tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54387898355896781112024-03-18T20:37:01.379-07:00Springfield ThingsSights in and around Springfield, VirginiaBrighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-10901002802954730602015-10-29T07:18:00.003-07:002015-10-29T07:18:43.516-07:00Pohick CreekIt runs through what's known as West Springfield; my kids have played in or near this flowing body of water since 1987.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Qv0oJP9w_clK34ggyKquGMCJ3uEyAszmSvlK86DnFS3RdAwx0l7aMtG-gRLael1PV-OE1epWM0zNxU1Hp5cJ4xzTAgu_sWtxKvATd1TAEeJXV1hdWWf4IDtlHXGLKts0GLp4CuvrO2uS/s1600/IMG_6957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Qv0oJP9w_clK34ggyKquGMCJ3uEyAszmSvlK86DnFS3RdAwx0l7aMtG-gRLael1PV-OE1epWM0zNxU1Hp5cJ4xzTAgu_sWtxKvATd1TAEeJXV1hdWWf4IDtlHXGLKts0GLp4CuvrO2uS/s320/IMG_6957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iBV2CHjC7q0qYddx9TgE2piqZO7pJERqjpw1z_sdQSS3VGXxRPnKQXJKO6Y1bgTJ8QDVsSOmRcX-ehhEErHWnyo2fN7KmyXru00d1IbswaW-0DF5TC0nqmywrpalZTZtjtKXEO5qCyMs/s1600/IMG_6958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iBV2CHjC7q0qYddx9TgE2piqZO7pJERqjpw1z_sdQSS3VGXxRPnKQXJKO6Y1bgTJ8QDVsSOmRcX-ehhEErHWnyo2fN7KmyXru00d1IbswaW-0DF5TC0nqmywrpalZTZtjtKXEO5qCyMs/s320/IMG_6958.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It doesn't look like much, I know, but for a kid it's a place to throw sticks and rocks and watch overflow after heavy rains.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrGKzD6dl9lQataOLhCGF7KdXkM0swIZsNgBaW06VLwa1yX5vgQ0K3kltuUP5fDEqtr91e2S8bUPoVk9znsHvkGpaFGfM5y2puzyugzV50kxIswa78EWcTvnA6ELP6KW0HKuL9EHStTRw/s1600/IMG_6950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrGKzD6dl9lQataOLhCGF7KdXkM0swIZsNgBaW06VLwa1yX5vgQ0K3kltuUP5fDEqtr91e2S8bUPoVk9znsHvkGpaFGfM5y2puzyugzV50kxIswa78EWcTvnA6ELP6KW0HKuL9EHStTRw/s320/IMG_6950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ssTxZWGvmWbKEcySOIyWJpKoZtOW4hiaZVNuMhmKGdZOMfK4YefutrLuoGnAzik65whW2dxyhakFgo-vsbPBzCmSd6JLH5uKixAGka1G8uJgLQCK8BlTtNC0dzOqktt2El2ARBaWAHL8/s1600/IMG_6951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ssTxZWGvmWbKEcySOIyWJpKoZtOW4hiaZVNuMhmKGdZOMfK4YefutrLuoGnAzik65whW2dxyhakFgo-vsbPBzCmSd6JLH5uKixAGka1G8uJgLQCK8BlTtNC0dzOqktt2El2ARBaWAHL8/s320/IMG_6951.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
A path near the creek was nomenclated "the Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail" after a local politician seeking immortality. Paugh. Crappy logo, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTHy7yaJJXG0A8Op_kFDegmzihVOPLHBfN22z3Mj6p8mdN4lSagOTH-0oiRVzmHN-wRn4SP_6WjLZfZzil9aEiwuY8-FXstT4GJEU64cAtzrg2rujDTdb-r-DQmFrRZ_rqKPUvaiGHZ7Q/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTHy7yaJJXG0A8Op_kFDegmzihVOPLHBfN22z3Mj6p8mdN4lSagOTH-0oiRVzmHN-wRn4SP_6WjLZfZzil9aEiwuY8-FXstT4GJEU64cAtzrg2rujDTdb-r-DQmFrRZ_rqKPUvaiGHZ7Q/s320/IMG_6956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In "1993" these lovers - J.W. (or I.W.) and B.S. - carved their affection for one another in a tree along the creek. Do they still love each other, I wonder? What happened to them? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3BkmuLxhU-9Colxdtuhn-CAuX-xOxL5OjKH0XDnyxQ8nj9j4OJHOH93sHwOdCwCLudNPdgbi7YWNLBfmyf3SPsrQotzFgt7fu5Nvw-yAv7wUtZFAkFrKSOWNst2ALh4olS9LG2jCqCYa/s1600/IMG_6952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3BkmuLxhU-9Colxdtuhn-CAuX-xOxL5OjKH0XDnyxQ8nj9j4OJHOH93sHwOdCwCLudNPdgbi7YWNLBfmyf3SPsrQotzFgt7fu5Nvw-yAv7wUtZFAkFrKSOWNst2ALh4olS9LG2jCqCYa/s320/IMG_6952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a funny little walkway across the creek between the townhouse community in which we used to live and another townhouse community. I guess it's cheaper and more maintenance free than erecting a bridge. It's fun after a heavy rain. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY46j-c7TmdxBsnMagIIgbaXzLQsNwyMaVzRD4anwLvqdljswE3elRwtYkdrTW-lBqcB7ppCkbhUMzb2CvzMxVMJtiq57VV-oLTXnzxT2NSuDIZc3QU_G2RazC1x3d8lYY4WqyfYkjc0xC/s1600/IMG_6953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY46j-c7TmdxBsnMagIIgbaXzLQsNwyMaVzRD4anwLvqdljswE3elRwtYkdrTW-lBqcB7ppCkbhUMzb2CvzMxVMJtiq57VV-oLTXnzxT2NSuDIZc3QU_G2RazC1x3d8lYY4WqyfYkjc0xC/s320/IMG_6953.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There used to be a abandoned and hopeless Volkwagen Beetle shell alongside at this point, c. 1988. It was kind of fun to inspect. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyejdVXsmkHS2FGpJ36KCGP0OIUR-R1_XmaxXB89lsKy1CCltnUxOBi3HLjITw3HmsoFxHXA6smsSzRIXqaTNinRvGz3S2v6z9_cov4dwmYy2mlfyDHyTmlpSQNUycnDeqqiS_4zT9eRQ/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyejdVXsmkHS2FGpJ36KCGP0OIUR-R1_XmaxXB89lsKy1CCltnUxOBi3HLjITw3HmsoFxHXA6smsSzRIXqaTNinRvGz3S2v6z9_cov4dwmYy2mlfyDHyTmlpSQNUycnDeqqiS_4zT9eRQ/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The path winds ever onwards. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-69180209165845268812015-10-28T11:47:00.002-07:002015-10-28T11:47:19.898-07:00Lake Accotink ParkOne of the Crown Jewels of Springfield! Okay - that's overstating things a bit. But it is a unique place and a fun spot for families.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJQPZMhl8-d1uWHYKqvPm8qB6hbimFIin0KXXGa8mMLuID_jCxvcD3yPx7bWEwBQFXzc40XhO9vYQduEpIGTm5G5Qkfs56U7CriyBGhK-FmdOmCa4EKvr4SYARK0EusLds_iSKaqIOiZW/s1600/IMG_6914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJQPZMhl8-d1uWHYKqvPm8qB6hbimFIin0KXXGa8mMLuID_jCxvcD3yPx7bWEwBQFXzc40XhO9vYQduEpIGTm5G5Qkfs56U7CriyBGhK-FmdOmCa4EKvr4SYARK0EusLds_iSKaqIOiZW/s320/IMG_6914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You get there via a nice, long drive through some woods on Accotink Park Road. In fall it's especially pretty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVkpuxgMozJdydlnV9u9swDMC8nauwSOuIN7NvKRKlXzpBQXqgC8-yo5hse4uzMQyDZpydIbunqOMiqKSFOFrMUPzmephyvatbyShlWl3VgYNcXLxQVp4-yyy8e4mdciqvHDGnSP8pu9u/s1600/IMG_6909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVkpuxgMozJdydlnV9u9swDMC8nauwSOuIN7NvKRKlXzpBQXqgC8-yo5hse4uzMQyDZpydIbunqOMiqKSFOFrMUPzmephyvatbyShlWl3VgYNcXLxQVp4-yyy8e4mdciqvHDGnSP8pu9u/s320/IMG_6909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The place has some historic connotations having to do with the old Orange and Alexandria railroad - Civil War history for the completist!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnftXNftYw0CNv9h25h26nBmPQ5xY3mqrsPrx8Y5FYWEIMwjy4s-jXf0oT1kFQ17FH3I3B2BK6uhTUq312Zo9yXRLzDj0RjxfYD4DgVx1e5gacElGi3LnYX3yf-tsScS5APgIqc6dnwCk6/s1600/IMG_6917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnftXNftYw0CNv9h25h26nBmPQ5xY3mqrsPrx8Y5FYWEIMwjy4s-jXf0oT1kFQ17FH3I3B2BK6uhTUq312Zo9yXRLzDj0RjxfYD4DgVx1e5gacElGi3LnYX3yf-tsScS5APgIqc6dnwCk6/s320/IMG_6917.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There is even Depression Era history here, if you're into that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ox7hD0AmrQWkD4L7j4KnsXJ_Rjo-vJYGyrLwi8UkdB0qndJz2CM37_yHmYh6BAVsx20bpJawgXzIl8wo_SHzeK4WAnVyv9Fhf6QVPNptlpZCfkRgOL19JQoyiZd7xeXN8l7kjqNavhRn/s1600/IMG_6918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ox7hD0AmrQWkD4L7j4KnsXJ_Rjo-vJYGyrLwi8UkdB0qndJz2CM37_yHmYh6BAVsx20bpJawgXzIl8wo_SHzeK4WAnVyv9Fhf6QVPNptlpZCfkRgOL19JQoyiZd7xeXN8l7kjqNavhRn/s320/IMG_6918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUGn1PhwDKJMJAiEcSivmGAXERhuWjTOAqtaylKV2FZiWbQgqjOlBhBuONT7NSo_hA_LdjeL4rvi8Q_d6O05LyE_iIeJ-77aT4zwA9G6jij_vgVQlEx8N6nRMssREbbJFlU5eMJY7xMWK/s1600/IMG_6919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUGn1PhwDKJMJAiEcSivmGAXERhuWjTOAqtaylKV2FZiWbQgqjOlBhBuONT7NSo_hA_LdjeL4rvi8Q_d6O05LyE_iIeJ-77aT4zwA9G6jij_vgVQlEx8N6nRMssREbbJFlU5eMJY7xMWK/s320/IMG_6919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0gnJEIMMc0MuklfX5LR5u6lYxBkweolYVj-l7LUXUlwIfqV4G9tKdwxkHOXsNpG51m2KwDHcDWTQwwGXOC2zV-7YH4ZFuJ2U6sEg9SDOwPtxdRbeGDghE9HAcJhFOIUcRyfSbKSBCc-B/s1600/IMG_6923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0gnJEIMMc0MuklfX5LR5u6lYxBkweolYVj-l7LUXUlwIfqV4G9tKdwxkHOXsNpG51m2KwDHcDWTQwwGXOC2zV-7YH4ZFuJ2U6sEg9SDOwPtxdRbeGDghE9HAcJhFOIUcRyfSbKSBCc-B/s320/IMG_6923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The thing that makes the park distinctive is the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Trestle. Teenagers walk it as a dare - it's a very foolish dare. You could get killed as there are still trains running on that line. And in July 1997 a 22 year old man used homemade bungee cords to take a leap off the bridge. Sadly, he miscalculated the amount of stretch in the cords and was killed; the police investigator said, "The length of the cord that he had assembled was greater than the distance between the trestle and ground." Another commenter in the <i>Washington Post</i> article stated, "it's hard to imagine a scenario that would not go wrong." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoSwBbtnORsccXndx6u5TLfHhoPd_yoJwLO30rRZlFZ6sRy6uh1w_w7Q5ofDj09apX4K3mMO9-f32d5igduzIyH_GcHELPMZtazWVDPduJiCnoPJc3aXhgYRWnBEAvAD3zjer6EL0Jceh/s1600/IMG_6920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoSwBbtnORsccXndx6u5TLfHhoPd_yoJwLO30rRZlFZ6sRy6uh1w_w7Q5ofDj09apX4K3mMO9-f32d5igduzIyH_GcHELPMZtazWVDPduJiCnoPJc3aXhgYRWnBEAvAD3zjer6EL0Jceh/s320/IMG_6920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPDCO86-ZVYKc8oxluGuUMF0ZwrpD2AOVrCmlsx7AN3avGqSa1EkVNhImh55cwT8qhxkTBmlTxm2iMs0s7RbIOzZmxTETpTfzRHZ1MX_xiJfP8pRLmY4brEHFao96rVj-WwSopcb0Ie2o/s1600/IMG_6921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPDCO86-ZVYKc8oxluGuUMF0ZwrpD2AOVrCmlsx7AN3avGqSa1EkVNhImh55cwT8qhxkTBmlTxm2iMs0s7RbIOzZmxTETpTfzRHZ1MX_xiJfP8pRLmY4brEHFao96rVj-WwSopcb0Ie2o/s320/IMG_6921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As promised - there is Civil War history here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspbUr2As7FeEzzOc68aSboK8c6FxK4dGlH3qxfJZ2HYJ9JDgnaLZzObe18JE7wGCGm1OAtI6PXl9gi8vhTy5tw7GIWg8nA1rfRtJmx1TXAV8G-VYrB8kB_w7GNA005UeWRELLe5aGpTMX/s1600/IMG_6922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspbUr2As7FeEzzOc68aSboK8c6FxK4dGlH3qxfJZ2HYJ9JDgnaLZzObe18JE7wGCGm1OAtI6PXl9gi8vhTy5tw7GIWg8nA1rfRtJmx1TXAV8G-VYrB8kB_w7GNA005UeWRELLe5aGpTMX/s320/IMG_6922.JPG" width="195" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The site is part of the 1685 Ravensworth Tract - that's a long time ago!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRdBWJrpukjCkxBooJem4v8EIliD86eynp7KLJCcPwmy8YZHIipj3MXu3wNQv6gHx8QIQWIu3JwWLXlFVYRpoGDCuec6J4QB4kZX78yCPmu9TzWXzRHhZ1mpYZYLyP0hckH2L76amZ0wj/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRdBWJrpukjCkxBooJem4v8EIliD86eynp7KLJCcPwmy8YZHIipj3MXu3wNQv6gHx8QIQWIu3JwWLXlFVYRpoGDCuec6J4QB4kZX78yCPmu9TzWXzRHhZ1mpYZYLyP0hckH2L76amZ0wj/s320/IMG_6925.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dki2vOYwoWfVN0i-qkkJ5JOEQg8ubLa5tokplUyZ_L01Vi4vWucuSpiNROWQFVTTYDImhbFbbCjyl2KUQt4TFHHP_BO2jvrqNlnrmT3EgO5SA9wTeOowlvj51U4TGCRjb2MRV-J0cAtV/s1600/IMG_6928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dki2vOYwoWfVN0i-qkkJ5JOEQg8ubLa5tokplUyZ_L01Vi4vWucuSpiNROWQFVTTYDImhbFbbCjyl2KUQt4TFHHP_BO2jvrqNlnrmT3EgO5SA9wTeOowlvj51U4TGCRjb2MRV-J0cAtV/s320/IMG_6928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The lake is pretty. One of the traditions of Springfield Days is a competition to see whose cardboard boat can stay afloat longest. I've never seen this... but I'm told it's fun to watch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2DQoXHnSwppMNGtO8eHOCBnlTiUZN5WWuAuoIH2sn3NgYXGFvpbXDmu4fWyij40eQVyGD4gkWj5sioyKrgYSECK_4xafShcnWC4fTEODwEqQgEegL8WXVqelNoozZi-Cs_IY8Wdwuu9p/s1600/IMG_6929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2DQoXHnSwppMNGtO8eHOCBnlTiUZN5WWuAuoIH2sn3NgYXGFvpbXDmu4fWyij40eQVyGD4gkWj5sioyKrgYSECK_4xafShcnWC4fTEODwEqQgEegL8WXVqelNoozZi-Cs_IY8Wdwuu9p/s320/IMG_6929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's another thing to do that I've never done: a summertime stroll on the lake with one of these paddleboats. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROZvsZOTz0sLLrcdJWjP8hG0aDoggSY8U_zA0ptYS6Ybx5anKP48uwKIWdNP1iKPqjkm7RBwOrAXouy2DX0rU2jNSqeyt0dA9aNIC7aXRtuSKCvWHUjKF6op-TdJMNyeRnkkugcD-1MQI/s1600/IMG_6931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROZvsZOTz0sLLrcdJWjP8hG0aDoggSY8U_zA0ptYS6Ybx5anKP48uwKIWdNP1iKPqjkm7RBwOrAXouy2DX0rU2jNSqeyt0dA9aNIC7aXRtuSKCvWHUjKF6op-TdJMNyeRnkkugcD-1MQI/s320/IMG_6931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...or taking my grandsons on this merry-go-round!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-62095302326702411012015-04-01T10:18:00.002-07:002015-04-01T10:28:03.897-07:001729 Indian CampI once heard somebody tell me that Springfield, Virginia was the most densely populated area of the most densely populated region of the state. I suppose that could be true. But Virginia is an interesting state in that, if an area were to be left alone, one will not have a weedy vacant lot of the type I recall from my Burbank, California home. One will have a second growth forest! Indeed, one can see from the air that the deciduous forests are the most typical characteristic of the state.<br />
<br />
Living in the heavily wooded Northern Virginia area of Springfield, even in modern times, it's not difficult to envision an era when the Indians were the main human inhabitants: mysterious, hidden hunter/trackers making their way though the forests. Even today, I can look at the woods around me and wonder, "What's in there? Long overgrown homes? Forgotten battlefields? Indian campsites?" Indeed, back in 1988, when I was a Cubmaster, I took my pack on a birding expedition into the forest along a trail near the Hidden Pond Nature Center, and, in the middle of a forested nowhere, came across signs that a home had once existed in the 19th or even 18th century on that spot. <br />
