Baltimore Rocks!

Yes, Baltimore does rock, but there is no verb in the title. Talking about geology here. Went this evening to a talk by geologist Ira May at the Loch Raven Branch of the Baltimore County Library. It was an excellent presentation about geology and the history of mining in Baltimore County. Learned a lot about copper mining in Mount Washington (Bare Hills) under Smith Avenue, chromium mining at Soldiers Delight (those stunted scrub oak and pine trees are because of magnesium in the soil). and limestone mining at Cockeysville, aka Texas, Maryland. And who knew that Leakin Park has an outcropping of schist (often associated with granite) that is studded with visible red garnets. Hey, schist happens. Isaac Tyson, Jr., of Baltimore held a virtual world monopoly on chromium in the nineteenth century thanks to his chromium mines at Soldiers Delight in Baltimore County and other mines in Pennsylvania. Motivation for several hikes and photo opportunities, which I will document here in the future.