Apples don’t don’t grow on trees, you know.
How do you like them apples?
Category: Travel Photography
Made in Maryland
As a child who spent much time at his grandmother’s, I always looked forward to visits from my aunt Mickey. She was a lovely lady who was one of my grandmother’s many cousins or nieces. Her visits always felt special as she lived in this magical place called Maryland . I couldn’t have been more than five years old and not yet traveled outside the borough of Queens, New York. Her visits always seemed accompanied by history books, crossword puzzles, and fancy pastries. (The kind they grew on secret farms in the country.) Those early experiences and the eventual discovery of realism were accepted. I never lost my appreciation for that historic land til’ this day. The city boy in me still gets a rush when I experience farm life and enjoy those fancy pastries. The photo below was taken as the skies turned dark and the thunder moved in.
Light in the Darkness
As we entered the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Center. I looked to my left to see this shadowy, low lit hallway. It was the beginning of what turned out to be a historical journey through an often ignored important part of our history.
An Ode to Trespassing.
As I sit here with my wife watching a You Tube video titled “Ghost towns and Abandoned places.” I wonder aloud, “Are my days of exploring uncharted territory and off limits properties over?” As early as the age of seven. (Long before I had a camera or the aching to use one. I was exploring the many off limits junk yards, body shops and construction sites of my Queens neighborhood. There was a burnt out house a few blocks from where my Dad lived and believe me, we explored every nook and cranny of the two story home and seperated garage. Getting a camera and reaching the age of accountability changed little. I still had that explorers curiousity and drive to find what was beyond that “No Trespassing” sign. My hopes are that there is still plenty of that desire to explore, and my ability to ignore my wife when she snaps, “Chop, Chop!” or overthinks every I make to ignore those posted warning signs.
Life is Beautiful. Give it a Try.
Earlier today while enjoying breakfast at at Washington DC’s Union Market. I conversed with a stranger, recommending one of the booths for their outstanding pastrami sandwich. (Yeah, I know I shouldn’t be eating pastrami for breakfast. But I’m from New York City. So here’s my get out of food jail card.) I haven’t been very social and conversations with complete strangers have become something of the past. Considering his reaction to my recommendation and the smile that came with it. I went away feeling good.When I ran into him again as we were heading to our car. He approached me with that same smile telling me that he took my recommendation and thoroughly enjoyed it. That small exchange made me feel like my old self again. The person who made friends with a smile and a wink. A tip of the proverbial hat. I miss that guy.
Word to the Wise
Get weird. Be weird. Stay weird.
Conversations with Goats
Recently, while out and about, we stopped at a farm stand to pick up some fresh groceries to take home and enjoy. Like with most farm stands, there were some animals and a small area for feeding. I was lucky to capture a moment where a couple of goats were checking me out rather than ignoring me while going about their business. For as long as I can recall, I’ve always savored the moments I had out of the city. Having images to take home and enjoy are priceless. This was definitely one of them.
Out of our Element
As we drove across the vast farmlands of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. My wife turned to me and asked what it was about these trips that brought such excitement and admiration. I said, “Think of all those TV shows and movies where the subject who grew up on a farm and the experience of wonderment they experience upon arriving in the big city. Now reverse it and take the city boy out to the country. (Omitting all the cliche Hollywood troupes where the character scoffs at the idea before learning a life altering lesson.)” As someone who’s closest experience with camping was as a drunken teen falling asleep on a rock in New York City’s Central Park. A trip to the country is pretty damn cool.
Another Trip to Richmond
We were back in Richmond for our friend Tracy’s pop up record store last weekend. As old as I get, being around fellow music geeks, and talking the talk while digging through crates of records still provides a buzz that can only be compared to the finest things in life. During my short dig, I picked both of Sweeping Promises albums and a late 70’s no wave treasure by the Nina Hagen fronted Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. It’s always a pleasure to see Tracy and her beautifully warm smile. Richmond is great city of art, personality and diversity. Having the chance to live within reach of it will guarantee many future visits. I captured this photo of Jefferson Avenue’s Pizza Bones while my wife checked in at a bakery across the street.
Washington D.C.’s Dupont Station.
Taken earlier today at Washington DC’s Dupont Station while finishing up our visit to the areas busy farmers market. My wife picked up lots of greens and and enough apples to make a pie. While I was able to take a few worthy shots while getting my first sunburn of the season.
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