Another One From Green Ridge State Forest

I rarely do this when I’m traveling with the family in the car but I had to stop along the side of the road and capture this image.  Loved how the high power wires sort of point the way to the low lying clouds in the distance. 

Smores Anyone?

The giggling teens roasting marshmallows for their Smores.  

Camp Fire Breakfasts

One of the best things about camping is cooking over an open fire. 

Bacon, Sausage, Cheese and Egg pie iron sandwich.  Mmmmm mmmmm mmmm.  

French Toast on the griddle.   Smelling gooooood!!!!   

Down a Country Road

Green Ridge State Forest in Western, MD has got to be one of the most beautiful locations in the state.  Along the Potomac, about half way between Hagerstown and Cumberland, this place has provided our family with more than 17 years of outstand camping and outdoor activates.   This Columbus Day weekend was no different.  Superb weather and changing colors every day were where there.  

Where Were You? 9/11

 

I was working at home with the news on. Watched the entire thing unfold while talking to my father about it on the phone. We were both in complete disbelief.  I can remember first thinking that it had to be some sort of gross air traffic error but then the second plane hit the tower  It became clear that this was no mistake. 

In the mean time, Terry and the girls were in Georgetown working and at school. They could see the smoke from the Pentagon just across and down the Potomac. 

It was all very surreal here in DC. The first reports of the issue at the Pentagon were that of a helicopter crash.  Comparatively no big deal as helicopters fly to and from the Pentagon all the time. It was a plausible reason for the fire and smoke. However, it soon became apparent that we were under attack, that the Pentagon "fire" was actually a 3rd plane, and even more worrisome, one plane was still missing. With Georgetown's proximity to other potential targets like Embassy Row and the Naval Observatory, I decided it was just time to get the family out of there and home together. I called Terry and pretty much told her to get the kids and come home.

Ironically, due to 9/11, today I wouldn't be able to do that because the schools would go into immediate lock down and not allow staff and students to leave. Not really sure how I feel about that. At the time, the most important thing to me was to get the family out of there as soon as possible.

 

In this day of remembrance it is not only important that we honor the hero’s in NY, DC, and PA, it’s also important that we never forget how that event made us feel that day and the impact it has had on every one of our individual lives since.    We can honor the fallen with memorials and ceremonies, but if we forget how 9/11 has changed all of our lives then we dishonor those who have given their all to help keep American safe and free; we will be bound to repeating the same mistakes that left us vulnerable 10 years ago today.  

Never Forget