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. He's having a pretty good year so far in 2026.

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 in the farm system. Just ask me. It's always fun wondering who will make it and who won't.

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) - rising star soon to debut?

Devin Fitz-Gerald (high A) - a sleeper?

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 National'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

Virginius Island

Virginius Island is part of Harper's Ferry National Historical Park. It is located on the Shenandoah River. It was once separated from the main part of Harper's Ferry by a river channel, then a canal. In the years before the Civil War, the island was a thriving industrial area, built on water power. At its peak in 1850, upwards of 180 people lived in 20 to 28 houses on the 13-acre island.

A once thriving island

Footbridge (Randolph Bridge) to Virginius Island

Ruins of the Shenandoah Pulp Mill

Inlet arches

The island suffered greatly during the Civil War. Floods also proved too devastating to overcome. The last inhabitants left the island in 1936. Nature has now reclaimed the island. No structures remain, but there are plenty of ruins to explore. Not to mention a beautiful shoreline.

The Shenandoah was a great source of power.

Under the arch

Ty enjoying the island

The Virginius Island trail offered some great views of the Shenandoah River, including rapids. Ty was able to get in the water at several places. I needed to make sure the water wasn't moving too fast for him. Didn't want my pup to wash away!

Rippling waters of the Shenandoah

So many scenic views of the Shenandoah

Shenandoah River Bridge

"Seashells" from the river

6, 5 and 3

Pets have birthdays, too. In March, Cash turned 3. In May, Ty turned 5 and Oliver turned 6. I love them all with all my heart. They are my family. Happy birthdays babies!

Cash, age 3

Ty, age 5

Oliver, age 6

Photogenic dwarf goats

Goats are photogenic. I don't have many, but I enjoy taking their pictures. Louise had quadruplets this year, but one had to be euthanized (urinary problem) and another one died from an unknown cause. So, she's raising twins (both males). For the second year in a row, Thelma didn't breed. Bye Thelma.

The boyz

Louise and her two kids

My whole goat herd

Polled buck

When they were smaller

Newborn care

Quads: sadly only two survived past a week

Coming in from the field