<br />
Enter Randy Becker, a history-minded fellow who lives nearby. A fellow who takes a lively interest in the place where he lives, he once led me and my wife to a little expedition to the confluence of the Pohick Creek and the Middle Run, in what is today the Middle Valley subdivision. In 1729 there was a (probably Algonquian) Indian camp there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9ZoGuxrqBsIqpDdid6jjKQJo68-ZOkcpABViWbiBNjSqe3B5E3haF6l-nXM-FzyNqKZQA8Y2ormILHk4_Jrkq846mWEwj2i1VDwRx1Uh3zj8GGTb8U_gkcaJ4aRaNG1GGrGKimi_cIrM/s1600/1729_indian_camp_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9ZoGuxrqBsIqpDdid6jjKQJo68-ZOkcpABViWbiBNjSqe3B5E3haF6l-nXM-FzyNqKZQA8Y2ormILHk4_Jrkq846mWEwj2i1VDwRx1Uh3zj8GGTb8U_gkcaJ4aRaNG1GGrGKimi_cIrM/s1600/1729_indian_camp_1.jpg" height="499" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He knows this thanks to a March 8th, 1729 deed describing part of the area. (Back then, the area now known as Fairfax County hadn't acquired that name yet - it was still Stafford County.)<br />
<span id="goog_57141598"></span><span id="goog_57141599"><br /></span>
A google map shows the site:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifftTN7bkJ27jaOsVYT6AWz4Sy7vBkZ_Ds5MtAB7zKUj7X06ScrFMEbQ2-3rKzZzCg-2YEDVO9QbpBNzHR4CkFCZJuAsEHAQYoXTi7k1LrIY7vr7VoDMZVB2KLo7jbLT4V2KeCaVw_qFYb/s1600/1729_indian_camp_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifftTN7bkJ27jaOsVYT6AWz4Sy7vBkZ_Ds5MtAB7zKUj7X06ScrFMEbQ2-3rKzZzCg-2YEDVO9QbpBNzHR4CkFCZJuAsEHAQYoXTi7k1LrIY7vr7VoDMZVB2KLo7jbLT4V2KeCaVw_qFYb/s1600/1729_indian_camp_3.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Right there, behind what is now Chars Landing Court. You can pass by the area if you hike the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail.<br />
<br />
A google satellite image doesn't show much - the area is heavily wooded.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl3BuMYsIVpGYGPL62WLrNoN3W3raD0hnFmU6hjzJ7GZqT7p9aB7vsSyBAUPnWkot25EVEM3iMBlIF46oUMODCpNb00rzNG0nbKU3zWNmWxyuDivo-orI4CmAmKbAYU4UDjZCKtR68e7m/s1600/1729_indian_camp_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl3BuMYsIVpGYGPL62WLrNoN3W3raD0hnFmU6hjzJ7GZqT7p9aB7vsSyBAUPnWkot25EVEM3iMBlIF46oUMODCpNb00rzNG0nbKU3zWNmWxyuDivo-orI4CmAmKbAYU4UDjZCKtR68e7m/s1600/1729_indian_camp_4.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Do the residents of Chars Landing Ct. ever see ghostly campfires in the woods behind their homes?Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-53663867520756932332015-03-31T10:21:00.006-07:002023-04-05T07:21:37.113-07:00Murder at the Old Keene Mill, 1855I first came across Jack Hiller's 1990's article about the Murder at the Old Keene Mill in a scholarly Virginia historical journal of some kind - I forget the name. The article is fascinating and very well-researched, however, and I've never forgotten it.<br />
<br />
I recently made the acquaintance of Lynne Garvey-Hodge, a Fairfax County History Commissioner, who also knew of it. She was kind enough to send me a copy. I link to a .pdf copy here for your reading pleasure.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wesclark.com/murder_at_the_mill.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Murder at the Mill: My Search for William H. Keene by Jack Lewis Hiller</b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(33 MB .pdf, so be patient while it loads up.)</div>
<br />
Summary: On October 27th, 1855, Lewis Q. Hall of the local Hall family was attacked by William H. Keene (owner of the Old Keene Mill which the street in Springfield and Burke is named after). Keene used a knife; alcohol was involved. Hall died, and Keene was tried and condemned to hang on 30 January 1857. Virginia's Governor Wise changed the punishment to ten years in prison in Richmond. We lose track of William H. Keene due to records being destroyed as a result of the Civil War.<br />
<br />
The article is fascinating and gives an interesting account of some local 19th C. history most residents are unaware of these days.<br />
<br />
Whenever I drive by the site of the Old Keene Mill - at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and the Pohick Creek, I think about the events that took place there in 1855!<br />
<br />
Allie Guidry has found some interesting mentions of the case from the <i>Alexandria Gazette</i>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4VloZ3hS-QcnQhtW_Fooj2Jvt2ixVK1nfa074zgYi5N2wdagXJX_hJ5ATL-MH8bpnmVJj235WQH21cSXezFKZ3lvkki0guEvOl2bclJtNiKbdNVfEpeKe4TGcd4Q8f2h2q-bL2BbrGW6/s1600/guidry_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4VloZ3hS-QcnQhtW_Fooj2Jvt2ixVK1nfa074zgYi5N2wdagXJX_hJ5ATL-MH8bpnmVJj235WQH21cSXezFKZ3lvkki0guEvOl2bclJtNiKbdNVfEpeKe4TGcd4Q8f2h2q-bL2BbrGW6/s1600/guidry_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>From November 24th, 1855. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxRTOhYk4qIXxYZuHgrDPKbMpAMVNRwPhizu67qalQEK0ZmKD5Z2WeKTU_gf_2P9xj4TZyZYSGWMPPmwoL_rAaY4HgEatmOZ1hDXOaNiyA4gFJG_UiSRS-XALQNC-ucI-lq7So0XcsRL4/s1600/guidry_4_apr_5_1856_alex_gazette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxRTOhYk4qIXxYZuHgrDPKbMpAMVNRwPhizu67qalQEK0ZmKD5Z2WeKTU_gf_2P9xj4TZyZYSGWMPPmwoL_rAaY4HgEatmOZ1hDXOaNiyA4gFJG_UiSRS-XALQNC-ucI-lq7So0XcsRL4/s1600/guidry_4_apr_5_1856_alex_gazette.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>From April 5th, 1856 - Keene was an escapee!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm66M3eQepSb0PLXdUwV6XNKeDBO4_LJlrixZkXnCZxqon3aaSG64aO8ji8mA6OpRkXxh6X5GD1a0Dahi9f63sGNY1cuuLFGp-wXv7m9_pTw45_Ew63MnUlBwrEoO6zxVzqPWl4z7vhqU/s1600/guidry_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYm66M3eQepSb0PLXdUwV6XNKeDBO4_LJlrixZkXnCZxqon3aaSG64aO8ji8mA6OpRkXxh6X5GD1a0Dahi9f63sGNY1cuuLFGp-wXv7m9_pTw45_Ew63MnUlBwrEoO6zxVzqPWl4z7vhqU/s1600/guidry_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>From November 10th, 1856.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Tiv5ZR5P4tg6lFNag1Zkshenl3Qnb5iu7yENPQAceDQ02lEMt9uQF2O7MNZ1eUG08MFE6IOQMoncIrqkccmtVWTxtkAjqL17JDFOd09MXMH_r7qtEPZc5HD4ACEplXpmhJRCodqjBAg/s1600/guidry_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8Tiv5ZR5P4tg6lFNag1Zkshenl3Qnb5iu7yENPQAceDQ02lEMt9uQF2O7MNZ1eUG08MFE6IOQMoncIrqkccmtVWTxtkAjqL17JDFOd09MXMH_r7qtEPZc5HD4ACEplXpmhJRCodqjBAg/s1600/guidry_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>From January 17, 1857. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGa4it7Wk7TqEkoO9jbG1LIW_9SCLAd5cT14VBM0ysPSvnz0LkOB6q58H6e4n8sbV4v6YiZJnN73mqP9GKYEcSwT9tJAOnFRsyFHC3QoKj1q3NEKsrR5LHnDag2dDbVkKYas1gdf7devq/s1600/guidry_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGa4it7Wk7TqEkoO9jbG1LIW_9SCLAd5cT14VBM0ysPSvnz0LkOB6q58H6e4n8sbV4v6YiZJnN73mqP9GKYEcSwT9tJAOnFRsyFHC3QoKj1q3NEKsrR5LHnDag2dDbVkKYas1gdf7devq/s1600/guidry_4.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>From 1857.</b></div>
Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-31962681848964616352015-03-27T10:34:00.000-07:002015-03-27T10:43:29.547-07:00Sydenstricker Road and Pearl S. Buck<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8aV643LNlK_vW9ouB88e5ltAGqCIYABSIuHaA2gmMBqoMXnsQZ98T5Dg-iLD-CguTZIkejDDXzkAJ0OXaJHX4rvw5V9b6jcwEU3ZKK_kStVJ1JytRY0Fp_LTNVw91h6GJpCbz7VNOcX9/s1600/Pearl_Buck_(Nobel).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8aV643LNlK_vW9ouB88e5ltAGqCIYABSIuHaA2gmMBqoMXnsQZ98T5Dg-iLD-CguTZIkejDDXzkAJ0OXaJHX4rvw5V9b6jcwEU3ZKK_kStVJ1JytRY0Fp_LTNVw91h6GJpCbz7VNOcX9/s1600/Pearl_Buck_(Nobel).jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Pearl S. Buck</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I first moved into Springfield, a Burke resident told me that Sydenstricker Road was named after a family who represented the "S" in famous novelist Pearl S. Buck's family. I accepted this as true for a few years, then began to have doubt. When the Internet Age began, I looked up details about the Sydenstrickers that Pearl S. Buck was a part of. No... those seem to be from West Virginia. Must be a different family.<br />
<br />
But lo and behold, I was told the truth.<br />
<br />
<em><b>Sydenstricker History </b><br /><br />Thanks to Mr. Marc Points, <br />Historian of Sydenstricker United Methodist Church<br />Researched and Compiled by Mr. Dick Pape <br /><br /><b>Q: What does a street in Orange Hunt have in common with a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning author?<br /><br />A: Its name - Sydenstricker </b><br /><br />Early in the 1900's, Reverend Christopher Sydenstricker and a pastor from Baltimore approached a local general storekeeper, John Quincy Hall, about the use of his picnic grove for an evangelistic camp meeting. The outgrowth of this became Sydenstricker Methodist Episcopal Church, South. <br /><br />Rev. Sydenstricker began to hold services in 1910 at Mr. Hall's wooden dance pavilion located on Gambrill Road, (later renamed Sydenstricker Road). <br /><br />When it was decided to build a church in the area Caleb Hall donated the land on which the chapel was to be built. While the chapel was being built, Fairfax County granted permission to Rev Sydenstricker to hold services in the Red Schoolhouse next to the building site. <br /><br />Later when the schoolhouse burned down (in the 1920's), Sydenstricker Church gave permission to the county to hold school in the chapel. <br /><br />The chapel was completed in 1911, and was used regularly for Sunday services until 1981, when a new sanctuary was built across Hooes Road. <br /><br />The Rev. Christopher Sydenstricker was an uncle of the noted author Pearl S. (Sydenstricker) Buck. She was born in Hillsboro, IN, but grew up in China where her parents were missionaries. She received the Pulitzer Prize in 1932, for her book </em>The Good Earth<em>. In 1938, she received the Nobel Prize, the first American women to receive that award in literature. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Women's College in 1914. She has written more than 65 books.</em> <br />
<br />
Note: I am indebted to Lisa Becker and Lynn Garvey Hodge, who pointed out that the original story I was told was, in fact, correct.Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-26469244156731652022015-03-27T07:30:00.002-07:002015-03-27T10:34:21.720-07:00Odd Street Names<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpWVOqyYXQQM3C2fDkYVwf8kELadFEx6OP7J7BlGxFZj70LJ4-9hz62UUevgXn2b9nWHkDUWitnLurh_8ahMxi4-Mjso1cWVuJxhWUOz-HlpR6UArqUUjJfmCvHUVTrp31DuKs3aL-U07/s1600/IMG_6935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpWVOqyYXQQM3C2fDkYVwf8kELadFEx6OP7J7BlGxFZj70LJ4-9hz62UUevgXn2b9nWHkDUWitnLurh_8ahMxi4-Mjso1cWVuJxhWUOz-HlpR6UArqUUjJfmCvHUVTrp31DuKs3aL-U07/s1600/IMG_6935.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I remember, just after we moved into Springfield, reading a local newspaper article highlighting the oddball street names in town - and which, according to readers, was the oddest one? Bardu Ave. was one submission. And then there are the funny alphabet ones near Forrester and Carrleigh Parkway: F Dr., J Dr. Cc Dr. (why two "c's?"), S Dr., M Dr., N Dr., Gg Dr. (why two "g's?"), W Dr., Y Dr. and so on. Painted Daisy Dr. was another submission. Itte Ln. ("It?" "Ittee?") seems a bit odd. We're all used to Backlick Rd., but you must admit it paints a funny mental image. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've always gotten a kick out of Goins St.: "Doctor, my goins hurt. Is there anything you can do for it?" Is Laural Valley Way a misspelling? Isn't is "Laurel?" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By vote, however, the winner was Atteentee Rd. There was some question as to how it's pronounced: AT-ten-tee? Aay-tee-an-tee? (AT&T?) At-E'EeN-tee? The consensus was that it's pronounced the same as the company, AT&T. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I live on Shepherd Ridge Ct. Nothing unusual there, except that I have to spell "shepherd" lest it become "shephard."Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-55804469602964316622014-11-20T11:13:00.002-08:002014-11-20T11:13:28.515-08:00Springfield Golf and Country ClubHow are you assured that you're in a more affluent than average community? You see a golf course - and a privately-owned one, not a municipal one. Such is the case with the Springfield Golf and Country Club.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHo_WK7ziZXnZ9eHRgNHqR7T6FiurfWjXXwuGiyjwDmXbXm1xhD9HkFjXmQ3ZsP1Lq3fojRHiMMPkk-x1c9s-AzT8nhE4qcpm9-MuVUqQqMUs7Y9IFaZlP1rDwzTkL_SovewMfb2KaG-R/s1600/IMG_6751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHo_WK7ziZXnZ9eHRgNHqR7T6FiurfWjXXwuGiyjwDmXbXm1xhD9HkFjXmQ3ZsP1Lq3fojRHiMMPkk-x1c9s-AzT8nhE4qcpm9-MuVUqQqMUs7Y9IFaZlP1rDwzTkL_SovewMfb2KaG-R/s1600/IMG_6751.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is a street view from Old Keene Mill Road. Looks pretty, bucolic, green and... well... like a golf course.<br />
<br />
I am not a member. Number one, I don't like golf. Number two, I probably couldn't afford it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK6u4hbdIE1eI9V2ruuy-EJwM7fCiWI8Hgx80292gScBv68YRIDolslt-IAmpq2uEiuVDmjAgdGjl_7idth5XSqYcCc1mWOLJRLAW5HL72k_94Y24-aV10sZxkm4qyrWvFyBZOiOWJIIk/s1600/IMG_6752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK6u4hbdIE1eI9V2ruuy-EJwM7fCiWI8Hgx80292gScBv68YRIDolslt-IAmpq2uEiuVDmjAgdGjl_7idth5XSqYcCc1mWOLJRLAW5HL72k_94Y24-aV10sZxkm4qyrWvFyBZOiOWJIIk/s1600/IMG_6752.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the Clubhouse. As a guest of a fanatical golfer friend who is a member, I've eaten here one Friday night. Pretty good food! And thanks to the same friend we were sponsored to obtain the place for my daughter's wedding reception. It was very nice.<br />
<br />
