Looking Forward to Fall

Darkastle At Sunset

Funky Mood

I'll admit it.  I've been in a funk for the last couple of weeks.  This time of year is always depressing to me.  I just hate to see the end of Summer.  And so here were are in the very last week before school starts and it's a sad, sad time.  Already the days are getting shorter.  Can't say it's any cooler since it was 94 humid degrees today.

Howl-O-Scream Countdown

The only bright spot in the near future is the start of Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens.  It opens on September 25 and I'm happy to report they've already started some preparations. They even have a three new haunts this year.

Here's one of the new haunts.  Looks promising.  This one is replacing 13:You're Number's Up.  I liked 13.  In fact, it was probably my favorite.  But it was a few years old and I'm glad to see something new going in.  I'm very curious to see what is behind the boarded doors.  Here is a preview of Unearthed.

One of the other new haunts is called Cornered.  Busch has just released Cornered preview as well.  Kind of reminds me of Children of the Corn!  Terrifying!  I don't know if I can handle being chased through cornfields.

Lumberhack looks to be zombie lumberjacks.  Can't wait to see that one!  Zombies are so scary to me...but now as scary as clowns.  I still wish they would bring them back.  Maybe it's just my personal phobia but the clowns were the creepiest.  Once I was just standing there having a conversation when I felt something on the back of my neck.  Thinking it was a bug I reached up to swat it away.  I felt something I didn't recognize so I turned my head and came face to face with an evil clown.  (Insert scream here)  He had his nose on my neck!  Gives me the heebie jeebies just remembering it!

Sharon

#howl-o-scream, #busch-gardens-williamsburg,

Newport News Video

I haven't blogged much this summer.  I meant to.  Really I did.  During my workday I write really imaginative posts in my head.  Unfortunately by the time I get home they have disappeared along with my willpower and energy!

This summer has gone blazingly fast as usual.  I haven't done everything I wanted to but at least put a dent in my Summertime List.  Even managed to fit in a trip home to the mountains.  Oh joy!  Rapture!  I'll blog about that when I get the pictures ready.

There are so many activities to do in this area.  But you know how it is.  When you live somewhere you mostly leave that stuff to the tourists while you sit in the AC complaining about the heat and not having anything to do or anywhere to go!

I came across this cool video that features Newport News and the surrounding area.  The phrase that's repeated often is "Get out of the bed now".  That's something I say to myself all the time.  And lately I have to force myself to get out of the house as well.  I have so much work to do it's a real struggle to make time for fun as well.  But this Wake Up To Newport News video is a great incentive to get out and about.  Be careful about watching it though.  The song might get stuck in your head!

Sharon

#newportnewsva
#funinva

The Colors of Busch Gardens in the Spring

It's been awhile since I've blogged.  I try to make time for it but time is one of those things that just seems to get away from me.  Like everyone else I don't have enough hours in my day.

I did manage to take a few opportunities to get out and about...with my trusty camera, of course.  Here are a few of the scenes that caught my eye.

I see you admiring my beauty!

What a lovely

Handsome fellow

Enjoying a lazy afternoon

Busch Gardens in full bloom

Serene in green

Electric England

Busch Gardens is known as one of the most beautiful amusement parks in the country.  It's a wonderful place to practice photography.  The only downside is having to fight the crowds.  Why do people insist on walking in front of me when they surely can see the camera in front of my face?  It can be very trying to the patience.  Thankfully we have season passes so we can go during the less popular hours.  We love to go at the end of the day just to do a little walking (for exercise) and then treat ourselves with ice cream or funnel cakes (to cancel out the exercise)!
Sharon

#photography, #Busch

Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream 2014 - Clowns vs. Pirates

Freak Show Where The Clowns Lived 2012

Welcome To The Freak Show

This time of year Busch Gardens is in full scale Halloween mode.  Howl-O-Scream has gone through several transformations over the years.  Some good. Some not so good.  The general consensus is that they should bring back the Haunted Train and the Scary Clowns.

