Fort Ritchie with Ty

May 12, 2026 -- Mom and I have visited Fort Ritchie many times since discovering it on a Sunday drive several years ago. Ty had never been to Fort Ritchie. So, I took him today. The weather was splendid, in the 70s and sunny. We walked along the lake and up past all the Finger buildings. I met someone who was living in one of the Finger Buildings. He gave us a tour of his two bedroom apartment. It was really neat. He said his monthly rent was $1400. 

Lake Royer

A small waterfall

Also called Upper Lake

Ty enjoying the lake scenery

Older couple sitting by the lake

Canada geese

Ty in front of the Finger Buildings

For Rent - $1400 per month

The buildings at Fort Ritchie are gradually being developed. The ~35 long narrow buildings are called Finger Buildings. When the base was operational, they were used as classrooms. Now they are being renovated for various purposes, including residential and small businesses. A law office and barbershop are coming soon. The apothecary is a relatively new addition. There are several Airbnds, which keep moving according to the resident I met. Mom and I plan to stay overnight in one of them soon. Ty, too.

Barbershop coming soon to Fort Ritchie

Watching the traffic go by

High Rock Revisited

May 10, 2026 -- High Rock is constantly changing because the graffiti on the rocks is ever-changing. The views also look different in different seasons and under different weather conditions. Today was Mother's Day. Mom and I went for a Sunday drive. We ended up at High Rock after visiting nearby Fort Ritchie. A new addition to High Rock was the safety rails on top of the overlook. Probably long overdue. Did I climb up there before without the safety rails?

Mom's view from the car

Ever changing graffiti 

High Rock Overlook

Cumberland Valley 

Such vivid colors

An assault on the eyes

New safety railing

South Mountain

A walk along the Potomac

May 2, 2026 -- Ty and I walked along the Potomac River today. The Potomac River is one of the most scenic rivers in the eastern US. It offers diverse scenery:  rocky gorges and waterfalls, forested banks, rolling hills, and iconic vistas. 

The towpath is stone and gravel.

Below the dam: the Big Slackwater

The C&O Canal runs along the river. There is a 184.5 mile towpath that stretches from Georgetown (in DC) to Cumberland, the beginning and end of the canal. Ty and I often walk sections of the towpath. The weather was ideal today. Spring is splendid time to walk the canal.

White blooms

Along the shore of the Potomac

Furry friend along the path

Pink posies

C& O Canal Dam #4

Hydro-electric power plant

Spring daisies

Calm waters of the Potomac

The Big Slackwater

Leaves

Ty at the top of the dam

Foot prints in the sand

Full bloom

Coming down

Mushroom

Round 

Devil's Backbone

April 23, 2026 -- Devil's Backbone is a county park in Boonsboro. It is named for the narrow, jagged ridge that rises between Antietam Creek and Beaver Creek. It isn't a very big park (only 9 acres), so it didn't take long for Ty and I to explore. However, it has many noteworthy things to see, including a picturesque creek, foot bridge, stone bridge, dam, and waterfall. There was a short trail to hike. It overlooks the creek. Unfortunately, there weren't any good places for Ty to get into the water (although he did go in twice).

Devil's Backbone County Park, circa 1966

Ty in front of the dam, circa ~1820s

Waterfall

Footbridge

Devil's Backbone is a lesser known Civil War site. Booth's Mill Bridge was a strategic crossing point for both Union and Confederate troops. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, Union General George Meade established his headquarters at Devil's Backbone. The park is only a few miles from the primary battlefield area of Antietam, the bloodiest single day battle of the war.

Booth's Mill Bridge, circa ~1833

The bridge was rehabilitated ~1989

Antietam Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River

So pretty

The path

Algonquian: "Swift-flowing stream"

The dam was built to power a large commercial flour mill.

Another canal day

April 19, 2026 -- Ty and I went to Cushwa Basin today. It turned out to be a particularly good day for viewing wildlife. It was the most turtles I had ever seen. There were also ducks and geese. Unfortunately you can't get very good pictures with a cell phone. The zoom is poor.  Plus, you had to be very quiet (not always easy with a dog) or the turtles would go back under water.

I used AI to create this one:  merged two pictures

Canal dweller

Three turtles

Canada goose

Underwater

Towpath