Road Trip 2019 We Visit Dinosaur Land, Winchester Va : photos

April 13, 2019.

photo by Gary Walts

After a terrific breakfast at Papermill Place Restaurant we took a short drive to Dinosaur Land. This s a really cool place that is now in it's 50th year. It's an offbeat, family friendly place. Some of the sculptures are showing their age which adds to the character of the attraction. Some are cartoony and remind me of a something from a Gumby claymation show. Read more about the place in this The Washington Post article.  It's actually in a place called White Post, VA. The following is a selection of photos we snapped during the hour and a half we spent there.

photo by Gary Walts

Detail of a dinosaur that reminds of something out of an episode of Gumby. The cartoony quality of some of the sculptures adds special charm to the place.  photo by Gary Walts

Close up of King Kong showing his age a bit. I love it that Kong and other non-dinosaurs inhabit the landscape.  photo by Gary Walts

King Kong at Dinosaur Land. I love it that Kong and other non-dinosaurs inhabit the landscape. photo by Gary Walts

King Kong at Dinosaur Land. I love it that Kong and other non-dinosaurs inhabit the landscape. photo by Gary Walts

Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia. photo by Gary Walts

Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia.  photo by Gary Walts

This dinosaur reminds me of something from a Gumby episode. Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia. photo by Gary Walts

Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia. photo by Gary Walts

Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia   photo by Gary Walts

Another Dinosaur Land creature reminiscent of a Gumby claymation character.  photo by Gary Walts

Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia  photo by Gary Walts

More than just Dinosaurs at Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia    photo by Gary Walts

These trees at Dinosaur Land look like they came from the Wizard of Oz. I love it.  photo by Gary Walts

More than just Dinosaurs at Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia    photo by Gary Walts

Giant octopus at Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia    photo by Gary Walts

More than just Dinosaurs at Dinosaur Land, White Post, Virginia    photo by Gary Walts

Road Trip Day 2 Winchester VA , Giant Apple and Dinosaur Land

April13, 2019
We encountered this giant apple in Winchester, Virginia. Winchester claims to be the apple capitol of the world producing 12 million bushels a year

Spotted this giant apple in Winchester, Virginia, April 13, 2019. Winchester claims to be the apple capitol of the world, harvesting 12 million bushels a year.

After a lousy meal at Damon's Grill in PA, we spent the night at a Ramada Inn in Winchester VA. We got up and headed for a local eatery, The Picadilly Grill Diner at 46 E Picadilly St., Winchester.  It looked and sounded great from our internet search, but when we arrived it was closed. It appeared to still be in business, just not open. Hours posted for Saturday are 7AM-8PM. Oh well, we headed for an alternate breakfast place. Before we got there, we took quick stroll through a historic section of downtown with beautiful architecture. I made a few snaps of that.

Historic Winchester, VA,  April 13, 2019

The Taylor Hotel, historic Winchester, VA,  April 13, 2019

The Taylor Hotel, historic Winchester, VA,  April 13, 2019

The Taylor Hotel, historic Winchester, VA,  April 13, 2019

Historic Winchester, VA,  April 13, 2019

Snow White Grill, historic Winchester, VA April 13, 2019

Murphy Beverage Company, historic Winchester, VA April 13, 2019

After a quick peek at the historic downtown section we headed for the Papermill Place Restaurant for breakfast. This stop was a culinary homer. Great food, great service, friendly people. The place was quite full and a line of diners waiting to be seated. As soon as we were seated our order was taken and delivered quite speedily considering how busy they were.  We sat at the counter where we could watch the cooks in action. An impressive staff and the food was first rate. Mark this as a must stop if you are ever in Winchester. 

Papermill Place Restaurant, Winchester, VA. There is a large dining room to the left of these booths.

Papermill Place Restaurant, Winchester, VA. Unassuming on th outside, its staffed with friendly people serving top notch food.

Papermill Place Restauran, Winchester, VA. Seated at the counter you can watch the short order cooks in action. They are real pros, cracking eggs, making omelets, home fires, hash browns, pancakes and all the rest. 

