Spring arrives at 7:44am Friday. Hooray! The birds are singing, the temperature is rising (slowly maybe), the sun is shining (or at least trying to come out). The time for outside activities is upon us.
Just yesterday, on my way home from work I noticed purple wild flowers along President Ave in Lancaster, PA. I was actually surprised to see flowers already.
So now that Spring is in the air, what is there to do? Another place to visit and photograph are mud sales. Every Spring, various areas of Lancaster County hold mud sales. These sales are normally sponsored by local fire companies. The locals, including the Amish, come to these mud sales mainly to purchase things like tools, machinery, arts and crafts, Amish buggies, and an assortment of food. Some of us go to the mud sales to hunt for photo opportunities. Last year, my friend Pat and I attended the mud sale in Gap, PA. This was my first time going to a mud sale and it was quite the experience.
Both of us came back home with several photo memories that day. (We even photographed the Amish, although discreetly since the Amish believe that it's a sin of vanity to have their photo taken.)
For more info on the mud sales, please visit www.padutchcountry.com.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Charter Day
Good afternoon and welcome to another post to my Travel Journal. Today, I would like to discuss Charter Day. Charter Day is when some Lancaster County travel hot spots are open to the public at no charge. Ephrata Cloister, Landis Valley Museum, and The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania are three places in Lancaster County that you can visit for no charge on Charter Day.
If railroad trains of yesteryear is of interest to you, then heading over to Strasburg is where you want to be. Enjoy celebrating the 327th birthday of the Commonwealth, by observing Pennsylvania made and operated historic trains.
If you would like to witness how the Ephrata Cloister Congregation lived their lives, visiting their grounds is the place for you. One of America's earliest religious communities, the Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals rather than worldly possessions.
Of course if you want to know the life of the Landis Brothers, then making a trip to the Landis Valley Museum is where you would like to spend the afternoon. (Please see my blog on Landis Valley.)
The Railroad Museum of PA is located at Route 741, Strasburg, PA across the street from the Strasburg Railroad. For more information, please visit www.rrmuseumpa.org. For info regarding the Ephrata Cloister, please visit www.ephratacloister.org. The website for Landis Valley Museum is www.landisvalleymuseum.org.
If railroad trains of yesteryear is of interest to you, then heading over to Strasburg is where you want to be. Enjoy celebrating the 327th birthday of the Commonwealth, by observing Pennsylvania made and operated historic trains.
If you would like to witness how the Ephrata Cloister Congregation lived their lives, visiting their grounds is the place for you. One of America's earliest religious communities, the Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals rather than worldly possessions.
Of course if you want to know the life of the Landis Brothers, then making a trip to the Landis Valley Museum is where you would like to spend the afternoon. (Please see my blog on Landis Valley.)
The Railroad Museum of PA is located at Route 741, Strasburg, PA across the street from the Strasburg Railroad. For more information, please visit www.rrmuseumpa.org. For info regarding the Ephrata Cloister, please visit www.ephratacloister.org. The website for Landis Valley Museum is www.landisvalleymuseum.org.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Longs' Park
This past Wednesday, I went to Longs' Park in Lancaster Pennsylvania. I've been to this park several times, but although it's February, the temperature was nearly 60. I wasn't the only one taking advantage of the warm weather. There were others...couples walking hand in hand, mothers watching their children playing on the playground. Some were just relaxing, enjoying the nice breeze.
Of course, I went to the park to take photographs. Before I go somewhere to take photographs, I try to visualize the type of images I would like to take. Although I did this, the subjects seemed to come to me as I was walking. The subjects in question were seagulls. A lot of seagulls. I didn't count them, but did I really have to? (The image above is one of my first images taken on this day. The seagull was standing on a park bench rail. It didn't even notice me approaching and it didn't fly away after I took the photograph.) There were mallard ducks as well. There was a thin layer of ice on the pond...it was humorous seeing the seagulls and ducks waddle their bodies on the ice. I took 20 photos while at the park, then I decided to call it a day. (I really wanted to go home so I could view my images on my computer and find out if I had any keepers.)
