Boat Wreck

Boat Wreck, originally uploaded by bikerphoto.

This boat has had an unfortunate mishap. An article
from last may in the Baltimore Sun explains that the boat got stuck on these pilings in a storm and the owner left it there abandonded. Nobody really knows who the owner is. He seems to have left the area. Some complicated laws prevent the city of Baltimore from removing it. They have to go through proper channels to locate the owner first.

This location is home to other sunken ships. There is tugboat down there somewhere, according to the Baltimore Sun.

This is near a marina with lots of very expensive boats. To get the shot, I had to trespass on the dock of a private apartment building. But that is what you have to do sometimes to get interesting shots. I figured the worst that would happen is being asked to leave the property.

Feeding the Pigeons

Feeding the Pigeons, originally uploaded by bikerphoto.

On Black Friday, I shunned the mall and took a dawn photo walk on the waterfront in Fells Point, Baltimore. I got a few good shots. This one was my favorite. I came across this man feeding corn to the pigeons on a street corner. There were hundreds all around him. Here you can see some perched on his arms and one flying toward the camera. Over the winter, I plan to do a lot of walking and taking photos in Baltimore. Look for more intesting pictures of city life.

Fells point is a very trendy area on the Chesapeake Bay. This area of the city was once predominantly industrial with warehouses and wharfs supporting the import/export business. The area became somewhat abandoned over the years as the import/export business moved to the Dundalk Marine Terminal. It has since become a renissance area, with old wharehouses being converted into condominiums, shopping, and restaurants on the water. There is a lot of new construction also. The area is very popular among young professionals.

High on a Mountain Top

High on a Mountain Top, originally uploaded by bikerphoto.

Going back in time to 2006, this is a picture from an 8-day trip. We touched Maryland, WV, VA, NC, and TN.. It was a 2000 mile trip with lots of varied riding on freeways, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and in the urban area of Charlotte. The best part was the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you have never ridden it, you should.

Eight days, and only one day of rain -- the last day on the final ride getting home. It POURED all day. Luckily I had dropped my wife in WV, and she was driving her car. I rode that last 300 miles in heavy rain.

On the day I took this photo, it was about 65 degrees at this elevation. Later that day, we ended up in Charlotte, NC where it was 95. When on the Blue Ridge Parkway it seems that the world is not overcrowded. There is never much traffic up there. I think the BRP is a well kept secret. Shhh....let's not tell anyone, so we can have it all to ourselves.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

This afternoon I got a hankerin' for some KFC. I rarely eat it. I'm trying to watch my cholesterol you know. But I decided that today would be the day to have some. So I got on the bike, suited up with layers, including leather chaps to keep my legs warm, and headed out for a little ride. The local KFC that is less than a mile from my house would be too close. I also wanted to put a few miles on the bike. So I headed to Annapolis via a round about route.

When I stopped in KFC in Annapolis, a young girl working there asked me if my bike is a Harley. I always get a laugh when someone mistakes my Kawasaki for a Harley. I politely told her it is not a Harley. She then proceeded to tell me about the first and only time she rode a dirt bike. She ran into a tree. I've heard that story many times, and actually have seen it happen a few times. It seems that many people get on a bike the first time, thinking it will be easy to ride it, and immediately crash into a stationary object.

Anyway, the 70 mile round trip and the 2 peice meal with mashed potatoes hit the spot. I hope I don't get another craving for greasy chicken soon though. Too much KFC could cause a bypass operation. But it was a good excuse to go for a ride.

Riding to work

It's only 42 degrees this morning, but it is bright and sunny. My rule is that I can ride when the temperature is above 40 and the chance of rain is 40% or less. What can I say? I'm addicted to riding. I don't want to make you think I am cheap, but today I will save about $4 in gas by riding my Kawasaki Nomad versus driving my Chrysler Pacifica. So I'm doing my part to slow down global warming. Maybe that is the answer! Everyone should ride a motorcycle to cut down on greenhouse gases :-)

The only problem with riding my bike to work is this: when I get to the office I don't want to go inside. I would rather keep riding.

Ferris wheel being reclaimed by the earth

Ferris wheel, originally uploaded by bikerphoto.

This is located at an old amusement park in Southern, WV. The name of the park in its heyday was Lake Shawnee. The day I shot this I talked with the owner of the property, Gaylord White. He gave permission to shoot here, telling me that this location has been featured on the television program, "The Scariest Places on Earth." I remember being a kid on my way to visit my grandmother in the 60's and passing by this location very often. it was once a very popular place in the 50's. This is near Pinceton, WV. Mr. White still uses the property to entertain local residents with a catfish tournament every saturday night.

The strip in vegas

The strip, originally uploaded by bikerphoto.

Traffic on trhe strip creeps along slowly. Taxi drivers tell me they only make money when their taxi is moving. Taxis stay off the strip, driving mostly on the side streets.

collapsed barn

collapsed barn, originally uploaded by bikerphoto.

At Linganore Winery in Mt. Airy MD they have this collapsed barn on the property. Living in the metro area of Baltimore and Washington one forgets that rural America is still nearby. When I go to this area, which is only 40 minutes from the Baltimore Beltway, it is amazing to talk to people who live on these farms and have not been to Baltimore in decades. This area is relatively untouched by urban sprawl, though many from urban areas in PA and MD visit here everyday. If not for the nearby urban centers, wineries such as these would have no business. If not for nearby rural charm, there would be no escape from urban confinement. Yet it amazes me how many people I know who never enjoy these nearby simple pleasures, but instead travel very long distances to find their paradise.