The Memorial Rose Garden

The Memorial Rose Garden at Nay Aug Park

I'm no flower expert, but I'm pretty comfortable with my ability to identify a rose or a rose bush.  Ironically, I could not spot either a rose or rose bush at the Memorial Rose Garden.  

Memorial Day 2011

Wisdom of the Coconut Cups

Coco Bongos

The "Have Fun" Coconut Cups

It's Memorial Day weekend and there are many celebrations and activities going on in the area.  The simple message of the "Have Fun" coconut cups  is a good reminder to enjoy the holiday weekend.

Courthouse Rooftop

Courthouse Rooftop

Memorial Day weekend 2011 begins in Scranton with a little sunshine.  The blue skies will likely be replaced with more rainclouds and thunderstorms by late afternoon.  With a few weeks still to go before summer, this is already the third wettest Spring on record in Northeast Pennsylvania.

A River Runs Through It (Scranton, that is)

This view of the Lackawanna River is not especially remarkable,  until you consider the picture was taken only about a mile from downtown Scranton.  The river is hidden from most vantage points even though it runs right through the center of the city.

Waiting Patiently

These idled ski lift chairs at Tanglewood wait silently for another winter and a new owner.  

Tanglewood's Achilles Hill

A Tanglewood Ski Slope

This picture of a Tanglewood ski slope was taken from the top of the slope!  I'm no downhill racer, but this 415' vertical drop does not exactly inspire the extreme athlete in me.  It could even be too tame for all but the greenest of beginners.  I have to wonder if the limited challenges provided by the Tanglewood slopes are an achilles hill that had a role to play in the ski resorts demise.  Just about a twenty minute drive away, and only five or ten minutes driving from downtown Scranton, Snow Mountain offers vertical drops of over 1,000' with black diamond slopes for more advanced skiers.

Tough Times for Tanglewood

Looking north at Tanglewood Ski Area

  This view looking north from Tanglewood Ski Area shows  something very rare in Northeastern Pennsylvania this spring:  blue skies.  Ironically, there are no blue skies for Tanglewood.  It has been defunct and for sale since last fall.  Tanglewood Ski Area is located in Tafton, a few miles east of Scranton.  Elevation drops at this ski resort are not exactly dramatic, but the slopes are okay for beginners and family fun.  A notable feature of Tanglewood Ski Area is the inverted ski lodge.  That's a fancy way of saying the lodge is at the top of the ski runs rather than the bottom.  Inverted ski lodges are not so unusual at ski resorts with modest elevations.  


  For anyone with deep pockets and fond memories of Dean Jones and the Disney flick The Snowball Express, Tanglewood Ski Area is still for sale and waiting to make your dreams come true.  

What's Behind the Bog

"The Bog" Sign Above the Entrance

The Bog is actually a watering hole in downtown Scranton.  The little critter in the upper right corner of the sign reportedly had a twin at the opposite corner.  Its disappearance and fate are a mystery.

Bog in Black and White

I think Bog is best pictured in black and white.

Bog

Meet the Bog

Purple Flower Ball

I don't know what this flower is called.  But whatever it is, I think it's pretty cool with its spherical shape comprised of numerous six-point petals.

The Paper Boy and the Owl of Wisdom

The Paper Boy and the Owl of Wisdom

Unzipping the Scranton Times-Tribune

Unzipping the Scranton Times-Tribune Building

Scranton Times-Tribune Building

The Scranton Times-Tribune Building

The Scranton Times-Tribune building has some interesting creative touches.  This view of the back side of the building not only shows a trompe l'oeil, but the upper left corner is peeled away to provide a glimpse of what is going on inside the building.  The lower left corner depicts a paper boy under the owl at the front entrance which is actually located on the other side of the building.  The owl is a symbol for uncovering secrets as well as wisdom.

The Benjamin Franklin Firefighter Memorial

It took ten years of fundraising to pay for it, but this past week on May 7th, 2011, the Benjamin Franklin firefighter Memorial was officially unveiled in front of the Scranton firehouse.

Happy Flowers

Today, it was one of those rare sunny and warm and humidity-free days in northeast Pennsylvania.   And these flowers were loving it!

Bad for Business

Burned Out House

Sonia's Cuban Deli

This burned out and abandoned house, quite the eyesore, is located right next to Sonia's Cuban Deli.  I'm sure it didn't help bring in the customers.  Every city has its warts.

Diorama Dam

This is the Bear Creek dam viewed through a diorama filter.

Morning Fog in the Poconos

Publish Post

Morning Fog in the Poconos

Lackawanna Riverfest 2011

Today is Lackawanna Riverfest 2011.  The annual festival includes canoe and kayak trips that begin in Archbald and Blakely to the north of the city, and end in the middle of Scranton.  Unfortunately, the caption on this sign at the finish could refer to today's festival.  It was beautiful early in the morning when this photo was taken, but by noon showers and thunderstorms had arrived in Scranton instead of canoers. 

The Visitor

This Pennsylvania wood frog paid me a visit last night.  This picture was shot through the glass door the frog was climbing.

Scranton Softball

Warming Up Before the Game  

Misty Morning at the Bear Creek Dam

A misty morning at the Bear Creek dam.

Spring Colors

Spring colors in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

The "i" in the Sky

Time, place and angle all came together on an almost totally cloudless day for me to look up at the right moment and see this "i" in the sky.

The Halloween Mailbox

This Halloween mailbox photo was taken last Fall.  This scene is classic Autumn in the Pocono Mountains.

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