Steam Tug Baltimore

This historic 1906 vessel looks like a mother ship nursing the dinghies nestled against her side.

The Sphinx of Ilchester

Restless

On the morning of the third day
having redeemed the house of Adam
Jesus, restless in spirit
threw off the linen shackles of death
and took up his body anew.

The Last Breath of Winter

A late March snow
winter's last breath
hangs in the air
and on branches
like a blown kiss
from the White Queen
as she departs

What You'd Be Missing

Why would anyone leave the Land of Pleasant Living to visit the Sunshine State, when you could stay home for this? You know who you are.

Not So Scenic Overlook

When is a scenic overlook not scenic? When it's Buzzards Rock in the Patapsco Valley State Park, directly over the western opening of the Ilchester tunnel. Unless you have rock climbing and rappelling gear you have no chance of seeing anything resembling a scenic view. And even with that equipment it would not be all that great.The view is completely obstructed by trees, even in winter without any foliage. Imagine the above view in summer with the trees in full leaf. You would see nothing but trunks and leaves. The Patapsco river in the center of the photo curves counter clockwise just to the right of the view to again parallel the train track as seen in the upper right corner. But that view of the river is also obstructed. If you are absolutely committed to visiting Buzzards Rock take the short, easy, almost level walk from the Hilltop Road parking area and skip the steep heart pounding cardio workout climb from the river path that starts at Bloede's dam. Unless you just want the exercise. Or leave Buzzards Rock to the buzzards. You won't miss much.

Reinforcement

There are many small stone arched bridges carrying the Old Main Line over tributaries of the Patapsco river. I have never seen one reinforced and stablilized in this manner. It is on the stretch of rails between the Davis tunnel and Woodstock.