I'd like to be able to tell some more stories about this Springfield Thing, but, as I said, I don't golf.<br />
<br />
FORE!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sgccva.org/" target="_blank">Website</a>.Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-59924113789988683072014-11-20T10:54:00.003-08:002014-11-20T10:54:15.356-08:00Calamo House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMvuVLywgmMdv-QO_YeuIaL8uv0AH4IVLCTfjdu6ncwTraAKQ_Z41riTeAY4l9hvRc_cIYTkgwJBfriy_Ap-9ubTce49M65dVNZvlqQYiBHHuJI7fK8m6HOsy-CU9VHZAstROYeL70msf/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMvuVLywgmMdv-QO_YeuIaL8uv0AH4IVLCTfjdu6ncwTraAKQ_Z41riTeAY4l9hvRc_cIYTkgwJBfriy_Ap-9ubTce49M65dVNZvlqQYiBHHuJI7fK8m6HOsy-CU9VHZAstROYeL70msf/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a street view of what is known in some local circles as "the Calamo House" (as the name suggests, on Calamo St. in Springfield) - almost as if there were no others. Why?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I first moved to town in 1987, and I believe at the time this house was under construction - that is, the framing was in place, but the siding was not and most of this house was sheathed in bare plywood. Some windows were fitted, some were not. It remained that way for years - a decade or more, perhaps. I don't recall - I wasn't keeping track - but the house quickly gained the reputation as "that perennially unfinished house on Calamo." It was an especial source of amusement to a friend of mine who is a local building contractor. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At some point - after 2000? - the house was finally sided and painted. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1NSZivIonTIzh8w_CVKR6JxOG95g1dEPrEZYALuO2t7dESE-tpWYYwhwGEJUT7KTPasLvT1GzHnJWOqqn-NTd_zpjmfgMuFx5xSoioD6stuKZiTMwWEV9ljqn7v_FhOT6Y3dVFtmTS2P/s1600/done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1NSZivIonTIzh8w_CVKR6JxOG95g1dEPrEZYALuO2t7dESE-tpWYYwhwGEJUT7KTPasLvT1GzHnJWOqqn-NTd_zpjmfgMuFx5xSoioD6stuKZiTMwWEV9ljqn7v_FhOT6Y3dVFtmTS2P/s1600/done.jpg" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can see from this close up that, technically, the house still isn't finished. There's a ladder on the front porch and some siding has yet to be installed. </div>
<br />
But the long and painful road to completion is not what sets this house apart - it has other angles. <br />
<br />
Circa 2001 I used to know a fellow who rented out the basement, which was reachable via a door in the back yard. One time I had occasion to visit him when he wasn't home, so I walked around to the front door to knock to see if anyone knew where he might be. What I saw though the front door really surprised me: a smaller, older home, <em>within the newer home</em>, apparently fully intact. Well, as far as I could see. (I wasn't invited in.) In other words the Calamo House was <em>a house within a house</em>! <br />
<br />
I forget the conversation I had with the people in the home, but I was too polite to ask, "Excuse me, but... what's going on, here?" I made a mental note instead to ask my friend about the situation. <br />
<br />
Eventually I caught up with my friend who assured me that the fellow who owned the place was in actuality quite nice, but that it wasn't just a home within a home. No. In fact, and he told me this with a sincere look on his face, family members lived within <em>a trailer within the house within the house</em>. Honest. That's what he told me. "No," I said. "Get out." "Yes," he replied. "Really." <br />
<br />
Years have passed since I had this conversation, and doubts have crept into place. How does one fit a trailer within a house? I can see building a newer, larger home outside of and encompassing a previous house, but... how...? <br />
<br />
Gentle Reader, that's all I can say. <br />
<br />
You can see Calamo House and its environs on google maps, <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/FDpVU" target="_blank">here</a>. Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-55387340772988258552014-11-10T19:12:00.002-08:002014-11-10T19:12:59.782-08:00Trader Joe'sTrader Joe's is my favorite grocery store. Why? Because it makes me think of the beach stores one goes to when on vacation... so when I'm in Joe's I feel like I'm on vacation picking up a few fun items, not in the workaday world doing dreary food shopping. <br />
<br />
That plus it looks so un-corporate. <br />
<br />
I also appreciate the lengths they go to with interior decoration. The following photographs describe what I mean...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJbkU_bMYI0CRXBFLpcRqG6ApYr1AtQqvlvKt4eSm6vKZ68EigCwvU2TnQrF3QtbcpIiW175jwOG5ESu23Lr3imBmadNuSGtt-MU355zV3JiOmKDJ24XiKenL9AbrBJS5TFG49C1EK8jX/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJbkU_bMYI0CRXBFLpcRqG6ApYr1AtQqvlvKt4eSm6vKZ68EigCwvU2TnQrF3QtbcpIiW175jwOG5ESu23Lr3imBmadNuSGtt-MU355zV3JiOmKDJ24XiKenL9AbrBJS5TFG49C1EK8jX/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Springfield! Flying the colors proudly! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznh8HCPXPyXr7dcJOGPpVMZRdmZ5kPHmnld29vk9xEeA-PIFq7YkmQhjfP4B8byXbrUD6iulfMaVXoBtvU19Xjx1QJ9yi5TB0TrRkpCjlWmoifJQ5XmrFHvaJ9pUPUDW_qEYzRNAeIQGc/s1600/IMG_6887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznh8HCPXPyXr7dcJOGPpVMZRdmZ5kPHmnld29vk9xEeA-PIFq7YkmQhjfP4B8byXbrUD6iulfMaVXoBtvU19Xjx1QJ9yi5TB0TrRkpCjlWmoifJQ5XmrFHvaJ9pUPUDW_qEYzRNAeIQGc/s1600/IMG_6887.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I believe that's supposed to be Lake Accotink! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl130l_cUYdBj0xRLhyKs6Bss4YGv_Dn_Zq9X4zDYWyoJcoUVQkwxNX7IpJ3FIYWqRbGBiMY127CJQ3zY14Zkrgq7eqVfjrsBn4fIhm7lfExR7Oira3mo2wal_AijcaNx99ttsWzSyueZ/s1600/IMG_6888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl130l_cUYdBj0xRLhyKs6Bss4YGv_Dn_Zq9X4zDYWyoJcoUVQkwxNX7IpJ3FIYWqRbGBiMY127CJQ3zY14Zkrgq7eqVfjrsBn4fIhm7lfExR7Oira3mo2wal_AijcaNx99ttsWzSyueZ/s1600/IMG_6888.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite sign in the store: Springfield is at the 6 o'clock point on the Washington Beltway, where 95, 495 and 395 meet. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8shD5hvd9jBTADw8DGI47G9piaC7z6x5rMFSykhDfuQaxIMyatnujl1o_mFzImrLxT_ax-nNbyjMnuSZXwuLawFZS7aCctjoqEUpCQ2Oh5aZx_BEDW-6TG8SLdR4oSR3LQjU8oa-edBZ8/s1600/IMG_6889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8shD5hvd9jBTADw8DGI47G9piaC7z6x5rMFSykhDfuQaxIMyatnujl1o_mFzImrLxT_ax-nNbyjMnuSZXwuLawFZS7aCctjoqEUpCQ2Oh5aZx_BEDW-6TG8SLdR4oSR3LQjU8oa-edBZ8/s1600/IMG_6889.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Each cashier station has the name of a prominent street in town. Backlick, Amherst...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgloU9mKzgpaXMg4GrwbA-l33eboWuZuxu90l0xAzQ37iuV_jGCc3isnb0I-jK8xX07OuJ7ELR45-K1704wHLG_xtbcTXweSgWmPHlZJEd54R3WsAAgncv5PuFhdaQkdWiREVf4do30eJ/s1600/IMG_6898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgloU9mKzgpaXMg4GrwbA-l33eboWuZuxu90l0xAzQ37iuV_jGCc3isnb0I-jK8xX07OuJ7ELR45-K1704wHLG_xtbcTXweSgWmPHlZJEd54R3WsAAgncv5PuFhdaQkdWiREVf4do30eJ/s1600/IMG_6898.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..and, of course, Old Keene Mill Road.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevEOUFqYJGI2XktKWjH9A73mS4EWe_zUpgCFE7rv7KKBewZ6Tp1vL6YAwNL29mBuoeR_7ZktINvqHiCEOqM0b6LVB6gaw5b6UpWEzD_JDib8TlssJBGDrYjonmZ_plzY9IS3zulJCgi3h/s1600/IMG_6890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevEOUFqYJGI2XktKWjH9A73mS4EWe_zUpgCFE7rv7KKBewZ6Tp1vL6YAwNL29mBuoeR_7ZktINvqHiCEOqM0b6LVB6gaw5b6UpWEzD_JDib8TlssJBGDrYjonmZ_plzY9IS3zulJCgi3h/s1600/IMG_6890.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hahahaha! That loopy road depiction is the Springfield Interchange - the other places are about 13 miles north up I-395. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT6K7ZSMFxVsuUoVzgUqOwSefN5VIYPrwa4o8ndKA7_Pxrc5GEcfZAdGJte7aMz-g9O6e2zjafMawasxaH1ES6r-T8hCgpzM3EzKHSN2QNNVbZi_LMYAH6_Dh8U6mFCSISbx1Th72DVX_/s1600/IMG_6891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT6K7ZSMFxVsuUoVzgUqOwSefN5VIYPrwa4o8ndKA7_Pxrc5GEcfZAdGJte7aMz-g9O6e2zjafMawasxaH1ES6r-T8hCgpzM3EzKHSN2QNNVbZi_LMYAH6_Dh8U6mFCSISbx1Th72DVX_/s1600/IMG_6891.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Orange and Alexandria railroad trestle is at Lake Accotink; another street sign. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbaEODq_Sf8eeorZa8hZjMCT_cxzi7jipNr4nA3KCzSmErQzoajqCshxH6K5EG8EaH3CsuuJANqX2b3SqLIVkVz9yRsxt4Lvpfg0Id2rzHylWPQ1iVd1uet-N9qFxaZfB1CvtTOBK3Y3O/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbaEODq_Sf8eeorZa8hZjMCT_cxzi7jipNr4nA3KCzSmErQzoajqCshxH6K5EG8EaH3CsuuJANqX2b3SqLIVkVz9yRsxt4Lvpfg0Id2rzHylWPQ1iVd1uet-N9qFxaZfB1CvtTOBK3Y3O/s1600/IMG_6894.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A commendable show of support for the local schools. (My kids went to Lee, at left. Go Lancers!) </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOMvNvARepTG5Cy7vSl8y8BprhvtK-M_CL0ZtrdovsLlcP4I2vOWiWOxuVEMupTcfT3ylIAtwPxlOUfCyKn3xTUBaAIF8Pz-7LBFwA82QHcdW2TibIIIpqDneuEzwxh3DPdzD5g0Dc684/s1600/IMG_6896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOMvNvARepTG5Cy7vSl8y8BprhvtK-M_CL0ZtrdovsLlcP4I2vOWiWOxuVEMupTcfT3ylIAtwPxlOUfCyKn3xTUBaAIF8Pz-7LBFwA82QHcdW2TibIIIpqDneuEzwxh3DPdzD5g0Dc684/s1600/IMG_6896.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The carousel at Lake Accotink, I think. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-71890753422066843152014-11-02T16:41:00.001-08:002014-11-10T19:15:11.955-08:00TreesTrees? Yes, trees.<br />
<br />
See, the thing is I'm from Los Angeles. We have trees in Southern California, of course, but not the amazing year round deciduous display we get here in Northern Virginia. So, at certain times of the year, even the crappy parts of Springfield look nice. I suspect we take the beauty of them for granted. (We certainly grouse about them when it's time to pick up the leaves.)<br />
<br />
Here are some examples.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl52mLsLUE9m4NXp2mST4Dq0VUlPdkELm6KcyJUEgqUp7aFxnd_hIWsbhjVkD-XMe3xFUp1S-g_DSh1OwLQkL8dh7jOT53diH01CByEGSGBj1JRZFiF4JhS1F2YwlIMEDyjPh53Lg-7lE/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbl52mLsLUE9m4NXp2mST4Dq0VUlPdkELm6KcyJUEgqUp7aFxnd_hIWsbhjVkD-XMe3xFUp1S-g_DSh1OwLQkL8dh7jOT53diH01CByEGSGBj1JRZFiF4JhS1F2YwlIMEDyjPh53Lg-7lE/s1600/tree.jpg" height="297" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The trees here actually do get this amazing. A sunburst finish on a tree...wow. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UefczgtkC3n50W2h2ycjbBn3c0R7T2s_10XDNubVk76OdOkQs9Y4-I_eeuZ2I8TImnhCoXy_d4-V2J4-Mc-7t3m6a3VcIVf4BgFlgHsmlvU9KEa2Vcf0JGpywBKtSosNM1l7uuiLMsny/s1600/IMG_6369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UefczgtkC3n50W2h2ycjbBn3c0R7T2s_10XDNubVk76OdOkQs9Y4-I_eeuZ2I8TImnhCoXy_d4-V2J4-Mc-7t3m6a3VcIVf4BgFlgHsmlvU9KEa2Vcf0JGpywBKtSosNM1l7uuiLMsny/s1600/IMG_6369.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-aGn7iuZvlIqDT9L_bhBHsToyMTWNBSJ6EwgA6fbiD2hc7UTu570-Lib_vwxeIW2wavdyLS_k1StO6k8q9FriNIBSRdskxjUSJxt3znrBuYW93auMTqomFnDH99heaLPUcYbKWPTtKFy/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-aGn7iuZvlIqDT9L_bhBHsToyMTWNBSJ6EwgA6fbiD2hc7UTu570-Lib_vwxeIW2wavdyLS_k1StO6k8q9FriNIBSRdskxjUSJxt3znrBuYW93auMTqomFnDH99heaLPUcYbKWPTtKFy/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JeCrtu7251D_LziEqQ-wvchnZ75EbWENp5jq83XJU3pz6mVt-_p0szBB-DKTwehdDP1wsIleIjI5Db5T4yg7UfZcwBNnOpnRK8fPbV9JycITJ2Q9smu4bjITCTnqsd8N_Y_IzMumNcqb/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JeCrtu7251D_LziEqQ-wvchnZ75EbWENp5jq83XJU3pz6mVt-_p0szBB-DKTwehdDP1wsIleIjI5Db5T4yg7UfZcwBNnOpnRK8fPbV9JycITJ2Q9smu4bjITCTnqsd8N_Y_IzMumNcqb/s1600/IMG_6761.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1SHgYjx2DU3YjnTn12OtJ1vvd07cE4ZGR7JeuA5WBaCfBGpOsho64rVv_YU-ZzaCH18DWF_t7jGNofwOfCf1RBD4OWpw1nAzBYPfilx99GQx9wAHRtzbiGL8LAftKXUI1kOFGMmZv3E6/s1600/IMG_6763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1SHgYjx2DU3YjnTn12OtJ1vvd07cE4ZGR7JeuA5WBaCfBGpOsho64rVv_YU-ZzaCH18DWF_t7jGNofwOfCf1RBD4OWpw1nAzBYPfilx99GQx9wAHRtzbiGL8LAftKXUI1kOFGMmZv3E6/s1600/IMG_6763.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwPPUqtvRTICOngDr19ePHgRRBHUDy1w0VhS_9LxhpeAPvfRrvjuED9P0y85tOShVtDuTJDr54hy6oynnYFM0T8-uLF8VPkN6IwQorz7kmoD7tuj36BjPya5LddSpPVWXDi52UoaibAH-/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwPPUqtvRTICOngDr19ePHgRRBHUDy1w0VhS_9LxhpeAPvfRrvjuED9P0y85tOShVtDuTJDr54hy6oynnYFM0T8-uLF8VPkN6IwQorz7kmoD7tuj36BjPya5LddSpPVWXDi52UoaibAH-/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seen while walking the dog! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBkxhj0JwI9PyIBVW_qZhxClRhlm5NswQ4_8aWgXKb8u8G54heo34FEMUSBqfk0UHWI0XUw3y54YCHzFR1YQ874XZFNYpVzjynA84DkT5ZXLXSx9nwIFiBmFqVZWrPhyrAXMEgcGd52FT/s1600/IMG_6767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBkxhj0JwI9PyIBVW_qZhxClRhlm5NswQ4_8aWgXKb8u8G54heo34FEMUSBqfk0UHWI0XUw3y54YCHzFR1YQ874XZFNYpVzjynA84DkT5ZXLXSx9nwIFiBmFqVZWrPhyrAXMEgcGd52FT/s1600/IMG_6767.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seen at the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. </div>
Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-88987779675132632682014-11-02T16:32:00.003-08:002014-11-02T16:32:50.929-08:00The Gambrill Park and Ride LotWhhhhaaat? Featuring a commuter lot as a Springfield Thing? Why? Well - because it's a half mile away from where I live and serves as the link to the bus and Metro rail train which takes me to work and brings me home each day. I drive to the lot, then take a bus, then take a train. I get a lot of reading done this way. <br />
<br />