Longs' Park is located off of Route 30, Harrisburg Pike Exit. The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Signing off until next time.
Friday, January 30, 2009
A Sweet Surprise
I would like to share some good news with you. A few weeks ago, I entered a few of my images in the Pentax Photo Gallery and one of them was accepted. Please try to understand that it took nearly a year (if not longer) to finally have one of my images approved in the PPG. (It's hard to guess what the PPG is looking for.) I would occasionally enter a few every now and then. Finally, one was accepted! Whoo Hoo!
To see this image, please go to www.pentaxphotogallery.com/cindysperko. You can also view other great images by Pentax Photographers on the PPG. (It is quite an honor being accepted in the PPG!) I would like to thank Pentax for this great honor! I would also like to thank a friend of mine, Tammy. I wouldn't have taken the shot if it wasn't for receiving a ticket to see a show at the Sight and Sound Millennium Theater in Strasburg, PA.
Which brings me to the next place you should visit when touring Lancaster County. The Sight and Sound Millennium Theater is a place to see actors/actresses perform extraordinary biblical theatric productions. Live animals also perform their parts in these productions. *Warning. Do Not Forget to Bring Your Camera.* (Photos may be taken any where except inside the theater.)
I recently had the opportunity to see the Miracle of Christmas and I thought the production was absolutely amazing! When you enter the premises, you will pass a pond along the short drive to the theater. There is also a walking trail and some benches for resting, or simply enjoying the sights and sounds around you. In front of the theater there are fountains, sculptures of animals, and other photo opportunities. Once you are inside the main lobby, you will be amazed by the spacious layout of the foyer. The creative lighting gives you the feel of a tropical island paradise and the aroma of hot coffee and other tasty treats adds warmth to the festive air. (Although photos may be taken in the foyer area, the lighting is dark and it can be crowded, making tripod use impossible. If you want to take inside photos with a tripod I suggest that you ask management if you can come when it's less crowded.)
The show was very enlightening, capturing the spirit of the season. The actors, actresses, chorus, and everyone who made the production the great show that it is, all deserve a standing ovation! From the costumes, the sets, and the atmosphere, The Sight and Sound Millennium Theater productions gives you the essence of being back in time, living through the biblical times. For ticket pricing and other information, please visit http://www.sight-sound.com/.
To see this image, please go to www.pentaxphotogallery.com/cindysperko. You can also view other great images by Pentax Photographers on the PPG. (It is quite an honor being accepted in the PPG!) I would like to thank Pentax for this great honor! I would also like to thank a friend of mine, Tammy. I wouldn't have taken the shot if it wasn't for receiving a ticket to see a show at the Sight and Sound Millennium Theater in Strasburg, PA.
Which brings me to the next place you should visit when touring Lancaster County. The Sight and Sound Millennium Theater is a place to see actors/actresses perform extraordinary biblical theatric productions. Live animals also perform their parts in these productions. *Warning. Do Not Forget to Bring Your Camera.* (Photos may be taken any where except inside the theater.)
I recently had the opportunity to see the Miracle of Christmas and I thought the production was absolutely amazing! When you enter the premises, you will pass a pond along the short drive to the theater. There is also a walking trail and some benches for resting, or simply enjoying the sights and sounds around you. In front of the theater there are fountains, sculptures of animals, and other photo opportunities. Once you are inside the main lobby, you will be amazed by the spacious layout of the foyer. The creative lighting gives you the feel of a tropical island paradise and the aroma of hot coffee and other tasty treats adds warmth to the festive air. (Although photos may be taken in the foyer area, the lighting is dark and it can be crowded, making tripod use impossible. If you want to take inside photos with a tripod I suggest that you ask management if you can come when it's less crowded.)
The show was very enlightening, capturing the spirit of the season. The actors, actresses, chorus, and everyone who made the production the great show that it is, all deserve a standing ovation! From the costumes, the sets, and the atmosphere, The Sight and Sound Millennium Theater productions gives you the essence of being back in time, living through the biblical times. For ticket pricing and other information, please visit http://www.sight-sound.com/.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Welcome to my Travel Journal
Today is Sunday January 25, 2009. The temperature outside is a balmy 25 degrees under cloudy conditions. As of today, there are 54 days until spring. Soon, we will begin to notice the trees budding, the grass turning different shades of green, the sun shining farther from the horizon, and best of all, warmer temperatures.
