WHAT I'M DOING

What have I been doing these past few day's?  Not really much of anything that is important.  I really have not gone anywhere that has some Historical value to it since my last Post on the #9 Coal Mine.  Weather here has just been quite Hot for the past number of day's.  Temp's in the high 90's have been common.  Yesterday, the weather was sunny and we reached 100 degrees.  Today, it was 102!  Tomorrow, will be more of the same.  There seems to be no end in sight for this record heat wave that we are having.  I have found that in my later years of age, that I just can't handle the hot weather as well as I did years ago.  Before the heat didn't bother me as much as it does now.  I tend to go out and do what I want in the early morning hours when it's somewhat cooler.  Then come home to our air-conditioned house, where it's nice and cool all the time.  Trouble with this is that our Central Air is getting a real workout with it running most all the time.  I think we're going to get a rather nasty Electric Bill for this month.  I sort of look at it this way.  If I have to work for a living, I might as well have comfort.

During the past few days, I have been getting "out there" in the morning hours with my Camera just to go see what has changed, if anything.  I've also been checking out some more fishing spots that are close by our Home.  In the process of doing this, I have come across a few changes that I never knew were there.

Just down the street from our Home is Felix Dam Park.  It's a Historical area that I had made a Post about a few months back.  Felix Dam used to be part of the old Schuylkill Canal System that dates back to the middle 1800's.  In walking around here I noticed that the old Dam Breast is now gone.  They have removed what was left of the old Dam Breast, and now you can't even tell there was something here at one time.  The old Dam Breast used to stretch straight out in front of this Image, all the way over to the other side.  The old Dam has been falling apart more and more over time and was starting to erode the far side of the river bank.  There was a "Save Felix Dam" project going on last year to save it, but nothing ever happened.  Money was needed to repair the old thing, but that never did take hold.  Not enough money was raised, so it came down never to be seen again.  I'm sorry to see this, in a way.  A place like what used to be here, has faded away into History.  Only those who know what used to be here, will remember.

About 100 yards to the left of my last Image is the Old Lock that was also used for raising and lowering the Canal Boats up and down the River.  In the background is the old Lock, but a new feature has been added.  Before there was no pathway here.  Now, a new fence, a Historical Marker, and a Bicycle & Walking Trail has been added.  The Historical Marker tells you what the old Lock used to do and how it worked.  The Trail curves around to the left and down into the trees where it continuous along River Road.  This Trail will eventually extend all the way North to Port Clinton, and as far South as Philadelphia following the old Schuylkill Canal Tow Path.  When it's all done, you'll have one long bike ride or walk!

Late one evening, while over at the Blue Marsh Dam area, I shot this Image of this stately Home that I've always wanted to take a picture of.  Would you believe this Home is lived in by the Prison Warden, that is in charge of the Berks County Prison?  It even has lights in the lawn to light it up at night, plus a Flag.  I wonder just who pay's for all this?  I have a sneaky feeling that us Taxpayers are paying for this somewhere.

I've also been over to the Blue Marsh area again, but this time I was just "hanging out" with the Camera and watching all the different types of pleasure craft that wait to be picked up in the Launch & Recover area.  Since I'm standing on a higher level where I can see everything that goes on, and swing the Camera 180 degrees on my Tripod,  I happen to admire this real nice boat that was waiting it's turn to be recovered.  I just love the color.  It's a "inboard - outboard" boat.  Notice the seats on the Bow & Stern.  Must be nice to afford one of these.  Wish that I could.  I sure would have a great time with one of these.

Now, here is something that I never saw before.  It's a Amish or Mennonite Lady using a Kayak.  As you may know the Amish & Mennonite people live by their own rules and are very religious.  They have their own Laws and don't really pay much attention to our "English" way of Life.  I didn't know that they did this kind of thing.  Wearing her standard long dress and her White Bonnet, she and 3 other Lady's paddled off to enjoy an evening on the Lake.  You never know what you'll see when you just stand around and observe.

So, now you've gotten most of what I've been up too these past few day's.  I just wish this darn heat wave would end soon.  We need rain so bad.  Pretty soon they will start calling for water restrictions.  My lawn is turning into hay, but I'm not spending money to water it.  Our water bill is high enough.

Until the next time  .  .  .  .  Thanks for reading & commenting

Les