After a terrific breakfast at the Papermill Place Restaurant we were ready to check out nearby Dinosaur Land.

Dinosaur Land, Winchester, VA. A funky, cool place created 50 years ago. 

Road Trip April 2019 Day 1: we stop at Damon's Grill in Hazelton PA

We arrive at Damon's Grill in Hazelton PA after a rainy drive from Watertown, NY. The service was poor and the meal among one of the worst we have ever had on the road.

April 12, 2019, the Better Half & I embark on a road trip with a few destinations in mind. Damon's Grill in Hazelton PA was not among them. We didn't realize it was a chain restaurant until we arrived. Normally we like to go to locally owned places. It was after 6:00, we were hungry and having never visited this chain we stopped to try it out. The service was poor and the meal among the worst we ever had. The waitress was very friendly however. I ordered half a rack of ribs with baked beans and garlic mashed potatoes. Our food arrived without any silverware. Te waitress apologized and returned shortly with the utensils. Th ribs tasted ok, nothing original about them. They were not very meaty and I could have eaten a whole rack. Then again, they were baby back ribs, so they aren't particularly meaty to begin with.Our server put the plate in front of me with the ribs & mashed potatoes and proclaimed, "Be careful, the plate is really hot." That always tells me the food was microwaved. Well, the ribs were hot enough but the potatoes were so Luke warm the soft butter I put on them didn't even melt! In fact, some bites were actually cool, almost cold. And the flavor of them was bland. I thought the beans were coming in a seperate dish. But when they didn't arrive I had to leave my seat and walk around to find our waitress. The beans were nothing special either. Obviously just came out of a can. The Better Half ordered a Patty Melt burger and fries that was unimpressive. In fact she ate half of it.took half with her to go but ultimately discarded it. Summary: Food was bland, microwaved to create a very hotplate with Luke warm to room temperature potatoes. Served without utensils, had to flag the waitress down to get that. Beans arrived only after I left my seat to search for the server to let her know they were never brought to our table.

Geese at sunset photo made with Sony a6000 and 500mm f8 lens

I made this photo in Chaumont NY, a small village on the shore of Lake Ontario. I used a Sony a6000 camera with a Minolta 500mm f8 auto focus mirror lens attached via the LA-EA4 adapter. The camera was mounted on a tripod.

Geese at sunset in Chaumont NY March 2019. Sony a6000 camera, Minolta 500mm f8 auto focus lens with LA-EA4 adapter that preserves autofocus and other features when used with the a6000.   photo copy write Gary Walts 2019

A frustrating day: Flooded basement and other things Friday March 15, 2015

So I got up and did an hour or so f guitar practice. went to pour some coffee and checked the basement o our house. It was flooded. A foot of water. First thought was the sump pump quit. But no, discovered some sort of blockage in the discharge line. I doubt it's frozen because that hasn't happened in many years. (well, a small freeze once this winter that was minor, insignificant. More on that another time.)
So, I went to Lowe's bought some hose to connect to the pump and run it out through the back shed to the outdoors. All told dropped a $120.00. Temporary fix.
Had to go find dates of my grandparents deaths  to satisfy surrogate court in the settlement of my mother's estate. That too was frustrating and I learned about how screwed up vital records are kept in the state. A subject for another blog.
Meanwhile I needed to shop for party supplies, food & drink for the opening of a photography exhibit featuring my work at Eye Crave in downtown Watertown. That takes place tomorrow, 4-7:00. Computer at the wine store was down and created a big headache trying to pay and check out. I want to put down the details but It will take much more time than I want to give right now. It's 18:45 and I'm tired. Extra tired actually as I'm still adjusting to the time change.

February 13, 2019 snow in Chaumont NY

Here is a snap I made of our home in Chaumont NY showing a fresh basket of snow that fell over night. It took me 3 hours of shoveling to clear the sidewalks and driveway. Started at 8:00, done at 11:00.  Sounds awful, but I truly like the exercise and fresh air. It was 28 degrees which makes for comfortable Winter experience.