Also, I once attempted to teach my kids how to drive a standard transmission car in the big parking lot when it was empty on various Sundays. And gave up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xLIQjMd6mlUY7S1FxiR2wCHcEyrTLuS1gM2P2J3Dv3NeLpzUuZqzUQjFZag-mwYrbiyYTRCHJErOq_NoKZnP0O5BIs3Y6prPAv8-d4uQrKj1EhBIiRUxnDDJCCeIsilFqbZXF9MRTm5/s1600/IMG_6818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xLIQjMd6mlUY7S1FxiR2wCHcEyrTLuS1gM2P2J3Dv3NeLpzUuZqzUQjFZag-mwYrbiyYTRCHJErOq_NoKZnP0O5BIs3Y6prPAv8-d4uQrKj1EhBIiRUxnDDJCCeIsilFqbZXF9MRTm5/s1600/IMG_6818.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
See those aluminum benches in the covered shelter? I wait there for the bus reading a book for about fifteen minutes each workday. Doing the math... that's about four hours a month. 48 hours a year. Since I have about eight years until retirement as of this writing, that's 384 hours, or 32 days - over a month - sitting there reading books in all temperatures and all weather conditions.<br />
<br />
And this doesn't count how many days I've spent there since this thing opened ten years or so ago.<br />
<br />
It's rather depressing, really. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I have spent and will spend a lot of time here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vqZ2_3VYWL0_jiIpS1S0qMy3b_KABJLin44_qPRzCbOFWyhWOtyLbLoWQP83vyU9vT6mBlZl8E71CzRE3hdtwcJzGej8TF30HBjv-8ldARxrFXqYG_YxJwdsLtHMzlAe15eNrIoSh-qd/s1600/IMG_6819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vqZ2_3VYWL0_jiIpS1S0qMy3b_KABJLin44_qPRzCbOFWyhWOtyLbLoWQP83vyU9vT6mBlZl8E71CzRE3hdtwcJzGej8TF30HBjv-8ldARxrFXqYG_YxJwdsLtHMzlAe15eNrIoSh-qd/s1600/IMG_6819.JPG" height="400" width="300" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look at all those stickers on the light pole. Who put them there? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKub9lgx8MkFqXO_SG79u24yV161PlN7H3cZGV5KA03MqEmpk_m_b5ccNiX7f3f1LBbxzCZA7Ynjf3GiR7ft2O6kEimyBNojbeuXdM8umjiGjXVDRjIxo0rfmpfrTJ2-DK1c1n6YCujpvE/s1600/lot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKub9lgx8MkFqXO_SG79u24yV161PlN7H3cZGV5KA03MqEmpk_m_b5ccNiX7f3f1LBbxzCZA7Ynjf3GiR7ft2O6kEimyBNojbeuXdM8umjiGjXVDRjIxo0rfmpfrTJ2-DK1c1n6YCujpvE/s1600/lot.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Summer, 2009: The commuter lot in the background. <span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Twenty second exposure; my name written with a small flashlight<wbr></wbr>. I like the way the lights from the street lamps beam out in rays. I also like the way you can see my characteri<wbr></wbr>stic nose... Also note cars going by at right - you can see the lights but not the cars.</span>Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-21095351235787877282014-11-02T16:17:00.005-08:002014-11-02T16:17:54.995-08:00Cardinal Plaza Shell Station<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkFs8auVO-KclR9rsjZeXWuwwSXn9PgqlpnYMdjmhp-UTooIngqjXqUoFybsyn6wL3Lttf-z81jbuXxqgX0TAIrTpcbnE0RLeZo0IkK6pjEBv7EpPFMk0WWEuZOpnw1CfA2fb4yMgDy1G/s1600/IMG_6335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkFs8auVO-KclR9rsjZeXWuwwSXn9PgqlpnYMdjmhp-UTooIngqjXqUoFybsyn6wL3Lttf-z81jbuXxqgX0TAIrTpcbnE0RLeZo0IkK6pjEBv7EpPFMk0WWEuZOpnw1CfA2fb4yMgDy1G/s1600/IMG_6335.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj-xyYWo8pwv7Cls14SY2ipFdjp1zu_MAOdWtKo1L-wk_TuL-uAwjrzWtY4m99N1YV0tk-oDHTBvdE9VEcqjy6vMz5kjmaWBK1JWnaHbdkfIcfCUHgiVoO_t0pDoe8JE28ANHDJrMjtDn/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj-xyYWo8pwv7Cls14SY2ipFdjp1zu_MAOdWtKo1L-wk_TuL-uAwjrzWtY4m99N1YV0tk-oDHTBvdE9VEcqjy6vMz5kjmaWBK1JWnaHbdkfIcfCUHgiVoO_t0pDoe8JE28ANHDJrMjtDn/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This has to be the most exuberant gas station on the east coast! What do I mean by that? I mean that it's always decorated with eye-catching displays and gee-gaws. This isn't a mere gas station. It's an architectural and entertainment curiosity! It makes a statement, and the statement is, "Can we fit another air-filled animated item somewhere on the property?" <br />
<br />
My guess is that the owner, ever since he was a little boy, has wanted to run a superstation, and when he finally got the opportunity he went all out. <br />
<br />
It's located at the corner of Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road in West Springfield - a very heavily-traveled intersection. The address is <span>8334 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22152. IS there a website? <a href="http://www.cardinalplazashell.com/" target="_blank">Of course there is</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span>From the website: "</span>Established in 1969, Cardinal Plaza Shell is a family owned and operated
AAA Approved Auto Repair Center servicing Springfield, VA, and
surrounding areas."<br />
<br />
We had occasion to come here once for tires and had a great experience. <br />
<span><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H52MEJt19iqdHV7fM_-ry4J8O_sEaqyxFYtoW6pkRNeLH7BR9o6X0mW-CdBMBmP8wjgfKmLCM9hDvuIJISZnk9docInPSjzF6gX7xcYXr38BHx1jRul6-d_dLdlCESjQeg0UZhbDJCOv/s1600/IMG_6337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H52MEJt19iqdHV7fM_-ry4J8O_sEaqyxFYtoW6pkRNeLH7BR9o6X0mW-CdBMBmP8wjgfKmLCM9hDvuIJISZnk9docInPSjzF6gX7xcYXr38BHx1jRul6-d_dLdlCESjQeg0UZhbDJCOv/s1600/IMG_6337.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, this is a scene at a gas station, not a theme park.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3AWgjgYNfDqPTRaUtNlx2tokaHfkTlLK2_kvt4iaH45KGVI9V25b6uuisgCAMBWdFj4Ze84EUWLHhEr24jBhariEdufH3WplrRKbfGi1yF4qObDi8q8i938kiSlSskEzYDFa1xXELjPu/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3AWgjgYNfDqPTRaUtNlx2tokaHfkTlLK2_kvt4iaH45KGVI9V25b6uuisgCAMBWdFj4Ze84EUWLHhEr24jBhariEdufH3WplrRKbfGi1yF4qObDi8q8i938kiSlSskEzYDFa1xXELjPu/s1600/IMG_6340.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span>A Halloween witch greets you in an autumnal gazebo...</span></div>
<span><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgyBlNQ_XG-NRiMtMrObeQqxECP-AZ1zqcFxi03wALIT46ju69REqtXeI2yny9soaDFRjlKCArW4OfHKyHGg457YZvgz5MlcJdWm79Cw_iGvBwneD8izqHqEUEpX8uHzBf7APittz05QV/s1600/IMG_6339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgyBlNQ_XG-NRiMtMrObeQqxECP-AZ1zqcFxi03wALIT46ju69REqtXeI2yny9soaDFRjlKCArW4OfHKyHGg457YZvgz5MlcJdWm79Cw_iGvBwneD8izqHqEUEpX8uHzBf7APittz05QV/s1600/IMG_6339.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, that's a dolphin. Yes, those are carefully-tended flowers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ2AJSWNEVvycHjyxjNT0JzUkzglcY8iOdV9euSM2Jz9sFHosQomZAp_PXuDyJmcsZmXknVZRi3k49tr46XjSbXe6DSL6DO6nXknLZpiF88XeWGlluUcofjtQrwPgP7ddvdwtoDXKx9Nq/s1600/IMG_6342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ2AJSWNEVvycHjyxjNT0JzUkzglcY8iOdV9euSM2Jz9sFHosQomZAp_PXuDyJmcsZmXknVZRi3k49tr46XjSbXe6DSL6DO6nXknLZpiF88XeWGlluUcofjtQrwPgP7ddvdwtoDXKx9Nq/s1600/IMG_6342.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's clearly October.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtUsp6a6sttBsRCsPA1tDU-pagQT-I219_LsSazgHczUm0KtmPzK5-N7AmNKu4N9Fj80VyhXpKwOo_6p6iYzwxknmnPHjDXu7R2qRiNfD8awf8QliqQywk6BqhghOOW5KM0pD-BGImvHL/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtUsp6a6sttBsRCsPA1tDU-pagQT-I219_LsSazgHczUm0KtmPzK5-N7AmNKu4N9Fj80VyhXpKwOo_6p6iYzwxknmnPHjDXu7R2qRiNfD8awf8QliqQywk6BqhghOOW5KM0pD-BGImvHL/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't keep my flowers beds this tidy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It really is an amazing place... I've never seen a gas station even remotely like this. And everybody in town knows this particular gas station. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh3CsgQrZas&index=90&list=PL6cgtmyikyYlaixyJsWDtR_GjbtGEYQna" target="_blank">Here's the scene in December</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span><br /></span>Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-66726323940754180632014-10-26T15:35:00.003-07:002014-10-26T15:35:53.636-07:00Washington Irving Middle School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhschzkQfMlIIbBwbouIIMdbGWML147xj98vCsj1zw099Sjprsa1OYLT9umBU1WDuu9qFbZgSLTbUhPDXvc70ib4hVsRlfz_U8BSu0KNruS9pmXivAhbFsqzi-R2CjKcxv9NTEwLZxOz_ll/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhschzkQfMlIIbBwbouIIMdbGWML147xj98vCsj1zw099Sjprsa1OYLT9umBU1WDuu9qFbZgSLTbUhPDXvc70ib4hVsRlfz_U8BSu0KNruS9pmXivAhbFsqzi-R2CjKcxv9NTEwLZxOz_ll/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHDh6qQEbCC5ij7ihaXzz-bQfcseoVyArWt3JQ8QQBn0fOPlp_IV7oHtsTqVBkL0mygUHvsi2ZzNsvsuUjk-Cii_gAzWd9J0f-jb7JIBVIvuG7pQH1jjRPTQw3oagLEINM4LinRdfjMH-/s1600/IMG_6750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHDh6qQEbCC5ij7ihaXzz-bQfcseoVyArWt3JQ8QQBn0fOPlp_IV7oHtsTqVBkL0mygUHvsi2ZzNsvsuUjk-Cii_gAzWd9J0f-jb7JIBVIvuG7pQH1jjRPTQw3oagLEINM4LinRdfjMH-/s1600/IMG_6750.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I had three kids attend this school. I think they all had good experiences there; certainly better than I had during my middle school years. (Ugh. Worst years in my life. Seriously.) For me there are two things that make this school stand out. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>1.) The rock.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qUFghjCeVHWLa_Xvb8yEvxlFvHHcOHMdJ77dlAtnJM1IUDO-SHHVJM73MdKOLG5P8l7HVxP1HmfvItUzbMp6OujMqqg3WqJmfOQbvo7h73jOcp1TRD43anZo12CDxsD_Q_vu5KzmEd7G/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qUFghjCeVHWLa_Xvb8yEvxlFvHHcOHMdJ77dlAtnJM1IUDO-SHHVJM73MdKOLG5P8l7HVxP1HmfvItUzbMp6OujMqqg3WqJmfOQbvo7h73jOcp1TRD43anZo12CDxsD_Q_vu5KzmEd7G/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2SVM8VW2UanNI7xBMkDvlv_mpgUaWqMW_w23e-EOKQu262vtHx9vu4vDQBGxf5KMgGPd8f6UfIDELiE8NMLxrN6cnafchrCoMsa-vu1MAlX_4JYl3ZYJJQR2lD4qf7vFLD7jyfLCLW4h/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2SVM8VW2UanNI7xBMkDvlv_mpgUaWqMW_w23e-EOKQu262vtHx9vu4vDQBGxf5KMgGPd8f6UfIDELiE8NMLxrN6cnafchrCoMsa-vu1MAlX_4JYl3ZYJJQR2lD4qf7vFLD7jyfLCLW4h/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLt7-hItHRyKy-O8K9a-knHVH285md5DFUWocBzDykZR0zrejjQfh5rD6oCuATzMBxv68ERxkwHr5nBC6Hh4zDwTLQ2RXgXWC6mw3BogYGChO7p1cnKgQ_yWgj-8x_u7b5BEug1FtXCyYc/s1600/IMG_6743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLt7-hItHRyKy-O8K9a-knHVH285md5DFUWocBzDykZR0zrejjQfh5rD6oCuATzMBxv68ERxkwHr5nBC6Hh4zDwTLQ2RXgXWC6mw3BogYGChO7p1cnKgQ_yWgj-8x_u7b5BEug1FtXCyYc/s1600/IMG_6743.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From time immemorial the kids going here have been painting that rock, which sits on campus between the building and Old Keene Mill Road. Well... at least they have since we first moved into town in 1987. It's changed about every three or four months on the average. So let's do the math: that's 81 - 108 layers of paint on it just since we've lived here! I once had a clever kid in my scout troop who once opined that, eventually, this rock will become a sphere - hahaha!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And yes, that's my trusty convertible VW in the background.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had always planned that me and a kid would paint this rock, but somehow that never happened. Does one require permission? I honestly don't know. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NhbhZpb7-zu0KxakUK39fV0odIo8zEK4xgxHYclRdlFPF5Qei-62XcfGKCXcGyOsdeMF0Q_cbbbYNMwthl1se-ZUiJOWMNvEF5xCmJjchWTve_yeENVv2OkS6isXdEETfUdh6oScVfRZ/s1600/IMG_6746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NhbhZpb7-zu0KxakUK39fV0odIo8zEK4xgxHYclRdlFPF5Qei-62XcfGKCXcGyOsdeMF0Q_cbbbYNMwthl1se-ZUiJOWMNvEF5xCmJjchWTve_yeENVv2OkS6isXdEETfUdh6oScVfRZ/s1600/IMG_6746.JPG" height="119" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I scraped away at one edge with a penknife in an attempt to reveal some of the layers - indeed, there are some. My guess is that there are more on the sides which face the traffic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2.) The Sledding Slope</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahG8Wl-uPe4I1zmPZei0201iQgV8jBf6HfVIUuF-nZtOMqyBm7tvMHq55M1FRaK8PsYvVlFG6T7ilMyGFY9pSipjA1idD6ktRIgoHBeVNrYVhZg3Fgr_x-trF0tjLVPlL0IcltSfcZ5uS/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahG8Wl-uPe4I1zmPZei0201iQgV8jBf6HfVIUuF-nZtOMqyBm7tvMHq55M1FRaK8PsYvVlFG6T7ilMyGFY9pSipjA1idD6ktRIgoHBeVNrYVhZg3Fgr_x-trF0tjLVPlL0IcltSfcZ5uS/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's somewhat hard to see in this image, but the grassy part of the big front yard associated with this school makes a graceful downward angle - just the thing for little kids to sled on when it snows. There are many times when I've driven down Old Keene Mill Road during the winter and seen families having fun here. It's a great place for a sled! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't think I've ever taken my own kids here... we've found other, more dramatic and steeper, slides near where we lived. But this one is indeed a Springfield "Thing!" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-11457351530786882912014-10-26T11:14:00.001-07:002014-10-26T11:14:18.195-07:00MVC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_7rEO52XblJLqzobzgw02ZAQQQZpfIxHvHtgjz7kH53yPbwamnmNF3Cla5PjDNmeYCrQ_zCEuI7QJ8UvT_QU2qQiHkRVf_GPIUig2_FqgwI7HUPFWbhhZmwgxQLJC7KR5ridP5NIhVRX/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_7rEO52XblJLqzobzgw02ZAQQQZpfIxHvHtgjz7kH53yPbwamnmNF3Cla5PjDNmeYCrQ_zCEuI7QJ8UvT_QU2qQiHkRVf_GPIUig2_FqgwI7HUPFWbhhZmwgxQLJC7KR5ridP5NIhVRX/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What's one of the first things visitors see when they take the I-95 off ramp and arrive in Springfield? MVC "Late Night Video" - a porn joint. Nice, huh? Really dresses up the community.