Juneteenth June 19th

To honor the emancipation of slaves, consider visiting the Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples in Southern Maryland at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.  Slaves were declared free in 1865, but there is still much need for freedom in 2023.  African Americans are still targets for unfair treatment,  and social and health inequalities in the United States.  

To learn about the exhibit, visit https://www.smcm.edu/honoring-enslaved/about-commemorative/

Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour

We went back to the driving tour from Patuxent River Park to Merkle Park to see how different it is in the Spring.  We visited it last year in the Autumn.  I kind of liked the fall season better.  I suspect it might be quite buggy in the Summer on the trails.  This time I saw mountain laurel, osprey, a water skier, turtles and fishermen.

Observation Tower

Kayaking under the bridge

Fishy wood on bridge

Shadows

Waterskiier

Catfish Pond

Sunning Turtles

The walk to the top of this observation tower is quite steep.

The bridge wood knot reminded me of a fish.

I waved at the kayakers paddleing under the bridge.

   I liked how the leaves created shadows.

                      Catfish Pond

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Piney Point Sunset

It was a nice night for sunset at Piney Point Lighthouse, but kind of windy.

Keepers cottage

Sunset at Piney point lighthouse

Cupula

Memorial Day

In memory of those who have sacrificed their lives for others.

Flower Visit to Annmarie Garden

We missed an earlier visit to Annmarie gardens to see the azaleas around the parking lot.  Here are what were on their way out last week.  I mostly had to zoom in close to crop out the dying ones.  We miss the large numbers of azaleas in Pennsylvania.  They won’t grow in my yard without a lot of work and special soil.  The National Arboretum is a good place to see them if you don’t mind the drive in late April or early May.  Does anyone know where azalea gardens can be found in St. Mary’s County?

                                                    So colorful

                                        Anyone know what this is?

Visit to Sunrise Garden in North Beach, MD

We visited the Sunrise garden by the boardwalk in North Beach, hoping that it would be prettier in Spring than in Summer.  It is actually nicer in summer.  It is an art garden, complete with creative sculptures made of recycled materials like driftwood and metal parts.  We saw some mallards, lots of koi in the water, yellow flag iris, a small dianthus grouping, along with the pretty little waterfalls.  I was surprised to see water lilies this early in the season.