February 2019 view of our home in Chaumont NY after overnight snowfall. The sidewalks & driveway took me 3 hours to shovel. I enjoyed it. 

Photos and obituary for Margaret "Peggy" Walts

My mother, Margaret J Walts. I don't know when photo was taken but I'm quite sure it was before she was married.

CALCIUM, NY –– Margaret “Peggy” Joan Backus Walts, 86, passed away Tuesday evening, Feb. 5, 2019, at Lewis County Residential Healthcare, Lowville, NY.

Peggy was born Sept. 22, 1932, the sixth child of Harold and Hazel (LaRock) Backus. She grew up and lived on the family farm in Evans Mills through the 1940s.

She married Aubrey Guy Walts on Nov. 4, 1950.

Aubrey and Peggy went on to raise ten children, “whew”, eight boys and two girls. Though her house was small and full of kids her door was always open, and just about anyone was welcome to come in and stay if they needed to.

Peggy, “Mrs. Walts”, was a stay at home Mom and strict disciplinarian who taught her kids, the many kids she babysat over the years, and countless teenagers and young adults alike, what the word respect is all about. She never had to explain the word to anyone, but anyone who’s ever been in her presence, gave her lots of it. The funny little thing about it, is that everyone is richer for it.

Aubrey and Peggy’s lives together were primarily dedicated to their family until Aubrey’s untimely death in 1987. Beyond the open house policy, Peggy will be remembered for the countless holiday dinners where she prepared everything from scratch, she also enjoyed knitting, creating hundreds of garments over the years including hats, scarves, sweaters, mittens and socks.

My parents, Peggy & Aubrey Walts in 1954. Me, (Gary) on mom's lap. I was 10days old. Alan on my father's lap.

Peggy is survived by nine children, Alan B. Walts, Watertown, NY, Gary C. Walts and partner, Barbara Hyneman, Chaumont, NY, Melvin Walts, Dallas, TX, Ronald Walts, Calcium, NY, Carol Myers, Alexandria, VA, Dale Walts and wife, Cheryl, Syracuse, NY, Susan Auletta and husband, Frank, Tucson, AZ, Mark Walts and partner, Rhonda Smith, Winter Haven, FL, Bruce Walts and wife, Judith, Pelham, AL, and a daughter-in-law, Catherine Walts, Dexter, NY; 19 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her parents, her husband, a son, Thomas Walts, five siblings, Gerald Backus, Mary Hotis, Audrey Mitchell, Louis Backus and Harold Backus all died previously.

My mother Peggy Walts, left, and her sister Audrey Mitchell at a family party at Aunt Audy's house in Evans Mills, NY, about 1968 or 70. Photo made on Kodak Ektachrome film.

Funeral services will be noon Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa, with Rev. Steven Murray of Holy Family Church officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Evans Mills, NY, in the spring.

Calling hours will be 10 am to 12 pm, prior to the service.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County @ Ellis Farm, 1398 

Gotham Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

My mother, Peggy Walts in 2013 after she took a fall and banged up her head.

My mother at right with my sister Carol at the Center for Sight, State St., Watertown NY. in 2015. She was preparing for cataract surgery. At leftist my brother Mel's ex- mother in law. We hadn't seen her in years, just happened to meet her there.

Mom with grand daughter S in in 2004. S is my late brother Tom's daughter. Years later under hospice care mom would tell me she kept her self occupied (from not going insane) by thinking mostly about her grandchildren.

My mother making pies in 2004.

Mom's 84th birthday in 2016

Mom taking care of laundry, 2016.

Mom with son Mark. He is number 9 in lineup of 10 kids. Unsure what year this is. 

Mom with her grandson Rush & his wife Mary at their wedding in 2007

Mother's Day, 2012 Back row are Alan, Cheri, Barb, Lauren. Front row are Austin, mom, Dale, Gary (me), & Ron.

Mom after cataract removal, 2015.