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAcs7j3wTEOIAp0NPBFjKALcou1SLJMBSqDnEmxaE3OUzLUObXk3MwgJIgiVMU-0Ppi2LQ0fKP4WWOYan7bLIq0HkkDGUmZbEKqvq0-ddePKbPPg5cZj67-NuOk4lcBoWCpDyYvDxXhw9/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAcs7j3wTEOIAp0NPBFjKALcou1SLJMBSqDnEmxaE3OUzLUObXk3MwgJIgiVMU-0Ppi2LQ0fKP4WWOYan7bLIq0HkkDGUmZbEKqvq0-ddePKbPPg5cZj67-NuOk4lcBoWCpDyYvDxXhw9/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, silly me, I had expected that when the Internet came of age, that seedy brick and mortar porn stores like this would disappear. But no - this Loser Magnet has been here for more than a decade, crapping up Springfield. I dearly wish it would simply disappear.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What's really annoying is that when the building was first opened c. 1990 it was a WIZ - a record store. As we used to make the drive over the nearby bridge, my middle daughter, when she was four or so, would say, "I know how to spell 'Wiz': W-I-Z." Cute! But then, like other record and CD stores, the WIZ went out of business and somehow the bright lights in the Springfield Chamber of Commerce allowed in this blight. So if Internet streaming puts mainstream record stores out of business, why isn't it having that effect on places like MVC? It isn't fair! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I once saw a young man in a grocery store wearing one of their tee-shirts. It had "I like to stay up at night" emblazoned across it. I wanted to pull him aside and say, "Why not simply have the word LOSER emblazoned across your chest? Same thing." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqzcYlByEyi9C7ChPvXk_eZHjouCJYfT0Bu-0LfW0uyXYaVz2uX95opGLO-94yDbn1bNSZfjYUCHCJ0fipm7qTWPiLiCHIdZIBfoGwNFrb6U_xOVdTpQO2qYJR0TA5YTVFKPhmtRdrvPu/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqzcYlByEyi9C7ChPvXk_eZHjouCJYfT0Bu-0LfW0uyXYaVz2uX95opGLO-94yDbn1bNSZfjYUCHCJ0fipm7qTWPiLiCHIdZIBfoGwNFrb6U_xOVdTpQO2qYJR0TA5YTVFKPhmtRdrvPu/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What effect does MVC have on the surrounding area? Well, check out the semi-crumbling five story building shown above, which is next to MVC. Empty. There hasn't been a business here for years. There used to be firms here, legitimate ones: an insurance agency, a doctor's or dentist's office (I forget which), even a reclaimed clothing store. Gone. Why? If you ran a business, would you want to have your place of business next to a porn shop? Of course you wouldn't. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And that building visible across the street? A hotel. I am astonished that anyone would put a hotel across the street from an MVC. Can you imagine checking in your family from someplace across the country and seeing <i>that</i> there? "Oh, yeah - nice hotel. We were across the street from a place that sold porn." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am normally a pro-business, capitalist kind of guy, but I have to write it: here's hoping that MVC goes out of business! Soon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-27061187571525900372014-10-10T07:23:00.001-07:002014-10-10T07:23:28.130-07:00Huntsman Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUksFLt007G9khcstsDorU2VnCyjY3c1MTlbO_3D5V0nVcvpKUz8kAsRJXeSttaeVTzufFHNEqC4us6HbzSekJ29EznAptz3vmtstO4i5WcxEMKqFv7NA_GmoeY5BGoFrWxjARuen9tmg/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUksFLt007G9khcstsDorU2VnCyjY3c1MTlbO_3D5V0nVcvpKUz8kAsRJXeSttaeVTzufFHNEqC4us6HbzSekJ29EznAptz3vmtstO4i5WcxEMKqFv7NA_GmoeY5BGoFrWxjARuen9tmg/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: This vast expanse of concrete - "ample parking!" - is the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/exhAq" target="_blank">Huntsman Square</a>, anchored by the Giant grocery store in the middle. You can faintly see the Baskin-Robbins, one of my haunts, at far right. Huntsman Square is so named because it's on Huntsman Blvd. in West Springfield. (Burke sometimes tries to claim it.) It's set low and is surrounded by trees - you can barely see it from the streets, which is a characteristic thing about plazas in mainly residential areas here. Where I'm from, Southern California, the shopping plazas are in your face. Not here. They're subtle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnC9DuGZAATA8pejt5n7IBV9IuJxmANIDuSGQ-F6a8m8kuWWE-NOaR_Toxe71dzzb4lyxSKpJPv34UWkbsu4BAfOLmawrkdKE1KIP4UsDPrn6KOfKxavhyphenhyphenBfxs1VBloL63UGOODQsTapJ/s1600/IMG_6376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnC9DuGZAATA8pejt5n7IBV9IuJxmANIDuSGQ-F6a8m8kuWWE-NOaR_Toxe71dzzb4lyxSKpJPv34UWkbsu4BAfOLmawrkdKE1KIP4UsDPrn6KOfKxavhyphenhyphenBfxs1VBloL63UGOODQsTapJ/s1600/IMG_6376.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the left-most set of businesses, two of which are important: 1.) That "Medical Center" is where my doctor works. I've seen him here for various reasons for about twenty years! <i>Turn your head and cough...</i> 2.) That Starbucks at the left is our winter Starbucks. For some reason I have it in my head that we only go here for hot chocolate in the dead of winter, usually January. To go there in, say, April or May would be a sin. I have no idea how this notion got into my head. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZUP_mUrzdA&index=127&list=PL6cgtmyikyYlaixyJsWDtR_GjbtGEYQna" target="_blank">Video</a>.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGWBg9n58Ci3a1JyUWI-ZWuYpJ99pOanr4hwR6HoYQQ197uq0ZN7vJqIbTv-a0xNG0S4f-R21M-d40B5lt7AHgxfV-_0vpEJXhtVpaGim5r8okaoJfuTj491Nrm7nCHcR91cVHie6DuRI/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGWBg9n58Ci3a1JyUWI-ZWuYpJ99pOanr4hwR6HoYQQ197uq0ZN7vJqIbTv-a0xNG0S4f-R21M-d40B5lt7AHgxfV-_0vpEJXhtVpaGim5r8okaoJfuTj491Nrm7nCHcR91cVHie6DuRI/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The interior. We've dined at that Subway a few times - but, in general, I don't like Subways. I'm a Quiznos Man. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f1-bf5yzY1b1VqkdGAriyx6PlIlpwPxdm_EOjoDerwzTrCLAXTHrQJ68EqYaf8xmQgzAS9cG9YIpr_MM2cwsqb-JMp2WnoHYyKqINVF77J-CAaQ8-gKHssANKqVHuR_kQnfGC4i_0nV7/s1600/IMG_6367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f1-bf5yzY1b1VqkdGAriyx6PlIlpwPxdm_EOjoDerwzTrCLAXTHrQJ68EqYaf8xmQgzAS9cG9YIpr_MM2cwsqb-JMp2WnoHYyKqINVF77J-CAaQ8-gKHssANKqVHuR_kQnfGC4i_0nV7/s1600/IMG_6367.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This toy store is significant to me for two reasons: 1.) A jolly laughing Southern woman from church used to work here - she died some years back. Our congregation is a sadder, quieter place without her. I can't see this place without thinking of her. 2.) We took my little grandson in here once when he and his mother visited and it was a blast! (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Z2xDi__38&list=PL6cgtmyikyYnqfnnq5_MsOd55EBbsBGK8&index=40" target="_blank">Video</a>.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxmUCUi6In80Hh-9lIfvM9ncsdGG0nHYTPZodRUgiQXjk5zG9rwS1KC_0JZ4RGaXo2qLQ9FUMAEzDQE7-_33UvU2HKVi8Fjs7uIEgh0QXT9wNzzz1Vis8JWPcF7ux15G-3294zw11FSQi/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxmUCUi6In80Hh-9lIfvM9ncsdGG0nHYTPZodRUgiQXjk5zG9rwS1KC_0JZ4RGaXo2qLQ9FUMAEzDQE7-_33UvU2HKVi8Fjs7uIEgh0QXT9wNzzz1Vis8JWPcF7ux15G-3294zw11FSQi/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The perimeter road around the back side of the businesses is secluded and a bit curious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBWPmJ-GfJkRLSrO0KL5EqKmhPJB2PLWIh3cdysFLNn87uyvqNATUN4-3R2wHg0jO-6ODstAVUlS8biPuG7mnCYZEiq76OWabl-J2MEEKOubupcH4yrhc9H0TXeMW79NkG32dxqvNHklU/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBWPmJ-GfJkRLSrO0KL5EqKmhPJB2PLWIh3cdysFLNn87uyvqNATUN4-3R2wHg0jO-6ODstAVUlS8biPuG7mnCYZEiq76OWabl-J2MEEKOubupcH4yrhc9H0TXeMW79NkG32dxqvNHklU/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And there's this funny little cul-de-sac. Why? Why was this constructed? Sometimes you see trucks parked in here. Are the drivers snoozing? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKfcc_U4Cd7V9JHgB1UhUnxdQg5qBcCqN_PufDJuktU6MySgAArPmZGZTgsBWbb_U6yHtJdHHuBFYQSWU6RiaEHBGaoEX9UbyLrMo5rS3S8mgNwoSyZF5GVpdy9oXZHpQHQTpkAhcTh6k/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKfcc_U4Cd7V9JHgB1UhUnxdQg5qBcCqN_PufDJuktU6MySgAArPmZGZTgsBWbb_U6yHtJdHHuBFYQSWU6RiaEHBGaoEX9UbyLrMo5rS3S8mgNwoSyZF5GVpdy9oXZHpQHQTpkAhcTh6k/s1600/IMG_6364.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The local celebrities in the Giant grocery store are <a href="http://www.bruceandtanya.com/" target="_blank">BruceAndTanya</a>. Are they romantically linked or just real estate associates? I always wonder. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia FroYo is great, but whenever I buy it I suspect I'm indirectly contributing money to the Communist Party of America or something...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypDCgmmOqjcGuN6zURhydoQpWMkk8PwjhTHAczP1OJto3sCsGX43rEYF7EYY3ledB2hW3AedbDbrgUyc3U1RnlnrRnhAafMXiwfDXom4HW64LWfE-7PNxLWDk3R53M1-gpyYsamlgpCYa/s1600/IMG_6365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypDCgmmOqjcGuN6zURhydoQpWMkk8PwjhTHAczP1OJto3sCsGX43rEYF7EYY3ledB2hW3AedbDbrgUyc3U1RnlnrRnhAafMXiwfDXom4HW64LWfE-7PNxLWDk3R53M1-gpyYsamlgpCYa/s1600/IMG_6365.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya, BruceAndTanya...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-44581205805662178582014-10-09T19:02:00.002-07:002014-11-02T19:23:46.756-08:00The Burger Joint (formerly Chesapeake Bagel Bakery)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs-z6RNdVNlWprFJ6sfC_ujkZmplRsEagn6_etK-iaQlivNA55oEFlDbrtZxgXPP8Ub5hqtuaL3u5PoVbvbhaCRHGW29cj8579jztFjN6jXCk7qjtljOW0Z77IRdLTNocBhFFacufoJuR/s1600/IMG_6468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs-z6RNdVNlWprFJ6sfC_ujkZmplRsEagn6_etK-iaQlivNA55oEFlDbrtZxgXPP8Ub5hqtuaL3u5PoVbvbhaCRHGW29cj8579jztFjN6jXCk7qjtljOW0Z77IRdLTNocBhFFacufoJuR/s1600/IMG_6468.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Off of the busy Old Keene Mill Road/Rolling Road intersection. Now it's the Burger Joint (a "BGR" in an oval), but back in the Nineties and into the new millennium it was the Chesapeake Bagel Bakery and one of our favorite family haunts when the kids were growing up. I was heartbroken when they went out of business. The bagels were always fresh; it was a place that, in my wife's phrase, "Did not profane the bagel." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think we started going there in 1991; I remember one lunch there with the kids when the opened the Virginia Express light rail in 1992 and were giving away free promotional rides, and I'm sure we were dining there before that, so let's say 1991.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For a time, before it closed shop, they used to have framed prints of Civil War battles on the walls - what I call <a href="http://wesclark.com/jw/cw_art.html" target="_blank">LHAPS (Limited Edition Historical Art Prints)</a>. They tried to sell them from here - I don't think that was a successful business venture. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOLqgDHTrYk0XdKENVi8NF8jwJncwuOQYB6iJBEnv3I0O02aX6OJVoW8C1EemMMX1a6mBECO874j0nWJzTe07Qtk1hl7oaTr6TIiofwF6oFYaEh77RFjJ3_CSi4M365hz2SGGTs5xYKQ0/s1600/IMG_6467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOLqgDHTrYk0XdKENVi8NF8jwJncwuOQYB6iJBEnv3I0O02aX6OJVoW8C1EemMMX1a6mBECO874j0nWJzTe07Qtk1hl7oaTr6TIiofwF6oFYaEh77RFjJ3_CSi4M365hz2SGGTs5xYKQ0/s1600/IMG_6467.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Purple paint, oversized reproductions of 1970's and 1980's rock album covers on the walls, mosaic pop art on the tables, light fixtures made of hardware parts... it's all very trendy. And truth be told, the burgers here are quite good. But I miss the 1990's dark green and oak look of the CBB. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Me, Cari and the kids used to sit against the wall (there used to be mirrors) against that low wooden wall on the left - that was our table of choice. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ah - the days when we were raising our kids and were a family of five... happy, purposeful days...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-41641284582357285752014-10-07T11:02:00.003-07:002014-10-07T11:07:54.446-07:00Costco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9aEJMalLnYVccbNpuOW87FraPeJc96x742QEWyEDLTP8EbTkr8NB-4X5yLM7zzR2GETjdY3COsPwi4PbxgcsiWBHfdNlCcG9vSGGTKCtED3wDbkVybfzb0p048GsUBjNIboSvGyxjSsX/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9aEJMalLnYVccbNpuOW87FraPeJc96x742QEWyEDLTP8EbTkr8NB-4X5yLM7zzR2GETjdY3COsPwi4PbxgcsiWBHfdNlCcG9vSGGTKCtED3wDbkVybfzb0p048GsUBjNIboSvGyxjSsX/s1600/IMG_6359.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our nearby Costco moved into Springfield in 1992, I think it was. Prior to that we had to schlep into Fairfax to procure our enormous quantities of food and household items. Remember when it used to be known as "Price Club?"<br />
<br />
Why highlight a Costco as a "Thing?" What's special about it? Well - six things:<br />
<br />
1.) My daughter Julie used to work here. She was only an employee for perhaps six months after graduation, but they worked her hard. When I picked her up at about 11 PM or so, she was tired. And cranky! They really work their staff at these places. But the thing is, almost a decade or so later people working here still ask how she's doing, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX65zRBJfOz2vIiilb0rX9bGb0cS3fbK5Lxr2KsQWN-7G7Mey-jen_x6pQAFdqqm1sakibfUYBJOZsS5C7OLWtoCW8i7F8OJqxAHYwScnSeVlujd5WsGFaHf5cduwWTZ8y3ZebagGPLjUr/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX65zRBJfOz2vIiilb0rX9bGb0cS3fbK5Lxr2KsQWN-7G7Mey-jen_x6pQAFdqqm1sakibfUYBJOZsS5C7OLWtoCW8i7F8OJqxAHYwScnSeVlujd5WsGFaHf5cduwWTZ8y3ZebagGPLjUr/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
