Gaithersburg, Maryland
2 weeks ago
September 27th!!
Did you get to see a bit of the SuperMoon Lunar Eclipse?
Although, we left coasters would not be able to view the first two phases
of the eclipse, it was an exciting event, none the less!
Eileen and Marty scouted the best spot, that we could make it
to and back. Ideally, we would like to have been out in the
desert east of our site, but we settled on a lockout a little over
5000 feet high overlooking the valley.
Marty and Eileen loaded the Westie with snacks and dinner and a couple
bottles of wine and water bottles, along with table and chairs.
They picked up Tim and Lisa and got to the site early
to get a good spot, in case of a crowd.
Taylor and I joined them around 6:15 as the sun was setting.
At that time, the sky was still light, the city lights were not seen,
and the moon was low to the east behind a mountain.
We had no doubt this was a stellar site!
As the sky darkened, we checked the horizon for signs of the moon.
None!
As we checked our watches, we knew the eclipse was well underway!
A little anxiety was growing!
Next to us, a group with kids, was also anxious.
We overheard a grandpa voice, to a youngster
"We must be patient, the earth is rotating just as fast as it can".
Taylor reminded us, the was about 1,000 miles/hr!
And, the moon is revolving around the earth at another
1000 miles/sec. So, we'll be patient.
Meanwhile, Marty brought up how well
they saw the moon the night before in their yard!
Oh! Should we have gone to their yard
instead of driving all the way up here?
A little nervous laughter was spreading!
The drama was building.
We talked and laughed and had some wine
and dinner.
A few cars drove away.
Then, all at once, we saw it, rising over the mountain!
OK, a little dramatic license here, I took these pictures off the internet,
but these were close!
The excitement was intense all of a sudden!
The moon was nearly totally eclipsed and dark red.
However, we were mistakenly interpreting the moon
to be coming out of the eclipse already!
We thought it was almost over!
The sky was soooo dark! It was kind of cloudy, no one could get a picture
of what we were seeing.
Look at the pictures we got at the time with a flash.
Taylor set up and focused the telescope for us!
but these were close!
The excitement was intense all of a sudden!
The moon was nearly totally eclipsed and dark red.
However, we were mistakenly interpreting the moon
to be coming out of the eclipse already!
We thought it was almost over!
The sky was soooo dark! It was kind of cloudy, no one could get a picture
of what we were seeing.
Look at the pictures we got at the time with a flash.
Taylor set up and focused the telescope for us!
I surprised Eileen, but couldn't even see what I was taking a picture of.
She surprised me, and totally blinded me with her flash!
Look how dark, even with a flash!
The lights of the city were a distant glow!
I was surprised that I could even get this picture!
So, since we could not get the umbre pictures during total eclipse,
I borrowed a few off the internet to show you what we saw in the telescope!
So, since we could not get the umbre pictures during total eclipse,
I borrowed a few off the internet to show you what we saw in the telescope!
When we saw this glow at the edge, we realized we were only
half through, we had been watching the totally eclipsed moon,
and still had the other half to watch!
Now, we didn't miss so much!
And then, this happened and we knew this was the better half!
The light was blinding! Intense! Almost like looking at the sun!
As the light grew, we lost the umbre, but we could now figure how
to take pictures through the lens of the telescope!
Taylor got some spectacular shots:
As the light grew, we lost the umbre, but we could now figure how
to take pictures through the lens of the telescope!
Taylor got some spectacular shots:
This one shows so well how blinding the light was coming back!
By 9:30, the moon was full again and we loaded up and drove
down the long windy road with plenty of moonlight to
light the way!
Stellar night!
We've had a busy summer and I've really
not been that great at posting what's been going on.
So much to do that is not really post worthy has taken
over that which was.
I have a day now that finds a couple hours for a look back.
Come on and join me, if you like.
Earlier this summer, we finally started our bedroom update.
We've, or rather, I've, been planning this for some time.
Something always took precedence. Time was never
right and well, it always got shoved till later.
Finally, we found a few days to look, plan and start the project.
We didn't get far, but it is a start!
I've got lots more to do that I had planned to do, but, once again,
something else got in the way!
But, this part we did get done and I got few pictures in the process.
Several months ago, I bit the bullet and just went ahead and ordered a new headboard
and stashed it in the guest room till we got around to attaching it.
There it sat among all the remodeling take backs and rejects
from the last project. Sean and Katie were scheduled to arrive in a week or two
and stay in that room, so we had a mission. We had to clear all that stored stuff
out to make room!
After returning the take backs and rejects, there sat the headboard with no place to go but
on our old bed!
So, we got to work making that happen!
Off came the 70's headboard and attached bedside tables of our platform bed!
Taylor and Terry attached the new headboard in no time!
We had even found our new bedside tables and dresser!
Off came the 70's headboard and attached bedside tables of our platform bed!
Taylor and Terry attached the new headboard in no time!
We had even found our new bedside tables and dresser!
and it was going to get a lot worse, before it got better!
There is the old 70's dresser against the wall in all it's IKEA glory!
The drawers haven't worked well since the 90's!
But, it did get better . . .
There is still so much more to do, like taking advantage of these ceilings with a
terrific light fixture above the bed
Eventually new paint, new artwork and decor, even lighten up those curtains
and changing hardware. Someday . . .
Sean and Katie came for a visit and brought their dog Bentley!
First, Sean wanted to see Grandma and introduce
her to Bentley!
Terry got busy with the pizza party we planned for them!
and people started arriving to pitch in and help with the festivities
everyone wanted to have a turn with Taylor and his pizza skills!
Bentley had his dinner in the backyard
Great pizza tossing lesson, Taylor!
And before we knew it, we headed for the beach!
Of course, we started with lunch on the pier!
then a lazy afternoon watching the sunset!
while the guys worked off lunch with a game of Frisbee!
We came back and shared stories on the front patio
Eileen came in for a visit and brought her fresh figs from her tree
along with a nice brie and crackers!
Terry wanted to try out his garlic mushrooms on us
we had a very nice Pinot Grigio
and then surprise!
Out came some Crepes Suzette "flamed"!
We are so spoiled!
And we're lovin' it!
It's raining in Southern California!
We have a thing or two to learn out there on the road.
So, the rest of the U.S., just sit back and laugh at us.
Anyone from So. Cal, take notice!!!
Honestly, we had 1.7 inches of rain last night before 7 am.
You'd think the end of the world was coming!
This morning, in my little neighborhood, I saw a tree felled, a rockslide, a swift water rescue, and
we had a freeway closure!
I don't know how the freeways fared overall, but I am sure they were a h@$&
of a lot of fender benders!
Nevertheless,
And then there is this side of us too:
What happens when it rains in LA
Nevertheless,
And then there is this side of us too:
What happens when it rains in LA
So many great posts on the Rehoboth vacation!
I thought I'd taken more pictures, but guess
I was having too much fun to whip out the camera!
I did get a few, so
I thought I'd taken more pictures, but guess
I was having too much fun to whip out the camera!
I did get a few, so
just thought I'd share a few of mine . . .
Oh such really great memories!
