Could the Groundhog Be Right?

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Ay

My, oh my, What a wonderful day

Plenty of sunshine headin' my way,

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Ay!

Mr. Bluebird's on my shoulder,

It's the truth, It's actch'll

Everything is satisfactch'll

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-A-Dee-Ay

Wonderful feelin', Wonderful day.

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, James Baskett (Wrubel/Gilbert), 1946

Grantsville Fire Department

Grantsville Fire Department, 178 Springs Road,, Grantsville, Md. Garrett County Station 60. Grantsville was organized June 25, 1928 and is all volunteer. The new station opened in 2008.

Eastern Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department

Eastern Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 401 Finzel Road, Frostburg, Md. Garrett County Station 80. Incorporated April 17, 1967. Built their first station in late 1967, prior to that their apparatus was parked under a canopy at WFRB Radio station. Added a social hall in 1970, expanded the social hall and added two bays in 1982. In 1992, 3 more bays were added to the front of the building. Currently running 2 engines, a tanker, a squad and utility on an average of 200 calls a year.

Baseball is in the Air

Can you feel it? Baseball is in the air. Pitchers and catchers have been at it for two weeks, position players have been playing for a week and Spring Training games start next week. It won't be long now. Man I can't wait. Top picture is Zach Britton, the closer, from a couple seasons ago. Next is relief picture, side arm submariner Darren O'Day. Third is Chris "Crush" Davis, I hope he produces as much as the ticket prices go up to keep him here. And last is Charm City's temple to baseball and, yes, that guy in the blue sleeveless shirt IS Brian Johnson, lead singer for the rock band AC/DC.

HBC

Sepia Sunset

Wow, what did you think of the storms that rolled through a sunset last night? Some late February thunderstorms. And it would be hard to beat the sunset that squeezed in underneath the storm. These pictures are straight out of the camera. I did not adjust lighting or color. That is just what it looked like. Too cool.

Main Street, Alamosa

Main Street, Alamosa, Colorado. All this in just one block. These are some of the buildings along US 160 (Main Street) between State Street and San Juan Avenue. The Grove is an old theater, originally opened in 1912, I think it's vacant now. JC Penney's, old on the outside and new on the inside. This is JC Penney store #43. Amigo.net is the local internet service. San Juan Valley Brewing Company, we ate supper there the night before. Unfortunately this was only the second of three brewpubs we hit. There should have been more. And finally  Weiss Cleaners, the local dry cleaners.

White Out

I'll bet you couldn't see this place during the blizzard. It was the proverbial polar bear eating a marshmallow in a snowstorm situation. 

Sightings

I took a long walk in the not so cold but snowy woods early Saturday morning. I was rewarded for my efforts with a few whitetail deer sightings. First I saw two walking in the old logging road before daylight. Then, before sunrise, but with enough light these two doe ambled by.

Clear Creek Fire Authority, Station 4

Clear Creek Fire Authority, Station 4, 750 Brownell Street, Georgetown, Colorado. Clear Creek County. The Georgetown Fire Department  was established in 1868. By the mid 1870's there were four firehouses in Georgetown. In 1970 the Georgetown Fire Department Vigilant #5 was organized and in April of 1972 ground was broken for the new fire station. In 1989 GFD signed an agreement with the Clear Creek Emergency Services General Improvement District to help consolidate the fire services of Clear Creek County. In 1998 they became part of the Clear Creek Fire Authority. The Vigilant #5 station is the only remaining active station in town.

Old Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department

The Georgetown Fire Department was established in 1868. The first station was built in 1870 at near the intersection of Taos and 10th Streets. The first company organized as the Georgetown Fire and Hose Company and were housed in the Old Missouri station. The Star Hook and Ladder Company was organized in 1871. The Hope Hose Company #1 was organized July 23, 1874 and the Alpine Hose #2 was formed November 24, 1874. In 1970 the Vigilant #5 was established.

Georgetown Fire and Hose Company #1, 10004 Taos Street, Georgetown , Colorado. Built in 1875 and added to in 1881.

Alpine Hose Company #2 , 507 5th Street, Georgetown Colorado, Built in 1875 and in 1880 added the bell and hose tower. In 2013 it re-opened as the Georgetown Firefighting Museum.

Star Hook and Ladder Company, 404 6th Street, Georgetown, Colorado. Built in 1886, it now serves as the Town Hall.

Sunrise

The awesome thing about sunrises is, if you don't like this one there'll be another one tomorrow. So, get your butt out of bed.

The Barn with a View

Three times the view. I found this barn along Route 165 north of Rye, Colorado.