2.) Tires. All of the Clark cars since about 1992 have rolled on Costco rubber.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQW9CtNodrtTMz1gvU3x3BOE_IdwLFi4SS1sQNrqM57de22GelP2v3Y9xclZbBxxP0E9-SYYXSnT3Pkv6DVCmcT6RIyC0FXyHbHEQohRvM4HKmiQuS-WTamdo030kmuRd79Avan4zHEm-Z/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQW9CtNodrtTMz1gvU3x3BOE_IdwLFi4SS1sQNrqM57de22GelP2v3Y9xclZbBxxP0E9-SYYXSnT3Pkv6DVCmcT6RIyC0FXyHbHEQohRvM4HKmiQuS-WTamdo030kmuRd79Avan4zHEm-Z/s1600/IMG_6363.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
3.) Meals. This was one of our family haunts for meals. You just can't beat it for price. A giant hot dog <i>and</i> a soda for $1.50? A chicken bake for $2.99? Insane! And thereby hangs a tale...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGEBMc7u9rCKkP8z0C4Ie_kC5EVM9b9vP7sAZqqzoXW01TlkvrkwiJNOQoWGTxqQx2nzhpQuu-V5Y4yHt7LPao3_10JsBIFcMFgwFOFedit8sXNmF-qANkNC1aeS1ayQC64ZSGI3HASOF/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGEBMc7u9rCKkP8z0C4Ie_kC5EVM9b9vP7sAZqqzoXW01TlkvrkwiJNOQoWGTxqQx2nzhpQuu-V5Y4yHt7LPao3_10JsBIFcMFgwFOFedit8sXNmF-qANkNC1aeS1ayQC64ZSGI3HASOF/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Above: The Costco eatery. It certainly isn't the most romantic destination for a meal - and I wonder how hygienic those table tops are - but as a family we had pizza here every now and then. My daughter Julie would daintily pat the grease from the top of her enormous slice of pizza with a paper towel, and eat about 3/4ths of it. When I sensed that she was done, I'd pointedly stare at it, and she'd say, "You can have it," and I'd eat the rest. It is thus that fathers gain weight over the course of raising kids.<br />
<br />
Once my daughters and I were standing near this eating area - but not in it - when we heard a rather loud WHOOM. There was some sort of sudden pressure differential release in the big pipes strung from the ceiling, and we noticed that the movement dislodged a fine sprinkle of dust upon the people and food in the dining area. Like snowfall, except brown. It was amusing to watch. The folks under the Hebrew National umbrellas were fine, but the others had a coat of dust and dirt on their pizzas. Yum!<br />
<br />
4.) Samples. On certain Saturdays, when the place is really swinging, you can grab a few hundred calories, easy, from samples.<br />
<br />
What a great country this is!<br />
<br />
5.) Parking. I can sense my wife's jaw clenching whenever we pull in to the spaces closest to the front. There are two classes of drivers at Costco: Those can can drive but are heedless of other cars and those who cannot drive well and take forever to pull into a parking space. Add to that pedestrians and shopping carts everywhere and you have a real gauntlet.<br />
<br />
6.) Refund policy. I bought my son a Swiss watch for his high school graduation, which he wore for about a year and a half. Then it died (a new battery didn't help). I brought it in and exchanged it for a slightly better watch at the same price (they no longer had an exact replacement). My son wore that for a year or so when it, too, gave out. Again Costco replaced it, and I paid some more money and bought an even better third watch. I ask you - who else has a refund/replacement policy like that?!?<br />
<br />
It's worth mentioning that in 1996 I got a Seiko quartz tank watch from Costco for about $45 for my 40th birthday. With battery changes, it has been running for eighteen years straight!Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-26426343121434413032014-10-06T18:18:00.003-07:002014-10-06T18:23:02.124-07:00Moe's Peyton Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfTviv-R09_G6BW0bRvg-LD-_mlRtBYFYyeULjdHv7F5nGUaR3FEG8fR7K83v9itKheWLc4Bwg4-yKzc3FHhT8RcPKUhWvjjPClcuMP4psEwXvrEUkxnk2QfaE61sYpgdN36flAsD-WYB/s1600/IMG_6456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfTviv-R09_G6BW0bRvg-LD-_mlRtBYFYyeULjdHv7F5nGUaR3FEG8fR7K83v9itKheWLc4Bwg4-yKzc3FHhT8RcPKUhWvjjPClcuMP4psEwXvrEUkxnk2QfaE61sYpgdN36flAsD-WYB/s1600/IMG_6456.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This one puzzled me for years: why name a restaurant "Peyton Place?" It was <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057779/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">a television show</a> (based on a <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050839/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2" target="_blank">1957 movie</a>) which ran between 1964 and 1969. I've never seen an episode of the series, but dimly recall as a kid that it was considered spicy. Liaisons, affairs, adultery, flirtations... raw, passion. Uninhibited behavior. Forbidden acts.<br />
<br />
Well, okay, this was the Sixties - how explicit could it have been? My guess it that, seen these days, it was probably pretty mild. But, getting back to the original thought - why name a restaurant this? <br />
<br />
I have no idea.<br />
<br />
The restaurant has been in town for decades; in fact, I'm pretty sure it was here when we moved in in 1987. <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/moes-peyton-place-springfield" target="_blank">The yelp.com reviews are interesting</a>, and, desiring to see what the fuss was about, my wife and I ate here one night some years ago. (Well before the yelp reviewer complained of cockroaches. We didn't see any.) It was pretty ordinary. Divey. A place for locals. <br />
<br />
Moe himself was leaning against his Mercedes-Benz parked in front, and I tried to make some small talk with him. He was rather dismissive.<br />
<br />
We haven't returned. And having checked that box, we won't.Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-34228296544449905512014-10-05T16:53:00.000-07:002014-10-05T17:02:15.996-07:00Springfield TowerIf you've ever driven through Springfield on I-95 (the daily average, according to VDOT, is 430,000 cars), you've seen this place. You can't miss it! It's a fourteen story skyscraper. Well, okay, as much as a skyscraper as downtown Springfield can boast, anyway. It's called, perhaps inevitably, the Springfield Tower. It was built in 1972. <br />
<br />
As recently as April 2014 Bob the Barber had his business here on the seventh floor - weird place for a barbershop, no? And I see that there was once a Hard Times Cafe on the eighth floor. But in October 2014, when I took these photos, I saw no evidence of that. Doing a google search on the address, I see that various other businesses were also located here. Once. <br />
<br />
Here's the face that I-95 sees - it often has a big advertising banner affixed thereto:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJxGbr_lK6IPCwIYCpE1Y-lK3N5CqUPN5DQL3ACvk9BT1PVBiM1NPwjquqt6tHXkiD3JYD5FBe_Ji7ZmH0TCvBfuJyc2OfoupD41dcWyLUvxjQ6xgkFLnF_xWl-QmBJ1beWz5Az35OPBb/s1600/IMG_6443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJxGbr_lK6IPCwIYCpE1Y-lK3N5CqUPN5DQL3ACvk9BT1PVBiM1NPwjquqt6tHXkiD3JYD5FBe_Ji7ZmH0TCvBfuJyc2OfoupD41dcWyLUvxjQ6xgkFLnF_xWl-QmBJ1beWz5Az35OPBb/s1600/IMG_6443.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Let's start with the description on a web site: <br />
<br />
<i>Highlights<br /><br /> Excellent location - 495/95 interchange<br /> Entire floor available<br /> Prominent building in Fairfax County<br /> Floor to ceiling windows<br /> Full service leases<br /> Less than a mile from Springfield Metro<br /><br />Description<br /><br />Subject property is a tall, glass structure located prominently at the interchange of I-495 and I-95 in Spingfield, Virginia. Standing 14 stories tall, the Springfield Tower is one of the most visable (sp) landmarks in Fairfax County. Property has floor to ceiling windows, and a two-level parking deck. Leases are full service.<br /><br />The Springfield Tower is located at the intersection of the Capital Beltway (495) and 95/395, one of the most accessible submarkets in metro DC. The Springfield Metro stop is less than a mile away and the property is surrounded by retail, office, and hotels.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
...and blight, police tape, parked trucks and crumbling concrete. Take a look:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpuzWnU-1Av-6R1LpF_ZRSFR_34CM28_R2lVZtjsX4xYkVnXCpPpHTbZQSGVuhhuTFIDBJ2gSTYetLSr6CoIvdGHwsodzGw_xc5Xh7wDM6X5nxbwszCjpo1n_ZCuzq3pxp7UxJvR7YQs5/s1600/IMG_6442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpuzWnU-1Av-6R1LpF_ZRSFR_34CM28_R2lVZtjsX4xYkVnXCpPpHTbZQSGVuhhuTFIDBJ2gSTYetLSr6CoIvdGHwsodzGw_xc5Xh7wDM6X5nxbwszCjpo1n_ZCuzq3pxp7UxJvR7YQs5/s1600/IMG_6442.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: I'm guessing that, once upon a time, some bank had a branch
location here, and this was where the drive through section was. Now
some unknown entity parks industrial trucks there </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigR2q-yCkxuYsnvUMzxg0ywlPWXlIoCblhYQ5xGSSJTp4rPrK6m5E9_iHhVguMf379bQZE82MqlzICzmoWCHu54q6FIN_rb8yfEo4vaHfsLgdF9GaOzOIjIWaEVxBqPiE1WuhKB5J9anB0/s1600/IMG_6444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigR2q-yCkxuYsnvUMzxg0ywlPWXlIoCblhYQ5xGSSJTp4rPrK6m5E9_iHhVguMf379bQZE82MqlzICzmoWCHu54q6FIN_rb8yfEo4vaHfsLgdF9GaOzOIjIWaEVxBqPiE1WuhKB5J9anB0/s1600/IMG_6444.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: This is what you see when you park in front of the building. Those steel stanchions look like they are partially holding up the deck! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHF2VjgIEVy88ghPBQrIGofdtfMhcU0nNMCAV02vXSvNe-d5NGOD3adDebinbkZemUCvr5SaHSBCzqY3NGXfcxG7noBEjG6pWrIrN_nuC0xsewJoXBpdDoZNh3yPCHby1eYU5wQIoo_9i/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHF2VjgIEVy88ghPBQrIGofdtfMhcU0nNMCAV02vXSvNe-d5NGOD3adDebinbkZemUCvr5SaHSBCzqY3NGXfcxG7noBEjG6pWrIrN_nuC0xsewJoXBpdDoZNh3yPCHby1eYU5wQIoo_9i/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: And here's the front entrance. That makes an unforgettably impressive look for corporate customers and clients, huh?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3Fncg7GGuzrkwxz5XDianX1HN4baf3S-47eeFAp8P1DURgqX0-FSguvK1b8fOWh03vUqCkJBUoURSDfzugqqlk85MbZZuW0w9v0WTbSnUSzaYbVslxMepGgnHougRMa0QvgFvrVX3sW-/s1600/IMG_6441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3Fncg7GGuzrkwxz5XDianX1HN4baf3S-47eeFAp8P1DURgqX0-FSguvK1b8fOWh03vUqCkJBUoURSDfzugqqlk85MbZZuW0w9v0WTbSnUSzaYbVslxMepGgnHougRMa0QvgFvrVX3sW-/s1600/IMG_6441.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Above: Another view. More trucks. My guess is that the owner primarily makes money from this real estate by renting space to cell phone company and other entities needing a high platform. Are there any tenants in this eyesore? I'm guessing not.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Note that the "d" in "dr." is lower case here but upper case in the view at the top. Nice touch. At least they spelled "Augusta" correctly. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaYRzNEP5e0rcCNQiZPOBiDiEoyhyI8pIgoZMzqovLrlwM1lD0jZ5b-piccwy4eYcO5XIenOPyf7uCAdrGmV9_pkVRA2IAsmCeTz7Gpx7jLvPBUxLMw-LAbFhCYTYIQYfyKth4mMM5Wyg/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaYRzNEP5e0rcCNQiZPOBiDiEoyhyI8pIgoZMzqovLrlwM1lD0jZ5b-piccwy4eYcO5XIenOPyf7uCAdrGmV9_pkVRA2IAsmCeTz7Gpx7jLvPBUxLMw-LAbFhCYTYIQYfyKth4mMM5Wyg/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Plan to drive up that ramp? I don't think so. With the stanchions in front in mind, you and your car might just end up in a pile of concrete. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-dNSxBWPPhzao-20_Uhv-GnYZ3yvdGgQ2Eqzr8qneDuhcH8X5Og3ObhAOv9LmPBllKdPeN5QmkPxzeSaGgKEYrEHXnJ0Dj2TaUY5tbdYB3TO4MQGYSkftwCSfuJ2uZZCvJTyR9BcwFvW/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-dNSxBWPPhzao-20_Uhv-GnYZ3yvdGgQ2Eqzr8qneDuhcH8X5Og3ObhAOv9LmPBllKdPeN5QmkPxzeSaGgKEYrEHXnJ0Dj2TaUY5tbdYB3TO4MQGYSkftwCSfuJ2uZZCvJTyR9BcwFvW/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Above: There's a Bob Evans restaurant next to this building, and this is definitely the Tower's most presentable face. Once again, more cell relay and antenna equipment. Those are the real tenants.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sheesh. What a wreck! Didn't I last see a building like this in Detroit - or an episode of <i>The Simpsons</i>?<br />
<br />
<br />
Stay classy, downtown Springfield...Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-87247880279631283652014-10-05T16:18:00.003-07:002014-10-05T20:39:28.727-07:00Five Guys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP888FVREZGGRdEUYwHBM3d2-jyycDzujxasCMQY1Blo2qkik7H5Ggf7vrolgkxcs3rHLq6hwHgnrq9-1nsP0qslcAGm_TR3oV7ghaUkTQYH4cNLfMfDmlwZWaw6ta03B-tTkcjF7BGugm/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP888FVREZGGRdEUYwHBM3d2-jyycDzujxasCMQY1Blo2qkik7H5Ggf7vrolgkxcs3rHLq6hwHgnrq9-1nsP0qslcAGm_TR3oV7ghaUkTQYH4cNLfMfDmlwZWaw6ta03B-tTkcjF7BGugm/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Let's see... when did we start eating here? At least ten years ago, I think. I forget how we heard of the place - it must have been word of mouth. They sell burgers like the kind you used to be able to get from individual burger stands in the 1950's and 1960's, before McDonald's and the other franchise places started to standardize hamburgers (to the considerable detriment of the customer). What more, the fries here are great! The kind you get at seashore places.<br />
<br />
But I'm guessing you know that already - Five Guys has opened stores all over the country and is doing just fine, thank you very much.<br />
<br />
