Tornado

While I am no longer working for a newspaper, I still listen to a police/fire scanner. After 35 years it's hard habit to give up.
Today we hear them give a tornado warning and then said there was one near Mount Airy. We set off to give Ian Barry a ride. We thought we had time to get back home. Nice thought.
On the way back the storm hit. Boy, did the rain come down along with high winds. We headed back to the Barry's and got very wet running in.
After Ian got home, we heard the fire alert for storm damage from a tornado near Gamber. So, we all jumped in the truck and off we went. Ian knows Carroll roads as well as I do, so he drove. That left me to shot out the window.
We saw damage as he turned on Deer Park Road. As we turned right on to Constellation Way fire equipment blocked the road. It was easy to see the damage. Trees were down and siding was around the yards.
The equipment was between the two most damaged homes. Both lost part of their roofs. After taking a few shots, Ian drove around to the other side of the street.
More trees down and stripped of leaves and bark. A lady came out and said she saw the funnel cloud come down and do the damage. Ian and I got out of the truck and walked around. The garage on one house had a wall moved along with part of the roof missing.
The damage was hit and miss. Tornado damage always amazes me, how it is hit and miss along with how it snaps or strips trees.
This is the second tornado damage in the Gamber area I have shot in the last 12 years.

Orioles

What would a summer day in Baltimore be without taking in an Oriole game.
It has been another trying season for the home fans. It wasn't helped by losing the first two games of a four game set.
The Bird's have a lot of young players and are aiming toward the future.
Part of the future was on display Wednesday night as Chris Tillman took the mound for his major league debut.
We attended the game with my friend Paul and his girl friend Cathy. They were visiting from North Carolina. Paul and I had worked together on a newspaper and have kept in touch.
I haven't been to an O's game in about 10 years and it was with Paul. Shirley hadn't been in a while also. So, we were looking forward to the game.
As usual, I had my camera with me. It's a strange feeling shooting from the bleachers after shooting at field level from the dugout area.
After the Royals took batting practice, the ground crew covered the field. Not a good sign.
Following a shower, they uncovered the field and Tillman strolled toward the bullpen. He loosened up in center field which was fine for my Nikon. After shooting some images I watched him and he seemed nervous and why not, as over 19,000 folks were there to see part of the future.
Well, Tillman had to wait through a few more showers before taking the mound. I was very glad Shirley brought an umbrella with us. The game was about 45 minutes late getting started. He was hit hard in the first inning, but it was three up and three down.
He ended up giving up three home runs before getting pulled. But most importantly, the home fans didn't get down on him. Pitching is an important element at this level and Tillman is just part of it.
Even if he never lost a game, that would only be a win every fifth game and that's not going to happen. The Birds need four other starting pitchers to get back on top of the American League East.
The team they send to hit looks good for the future. They just need help at the corners (maybe they could teach Luke Scott to play first).
Even getting soaked, it was a fun time. The only bad thing about the game was not the rain, but two loud drunks at the end of the row.
I know you pay to come in and watch the game and yell at the opponent. But respect those around you. If not, they wouldn't return which is bad for the Oriole's and baseball. We will go back, it just will not take as long to return this time.
The selection of images include Chris Tillman looking at the scoreboard in center field and his first pitch in Camden Yards. Adam Jones warming up in center field, fans dancing in the bleachers and Camden Yards.

Baltimore

Having spent my whole life (so far) in Maryland, one thing I have never done is spend a day in Baltimore.
I have traveled to the state's largest city for assignments like the Orioles, Ravens, ice hockey, etc. I have also attended car and boat shows.
Come to think about it, I took a class trip to Fort McHenry when I was in elementary school.
The trip this week came about because one of my best friends and his girl friend traveled north from North Carolina for a couple days. Paul and Cathy stayed in Westminster, so he could show her his old stomping grounds.
We met them at the Metro station in Owings Mills for the ride in to Baltimore.
We got off at Lexington Market to start a day of walking. First stop was Camden Yards to buy tickets to the Oriole's game Wednesday night.
Then it was off to the Inner Harbor. We took a break at Harbor place for a drink and to view the harbor in AC.
From there it was on to a water taxi. The price seems a little high at $9, but you get to use it all day to get along the harbor.
It takes you around the harbor with stops at the Science Center, Fort McHenry,, Aquarium, Fells Point and Rusty Scupper along with other stops.
We had lunch at the Rusty Scupper with a great view of the harbor. We even had entertainment as we watched a paddle boat on tour and a pirate ship being attacked.
Back to the water taxi and Fells Point. The main attraction for us was the building where "Homicide-Life on the Street" was filmed. I miss that show.
We walked around the area and spent as much time looking at the sky as the scenery. The weather forecast was for rain with storms in the afternoon. There were dark clouds, but they stayed south of the city for now.
Loving history, it would have been great to see the harbor when it was at it's peak with sailing ships up through 1950.
Then we walked back to catch the water taxi. We took a short break again at Harbor place.
Back to our feet for the walk to Camden Yards for the ball game. We had to wait through a couple of hard showers, but the wait was worth it as the O's won.
Paul had told Cathy about the national anthem and the fans adding to the O for the home team.
Sitting through rain and the warm day was nothing compared to the ride back on the Metro. We had two long waits after getting on board. What should have been a short return trip like 20 minutes turned into 45 minutes.
We finally returned home after 1 a.m.
It was a fun day and it was great to visit the Inner harbor as a tourist. Now to find the time to look at all the images I took (around 2,000) and help Shirley with the blister she earned on her foot.

4-H Fair

Saturday we headed to a traditional Carroll County event - the Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair.
This is the 112Th year of the fair. I've seen the last 35.
I have judged the photo contest a few times in the past. I would also shoot for two special sections at the newspaper I worked for.
This year I was able to enjoy the fair with the family.
There's a lot to be said for seeing the fair through the eyes of children. We walk by and say yes, that's a goat, but they see more. They show wonder and happiness in their faces.
Don't forget to take a camera to capture their delight and shoot images of the animals.
You get a chance to photograph animals up close. There are interesting images to capture. Like two pigs sleeping together, goats like to look around above their pens also close-up of animals.
You can also use light in some of the exhibits like in poultry and photography.
The fair makes for a nice family outing and there is good food so you could have lunch or supper. With the heat, they have you covered from ice tea to ice cream.