January 11, 2013

Loys Station Covered Bridge
Built in 1850
Frederick County, Maryland

Our friends, photographer Walter Calahan and his wife, artist Donna McCullough invited us to park for the night at their beautiful farm in Westminster, Maryland. We shared a yummy meal and wonderful conversation at O'Lordans Irish Pub. Sadly, in the middle of dinner I received word that my dad, Rudy Lambert (our Roamer's namesake), had passed away.

Here's to you, Dad...hope you're sitting on your favorite beach in Michigan enjoying a pipe, a Budweiser, and a beautiful, sky-blue-pink sunset.

January 10, 2013

Rudy's new friend--Eagle 4
Manassas Airport
Manassas, Virginia

For my birthday, Steve gave me an hour in a helicopter with super pilot Steve Bussman to shoot Rudy from above. (It was just a little nippy sitting in the open door--I had on so many layers, I could barely move!) Hmmm...should I use my big girl camera or my iPhone???

 Steve Bussman has the back rigged up so I could sit on the floor with my feet out the door. Talk about an adrenalin rush!!! (Not to worry--I was belted in.)

It was a beautiful day and I can't think of a better way to have spent my 65th birthday than flying in a whirlybird!!! Thank you Steve and Steve!!!

I ended up shooting with both my big girl camera and my iPhone. The iPhone was a huge challenge but I was determined to see if I could get anything. The images below were all shot with the iPhone.

We had radios so we could direct Rudy. He almost got stuck in this field which didn't really look that muddy...

Rudy from above--4 solar panels, a satellite dish, various antennae and a hatch. The blank space is line-xed for tripods so that we can shoot from the top of Rudy.

A beautiful old barn in the midst of an urban area.

But wait...the day's not over. We had a scrumptious dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Coastal Flats and ended the evening with Les Mis. Thank you, Steve and Rudy, for the best birthday celebration I've ever had. I love 65!!!

January 9, 2013

Rudy Does DC-3
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC

Rudy and Steve helped me celebrate my birthday and it was a very special day, indeed! Since it's after midnight, I will post photos and journal tomorrow.

January 8, 2013

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others."     Jonathan Swift
Sometimes inspiration is found in very unexpected places...
The restroom at Wegman's Grocery Store in Leesburg, Virginia

Rudy Does DC-2
East Wing of the National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC

Unfortunately we weren't invisible to the security guard. He didn't seem to share our vision of Rudy as a work of art...

January 7, 2013

Rudy Does DC-1
Iwo Jima Memorial
Washington, DC

We decided to take Rudy on a sight-seeing "roam" in the District of Columbia. It's nearly impossible to get close to any of the monuments or buildings--lots of security and barricades. So...Steve would get as close we dared and I would jump out and take the photo before we got chased off (or arrested). I'm certain we were being watched very closely--after all, we are an "assault camper."  As usual, we created quite a stir. Every time we turned around, someone was taking Rudy's picture.

January 6, 2013

White's Ferry
Maryland

Rudy had an exciting adventure yesterday. He rode on the cable ferry from Virginia to Maryland. White's Ferry is the only remaining ferry service operating across the Potomac River. Rudy thoroughly enjoyed the 5 minute crossing!

 We ended up in Potomac, Maryland at our friend Irene Owsley's house. Good thing her neighbor was gone--Rudy didn't quite fit in the driveway. We had to park diagonally.

Irene hosted a wonderful dinner party for us last night. 20 special friends gathered for delectable food, libation and scintillating conversation. It was great to reconnect with everyone and introduce them to Rudy. They were all impressed!!!
Thank you, Irene, for an extraordinary evening.

Roamer Quote of the Day--"It looks like a spy vehicle!" (Only in Washington, DC!!!)

January 5, 2013

An enchanted forest
Molokai

Busy day. It's quite late so I will post the journal entry and photos tomorrow. Good night all...