I understand that the Springfield store shown here (on Rolling Road near the I-95 onramp) is their second - the original is near Bailey's Crossroads. Certainly they've put some money into the Springfield location and fixed it up... when we started going there it was considerably dumpier! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALMI1GgVDUh1bXjN3OrapSYjWWX-OD93vrbY_T1ThloiMAtFa1dAn6x4LxQlMgyBdYCz8HU-5usiaDYGxzoELEfBJZM9TvewTWH1eZit2jozToINqrfXiJbu54uZbGHkFTBUaERKWclL8/s1600/IMG_6420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALMI1GgVDUh1bXjN3OrapSYjWWX-OD93vrbY_T1ThloiMAtFa1dAn6x4LxQlMgyBdYCz8HU-5usiaDYGxzoELEfBJZM9TvewTWH1eZit2jozToINqrfXiJbu54uZbGHkFTBUaERKWclL8/s1600/IMG_6420.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My wife prefers going to the newer, bigger Five Guys in Lorton. When it's cold out, this one gets a cold breeze running through the place whenever the front door is opened. Brrrrr. PLUS - the Lorton locations sells shakes, and those are old-fashioned, too, and made with real dairy products - not whatever the crap is McDonald's uses...<br />
<br />
We occasionally meet friends here. And my pal from Southern California tells me that he prefers Five Guys to In and Out, which, from a Californian, is a very special compliment indeed. Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-14714626866663063882014-10-02T11:26:00.002-07:002014-10-02T11:37:53.907-07:00Empire (formerly Jaxx)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCsNBHf8iwVk8xTW1vmhbv7I38zVI2xTuwa36uZ4ouVaT43GwauKmxaNwO5u81s8kWoJPjZoGElFlH7gtoRosbDBLPtJd2FnLbafwR_5hOR-XjWI_rrEIkAw80SaFASC05NfH-0_rFjWW/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCsNBHf8iwVk8xTW1vmhbv7I38zVI2xTuwa36uZ4ouVaT43GwauKmxaNwO5u81s8kWoJPjZoGElFlH7gtoRosbDBLPtJd2FnLbafwR_5hOR-XjWI_rrEIkAw80SaFASC05NfH-0_rFjWW/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Near the almost always busy intersection of Rolling Road and Old Keene Mill Road is a shopping plaza, and in that shopping plaza is an unprepossessing sign nestled near the Ummah Bazaar, Carpetland and the Afghan Kabob Restaurant that says, in red light, "Empire," in an oddball semi-Gothic style font. What's this all about? It is nothing less than Springfield's premier rock venue!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.empire-nova.com/" target="_blank">Web site here.</a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some years back, the Northern Virginia Diaghilev of Rock and Roll, Jay Nedry, used to run this place as Jaxx, and <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/19692/hair-today" target="_blank">Jaxx was notable for hosting name acts</a>. Robin Trower played there, the Led Zepplin's bassist did a gig or two, and others whom I cannot remember performed here as well. I saw the Blue Oyster Cult play there twice; it was <i>very</i> loud. And dark (the interior is painted black.) And smelly! (Cigarette smoking is allowed.) I had to hang my jacket out in the air - my wife refused to let it into the house after the performances. But it was fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsHAJa8VukxVK08hJCsBXOvFC8woIzBk693gxoYCvTNeEHUY30OK3gYmCLvs74XCKzV7gKINRmtF47UUhtMqGIzb0Pg74uaWw2M-Jgu9U5yV1gZoznlBtFDwlAoMzi0r5Fh6Rw1XFFsgO/s1600/IMG_6347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsHAJa8VukxVK08hJCsBXOvFC8woIzBk693gxoYCvTNeEHUY30OK3gYmCLvs74XCKzV7gKINRmtF47UUhtMqGIzb0Pg74uaWw2M-Jgu9U5yV1gZoznlBtFDwlAoMzi0r5Fh6Rw1XFFsgO/s1600/IMG_6347.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: The entrance to the <a href="http://www.empire-nova.com/alchemyroom.aspx" target="_blank">Alchemy Room restaurant/bar</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today Jay Nedry no longer runs the establishment, and the bands who play here are not ones whose names you would likely have seen on nationally advertised recordings. But the place still rocks on - and occasionally is open for other uses. One Saturday I ventured in for a jewelry/crafts show, and every few years local Republican politician Dave Albo holds his "<a href="http://www.davealbo.com/Dave_Albo/ALBOPALOOZA!.html" target="_blank">Albopalooza</a>" fundraiser there. ("Three Hours of Rock and Balanced Budgets!") I attended one of those, too. How hard does it rock? Well... imagine various state GOP gentry on stage playing tambourines. The mother of one in the audience was tapping her foot along with the music. I even met my scrapbooking consultant there! <i>That's</i> how hard it rocks! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Actually, it was fun. Dave has a good sense of humor...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JTNnPUVzJjmQ2j5Al2qDwj0SUtuaMlI-SurFzGCjTa43qIxDyOwx2SqQ0Ium_M40DmaEYVjARs5HihshCzzj1m1ROs94CocmlOfwixgXL7XdU4OlXhLIW569s7kVn0Y3GCJU8SyeySq5/s1600/sb5_(105).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JTNnPUVzJjmQ2j5Al2qDwj0SUtuaMlI-SurFzGCjTa43qIxDyOwx2SqQ0Ium_M40DmaEYVjARs5HihshCzzj1m1ROs94CocmlOfwixgXL7XdU4OlXhLIW569s7kVn0Y3GCJU8SyeySq5/s1600/sb5_(105).jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: me and my scrapbooking consultant in 2010.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v48opeJBeZV1VH9JxzM3IV7ok1LbE-4rtNm0WhKuU_yBQNmcFRlONE24YOEkLOZNqud6v6kqDeaga4WjLJpIqc8O8RZ70BV_VzZs91TcDGRchxjBmQ6Kl2BEQScCQ4rJSWuB-tq1XLld/s1600/jaxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v48opeJBeZV1VH9JxzM3IV7ok1LbE-4rtNm0WhKuU_yBQNmcFRlONE24YOEkLOZNqud6v6kqDeaga4WjLJpIqc8O8RZ70BV_VzZs91TcDGRchxjBmQ6Kl2BEQScCQ4rJSWuB-tq1XLld/s1600/jaxx.jpg" height="371" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHsxakd9S7ljBdeS9V9BotVO1OKgLKZNzbyttdbjdwPvabxonJG8hfER2YBVvdO7FYbII2r91J9qv8G6NtDpOHxQ0Py5eMw5hktEyXxPfVuzoaqFEL8l1pb4CSJsDYXduVOqtjUFB1tWu/s1600/albo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHsxakd9S7ljBdeS9V9BotVO1OKgLKZNzbyttdbjdwPvabxonJG8hfER2YBVvdO7FYbII2r91J9qv8G6NtDpOHxQ0Py5eMw5hktEyXxPfVuzoaqFEL8l1pb4CSJsDYXduVOqtjUFB1tWu/s1600/albo2.jpg" height="375" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FUawZzu2ngUyAegn0XQyarUCGPPD22BRHWR88lRXTNMYzSLTWAh2rn18UDE59fU6wbK04KX4yxKBXFsubPsNmx_nkOT9ap_Py7xQYFhpZbc5VKSUl8-HF-1hjsMbO7pw1iWclobCHtvh/s1600/albo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FUawZzu2ngUyAegn0XQyarUCGPPD22BRHWR88lRXTNMYzSLTWAh2rn18UDE59fU6wbK04KX4yxKBXFsubPsNmx_nkOT9ap_Py7xQYFhpZbc5VKSUl8-HF-1hjsMbO7pw1iWclobCHtvh/s1600/albo.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodkPtGJua4b2LLF2WXoVkpbeV_n6rUNxDXTQ2T43SMN8aEcWMTgEN9nhBOvTSKRA5BqqLhYQoUxKJgTWMHZ7aGeEiKaWdj5Y_kMUjJ-lEzFYc0F6DG6dneO9LihRpN5eEoQuOVZQ51J3E/s1600/albo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodkPtGJua4b2LLF2WXoVkpbeV_n6rUNxDXTQ2T43SMN8aEcWMTgEN9nhBOvTSKRA5BqqLhYQoUxKJgTWMHZ7aGeEiKaWdj5Y_kMUjJ-lEzFYc0F6DG6dneO9LihRpN5eEoQuOVZQ51J3E/s1600/albo3.jpg" height="373" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7XmgNnnJvDiQeQvnENdH7YeXQz0qBta0dKgCCpf79XESOfjExNuo-dcjyI9mTKA7Dl7O3u6AQwFOcWhHaTMJ7jWqKV2smzgq8gbsmXc8Fe-C3HbJJES24pe784Z_YwF7IR7kh6FcazTs/s1600/Albopalooza+Richmond+2011+Invite+Final+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7XmgNnnJvDiQeQvnENdH7YeXQz0qBta0dKgCCpf79XESOfjExNuo-dcjyI9mTKA7Dl7O3u6AQwFOcWhHaTMJ7jWqKV2smzgq8gbsmXc8Fe-C3HbJJES24pe784Z_YwF7IR7kh6FcazTs/s1600/Albopalooza+Richmond+2011+Invite+Final+copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Rita is Dave Albo's wife)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So in Springfield it's Empire that brings the musical mayhem!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-46667556675498060562014-10-02T08:44:00.001-07:002014-10-02T08:44:08.529-07:00Sydenstricker Schoolhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKFymXdlse7Mb2bDKtEPkqNgl4PX61V4kxuwF-ryO9NB-bgzGl4VKmC1FzLDNOvSpYxw0AOVrbiOkBSWcBeLqfnIuwT8-ut-UAn0zhZqAPpujd1j6QbL9YOlZQLZPnYynfZFReYRQa3KA/s1600/IMG_6381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKFymXdlse7Mb2bDKtEPkqNgl4PX61V4kxuwF-ryO9NB-bgzGl4VKmC1FzLDNOvSpYxw0AOVrbiOkBSWcBeLqfnIuwT8-ut-UAn0zhZqAPpujd1j6QbL9YOlZQLZPnYynfZFReYRQa3KA/s1600/IMG_6381.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When I first moved to Springfield I obtained an 1870-something map of Fairfax County and noted that there was a schoolhouse located at the spot our little red schoolhouse is at, and made the mistake of thinking that it dated from that period. Nope.<br />
<br />
The little red schoolhouse - formally, The Sydenstricker Schoolhouse - actually sits on Hooes Road (according to oldtimers in town, it's properly pronounced "hoes," not "whose") near the Sydenstricker-Hooes intersection, and was built in 1928. So think of the Little Rascals and Miss Crabtree - it's from that era. It closed in 1939. It's about a mile from where I live.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFwYGG-o8F9scTRz9nV_gMfVz5bGfRCWQz-vrlJDXzNChyphenhyphenc4ru2zA0q0SOdOZHwSXFGUzzKUza4fAMWamcNV0LfxU6ilUeGL4ckfi4VbH1ZKV2Hf1nd8Jw9xY5Uc-UUmj0dOkhWTRF8g7/s1600/IMG_6383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFwYGG-o8F9scTRz9nV_gMfVz5bGfRCWQz-vrlJDXzNChyphenhyphenc4ru2zA0q0SOdOZHwSXFGUzzKUza4fAMWamcNV0LfxU6ilUeGL4ckfi4VbH1ZKV2Hf1nd8Jw9xY5Uc-UUmj0dOkhWTRF8g7/s1600/IMG_6383.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: It's not really as forlorn as spot as this image suggests!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBEHerPWjOTUIwDebThyTttgs7n9rY-mIjBzzfJge1yyTg7_uymYTV6sT8gkHCHgOv0-px-rGyo2gDjDXM7JVcWRFCG1lFCQ87V91MeXrO6UNaLzELHASr_ZN40yVJxuarOlg87YjXtt-/s1600/IMG_6385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBEHerPWjOTUIwDebThyTttgs7n9rY-mIjBzzfJge1yyTg7_uymYTV6sT8gkHCHgOv0-px-rGyo2gDjDXM7JVcWRFCG1lFCQ87V91MeXrO6UNaLzELHASr_ZN40yVJxuarOlg87YjXtt-/s1600/IMG_6385.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: The classic little nostalgic schoolhouse entrance. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The schoolhouse is owned and maintained by the Upper Pohick Community League. From their Facebook page:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>The Upper Pohick Community League was founded in the late 1940's, and was the original neighborhood association, tying together families who lived in the Upper Pohick / South Hunt Valley area of Springfield, VA. It was a thriving group that influenced the development of local roads, bridges and sub-divisions, in a time when our area was very rural. The League purchased the old Sydenstricker School (the Little Red Schoolhouse) at public auction in the early 1950's, and it has been our League hall ever since. For many years it was the center of social activities in our area. More recently with the growth of individual neighborhood associations within each local subdivision, the League has become primarily focused on the preservation of the Schoolhouse, and its place in our community.</i><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6DSoo-2N0&index=31&list=PL6cgtmyikyYlaixyJsWDtR_GjbtGEYQna" target="_blank">The UPCL sometimes holds yard sales here to raise money for the building's maintenance</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippd0CEdew5VikESmT5xNOvs9QF33_t3vX8PyRDuSXtocr-I98E52gb5NnPW3GNfHtnTKKt4775JsADW0o9RLkmQyscs2Qo3go2dnY00172C89FyeV-4dNLnrr1owWmndtR-2Cb3TXqo9n/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippd0CEdew5VikESmT5xNOvs9QF33_t3vX8PyRDuSXtocr-I98E52gb5NnPW3GNfHtnTKKt4775JsADW0o9RLkmQyscs2Qo3go2dnY00172C89FyeV-4dNLnrr1owWmndtR-2Cb3TXqo9n/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back in 2006 I had a very Virginian experience in this room: I gave a slideshow lecture to UPCL members about the Legend and True History of <a href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/vr/bunny/" target="_blank">Northern Virginia's Famous "Bunny Man."</a> It was based on work Brian Conley did which I supplemented with recorded interviews with the people involved in the incident. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJH8im9SRf9pkAnk6RZ3Ml_m1EJT1PWHcEJcz1AilZPGMrUuT000Zy_3L67INKwKQUxf9NoA7GlQhDvKINqaRTWfcAt3CMArNSd2aSYozzJhDZKzkTgfNVcl61n9jnmfOIGmwyf36gifM/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJH8im9SRf9pkAnk6RZ3Ml_m1EJT1PWHcEJcz1AilZPGMrUuT000Zy_3L67INKwKQUxf9NoA7GlQhDvKINqaRTWfcAt3CMArNSd2aSYozzJhDZKzkTgfNVcl61n9jnmfOIGmwyf36gifM/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: The schoolhouse is across the street from the modern Sydenstricker United Methodist Church building - which will be the subject of its own blog entry soon...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The UPCL puts on sales at the site to raise money for maintenance; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW6DSoo-2N0&index=31&list=PL6cgtmyikyYlaixyJsWDtR_GjbtGEYQna" target="_blank">my video</a>. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The schoolhouse is on the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/school/2012/Sydenstricker_School.htm" target="_blank">U.S. Park Service's National Register of Historic Places</a>. </b></div>
Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-43110152445559435072014-10-01T18:36:00.002-07:002014-10-01T18:43:04.406-07:00Bozzelli's Deli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsCuA8gNstFI-QgcjbgVfTKNY0EcYaja6_gnY9hv0_3xv3wnSAUojOhJ4yhTBj4u6TSCKzFYlpn7meArZyokKVVMAtKlzDwHdPD33Gl1jWLGqlK8rC-YHgLaInGV8AuMiSPTJgYB-bbQO/s1600/IMG_6348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsCuA8gNstFI-QgcjbgVfTKNY0EcYaja6_gnY9hv0_3xv3wnSAUojOhJ4yhTBj4u6TSCKzFYlpn7meArZyokKVVMAtKlzDwHdPD33Gl1jWLGqlK8rC-YHgLaInGV8AuMiSPTJgYB-bbQO/s1600/IMG_6348.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I love this place! It's one of my favorite places to eat in town. Bozzelli's Deli is one of those good, old-fashioned family businesses. There are actually people working here named Bozzelli! Mama Bozzelli, for instance, who holds forth in Mama Bozzelli's Kitchen every now and then, sharing recipes and preparation ideas. I've been in the place when she does - it gets crowded.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDR-nRaNTU0GoK-aSj7HcHgCyTVpr0lB0yfWTvEKJgT973gd8YiCFjnYtEPOJXCXpFpfqutT6_ceLFcbsx4L7tkAngholTQbTlYRAIEUnF0o1X4lPuThA3Bqc13zb-MxpgbCUZ_A5OTH4/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDR-nRaNTU0GoK-aSj7HcHgCyTVpr0lB0yfWTvEKJgT973gd8YiCFjnYtEPOJXCXpFpfqutT6_ceLFcbsx4L7tkAngholTQbTlYRAIEUnF0o1X4lPuThA3Bqc13zb-MxpgbCUZ_A5OTH4/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: Mama Bozelli's Cooking Class set up.</div>
