Rocky Gap State Park

I have been wanting to go to Rocky Gap State Park for some time, so Ty and I went today. The temperature was supposed to be below 80 degrees and there was no rain in the forecast. And my schedule was unhindered. Ty was raring to go somewhere.

A rugged mountain wilderness and manmade lake

Ty liked the lake.

Opened in 1974, Rocky Gap State Park encompasses 3,000 acres and includes Lake Habeeb, Mount Evitts, and a privately owned resort, casino, and golf course. Lake Habeeb is a 243-acre reservoir fed by Rocky Gap Run. There are no natural lakes in Maryland. Only reservoirs and dams. I didn't know that. Mom's from Minnesota where there are 10,000 lakes!  The difference between the two states is their glacial history. During the last Ice Age, Minnesota was glaciated whereas Maryland was too far south to be glaciated, thus no natural basins to fill with water

Lakeside

Lakeside Loop Trail

Along the trail

Four!  - golf course along the lake

My hiking buddy

There is a moderate 5.3 mile Lakeside loop (hike) that goes around Lake Habeeb. Ty and I hiked part of it. I would like to do the whole loop, but we didn't have enough time today. Fall would be a better time (cooler). Maybe even prettier with the changing colors of the leaves. We hiked around for about two hours today. That was plenty for Ty and I. We don't like to overexert ourselves!

Lake Habeeb

Follow the orange trees

Wild Cherries

Ty's own tree along the lake (I removed the e).

Very blue

Banks of the lake

There is a shorter hike (Canyon Overlook Trail) that offers views of a mile-long gorge formed by a small stream (Rocky Gap Run) and durable limestone cliffs. Ty and I walked this one, but it was hard to tell if we were on the right path. We did an out-and-back. There was also a loop trail. We didn't see down inside the gorge. Trees obstructed the view, but it was still scenic.

Gorge

Trail head (waypoint)

Ty at the overlook

On the edge

A lot of trees

Pine cone

Breathtaking view

Back in the water

Rocky Gap was a good place to take Ty. Lake Habeeb was easily accessible. The water was calm and clear. He went in the lake many times. People ask if Ty likes to swim. I tell them that he likes to wade in the water (up to his belly) drink the water, and bite at it. Not swim. The water level of Lake Habeeb is unseasonably low due to drought (recent rains have helped), but there was plenty of water for Ty to enjoy. 

Ardent Nationals Fan

My dad and I used to go to a lot of Hagerstown Suns games. The stadium has since been torn down and "replaced" by a downtown stadium that is home to an independent pro team, unaffiliated with MLB (called the Boxcars). 

Because the Suns were a low-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, Dad and I quickly became Washington Nationals fans. We enjoyed following the careers of future hall-of-famers like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. Harper eventually became a free agent and walked, while Soto was traded for a big prospect haul. Luis Garcia, Jr. is our last Hagerstown Sun to still be playing for the Washington Nationals. For far, he's having a pretty good year. I've always thought he was underrated.

Bryce Harper - now a Phillie

Juan Soto - Padre, Yankee, and now a Met

Luis Garcia, Jr.  - still a National

The Nationals won the World Series in 2019, the year my dad died. It was unfortunate that my dad didn't live to see it, but I know he was watching from heaven. In fact, I think he caused Juan Soto's line drive to skip past the outfielder in the wild card game. Since 2019, I have become an ardent Washington Nationals fan. Somehow, it makes me feel closer to my dad.  

Not only do I follow the Nationals, but I also follow their minor league affiliates: Fredericksburg Nationals (low A), Wilmington Blue Crabs (high A), Harrisburg Senators (AA), and Rochester Redwings (AAA). I know who's hot and who's not down on the farm. Just ask me. It's always fun wondering who will make it and who won't. Some first rounders bust, while some guys drafted in the late rounds become stars. I guess it's all about probabilities.

FUTURE NATIONAL STARS!?  (STILL IN THE MINORS)

Eli Willits - 2025 #1 draft pick excelling at low A

Travis Sykora - sidelined after TJ surgery

Jarlin Susana - also recovering from surgery

Seaver King (AAA) - finally breaking out

Devin Fitz-Gerald - turning heads in high A

The Nationals have been very bad ever since they won their World Series. They've won only 1944 games, while losing 2164, and are almost always last in their division. It's been hard being a fan (akin to being a Redskins fan during the Snyder era). Even their minor league teams have been bad, with very few prospects ever panning out. Things seem to be changing now, and I'm excited about the future of the team. 

As of this post, the Nats are 1 game over 500. They have the highest scoring offense in MLB. They have two superstars who deserve to start in this year's All Star game: C.J. Abrams and James Wood (both acquired in the Juan Soto trade). The National's farm system is vastly improved. If the Nat's hitting prowess continues and the pitching improves to just-average, they could find themselves competing for a playoff spot. Brad Lord (middle reliever) is also All Star worthy, in my opinion. Cade Cavilli and Foster Griffin are solid starting pitchers.

WILL THESE GUYS PAN OUT FOR THE NATS?

Dylan Crews - back in the show, but . . . 

Brady House - optioned to AAA

"Yoyo" Morales - when will he get his chance?

Harry Ford (AAA) - what happened?

Elijah Green (high A) - a total bust?

About a year ago, the Nationals fired their manager and GM, the same guys that led them to the World Series in 2019. In the off season, they cleaned house. They hired almost all new people, and most of them are on the youngish side, notably the manager, 34-year old Blake Butera. They invested heavily in analytics. They've brought a different mindset and brand of baseball to the Nation's Capitol. I'm enjoying the ride so far. Go Nats!

Harper's Ferry National Historic Park

It wasn't the first time Ty and I had visited Harper's Ferry. This time we went on a day that was too pretty to stay home, sunny and in the 70's. Consequently, the park was a big on the crowed side. I got the last parking space in the visitor's lot. After Ty took a dump and went for a dip in the river, we walked to Lower Town Harper's Ferry. We toured the historic area and point, walked across the Appalachian Trail Bridge (and back). We "shared" a milk shake (almost $10!) on the street. On the way back to the car, we took the Virginius Island trail, walking along the railroad and river (Shenandoah). There is history wherever you go in Harper's Ferry.

Established as a national park in 1963

Click for bigger map

Confluence:  bridges

Confluence: pylons

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian Trail Bridge

Love locks

Ashley & Jamie

Stepping stones

Lower town

St. Peter's Roman Catholic church is a historic chapel in Harper's Ferry. The church occupies a prominent site on the heights above the town. The street alongside the church is part of the Appalachian Trail. There is a short trail from the church to Jefferson Rock. The original church was built in 1833. It was the only church in Harper's Ferry to escape destruction during the Civil War. Robin is a docent at the church.

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, c. 1833

Entrance to the church

Ty went to church

The stone steps (c. 1810) predate the church.

View from the church

Rail bridge and St. Peter's Church

Construction of the US Armory and Arsenal at Harper's Ferry began in 1799. The only building that remains is the fire engine house (John Brown Fort). When the Civil War began the armory became an immediate target.  In 1859, abolitionist John Brown unsuccessfully tried to seize the armory. His raid helped to incite the country.

Armory grounds

Arsenal Square

John Brown Fort, c. 1848 (location since 1968)

John Brown monument (obelisk), c. 1895
Original location of John Brown Fort