Autumn Drive

Wanting to take advantage of the last warm day of Autumn color we put the top down on the Roadster and headed for the Western Maryland mountains.  I plotted out a route, checking "no highways"on Google Maps, and chose the southern route.  We'd head west through Maryland on back roads, cross the West Virginia panhandle, and finally back into Maryland. . . .

All this rigamarole was because of the mountains we would encounter--there was only one way to get across on the back roads.  I didn't take very many photos because there wasn't a good place to stop along the road most of the time, but I wanted to share the few I did take.  And by sheer happenstance I took a movie along the narrow mountain passage that made my heart flutter because it was so close to the edge with NO GUARD RAIL.  (As Ken noted, if we drove off the side of the mountain they wouldn't find us until Spring.)  And by happenstance I mean, I didn't know the camera was videotaping as you will see.  Here are the still photos I was taking while the camera was doing its own thing. . . .

When you watch the video you'll see the action pause for a moment--that was when the stills were being taken.  We brought along the iPad with its GPS program so we could see where we were.  There were so many changes in routes, we needed the back-up, although several times we were out of range for service.

Along the way we encountered chickens in the road and 30-foot high amusement park characters like Paul Bunyon in someone's yard, along with a mini-roller coaster.  Of course now I wish I'd said "yes" when Ken asked if I wanted to go back and take photos.  The reason I didn't is this was just about when I began to doubt Google's directions, and I was worried we were lost!  But we WERE suppose to be in Virginia--just for a little while--then back into West Virginia.

♫Days Gone By♫

Just after noon we arrived at our destination--Penn Alps restaurant. . . .

If we are anywhere near this place, we stop for a meal or an afternoon tea/coffee break--and it's been a while.  I only ordered a cup of the German Vegetable Soup and a BLT because I wanted to save room for their Apple Dumpling later. This was our table by the window. . . .

On the premises is the Spruce Forest Artisan Village.  These cabins have all been brought here from elsewhere and used by resident artisans.  Only a few were in-residence that day. . . .

 This cabin was Alta Schrock's, the founder of Penn Alps. . . .

It houses Lenore Long Lancaster, Colored Pencil Artist. . . .

The Eli Miller Shed was built from components of a 19th century plank house near Springs, PA.  It houses the Metal Sculptor, Mike Edelman. . . .

 Here are several of his most unique creations. . . .

Markley House is the oldest house in the Village. . . .

It's the studio of Bird Sculptor, Gary Yoder. . . .

 Here are some of his creations. . . .

Winterbury House was originally a stagecoach stop. . . .

Lynn Lais, a potter, now uses it as his shop.  An addition has been added to the back where he makes his pottery. . . .

It was too early for dessert so we drove back into Grantsville to their Thrift shop we always go to.  This time I bought two $3 dresses and Ken found a replacement for our broken cheese grinder that we've not been able to find even on-line.  Then it was time to go back to Penn Alps for my Apple Dumpling!  We got the same table and same waitress.  I didn't tell her we drove 134 miles just so I could have this Apple Dumpling. . . .

Having satisfied my Apple Dumpling craving, we headed toward home taking the Interstate part of the way. . . .

 . . .because we wanted time to stop in Berkley Springs to look around since we hadn't been there in a while.  In the middle of town is the Berkley Springs State Park.  I think it has to be the smallest State Park, since it only takes up one block of town. . . .

This is where we saw George Washington's bathtub (click on link to see) that I mentioned in my previous post.  Then we headed home, tired, but happy with our little excursion even though most of the leaves were off the trees in Western Maryland.  As we got closer to home I realized we didn't have to drive all that distance to see colorful leaves.  This is what is in color in our own woods. . . .

These were all little "twigs" you get from Arbor Day Foundation if you join.  We planted them there with the intent of transplanting them when they grew a little.  As you see, we never got around to transplanting and instead ended up with a mini-forest. . . .

 The Burning Bushes are just beginning to turn. . . .

This tree stands alone in its colorfulness. . . .

At the bottom of our driveway are the twin pines the boys brought home from elementary school (more twigs). . . .

 Coming up the driveway. . . .

Looking back down toward the street. . . .You can get a good look at one of those pines on the left at the street. . . .

 Looking down one of the paths. . . .

 Berries. . . .

 And these flowers are still blooming. . . . !

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Take Joy!