I don't remember ever riding the Haunted Train, but I definitely remember the clowns.  They were all over the place and would sneak up behind you.  Once we were in Ireland and I felt something on my neck.  I put my hand on my neck and OH MY GOSH.  I got a handful of CLOWN NOSE!  This clown had crept up on me and put his long plastic nose on the back of my neck.  I screamed pretty good.  Of course hubby saw him do it and never warned me.  That reminds me...I still owe him for that one.

It takes very little effort for clowns to be scary.  I don't know what it is about them but even the "normal" ones are creepy.  Add some jagged teeth and the terror kicks in.  Anyone remember "It"?  Argh!

Speaking of argh...They got rid of the clowns and replaced them with pirates.  Now I like Johnny Depp as much as the next girl, but scary he is not.  The pirates this year are a bit dead looking, which is an improvement from last year.  And I will say that the makeup and costumes are fantastic.  But pirates will never be as scary as clowns!  Except maybe in "The Fog".  That was pretty scary.

Pretty Pirate at the Pub

Now That's Scary!!!

Sharon

#buschgardenswilliamsburg, #howl-o-scream, #scaryclown,

Leaving The Flatlands!

First Leg Of Our Trip To West Virginia

On the first day of our mini vacation we stopped off in Staunton, Va.  For one thing I wanted to try out a local restaurant named Mrs. Rowe's.  I have a cookbook from this restaurant which has a reputation for it's pies.  I actually have made the Pineapple Cream Pie and the Original Coconut Cream Pie.  I highly recommend either of these recipes.  You can find Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant Cookbook here.

As for the food, it was OK and the portions were generous.  I made the mistake of trying to eat all of mine.  Then I found that I absolutely had no room left for the pie.  I thought about taking one with me but I knew my hotel room didn't have a fridge.  Sadly I left my pie behind.  I had to settle for some cookies and a massive cinnamon roll.  We all have to make sacrifices at times.

Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant

After eating our fill, we took a short drive around Staunton.  They have some really fun artwork that's well-known in these parts.  I love to find unusual pieces and these are some of my favorites.

Water Spout

This is actually a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway water column but in this setting works perfectly as a water spout.

Giant Watering Can

 

Giant Flower Pots

We left the hills of Staunton and headed to the mountains.  It's impossible to explain the feeling you get when get a glimpse of that first mountain!

Onward to West Virginia!
Sharon

Filipino Fun

Filipino Festival 2014

I was listening to a radio station out of Richmond, Virginia when I heard a random announcement for a Filipino Festival this weekend.  Oh my!  How could I resist a trip to Richmond for some Filipino food and entertainment?

My small gang headed out with thoughts of pansit and adobo in mind.  We had great weather for the trip and only got lost once or twice!  We won't talk about how this happened (hubby).  After the minor setbacks we found the church and got great parking.  That's always nice.

We made our way through the kid area and vendors.  Lots of traditional Filipino clothing and accessories.  Not many crafts though so I didn't find anything to buy.

There was a covered area for eating and watching the performances.  So we made our way to the food line to check out the good eats.  I chose pansit to start.  Hubby got an empanada and lumpia.  The pansit was good but not as good as my own, naturally.  Hubby rated the lumpia as good and the empanada as "I could eat these all day" great.

The children's Filipino class was performing as we ate.  After that came the line dancing with many from the audience participating.  Although Hubby's feet were itching to head over there, he managed to restrain himself!  Too bad.  I probably would have gotten some prime photos!

Next came a dance troup Kultura Pilipino.  They had performed the night before and were back by request.  No wonder.  They were fabulous!  It was very difficult to get photos from my position under the tent.  Lots of photos with heads and poles in inconvenient places.  But I did manage to get some nice shots anyway.  Enjoy.

 #filipinodance, #Kulturapilipino, #pinoy, #filipinofestival, #filipinocostume,

Bacon's Castle

Country Drive and Historical Walk

Just around the corner from the Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival we ran across a site called Bacon's Castle.  I'll admit I had never heard of a castle in Virginia so the idea of touring one was hard to resist.  It was so easy to find I can't believe I never noticed it before.  I guess when I drove by on previous trips I had my mind on the pork chop sandwiches at the festival!

