One Sunny November Saturday

While we were eating Thanksgiving dinner with W and C, they told us that they had gone to the races last weekend at Churchill Downs. It only cost them $3.00 to get in. Since they didn't place any money on their choices, it was an economical way to spend an enjoyable afternoon. The coming week end is the final for the year. They were planning to attend and meet up with a fellow teacher from Sage in S. CA that W knows. When they asked if we wanted to come too we said sure.

It was in the sixties with sun shining and a bit of wind. Since this time of year isn't very busy we had seats anyplace that we wanted. We chose close to the rail and almost at the finish line. Of course we would go see the horses in the paddock to make our choices. What beautiful horses. The last two races of the day were two year olds, some who will be on the Derby circuit next year.

Here are some pictures that I took.

The winner out in front, almost at the finish line.
Coming around the first bend.

Note the far right horse, he is air born. Too bad I didn't get his nose too.

Just some spectators.

Potomac and the Billy Goat Trail

The weather was great and in the mid sixties. We were told that we should go on this hike as it was great for scenery. So we took off with walking sticks, a lunch, and preparation to do some scrambling.

After going down the canal bank, we took a side path that goes out on an island in the Potomac River. These are pictures of the water that is flowing on the opposite from the main course of the river.





Part of the Great Falls of the Potomac.




We then went to the trail and scrambled over boulders, slid down boulders, and threaded our way through boulders. We even crawled up this. It isn't as bad as it looks, some places were much harder.

These were taken while going along the river. There were times that we were on a path.




Coming back we walked along the C & O Canal towpath. These pictures were taken then. Part of the old canal is a lake.





There are a few locks and gates on the canal, all though they are not operable. You can see the remains of the gate keepers house.

This is a restored building that was a tavern and also a place for people to spend a night. You can see the width of the lock.


It was a nice day, a nice hike, and the scenery was great.

Some New Things

One morning not too long ago I went for a walk. It was a sunny day and not too cool. Unfortunately, I found myself in the wrong place at the wrong time.



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Actually, the trail goes right by the airport. Usually the planes are taking off over the trail, but once in awhile the wind is blowing the opposite direction so they are landing when they cross the path. Sorry that the video isn't clearer. I had zoomed and my 'video setting' doesn't seem to like zoom. These are a couple other pictures that I took on the hike.


We went to the Museum of American History. I thought that this area was interesting with their displays. However, the forgot to put a hat on one of the people.


We are enjoying our time. Hope you are too.

History and Work

I'm a little slow, because I've been busy, with keeping my blog up to date. So here goes a try.

We had the opportunity to take a boat over to Constitution Island. This is where the other end of the chain was attached that stretched across the Hudson river from West Point during the Civil War, preventing the British from going up the river. At least, that was the plan. The British never came up that far and put it to the test. Of course, there were lots of soldiers on the island, fortifications, and guns.

This is a picture back towards West Point while we were on the boat.

This is taken while on the island and looking towards Trophy Point, where the flag is flying. The helicopter landing pad is next to the water.
This is two cute kids that we found on the island. Okay, they are our grand daughters. They had a day off from school and were able to go with us and their Mom. They are looking at some of the old gun works.


While we were going across on the boat, they gave us a contest to take. This was some of the questions. You had to figure out the candy's name.

The day that employees love the most.
Children of the cane.
Nut happiness.
Flotation device.
What bees make.
What determines the winner.
(Answers at the end.)

There were five who had the correct answer so they drew for the prize of a Halloween gingerbread haunted house kit. We won the drawing. The girls had fun putting it together after we got home.

If you are wondering what else we have been doing, here is a picture. You can also click on here to see what Br has been doing all summer and what we helped her with this last week. It is towards the end of her post.
She shows you what it looked like after she and B got their work out done digging it up. This is what it looked like Sunday morning after snowing all day on Saturday, two days before Halloween.
There was also wind with it and the snow was very wet. Trees and branches came down. All roads out of the post were closed. Many people were without electricity and some still are, not only in New York but in other states too.

We are wondering, "WHAT HAPPENED TO FALL?"

Contest answers.
Pay Day
Sugar Babies
Almond Joy
Life Savers
Bit of Honey
Score