<br />
Bozzelli's got its start in nearby Lorton... but perhaps the "history" section on their website says it best:<br />
<br />
<em>Bozzelli's Italian Deli was located in what was originally "The Old Pohick Inn" along Route 1. Yep, a lot of you may remember the place. (Begin reminiscing now.)</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>The "Real Italian Guy" in the picture is Lou Bozzelli of Apulia, Italy; photographed shortly after starting in the restaurant biz at the age of 12. The Bozzelli family has<span class="actAsDiv normal_text" id="u1052"><!-- content --><span class="actAsDiv shadow Heathers clip_frame" id="u1053" title="Lou Bozzelli"><!-- image --></span></span> been making great subs in the Metro area (yes, that´s how the Metro sub got its name) since the late 1970´s. We added hand tossed pizza to the menu because of a rent hike in 2003 and started cooking classes in 2008 when our mom got the idea from watching cable one night. Mama Bozzelli´s best advice on cooking is as follows, "You only need to measure when baking a cake."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
How's the food here? GREAT. I like everything I've tried. What I normally order most often is the steak and cheese sandwich. The meat is to die for. Sure - it costs more than at Subway or Jerry's, but if there's one thing I've learned in life it's that you get what you pay for. <br />
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61ATOmhCRaQ35ML-7bJ8B1xDX1jpvZDJ10w7V6YNKA3zsc-Assyq2SCTpZZfYJPTzTxJ-Kbkp-jAGKirJhcynbe-AihMEqu_9-MiaYe-CwLOi7nhvfymJUK0aLzoDRv2PosIKp6SMFOr-/s1600/italian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61ATOmhCRaQ35ML-7bJ8B1xDX1jpvZDJ10w7V6YNKA3zsc-Assyq2SCTpZZfYJPTzTxJ-Kbkp-jAGKirJhcynbe-AihMEqu_9-MiaYe-CwLOi7nhvfymJUK0aLzoDRv2PosIKp6SMFOr-/s1600/italian.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: He's a Real Italian Guy!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS-lOdvrrlxbC19vbndvgRsTDrXR-itWkhDfJ00W7XxQIzAabUTF4al0hLb3Ofz2wvaCE3BU-6qVjwHxrqGpikmRljtUK7u8u2CWTYuZNDDoL6miw5atKhX6NtGxaZr3_oGnUVBZDMdLx/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLS-lOdvrrlxbC19vbndvgRsTDrXR-itWkhDfJ00W7XxQIzAabUTF4al0hLb3Ofz2wvaCE3BU-6qVjwHxrqGpikmRljtUK7u8u2CWTYuZNDDoL6miw5atKhX6NtGxaZr3_oGnUVBZDMdLx/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: The interior is fun: lots of Italian stuff around to look at...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxCGd46W1SYeV-PT0k_JEq4FJL4iTxzX09QmS82-9yosPLFW52ClEBUl4CD_UsOJUqTRvk39ynrtP8fQ7jQA27Vfp5cj6Gi21OLM8TxZWLPzwHYbsWI6tK4HJJcw-p3YcfgXr3g4Blcbv/s1600/columbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxCGd46W1SYeV-PT0k_JEq4FJL4iTxzX09QmS82-9yosPLFW52ClEBUl4CD_UsOJUqTRvk39ynrtP8fQ7jQA27Vfp5cj6Gi21OLM8TxZWLPzwHYbsWI6tK4HJJcw-p3YcfgXr3g4Blcbv/s1600/columbia.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Above: I've wanted this Italian Columbia Records poster ever since I first laid eyes on it. "For sale in installments - Free catalog." </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8ONPrMbBtD6lchgrvVeC9cj_tCKKGqTJHn_O9yNrJOjJQ3F_F1zT_A3JmraBtxC8nFwFdwCowTv3bed9_h5cKWRTTpCmoo1FmMfW0ZrEeSS-svc3wqN-x-Aydi5l3sZZZ82PearkGshQ/s1600/IMG_6355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8ONPrMbBtD6lchgrvVeC9cj_tCKKGqTJHn_O9yNrJOjJQ3F_F1zT_A3JmraBtxC8nFwFdwCowTv3bed9_h5cKWRTTpCmoo1FmMfW0ZrEeSS-svc3wqN-x-Aydi5l3sZZZ82PearkGshQ/s1600/IMG_6355.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: They sell some interesting bottled sodas, Italian goods and beers in the front, where you order. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aqTz8mzXfuZoEVoNQnni5Jj07rkZJBV0lxPCB-Cdt3p8HfZLRI_6oXE65MGeOYY2unylJWeRLuKbCXSSqK3eKYAoLAQyH7iQ43yKVDC3o5fYjvyFqW4DzrvZKbe__u9WJ-B-LsoA_LeT/s1600/2_itals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aqTz8mzXfuZoEVoNQnni5Jj07rkZJBV0lxPCB-Cdt3p8HfZLRI_6oXE65MGeOYY2unylJWeRLuKbCXSSqK3eKYAoLAQyH7iQ43yKVDC3o5fYjvyFqW4DzrvZKbe__u9WJ-B-LsoA_LeT/s1600/2_itals.jpg" height="400" width="303" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: They are - guaranteed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_oZPbvA8_5UYKYivlj8XqfcNJ1pMTMUnRqcyJm3HhvSO2qQgEuuRFKSpyjaZ0vRt7aOUMeOVYP0BDulRk8y-l0-YNq_cOy9LkOeat_hcVRwcbKQyoD7d1rpK-Rzh79cOoid_4ee4bClS/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_oZPbvA8_5UYKYivlj8XqfcNJ1pMTMUnRqcyJm3HhvSO2qQgEuuRFKSpyjaZ0vRt7aOUMeOVYP0BDulRk8y-l0-YNq_cOy9LkOeat_hcVRwcbKQyoD7d1rpK-Rzh79cOoid_4ee4bClS/s1600/pizza.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: One of the things I find endearing about the place is the unprofessional (but earnest) artwork and the breathless boosterism. Do I care that they don't have a gluten free oven? No. I'm fortunate that way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3jl_ouZMdZjfbsQlwc6WNxkM8evk7GmXUZYBkgitLIgbnFvHifVMuRfCxbafcglqiUK5wuAxUXlAg4H3GGhACDIzODZ1OXpGuLivLgnaLivn7jzif0rm49o5Yuj2xgzm69nmDaz-FD4I/s1600/cannoli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3jl_ouZMdZjfbsQlwc6WNxkM8evk7GmXUZYBkgitLIgbnFvHifVMuRfCxbafcglqiUK5wuAxUXlAg4H3GGhACDIzODZ1OXpGuLivLgnaLivn7jzif0rm49o5Yuj2xgzm69nmDaz-FD4I/s1600/cannoli.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: Cannoli is a sore point with my wife. Ever since a relative made some for her absolutely fresh when she was a girl, nobody else's measures up. Nobody's. If it's not fresh she doesn't want it. Sorry, Bozzelli's. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been going to Bozzelli's for about four or five years, now. And will until we leave Springfield!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bozzellideli.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Bozzelli's Website</strong></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/bozzellis-springfield" target="_blank"><strong>Yelp.com page about Bozzelli's</strong></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5438789835589678111.post-84443387377803362662014-09-30T17:47:00.000-07:002014-10-01T09:09:25.560-07:00The Pohick Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've always been a library patron no matter where I've lived. As a small boy in Los Angeles; in Burbank, where I grew up; at any Marine Corps Base I was stationed at; at school in Utah (where I had access to a first class university library); in our first home in Laurel, Maryland or here in Springfield, Virginia. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As it turns out, I have now lived in Springfield longer than any other place in my life - so naturally, the local library has been a personal and family destination for years. 27 years, in fact; we moved here in July 1987.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Which brings us to the subject of the <b>Pohick Regional Library</b> - part of the Fairfax County (Virginia) library system. Is it in West Springfield or the adjacent community of Burke? I don't care. I say Springfield, the county says Burke.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's named after a local creek, the Pohick, which, as you may guess, is an Indian word. It was built in 1986, just a year before we moved into town. All three of our kids have checked out countless books from this place, and so have my wife and I. In fact, I even got the job I presently work at via a 1993 government jobs listing I checked out from the reference desk!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The county's description of the facility is as follows:</div>
<br />
<i>The Pohick Regional Library is an integral part of the Burke community [And Springfield! - Wes], located 2 miles from the Fairfax County Parkway at the corner of Old Keene Mill and Sydenstricker Roads. One of the Fairfax County Public Library's busiest branches, the Pohick Regional Library circulates nearly one million items with a collection of approximately 180,000 volumes. The Pohick Regional Library's loyal community volunteers provide an amazing level of support for their branch with over 10,000 hours of service annually. The beautiful library grounds are planted and maintained by a dedicated volunteer group of expert gardeners. The Friends of the Pohick Regional Library enhance library service to our community by generously donating their time and funding for a wide array of items. The Friends hold three large book sales a year as well as an ongoing book sale located in the lobby.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm fond of the place... but...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well - you look:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2omzyaxxAMh9C0zyi-pBEvPD4JQ3gWvGTHeOWEQ0vXEi9yIShhB6c1zLqDS18-cjvM_WxT__FosccXNv2lXqbwtSL0J_K-sRPhClJFcZCD9OyhYyZGrJ2aIm6Ex-3_hIPvYdp4jrZYLn/s1600/gak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2omzyaxxAMh9C0zyi-pBEvPD4JQ3gWvGTHeOWEQ0vXEi9yIShhB6c1zLqDS18-cjvM_WxT__FosccXNv2lXqbwtSL0J_K-sRPhClJFcZCD9OyhYyZGrJ2aIm6Ex-3_hIPvYdp4jrZYLn/s1600/gak.jpg" height="234" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Above: From the library's web page. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIYstmof0pA18t3FqXCg3u28iYDO_jhiOfy_qkS-luTgjtphFH4-clUQp-ltfClZZr63joRhHDdrbGRSxYxpItoTdc374eXaigyrBu_4sNJJhLn1FRFjd9xyxEp5ZoA378NzsOHeKYhFk/s1600/IMG_6322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIYstmof0pA18t3FqXCg3u28iYDO_jhiOfy_qkS-luTgjtphFH4-clUQp-ltfClZZr63joRhHDdrbGRSxYxpItoTdc374eXaigyrBu_4sNJJhLn1FRFjd9xyxEp5ZoA378NzsOHeKYhFk/s1600/IMG_6322.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>What ugly architecture</i>! What unfortunate post-modernist style is this supposed to be, anyway? Or is it some gormless attempt to make use of geometric objects? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBodk746PtHFJ06dyCM-8qFD5b0ltxcrNwf_2QAjZIzjC01WiepiAVbot-Glc_V2Sc5OTt6kC1thKaQ_0JTC19AYx4lwJevv6W1FHCyigtM4DWK41t_vWOvdq_EfpiquhU_-_JNWSwkqQ3/s1600/IMG_6324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBodk746PtHFJ06dyCM-8qFD5b0ltxcrNwf_2QAjZIzjC01WiepiAVbot-Glc_V2Sc5OTt6kC1thKaQ_0JTC19AYx4lwJevv6W1FHCyigtM4DWK41t_vWOvdq_EfpiquhU_-_JNWSwkqQ3/s1600/IMG_6324.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not only is that clock tower weird looking - note the yellow cap, made with tiles! - but the goofy six-sided clock face isn't telling the right time. So why did they bother at all? And why the yellow tiles going up the tower on the edges, and the silly tile patterns in the middle and... and... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And what's that crooked pole at the top? A lightning rod or a fishing pole?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOLuW1XCbLB5SYLTES8ld-wxs2qIbcH6gdEhu6qNO2vmmgz8wC1cO5j7dkLaFn_AoDSjRaHihv51ONwrtI83Sg0ETL9KUylzK8BCUTL7fmGuXmnUBXlMOGO3YehDXWvgV1xlB61PmIVFp/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOLuW1XCbLB5SYLTES8ld-wxs2qIbcH6gdEhu6qNO2vmmgz8wC1cO5j7dkLaFn_AoDSjRaHihv51ONwrtI83Sg0ETL9KUylzK8BCUTL7fmGuXmnUBXlMOGO3YehDXWvgV1xlB61PmIVFp/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the interior. Lots of space. Big. Cavernous. Weird. Note the odd patterns in the cinder block wall. Best of all, the county gets to pay to heat and cool that useless ceiling space.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I once discussed that non-functional space with a librarian at the reference desk, and she wondered the same thing I did: why didn't they make a second level where more shelves could be placed?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0JSUjlpU_6hcS8-2j2GDJE32rnafxt8BQQ6teSNPbRNhZZpLVRiqTr2oJ3eSBbaDjS8TodWFXuWgEBBftLalfz9SlPQNWSPfcmKxEF-lLyYzJVR4YfgcYLEyn0TZ-FiHlMreJgReuURP/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0JSUjlpU_6hcS8-2j2GDJE32rnafxt8BQQ6teSNPbRNhZZpLVRiqTr2oJ3eSBbaDjS8TodWFXuWgEBBftLalfz9SlPQNWSPfcmKxEF-lLyYzJVR4YfgcYLEyn0TZ-FiHlMreJgReuURP/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that cantilevered ceiling with the fluorescent lights attached thereto - why? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The architects were Cross and Adreon; one of the librarians told me - laughingly - that the place once actually received some kind of architectural award! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-A2MAvKwCxap88HxHJQWfqEO42YGnlf4ur8hEhgqSQnK0_DEhUs8u3uvIjcb1Ht1swDNrJm2xcaeJ5UJRZpuo9gxVW2nf5VO0eKidd_xjOa-d0aF0jZT6VEzrLweqctbixwAN_BUEvx9/s1600/IMG_6326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-A2MAvKwCxap88HxHJQWfqEO42YGnlf4ur8hEhgqSQnK0_DEhUs8u3uvIjcb1Ht1swDNrJm2xcaeJ5UJRZpuo9gxVW2nf5VO0eKidd_xjOa-d0aF0jZT6VEzrLweqctbixwAN_BUEvx9/s1600/IMG_6326.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think, however, what every kid remembers best about this interior is the gigantic <i>papier-mache</i> Paddington the Bear with the library card. I don't think it's ever been dusted.</div>
<br />
I am happy to report that this library will soon be getting a major renewal; none of the librarians, however, could tell me if the county is planning to alter the architecture. The facility will be closed for an entire year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/pohick-regional-library-burke">The Yelp.com entry for the library</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/po/" target="_blank"><b>Fairfax County's Pohick Library website </b></a></div>
<br />Brighamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16450830005503932437noreply@blogger.com3