball Movie!". Picture no. 1. A movie set in the 40's about an old guy trying to make a comeback. Bat made from a lightning struck tree named "Wonder Boy". Starring Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs of the New York Knights. That's right "The Natural". See, I said it would be easy. Picture no. 2. It's about the forming of the All-American Girl's Professional Baseball League. Tom Hanks plays Jimmy Dugan, the washed up ball player who manages the team. You remember "There's no crying in baseball." Madonna, Geena Davis, that fat pig Rosie. That's it, "A League of Their Own". Picture no. 3 This movie is set in more modern times about another old guy trying to make his debut in the major leagues after blowing out his elbow. High school baseball coach in Nowhere, Texas. All the old guys at the barber shop arguing over how he should coach. The cute little boy. Dennis Quiad plays Jimmy Morris of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. What is the name of that one? Disney. "The Rookie" of course. Hey, thanks for playing my game and tune in next time for "Name That Baseball Movie!". Thank you and good night.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Watkins Glen State Park, Part 3




My final installment of the Gorge Trail pictures at Watkins Glen State Park. Not that 3 or 6 or even 9 pictures can fully show you the true wonder of the falls but these are the best of what I took. The circular pools were formed, I guess, by the swirling water, they were everywhere, some seemed perfectly round. And if I haven't mentioned it before there are 788 steps. Trust me, count them yourself.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Leftover Fire Pictures Just Lying Around



Today's Fireday-Friday pictures are two I've had filed away because they were leftover from other series'. The first is at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmittsburg, MD and is a fireman's trumpet. Not for music this trumpet was more of a megaphone used by the fire chief to broadcast commands to the firefighters. The building in the background is part of the National Fire Academy. The second picture is a 1919 Ford Model A fire engine from Dillsburg, PA. This picture was taken at the Pump Primers Show in Harrisburg, PA.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Late Night Flower Pictures


No, I didn't take these late at night, it's just late at night I'm ready for bed and I'm turning to my old standbys - flowers. These I took along the railroad off of Route 6 in Port Allegany, PA. in September of 2005. But hey, flowers are good anytime, especially for no reason at all.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Bull Durham Tobacco (PG XXII)



How many of these have you ever seen? Counting this one, I've seen one. Painted Gentleman 22 is on the Union Hotel on Main Street in Bedford, PA. I'm not really sure what the other advertisement towards the front of the building is, but the Tobacco ad is still clear enough you can see the bull. I Googled Bull Durham Tobacco and didn't find out too much. From Durham, NC, they became part of the American Tobacco Company who at the time was run by Washington Duke, a Civil War POW, who was the namesake of Duke University.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Hanging Out With Commodore Barry


This picture is a scan from 2004, it is the Commodore Barry statue in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. We were in Philly for a baseball game, spent the night and the next day we checked out the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall before heading home. Commodore Barry, by the way, was a Revolutionary War hero, often called the Father of the Navy, he is buried nearby in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Car Show Pictures 8/18/07, 2 of 3




Some more pictures from this past weekend's car show. Some Car-Toons if I must say so myself. Of course, the Dodge Demon (this one had a drag 'chute on back) a Plymouth Roadrunner (Wile E. was in the passenger's seat and Tweety was in the Jeep beside it) and a very orange Studebaker.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

An Evening With Your Local Senators


Baseball, that's what I'm talkin' about. My son and I went to a Harrisburg Senators game last night, they were playing the Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles AA). Nice and relaxing, it actually got chilly by about the 7th inning stretch. We each got an Italian sausage then sat and listed to a swing/jazz band that was there playing before the game. We bought general admission tickets but in the 4th inning we "upgraded" to the reserved section above the third base side dugout. We saw Luis Hernadez play shortstop for Bowie, he played up with the O's while Tejada was on the DL. We also saw Jeff Fiorentino playing left field, we saw him in 2005 up in the big league. The Senators won 10-3 which for a team 26 games out of 1st place in their division with 16 games left in the season was a welcomed surprise. Hard to believe the Minors are almost done for the year. I hope to get down to Baltimore next weekend, we haven't been down yet and I can't imagine going without this year.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Car Show Pictures 8-18-07, 1 of 3






Walked around another car show this morning. This one had a wider variety of cars and trucks. Among the Chevys, Fords and Chryslers were Packards, Studebakers and an AMX. These pictures are from a Cadillac, a Chevelle SS, a Mustang and an Imperial. There was a 1959 Plymouth there with fins that went the whole way up. WOW. I talked to the owner and he told me that this car had been in a museum and was headed back there soon. He also said the museum will be having a car show next summer to celebrate the fin. With Caddies, Belaires and his Plymouth I hope I'm free that weekend.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Rainbow Fire Company No. 1, Since 1773



The Rainbow Fire Company No. 1, part of the Reading (PA) Fire Department, claims to be the oldest volunteer fire company in the U.S., well I Googled and I Googled and I Googled some more and that question I can not find an answer to. Until last May when I was in Reading on business and happened to have parked across Court Street from the firehouse I had never heard of the Rainbow Fire Company. But the fact that they have been in continuous operation since they were formed on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1773, says that they are probably older than 99% of all fire departments in the U.S. and very well could be the oldest. Like I said I could not find out much about the RFC#1 except that they got their first fire engine, a hand drawn pumper made by Lyons of Philadelphia, in 1820 and that they have been on the corner of 8th and Court Street since 1870. Whether they are or are not the oldest volunteer fire company in the U.S. I say congratulations brothers on protecting your community for 234 years. We'll see you on the big one.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Watkins Glen State Park, Part 2




