Orange Sign in the Poconos

This shot was taken just outside of Scranton while mountain biking in a State forest in the Poconos.  I'm not sure what the sign meant.  Ten more miles of road?  Scenic view ahead that scores a "10"?  Road number 10?  Maybe it doesn't mean anything and was put there by a state employee with a sense of humor, knowing people like me would tie our brains in knots pondering the possibilities.

Another Nay Aug Park Banner

I like the way this banner creates an illusion of looking through a window.

Nay Aug Park Banner

Scranton is a city that loves banners.  This one shows an electrifying view of Nay Aug Gorge.

The Tank in the Intersection

Here's something you don't see every day.  It really is a bit of a shock when you come around the corner and see it for the first time.

Everhart Museum

Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart was a physician and veteran of the Civil War with a keen interest in natural history and science.  He made Scranton his home in 1868, and the museum was opened on May 30th, 1908.  The museum was his gift to the city.

The Water Street Bridge

The Water Street Bridge was built in 1914 and connects Pittston to West Pittston, a few minutes to the south of Scranton.

Live Music at Riverfest

Riverfest 2010

Clark Switzer gives a history lesson at the site of the  Knox Mine disaster.  On January 22nd, 1959, a thin rock roof of a mine running under the Susquehanna River collapsed and  water and ice poured into the mine creating a vortex approximately 150 feet in diameter.   A stunning photograph and more information can be found at undergroundminers.com.  Twelve workers died, but sixty-nine managed to escape the billions of gallons of water that poured down into the mines.

Riverfest 2010

This man was very convincing as a colonial era British soldier.  Made me quite glad I wasn't wearing a blue jacket.  Tea, anyone?

Riverfest 2010

Riverfest 2010

Spinning, before it became something done on a stationary bike.

Pittston Riverfest 2010

The Pittston Riverfest is an annual celebration of local history and the arts just south of Scranton and north of Wilkes-Barre, next to the Susquehanna River.  As part of the festivities the Eckley Players put on a performance that dramatized the aftermath of the 1869 Avondale mine disaster that resulted in the death of 110 workers, mostly Welsh,  and one of the very first global relief efforts in support of the widows and families of the victims.  The true cost of bringing coal as a power source to the people cannot be measured in just dollars.

Hockey Time

Scranton is a very generous city.  Not only does The Electric City share its minor league baseball team with The Diamond City, it also shares its minor league hockey team.  The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are affiliated with the NHL's Pittsburg Penguins.  I went to a game once and found myself watching a scene from the Paul Newman classic "Slapshot" as the fists were flying.   The Hanson brothers would have been right at home on that ice.

A Sign With Blue Moonlight

"Barbara, look!  More blue moonlight over the city!"

Blue Moon Over Scranton

(f/5.7, 0.6, ISO 200)

PNC Field

Scranton is not a major city, so it does not get a major league baseball team.  In  fact, it does not get its own minor league team.  Scranton shares its baseball team with Wilkes-Barre, the Diamond City, which makes up the southern half of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area.  The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees, but their fans are definitely major league with substantial enthusiasm and dedication to their team.

Bogart Court

I heard piano notes from "As Time Goes By" echoing off the walls.  Could Rick's Cafe Americain be somewhere down this alley?

Coney Island Texas Lunch?

Coney Island Texas Lunch?  The imagination runs wild.  

Cinemark Theater on Montage Mountain

I don't know what inspired the architect, but I always think of the Titanic when I see this movie theater.

(f/5, 1/125, ISO 80)

Since a movie theater is all about visual art, I tried a second shot of the theater using monochrome mode to see if it would give the photo a more artsy appearance.

(f/4.5, 1/200, ISO 125)

Lake Scranton

(f/4, 1/1000, ISO 80)

Two More Shots From La Festa Italiana 2010

The songs I heard while at the festival were definitely not Italian, but they definitely did sound good.  You can see the conductor and the singer were pleased!

Different Worlds

I think this picture is a poignant contrast of the vastly different world views of children and adults.  

Look Who Booked a Space at the Festival

The library booked a spot at La Festa Italiana.  It really added volumes to the experience.
(f/3.5, 1/1250, ISO 125)

A Really Big Orange at La Festa Italiana

I think the really big orange is an excellent marketing gimmick.  It's eye-catching and generated a lot of smiles and customers while I was there.  What is not to like about fresh squeezed juice over ice on a hot summer day?  When thirst calls, this orange stand answers!
(f/3.5, 1/500, ISO 160)

La Festa Italiana 2010

(f/3.2, 1/1000, ISO 160)

Attendees of La Festa Italiani should really like to eat...
(F/5.0, 1/320, ISO 80)

...and eat...

...and eat.

La Festa Italiana

La Festa Italiana was begun in 1975 and has since become a tradition marking the end of  summer.  The festival claims to be the largest celebration of culture and cuisine in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Time For A Renaissance

More Alley Art

Alley Art

Most alleys  are dark, drab and dirty places that tend to raise my hackles with a sense of danger.    They trigger that nervous little voice that comes from the depths of my primal mind that says, "Watch for criminals around every corner!"  But not this alley in the downtown section of Scranton.  Splashed with vibrant colors and whimsical geckos and butterflies with pastel hues, the most menacing image I come up with is a human-sized Easter Bunny skipping around the corner with a delirious grin and a huge basket full of Easter eggs.

Reflective Nook

Walking among some downtown buildings crowded together, I happened to look up at the right moment to see this reflective nook.  A city may be big, but it is often the little nooks and crannies that offer the most striking visual images.
(f/6.3, 1/320, ISO 80)