North Branch of the C&O Canal

Took a walk on the C&O Canal this morning along with a couple friends. There weren't a lot of critters out today (ha, just the three of us)....so I just focused on the scenery of the canal. It's such a beautiful place. Here are a few from the walk...


The lush green color along the towpath in June.


This spot might be worth another visit in a few days when this guy opens up.


On my drive home, I detoured out to Rocky Gap State Park & saw this red-winged blackbird sitting on a fence post.

Room 2020

Are you afraid of the dark? If so, you should request Room 2020 at the Holiday Inn Express in Charles Town, WV. They generously provide you with the highest powered night light that I've ever seen.


The innocent looking nightlight by day


My room at 11pm with no absolutely no other lights on in the room.


The view from the bed. Sunrise already? Nope, still 11 pm. Grandpa, is that you?
There were no curtains to close, only the sheer white ones were adjustable. Those dark ones to the side are just decoration.

Further, if you're hungry while In Charles Town, you should get a Giant hoagie with the works from Jersey Mike's. Great stuff...


Here's the hoagie, with a 2 Litre soda for scale (um, and to wash it down).


Here's the aftermath...

This weekend - Mountain Heritage Festival in Harpers Ferry WV

I hope to see you all there. The festival is this weekend, June 11-12-13, 10 am to 6 pm each day (except Sunday, show ends at 5 pm). I'll be bringing lots of new never-before-displayed work, including a bunch of new large canvas prints.

Remember, Father's Day is the following week...one stop shopping for your pop.

Here are the festival details - West Virginia Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival

Meadow Run Cascades at Ohiopyle State Park

Hooray, I found a cool new place to photograph in the area, someplace that I had never been before. Big thanks to my friend & fellow photographer Jeannette Hunt for taking me there. Oddly enough, the cascades are down in a valley, but the trail to reach them seemed to be a steep uphill hike both ways. I'm not entirely sure how that's possible, but my legs are sore all the same.
Along with four other members of the WMPA, we left Cumberland at 5 am to get there before the sun hit the falls. Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot...


The cool thing about the Cascades are they're a series of mini waterfalls, so the photo opportunities seem endless


The only other people crazy enough to be up this early were fishermen


Eventually the sun came up, giving some nice color along the treetops

You can see more pics from the shoot and from Ohiopyle State Park here - The Cascades

Delfest 2009

DelFest is bluegrass legend Del McCoury's annual music festival, held in Cumberland Maryland at the Allegany County Fairground. I was fortunate enough to have attended several days of the three day festival this year. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the event...


Sam Bush


Del McCoury


Ollabelle


The Darkstar Orchestra


DelFest - fun for all ages

To see more pics from the festival, click here - DelFest 2009

Del McCoury and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad

This past week I had an opportunity to ride along on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad with Del McCoury, his family and a couple hundred bluegrass fans. The Bluegrass Train was sponsored by WAMU Bluegrass Radio. During the layover in Frostburg, Del performed a few songs with Vinegar Creek Constituency. It was a great time. Here are a few photos from the event...


Katy Daley and the WAMU fans preparing to board the train in Cumberland


Del spends some time in the cab of #734


Del & his family in the open-air car as the train steams toward Frostburg


Performing with the Vinegar Creek Constituency at the Frostburg Depot.

You can see all of the pictures from the event here - Del McCoury and the WMSR

Chek out my friend Ty's fantastic video of the event - Ty's Bluegrass Train video

Delfest 2009 - The big storm

Wow, while shooting the DelFest music festival this weekend I ended up in the middle of the craziest storm I had ever seen in Cumberland. Rain, wind, hail, rapidly changing temperatures, thunder & lightning....this storm had it all. When the hail & rain weren't coming in totally sideways, I managed to raise the camera to snap a few pics. Here are a few of them...


Trying to secure the beer tent


This was dry grass 15 minutes earlier


The aftermath the next day...all the trashed Ez-Up tents

The rest of the storm pics are here - DelFest hail storm

Here are some great stories from the storm - DelFest storm stories

..and finally, to experience just how bad it was, check out this video. Watch how quickly that Ez-Up tent gets trashed. Great American Taxi's Delfest 2009 set

Night at the Carnival

I always enjoy when Gambill Amusements come to town. Not only are they the nicest people you'll ever meet, they put on a first rate carnival. It really turns Canal Place into the place to be. I plan to spend some more time down there this weekend, but here are a few shots from my Thursday night visit.







More shots from this year & from last year are HERE

For more information about Gambill Amusements

Western Maryland Scenic Railroad station at night

One quick image...taken on a rainy / misty night.



"I'm boarding the express, wrapped snuggly in my mink to meet my lover Carlos...I have the money hidden in my garter, and when we meet we'll make our grand escape."

Text by my good friend Michelle O'Mealy

Phil Keoghan of the Amazing Race visits Frostburg & Cumberland

In an event coordinated by the Allegany County Department of Tourism, Koehgan rode from Frostburg to Cumberland on the Great Allegheny Passage - Maryland as part of his "Ride Across America". The New Zealander also visited with fans at the Frostburg Trailhead and staged a video/photo session with the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad locomotive on his way to Hagerstown. Koeghan's trek was one of forty different 100 mile jaunts in a ride for MS which ends May 9th in New York City.

For more information or to support Phil's MS ride, click here.

To see more pictures from his Frostburg / Cumberland visit, click here.


Phil at the Frostburg portion of the Allegheny Highlands Trail


Phil reaches Cumberland


Phil approaching the Western Maryland steam engine #734


Phil and his father watch as the train pulls into the station


Phil taking #734 for a spin