Sunday, January 26, 2020

Fixing up the playground at Stratton Park



 Part of the playground at Stratton Park in Bethesda, MD is closed off for improvements.  This closure is expected to last until the summer.


 The closure only affects the swings and some of the grassy area, the remainder of the playground and the park remain open.


 The reason for this closure is to replace aging sewer pipes.  It looks like they have replaced at least some of the wooden beams that define the playground too.


Friday, January 3, 2020

The tree stump is grinning at me


I went for a hike at Great Falls earlier this year and found this tree stump smiling at me.  Or maybe it isn't really smiling, it could be blood driping down its face.  The mouth is actually a shadow cast on the stump from the short tree at the right of the picture.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Fixing the locks on the C&O Canal


The lock gates on the C and O Canal at Great Falls Tavern have been in pretty bad shape for a while.  That is changing however.  I went there today and locks 16 and 17 have been rebuilt and Lock 18 is in progress.  The towpath is closed between locks 17 and 18, but there is a temporary path on the far side of the canal, so no need to stay away.


There still isn't water in the canal because they are currently working on Lock 19.  Lots of sediment has built up in this section of the canal and it looks like they will dig that out as well.


We've had nice weather for the past week or two and I'm glad I've gotten out to enjoy it.  Hopefully you have been able to spend time outside too.