Just some more pictures from the Gorge Trail. The first is a view of Rainbow Falls coming down, the second is a stairway to an overlook that we didn't take and the third one was from behind the one falls (Duh!) This really was a relaxing walk, I think I would have liked walking up. At the top there is a small gift and snack shop and some picnic tables to hang out on. Along the trail there were benches to sit and catch your breath and a small spring pipe where, once upon a time, you could have stopped and had a drink. Today though I think I'll stick to bottled water over a weekend of Pepto.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

A Town Big Enough for Two (PG XX & XXI)

Axemann, Pennsylvania, a small village along Route 144 between Pleasant Gap and Bellfonte and east of State College. A town that, I don't think, even had a stop sign on the main drag through town much less a stop light. But it does have two treasures. Two Mail Pouch barns or garages or more like sheds, but two either way. Both more visible if you are driving south (I was northbound). These two had what I mentioned a couple of weeks ago when I said about having a place to pull off to get a picture. I still felt the need to hurry up so I didn't have someone yelling at me to "get off my property". Take the damn picture and get out, that's me, I got other things to do.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Mighty Casey has Struck Out


I've have never done this but here is one of my favorite poems. The picture is from the National Baseball Hall of fame in Cooperstown, NY. A special thanks to Ernest Thayer, who on June 3, 1888 wrote Casey at the Bat.
"The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.
A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The restClung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.
But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,And the former was a lulu and the latter was a cake;So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,For there seemed but little chance of Casey's getting to the bat.
But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,And Blake, the much despis-ed, tore the cover off the ball;And when the dust had lifted, and the men saw what had occurred,There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.
Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell;It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.
There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile on Casey's face.And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.
Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,Defiance gleamed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.
And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped-"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one," the umpire said.
From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore."Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;And its likely they'd a-killed him had not Casey raised his hand.
With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the spheroid flew;But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said, "Strike two."
"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered fraud;But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.
The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate;He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out."

Monday, August 13, 2007

The Church Brew Works, Pgh, PA



The Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh is probably the coolest brewpub I've ever been to. It has been 3 or 4 years since I stopped by here for lunch and a sample (I think it was the Pipe Organ Pale Ale) but for the atmosphere alone I will return. Located on Liberty Street, in the Lawrenceville section of town, it is no more the a block or two to the Pittsburgh Brewing Company who have been brewing since 1861 and make the infamous Iron City Beer and IC Light. I stopped by there also but it was an off day for a tour. I see from their website they've had some financial problems and are now the Iron City Brewing Company. Pittsburgh, like Philly, is just full of breweries and brewpubs and it would take a few days to hit them all. I guess I should start saving up my vacation.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Flowers, Glass Flowers




The Corning Museum of Glass. This summer's feature of glass flowers were everywhere, just ignore the fact they were made in China. The ones made locally were $30, made in China - $6.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Cal in Cooperstown - He's Everywhere


Cal was everywhere on Induction Day. I heard a guy on his cellphone telling someone where he was, he said, "I'm over by all the porta-potties, I'm the guy in the black Ripken Shirt." I think he knew at the time how ridiculous that was. He and 10,000 other people had on black Ripken shirts, with another 10,000 in white and orange Ripken shirts, my son's shirt was one of the black ones.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Fire Dept. 'Toons, No Dogs Here





Here's a few fire cartoon from Fire Expo last year. Hagar the Horrible, Animal and a Leprechaun. No dogs or Taz this time, we're not totally one track minded. And the last one isn't a Character at all. Some of you may recognize this as a Bruce Springsteen album cover. This was on a new Seagrave tiller truck headed to Bruce's home town, Asbury Park, NJ


Thursday, August 09, 2007

Would the Real Home Run King Please Stand Up


Don't get me started. Barry Bonds hit no. 756 on Tuesday and 757 last night, I could care less. Here's a man with little respect for the game and he thinks we should believe that he has never chemically enhanced himself? Yes, I know it takes a good eye and a quick swing but this man buffed up over night. He never hit more than 34 home runs in a season in Pittsburgh or 49 in San Francisco and then all of a sudden, in 2001, bang he's a hitting machine. 73 in that season and hasn't hit more than 46 since. Was that just a lucky year? Could steroids be the reason he sat out most of the 2005 season? Yes, Commish Bud may have turned a blind eye, but does not getting caught make it OK? And to watch the crowds, hypocrites. They all just see the dollar signs if the get a juiced home run ball. Well, Barry, you did it, now you can retire and go away. This picture is of the statue of "The Babe" on Eutaw Street outside Camden Yards. Sorry Hank, I don't have your picture but be proud of what you have done.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Foodmart and That Other Place (PG XVIII & XIX)



Two of the three Painted Gentlemen from vacation, both in Corning NY. The Foodmart building is right on Market Street downtown (I took this from the rear), we could see it from the Rockwall Western Art Museum and That Other Place is off of Pultney Street towards Painted Post. If you look at That Other Place you can read things like 'Pool Room, Cigars, Tobacco'. But I don't know what it is the best at, so don't ask.