More Weeds

Some more weed pictures. And another attempt at the Queen Anne's Lace.

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

The last of the car show picture from August 18th. These took a while to post because I forgot what the first picture was. I asked around at work and all the car guys gave me different answers. I thought Buick (the picture is still called "buickhood" in my files), I heard Mercury, Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth. The winner...1956 Plymouth. Thanks go to Google, of course. The second is from an old Dodge pickup truck, it is a ram. and the third is a Plymouth also, see the ships landing at Plymouth Rock?

Chambersburg Fire Department, old stations

Chambersburg, PA. Home of five separate companies that form the Chambersburg Fire Department. Only three of the original stations still stand. Friendship Fire Company #1 was organized in 1780. The Friendships were once located at East Point at the intersection of Lincoln Way East and East Queen Street (picture no. 1). The building is now a D.O.T. messenger service and various other small businesses. Friendship Fire Company #1 is now located at the McKinley Street Station. Junior Hose & Truck Co. #2 is now located at the Headquarters Station on North Second Street. The old station, also on North Second, is now a printing company (picture no. 2). Good Will Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company #3 was on East Catherine Street, that station house is now gone. Good Will is now housed at the McKinley Street Station. The Franklin Fire Company #4 was organized in 1903 and is located on North Franklin Street at West King Street. The Franklins tore down the old station to make way for expansion of their current station "The Big House". Cumberland Valley Hose Company #5 once housed on Broad Street, now are at Headquarters Station. The old station is now a firefighters museum (picture no. 3).

The Digging Dutchman

These pictures of an old Vermeer backhoe/ditch witch came from my Labor Day camping trip. Just more old equipment the owner had sitting around.

G. F. Riley's Tin Shop (PG XXVI)

Painted Gentleman No. 26 resides on North Montgomery Street in Hollidaysburg, PA. This Mail Pouch sign sits a half a block south of Allegheny Street and appears to be a vacant building. Mr. Riley, I'm sure, hasn't fabricated anything here in a long time and even though there are signs in the windows, I don't think much sheet metal work has been happening lately. Seeing this makes you think when you drive through an old town just what could be lurking out back. Makes you want to drive down the alleys instead of the main drag.

Wine Before It's Time

Paul Masson would be proud. These were growing along a friends driveway. She no longer picks them or makes wine from them, so, as you can see, some have gone to raisins already.

The Orioles at the Hall of Fame

Some of the Baltimore Orioles inducted into the Hall of Fame are Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray and, of course, Cal Ripken, Jr. The third picture is in the "Locker Room" in the hall. It contains recent memorabilia such as the line up cards from Cal's Ironman tying and tie breaking games. Mike Bordick's glove from his record breaking error free streak at shortstop and an autographed ball from Miguel Tejada's 1,000th straight game. Miggi held the active ironman streak, at 1,152 consecutive games, that's over 7 years and the fifth longest in baseball history, until June 21, 2007 when he went on the disabled list with a broken wrist.

Welcome Autumn

Finally it is Fall. Officially. Fall is by far my favorite season. I just can't stand the heat of summer, winter seems to last too long and spring is too short, but fall is just right. Days when you can actually go outside and do something and not think you are about to melt. Being a hunter this time of year means that the wildlife are getting more active and on my walks in the woods there is more going on. The deer are moving around more, the squirrels are running around storing nuts like there is no tomorrow and the geese are heading south. The elk are already starting to bugle and if there is one thing you need to do, before you get too old, is go to where the elk are at this time of year and listen. The bugling of the bulls and the mews of the cows is a satisfying and comforting sound, indeed.

Larry's Tractors

I was at an open house at a friends house this afternoon. Larry collects tractors. International Harvesters, Cub Cadets and Farmall's, anything IH. In his "working" shed alone I counted 17. In the "display" shed (1st and 2nd pictures) we looked around before I realized there was a "shelf" 8 feet up lined with Cub Cadets. After that I noticed implements hanging from the rafters. The yard was scattered with tractors, he was giving rides, had one parked for pictures and was having competitions with one. There were snow plows, farm machinery, corn shellers, milling machines, lifts, a "gator-type" thing called a Grizzly, skid loaders and more. Even a manure spreader, I remember when he got this it was just a rust bucket with no bottom, now look at it (bottom picture).

Carlisle Fire Department, old Empire and Friendship stations

Carlisle, PA. These pictures show the old fire stations of the Empire Hook & Ladder (once Company 43) and the Friendship Fire Company (once Company 42). The old Empire firehouse sits on West Pomfret Street and is home to the California Cafe and the old Friendship Station house, on North West Street is now an antiques dealer. The Empires and the Friendships agreed in January of 1992 to build a single new station on North Spring Street, Route 34, and in January of 1994 formed the Empire Friendship Firefighters Association . On July 2, 2006 they started using the single company designation of Cumberland County Company 45. The website isn't too current or too historically informative but I did find that the Empire's formed in 1859 as the Pioneers with a handmade ladder cart. Not much found on then Friendships, I'm sure someone out there can further expand on these stations.