I know that there are photo opportunities during the winter months, but this year has been much colder that normal in Lancaster County. So what have I been doing instead of photography and writing this blog? I have been busy planning to visit places to explore once the weather warms up a bit. I have also been reading photo magazines, as well as, ordering travel brochures. (You can get free travel brochures on http://www.travelguidesfree.com/.)
In Lancaster County, there are plenty of places to photograph. Places like, Landis Valley Museum. LVM is a living history village and farm, collects, preserves and interprets the history and material culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940 and enhances understanding of their successful practices, interactions with others, and the impact on the state and nation for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth. (info taken from their website http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/.) I have visited LVM twice and it's a place that I put on my list to visit each year. So far, I have visited LVM during the spring and summer. My summer visit was an unexpected pleasure. I felt like I was on the set of the tv series "Little House on the Prarie". The weather was sunny and pleasant and there were photo opportunities everywhere I looked.
When you arrive at LVM, you are greeted by a smiling guest services representative, at the welcome center, who is eager to provide you with your ticket, map of the premises, and show you (on the map) the opened buildings. Some of the buildings include the Print and Leatherworking shop, the Blacksmith Shop, and the Maple Grove (one room) School House. There is also a tavern which a costumed-dressed employee explains the history of the tavern, and also prepares a meal over an opened flame. The tavern is a place where travelers could get a room for the night, and a home-cooked meal for about 40 cents.
The Landis House & Stable is a must see. The inside of the house is filled with many antiques and treasures, including a 8x10 camera with bellows. The rooms are small, but the air is filled with a rustic aura that has you imagine what life of the Landis brothers was like. Don't forget to stop at the Weathervane Museum Store to bring home a touch of Pennsylvania German craftmanship.
There are plenty more things to explore at LVM. For admission fees, hours of operation, and other information, please visit http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/.
I know that there are photo opportunities during the winter months, but this year has been much colder that normal in Lancaster County. So what have I been doing instead of photography and writing this blog? I have been busy planning to visit places to explore once the weather warms up a bit. I have also been reading photo magazines, as well as, ordering travel brochures. (You can get free travel brochures on http://www.travelguidesfree.com/.)
In Lancaster County, there are plenty of places to photograph. Places like, Landis Valley Museum. LVM is a living history village and farm, collects, preserves and interprets the history and material culture of the Pennsylvania German rural community from 1740 to 1940 and enhances understanding of their successful practices, interactions with others, and the impact on the state and nation for citizens of and visitors to the Commonwealth. (info taken from their website http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/.) I have visited LVM twice and it's a place that I put on my list to visit each year. So far, I have visited LVM during the spring and summer. My summer visit was an unexpected pleasure. I felt like I was on the set of the tv series "Little House on the Prarie". The weather was sunny and pleasant and there were photo opportunities everywhere I looked.
When you arrive at LVM, you are greeted by a smiling guest services representative, at the welcome center, who is eager to provide you with your ticket, map of the premises, and show you (on the map) the opened buildings. Some of the buildings include the Print and Leatherworking shop, the Blacksmith Shop, and the Maple Grove (one room) School House. There is also a tavern which a costumed-dressed employee explains the history of the tavern, and also prepares a meal over an opened flame. The tavern is a place where travelers could get a room for the night, and a home-cooked meal for about 40 cents.
The Landis House & Stable is a must see. The inside of the house is filled with many antiques and treasures, including a 8x10 camera with bellows. The rooms are small, but the air is filled with a rustic aura that has you imagine what life of the Landis brothers was like. Don't forget to stop at the Weathervane Museum Store to bring home a touch of Pennsylvania German craftmanship.
There are plenty more things to explore at LVM. For admission fees, hours of operation, and other information, please visit http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/.
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