Mom doing a puzzle with her one good eye, 2014

Polar vortex weather in Northern NY: Zero degrees, snow,

Overnight snow lay in a picturesque manner in Chaumont NY. The van in the photo is a 2011 Kia Sedona. Gary Walts photo January 31, 2019

Awoke to more snow and cold this morning in Chaumont, NY. It was zero degrees and overnight snow lay upon the landscape in a picturesque manner. I cancelled my guitar lessons which I don't think I have ever done before. Spent a couple of hours shoveling snow from the driveway and sidewalks. This was at noon and the temperature had risen to 11 degrees.

View from our front porch in Chaumont, NY. this morning, January 31, 2019

View from kitchen window, Chaumont, NY, January 31, 2019.

Monday Jan 28, 2019 working on an apartment between tenants

Today started out at 4 below zero here in Chaumont NY. Got up later than I like, 7:00 am, put some time in on the guitar. I mostly worked on a nice arrangement of La Paloma that was made by Francisco Tarrega. Beautiful, long time favorite for many people. By 10:00 I was out of the house, did some banking and got back to one of our vacant apartments on Franklin St in Watertown. I am installing new carpet in 3 of the rooms. I have2 of them cut in. One is completed. My celebrity brother will finish up the bedroom for me. That will be a big help. The unit has been vacant since October. So much other stuff going on (the Better Half in the hospital on 2 occasions, planning a surprise birthday for the Better Half, and ongoing things with my mother) I have been dragging my feet getting it ready to rent since the last tenant vacated.  Beside the carpet I painted some baseboards and other little odds and ends. Hopefully I get a reliable tenant in there in a week or so.

Target shooting ice blocks & grilling wings January 17, 2019 slow motion video

Jerk chicken wings on the grill in 16 degree weather at our home in Chaumont, NY. 

The last couple of nights the temperature has been going down below zero. Perfect for freezing some blocks of ice for target practicing with my Gamo air rifle. I filled some balloons and some zip lock sandwich bags with water & placed them outdoors over night to make the targets. Meanwhile I've had some chicken wings marinating for 3 days in some Jamaican jerk sauce. So The Better Half's son in law D & his son J came over with their air rifles and we had some great amusement shooting the ice targets while the wings roasted on the grill. It was a Wednesday and D had the day off. J had to go to work at 4:00 that afternoon. So they got here about 11:30, left about 3:00.  The weather was sunny and no wind. The temperature about 16 degrees. All together it made for a beautiful Winter afternoon.

Winter afternoon target shooting blocks of ice with air rifles.

Winter afternoon target shooting blocks of ice with air rifles..

Here is a slow motion video of some of the ice exploding as it is stuck by the air rifle pellets. It's great fun, better than shooting bottles because there is no glass to clean up. Also, the extreme low temperature mad for some dense and brittle ice that intensified the shattering effect.

Christmas Eve 2018 classical guitar video: Christmas Time Is Here

In recent years I have made guitar videos of myself playing a Christmas song and posting it on Facebook on Christmas Eve. This year I played Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi. The song was written for a Charlie Brown Christmas TV special. The special has been aired on TV every year since it's 1965 debut. So this is me playing the song:

This arrangement is from Christmas Songs For Easy Classical Guitar by Mark Phillips. Not only are the arrangements easy to play but the also SOUND GOOD. They are perfect for capturing and sharing some Christmas spirit without investing many hours, days, or even weeks mastering more fully harmonized performance pieces.

Cover of Christmas Songs for Easy Classical Guitar by Mark Pillips.
A great little book of arrangements that truly are easy and sound good.

Back cover of Christmas Songs for Easy Classical Guitar by Mark Pillips showing song list.

An inside peek of Christmas Songs for Easy Classical Guitar by Mark Pillips.
For copyrite reasons I have not shown full pages.

New business card with quilt art by Julie Dugas

I have just designed a new business card with background art by Julie Dugas of Asheville North Carolina. Julie is a very creative quilter. She utilizes her own hand dyed fabrics in her creations.

Original quilt art featuring hand dyed fabrics by
Julie Dugas, Asheville, NC. 

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The card I designed utilizing quilt art created by Julie Dugas of Asheville, NC.