Future Olympic Rowers??

Washington College Crew Camp

Last week I ventured to Chestertown Maryland to see my daughter at Chesapeake Crew Camp. The rowing camp was part of Washington College's summer camp season and they rowed on the lovely Chester River. Washington College is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and is the Alma Mater of both of my parents and my Uncle Harold.

view from the road...

I traveled to Maryland with the air conditioner running (it was almost 100 degrees) and the CD playing shuffling through my choice of CD's - usually I am compromising with a 15 year old but alas I was in total control! Along the route I passed a lovely grass river which appeared to flow through the field.

the bees were busy pollinating

Then I happened upon a field of sunflowers - Van Gogh would have loved it!

Shiny, happy faces...

Next stop...downtown Chestertown -

Local hangout spot!

Driving through Chestertown and before I reached the College campus I noticed the Bluebird Tavern sign. I grew up with my father's stories of the Bluebird. Theta Chi's drinking and carrying on, hanging at the Tavern instead of studying etc. Oh! how I wished I wrote those stories down before my father passed on.

Support Crew

And yes, the younger siblings do always have to get dragged around. Bevyn's brother and his friend joined us. They do get tired of attending regatta's and sitting by the water especially when they would rather be in the water but they were troopers and the never complained or whined - even without a video game in sight!

Future Olympians

Well, camp is over and the girls are tired. Showers have been taken but the stories continue and now it is time to cheer on the US Olympians! Thanks Chestertown and Washington College - hope to see you next year!!

A Local Labyrinth Adventure

Today I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with my friend and talented harpist, Jupie and her hubby. After watching the last 15 minutes of the Tour de France (ouch..crashes and off the course in the last minute!) we headed out to her backyard where she has created a very powerful and creative labyrinth.

Her labyrinth has been lovingly created in a grove of trees using mulch. The path meanders around trees - in and out, out and in until you settle in the center.

From this angle it is difficult to see the path but once you begin walking the path reveals itself!

We then went to a neighboring park and they introduced me to a really cute labyrinth created by shrubbery and bricks. The small park in Thornbury Township Pennsylvania is an ode to the circle. The circular labyrinth, a circle of picnic tables, a cement circle with a hopscotch court painted on it and a wishing wheel. There was no signage concerning the labyrinth but it is a tranquil and quiet setting for centering.

Thornbury Township Labyrinth

And of course, it can't be all labyrinth's and centering. 2 over-sized Adirondack chairs provide a platform for fun, laughter, climbing and togetherness.

Some people never grow up!!

Finally, this Cherry tree is located by Jupie's labyrinth has a hollowed out spot. The space was created by woodpeckers (must be a great tasting tree!) and I think it would be a great space to yarn-bomb...more on that later.

my next yarn bomb??

I love discovering things in my own backyard.  So, what adventures await you in your backyard?