What is Chautauqua?

Nikki and I spent a wonderful week with Brian, Kelly, Henry, Charlie, and Peggy (Kelly's Mom) at Chautauqua Institution, as we have done before. It's our family week together with lots of things for each of us to do. It's a great place, a magical place, but even old Chautauquans have trouble with a short answer to the question so often asked -- What is Chautauqua?


It is certainly a place where serious learning is offered and embraced:

It is a place where the arts flourish:

It is a place for families and family celebrations:

It is a place where whimsey is given free reign:

Where houses tell their own stories:

Where fairies have tea parties:

And bears fish from boats:

And fallen logs become crocodiles (thanks to Henry for this discovery):

And squirrels handle cleanup:
A place of elegance:


...and the more casual:
On our last afternoon there, at least part of the answer became more clear as I watched the scene below unfold. This very shy 13 year old girl had joined these older,experienced musicians

and they just had the greatest time playing together. In a quiet, nurturing way they let her set the tempo and take the lead while offering suggestions and support along the way. It was a coming together of music, the arts, education, family (her grandpa was watching), and a bit of whimsey as they all liked to play European folk dance tunes. It was a Chautauqua moment, to be sure.

Biking the C&O Canal Towpath

On July 30 and 31 Dr. Jim Roberts, his wife Jane Butler, and I biked the C&O Canal Towpath trail from Brunswick, MD to Hancock, MD, a biking distance of 77 miles. Nikki played a critical role in this endeavor as our driver, meeting us at the end of each section to take Jim and Jane back to their car at the access points. Both Jim and Jane are experienced bikers so this was a great learning opportunity. The night before our scheduled start we met for some final planning while enjoying some wine and snacks in our room. Main topic was where to access the trail. The intended access point at Sandy Hook did not, in fact, exist. Brunswick was selected, but that added 5 miles to the day's ride. Having settled that matter we went for dinner at Firestone's in Frederick, MD. Excellent meal with great service in a very lively town!

At the access point in Brunswick, MD.




The towpath and canal opposite Harper Ferry, WV.
Antietam Creek aqueduct where the canal flowed over the creek.

Time for some trail mix -- or a hand inspection?

Typical lock and lock master's house.

How I spent my 66th birthday -- 50.66 miles.

End of the first day!

Cushwa Basin in Williamsport, MD, our jumping off point on day 2.

Dam #5 on the Potomac. The line of rock in front of the dam is the remains of the dam which was there prior to the Civil War. To deny the Union the use of the canal, Stonewall Jackson tried without success to blow it up.

The lock at Dam #5.
End of the trail in Hancock, a total of 77 miles in a day and a half. Thanks Jim and Jane. We did it!!

Chloe's Baptism

This past Sunday, Chloe Labarthe, daughter of Jules and Jennifer and granddaughter of Jay and Carroll, was baptised at Calvary Episcopal Church during the garden service. Though Chloe lives in California she came east for the big event. Some photos:

THE ARRIVAL



THE PREPARATION



THE MAIN EVENT



THE SMILES AND THE APPLAUSE



The Labarthe and Smith families go Way back together. It was a privilege for us to be a part of Chloe's baptism.

Biking on the GAP

Nikki dropped me off in Garrett this morning for a 27 mile ride to Confluence along the GAP, hard by the Casselman River. The town of Rockwood lies about a third of the way there and offers a most interesting bit of trailside sculpture, shown above.

The trail crosses the river at least 3 times, offering some great views of a rather remote area.

The ride took about 2.5 hours and was capped off with a nice lunch with Nikki at the River's Edge Cafe.

Catbird babies

As Catbird mom was sitting on the nest early this morning I believe these babies were born during the day today. The nest is in a Rose of Sharon tree in the sunken garden adjacent to our east terrace. I'm wondering why we don't call catbird babies kittens -- even their eyes are still closed. Or maybe the three of them are just asleep.

Phipps Conservatory with Gargoyles

Gargoyles have always facinated us so Nikki and I trooped off to Phipps today to see the Summer Flower Show and the gargoyles.


There were also little reminders of prior exhibits which worked very well.

Coyotes

We may not live in Texas or Canada, but we do have coyotes. Like black bears, they are quite happy here in the Allegheny Mountains. However, they are rarely seen. In the 12 years we have been here I have seen one, very early in the morning on my way down to Powdermill. Anyway, there have been at least 2 dens of pups in the past 4 years or so, both in the woods on a steep slope behind our house. There is a small stream at the bottom of the slope so they have safety and water. You would have no idea they were there except for the occasional yapping of the pups and mother, usually at night and usually very quick, then nothing. Last night we heard them at least twice, once at about 9 and again around 5 AM this morning. Very cool!! Like the black bears they do us no harm, except that the bears like to eat Nikki's black raspberries.