Gio's Award Winning BBQ

Gio's BBQ at the intersection of Route 322 and Route 970 in Woodland, PA, just southeast of Clearfield, is some of the best BBQ in the area. I'm still a Clem's fan, but Gio's wider variety and connection to a convenience store/gas station make this a one stop shop. My usual is the Pittsburgh Platter, that's a large pulled pork with fries. It's not just all you can eat, it's all you should eat. Look for the signs along Interstate 80, Gio's is a couple miles south of Exit 123.

Painted Gentleman 8, 9, 14 and 23, Revisited

Today's Painted Gentleman segment is a fast forward to today. The pictures that I posted for PG 8 & 9, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", were from 5 or 6 years ago, these pictures were taken last July. It's only a matter of time until they're gone, I'm sad to say. And PG 23, from just a couple weeks ago, is the "Big Old Paint Can", only this time there is a Big Old Flag on the Big Old Paint Can. The occasion? The homecoming of 147 soldiers of the 324th Military Police Battalion from Iraq. Welcome home 324th, and thank you for keeping America safe.

p.s. On a sad note I drove past PG 14 "Bowes Seal Fast" today and all I found was an empty field. Looks like someone may be building a house in here now. I said, "It's only a matter of time until they're gone." Well, PG 14 is gone. (9/20/07)

Corvette Show 9/15/07, 2 of 2

Some more pictures from the Corvette show in Shippensburg. Yes, the red 'vette is the same as the first picture from post 1 of 2. And the last is one of my favorites, a 1963 with the split rear window. Awesome, just awesome.

Rita's is Closed

Just for the night. Rita's Italian Ice is still open until the end of the month. Like it or not I've been playing with Photo Suite. For now it's still - K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid. But I'll learn someday. Just you wait and see.

Corvette Show 9/15/07, 1 of 2

I stopped at a Corvette Show yesterday in Shippensburg, PA, hosted by the Cumberland Valley Corvette Club. When I was a kid I had a poster with every year of Corvette on it. I don't remember years as much anymore as I do eras. Of course, my son was in awe as we took a quick look around. His favorite, the burnt orange 'vette. My favorite was this '57 black beauty, until we walked back to the car to leave and noticed a '63 had arrived late. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Beer Liquor Wine

This is for real and I took this picture on Labor Day. I was quick and I took it from the truck window because there were lights on inside. I don't think it is a drinking establishment anymore, not that it doesn't still come alive when the sun goes down. This relic of the past is in Dents Run, PA just off Route 555.

This post also is the start of my Signature label. I will apply this tag to posts when the picture is more than just a snapshot. Something I can be proud to say I took.

Cumberland-Goodwill Fireman's Memorial

The fireman's memorial at the Cumberland-Goodwill fire station on West Ridge Street in Carlisle, PA. has moved around some since it was donated by a local tobacco dealer Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Livingston in memory of the daughter Mrs. Regina Livingston Hitchens in 1908. It started downtown and was moved in the 20's to the Cumberland Fire Company, who moved it again when they moved and again in 1984 when the Cumberlands merged with the Goodwill Fire Company and settled into the Goodwills station, where it stands today. In 1999 the memorial was restored and rededicated. The Cumberland-Goodwill Fire Company are one of 3 departments in Carlisle, along with the Unions and Empire-Friendship. Made up of paid and volunteers they run an Engine, a Heavy Rescue, a C.I.R.T Truck (Critical Incident Response Team - Search and Rescue), 4 Ambulances, a Utility/Boat, a Utility/Rehab Unit and a Gator.

A Fungus Among Us

A fungus among us, that's funny, I really am one fun guy. (fun guy, fungi, get it?) OK, enough kidding around. These mushroom pictures came from a hike my son and I took while camping over Labor Day weekend. We saw others but getting the lighting right or the right angle or whether or not to use a flash proved a little difficult. Also the last picture, not a mushroom, was a 2 by 4 with some old rusty nails in it that we found on our walkabout.

p.s., I hope my "flower" label doesn't confuse anyone.

Hidden Treasure (PG XXV)

Pay attention. Look quick. Right there. Did you see it? Let me turn around and go by it again. Now pay attention this time.

Sometimes you need to be on high alert, what was once an advertisement for everyone to see could now be hidden amongst expansion. Painted Gentlemen No. 25 can be found along Route 220 south of Bedford, PA. But north of PG 16A & 16B. And you have to be driving southbound to be able to see it. Yes, I drove past twice before I saw it. Can you see it on the top picture?

Patriots Day, Six Years On

September 11th. Six years ago today the worst act of terrorism on American soil was carried out. Does anybody still remember? To listen to the news at night or to listen to the one side of congress the war on terror has been lost. Yes, we take more precautions these days, but I believe that if we turn out backs to terror they'll be knocking on or door faster than last time. We need to show the world and those who do look up to us that this is acceptable. We need to fight the fight, it won't be easy, it hasn't been easy, if we give an inch they'll take it all.

Six years ago today, I was in the field working. Once we knew what was going on we would work some and listen to the radio some. Shortly after 10 am I heard what I thought was an airplane. I questioned my coworker that all planes had been grounded. At lunch we heard about Flight 93. That evening, when I got home, I heard on the news about the hijacked plane going down in Shanksville, PA. A map showed I was working within 15 miles of Shanksville.

Don't forget. Don't ever forget. They attacked the World Trade Center in 1993. And we did nothing. Don't forget.