Fourth of July

So I began this morning in Cumberland, MD the Queen City (or Queen's City?, I apologize for the uncharacteristic lack of research on this). Given that Mars was canceled (Is Xmas next?) I ventured out there to visit with an aunt of mine and take in the local scenery. Turns out that its not a bad place. I walked up to a cliff overlook named lover's leap (sadly [but luckily?] alone) which one can find behind the local plastics plant, naturally. From the signage about town I gathered that Cumberland was quite important back in olden times. After a hearty breakfast and enjoyable conversation I left my aunt's 6 books richer than when I arrived and with the knowledge that one can find fossils at the top of the mountain behind her house. I plan to return and look for some of these ocean fossils in the sky at a later date.

On my way to the DC metro area I stopped at the rather happening Rocky Gap State park and walked about 4-5 miles round trip to see the first homestead in Allegheny county (I saw an old well) and see a marker for the Mason-Dixon line. Along the way I saw a sign that alluded to some supposed scenic overlook. The only thing I saw that might qualify is a metal tower that has an aviation beacon at the top and a rather rusted ladder leading up to it, I assume the park's insurance agent has neglected to hike this particular trail for some time. On the way down I came within a few feet of what I believe was a rattlesnake. I was almost upon him before I came out of my day dreaming. After I scooted around him I threw a few sticks lightly at him to suggest he clear the trail (don't ask me why I didn't do this before I scooted around him). He obliged me by moving halfway off the trail, I decided to not press the point and resumed my descent. During the rest of the walk your intrepid reporter jumped at two rather snake like sticks.

This evening I headed down to the National Mall to see the fireworks at DC's Washington Monument, which is somehow more famous than the one in Baltimore, which you have to see to believe. (link not provided) I was pleased to walk around the House side of the Capitol and hear Aretha Franklin belting out Respect, it seemed to lend credibility to the whole affair. It was quite touching to see a POW-MIA flag flying below the Star Spangled Banner on the Capitol building. Anyway, after Aretha left the stage Barry Manilow came on and did something (I was walking down to the mall at this point to get a better view and couldn't hear the performance as well due to the doppler effect [Manilow's only weakness]) and at the crescendo (I apologize if that is not the mot juste) the fireworks started, which pleased me deeply. The show was short, all of 15 minutes, which is how I like my fireworks. Any longer and I feel the maestro is overreaching. At the conclusion of the show I felt a minor starburst (sorry) of patriotism in my spirit and resolved to cheat less on my taxes and move the John Adams miniseries up in my netflix queue.

A few side notes:

I've recently been reading a bit of David Foster Wallace, mostly essays on tennis, but George also lent me his copy of Consider the Lobster. The first essay in which recounts his experience at the pornography convention in Las Vegas in the late nineties. A must read, do not skip the foot notes. Its called Big Red Son.

I believe the winner today at Coney Island engulfed 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes, the record in 2000 was 20. Progress!

I learned that Maryland has no natural lakes. If you find a lake in Maryland, it has a dam.

I have now read two of the Jeeves and Wooster books by P.G. Wodehouse, if you enjoy english humor, and you can read, these are also a must.