Country road through soybean and corn fields

At any rate, it was a lovely day for a ride through the Surry countryside.  It seemed like miles and miles of soybeans and corn fields.  Made me feel all "Scarletty" if you know what I mean.  As we left the Chippokes Plantation State Park it was just a hop, a skip and a jump (as they say) to the castle.  And we were just in time for the last tour.

Bacon's Castle

We paid the very inexpensive admission fee and waited in the parlor for the tour to begin.  So far we were the only ones there.  Our guide was a very charming and knowledgeable girl named Demi.  Thank goodness another couple joined us at the last moment  and then halfway through the tour a family joined us.  It made for a nice group.

I have to admit I didn't retain much of the information in my memory.  Truth be told I was too busy looking for nice shots and I've always had trouble remembering details about wars and such.  Hubby thoroughly enjoyed the historical information though.

Bacon's Rebellion painting

We started in the parlor and then made our way up the stairs.  I love exploring old houses.  This was a real treat for me. Here are a few of my favorite photos.  I especially love the rear stairwell.

We ended in the basement.  It was surprisingly cold down there.  A cold spot in Virginia is not easy to find in July!

Before we headed home, we walked around the grounds.  It just happened that a crew from Ghost Hunters was setting up to spend the night.   The story is there is a girl's ghost who pulls on  the back of your shirt.  No one pulled my shirt but if I had know about it ahead of time I would have had some fun with it!

 

Ghost Hunters

Slave Quarters

The tour took about 45 minutes and was well worth the admission price. I highly recommend it for history buffs.  For more information check the Bacon's Castle website.

Sharon

Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival At Chippokes Plantation State Park

39th Annual Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival

Ask a local when the Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival is and you will usual get the answer, "It's on the hottest two days of the year."  And that is usually a true statement.  But thankfully we were blessed with a cold front this week and it was actually tolerable.  Normally we just walk through the craft section and then grab a bite to eat.  By then we are miserably hot and head on home.  But since it was almost springlike, we spent the whole afternoon enjoying the festival.

Farm Animals For Everyone

Pigs.  I love them.   Don't know why.  They had two varieties this day.  Work pigs and play pigs.  I enjoyed them both.  The little feeding pigs were sweet.

But not as sweet as this little cutie.  She is four months old and up for sale.  Definitely hard to resist.

Festival Fun

What festival would be complete without old cars, tractors and the mandatory firetruck?  Hubby was in he-man heaven.

I didn't get any photos of the tractors but I did grab this shot of a  kilted man in the BBQ line.  You dont' see that every day!

Beautiful Countryside

The gardens at Chippokes Plantation

After walking around admiring the beauty we indulged in some BBQ and sweet tea.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Hubby wanted some boiled peanuts.  It's not something I enjoy but he loves them.

We sat in the grass to enjoy our food while we watched the live entertainment.  There was a bluegrass band called Flatland Bluegrass Band playing.  It was just the perfect touch for this day in the country.  I didn't hear why she put that hat on but everyone got a kick out of it.

Boat Party

We took the shuttle (it was a flatbed pulled by a tractor!) down to the river.  I had never been to the river and someone said there were lots of boats for photos.  Of course I wanted to take pictures of boats.  I don't know what I expected but it wasn't a massive boat party.

As I was looking out over the hundreds of boats I saw something way off in the distance across the water.  I had an idea what it was but really didn't think it was possible.  So I got out my biggest lens and zoomed in.  I was right!  It was actually Busch Gardens.  This will give you an idea just how massive these two rides are.  It's amazing that I could actually even see them with the naked eye from this distance.

So after a very enjoyable day and plenty to eat we headed out.  Didn't go straight home though.  We decided to tour Bacon's Castle.  But I'll talk about that another day.

Sharon