Valley Forge Radisson Hotel and Casino at Night

I was busy all day Sunday. By the time I was free, the sky was clear and dark with a quarter moon shining brightly at the peak of its trip across the sky. I immediately thought about Valley Forge Park and the National Memorial Arch and the moon. I didn't hesitate, off I went to the park.

The park closes at dusk each day. However, there are four roads through the park that are open to traffic at all times. Those roads are as follows.  PA rte 23 that runs east to west.  PA rte 252 that runs north to south. Gulph Rd that is one of only three roads into a developed housing community in the southeast corner of the above map and County Line Rd that almost bisects the park north from south.

I entered Valley Forge from the west on PA rte 23, very close to General George Washington's Headquarters. Where rte 23 bends to the left I stayed straight onto Gulph Rd. Gulph Rd passes within 100' / 30m of the arch and then continues into the developed housing community.

I slowed my speed to a crawl as I traveled past the arch. I looked for the location of the moon. It was behind the arch but high in the sky. I was also aware there was a car approaching from my rear. I thought it might be a park ranger. You've read of my ranger encounters. Not wanting to confront a ranger, I continued on Gulph Rd towards Thomas Rd and the housing community.

The car was still behind me. I couldn't discern whether it was a ranger or not, so I continues on Gulph Rd past Thomas Rd and into the community. I was probably half way to the intersection with Richards Rd when the car turned off onto a side road. It wasn't a park ranger. I quickly made a U-turn and proceeded back towards the arch.

When I was again directly in front of the arch I could see the moon wasn't in the right position for a great photograph. I drove on. At County Line Rd I turned right. I thought there might be a place along that road that would give me the correct point of view to bring the moon closer to the arch for a good image. I drove slowly down the road ducking down and looking over my right shoulder to see out of the side window towards the arch and the moon.

There are several tall trees planted close to the arch that blocked a clear view of the arch as I drove. I thought I came upon the spot.  I stopped the car, opened my door and stepped out to get a good look back at the arch. I leaned on the roof of the car and took a long discerning look at the arch. I and the moon were too far from the arch to get a good photograph. I was disappointed. I got back into the car and continued towards rte 23. Keeping a sharp eye to the road not wanting to hit any deer.

So there I was, driving through Valley Forge Park at night. The park was closed. I was avoiding whitetail deer on a dark unlit curvy road. My mind was racing. I didn't want to waste my time or the trip. So I changed my goal.

Sometime within the last week, I decided I wanted to get on the rooftop of either the Valley Forge Casino or the nearby Radisson Hotel. I thought there might be some great images of the park from up there. Especially near sunset with the sky all red and orange and the park spread out between the casino and the fiery sky. In order to get to the rooftop, though, I needed to speak with someone at the hotel or casino. Someone with authority.

It was getting late in the evening. It was 20:30. I didn't think the person with authority would be working on a Sunday at that hour. I hoped, however, there would be someone at the hotel desk that could give me the name of the PR/marketing person and their phone number. So I headed to the Radisson Hotel. The taller of the two buildings.

I entered the hotel without my camera. I introduced myself as a local blogger writing about the park and explained how and why I desired to get onto the roof. After rejecting the suggestion I talk to someone in security, I requested the name and phone number of the PR/marketing person at the hotel. Without any further questioning I was given a name, phone number and hours of the day when I should call. Goal accomplished.

As I walked away from the hotel, my mind and eye turned to photography. I began to see possible images. I returned to my car, grabbed my camera and walked back to the hotel. I began to  

create some photographic images of the hotel

and casino.

Trip not wasted!


©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

East Inner Line Drive - Artillery Park

I drove to Port Kennedy a few days ago, primarily, to get a few images to add to the blog showing how US 422 cuts through the old village of Port Kennedy, separating Kennedy-Supplee Mansion from First Presbyterian Church of Port Kennedy.

While I was there I figured I would get a few more images in Valley Forge Park.

http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?q=Photograph:%20pa1776&fi=number&op=PHRASE&va=exact&co%20=hh&st=gallery&sg%20=%20true

I decided to go to site of the old Valley Forge Observation Tower built on Mount Joy in 1906. The tower was disassemble soon after 1976 because the trees had grown taller than the tower and people found looking down was just not interesting. It was shipped to Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, near Wellsboro, PA, where it was reassembled and stands today.

I remembered that there was a parking lot near a trail that led to the site. I didn't have the official park map, or any map for that matter. I was left to my own devices to find that parking lot - memory and Mt. Joy rising in the west.

My route started at the entrance to the park near the Visitor Center. I drove over North Outer Line Drive past the log huts to Gulph Rd. I turned right onto Gulph Rd. and then left at the next intersection onto East Inner Line Drive.

I traveled a few hundred feet on East Inner Line Drive, when I noticed two cars parked on the right side of the drive heading in the same direction as I. I turned my head to the right and saw five people near a log hut. Two of the five had professional sized cameras and lenses, one looked like a bride, in her wedding gown with no jacket, one a groom and the fifth was a sensibly dressed women in a long skirt and red wool jacket. The high temperature for that day was 62ºF / 17ºC and they were outdoors two hours before sunset. It was getting chilly for not having on a jacket. Ah, what price fashion! 

Traveling on, the two-way road soon came to an end at a stop sign. The road before me was a one-way road in the opposite direction. The only legal thing I could do was turn into the parking area for which I was searching. I had arrived.

I saw several cannon near the far end of the lot.  I drove to that end of the lot and parked. I threw my camera bag strap over my head with the bag on my left hip. Down towards the cannon I strode.

This collection of cannon is called Artillery Park. There were quite a few cannon, sixteen, if I remember right. All painted blue and yellow.

It was about two hours before sunset. As I photographed the cannon, the sun was soon to drop behind the fully leaved trees on Mt. Joy. Only small pools of sunlight played peek-a-boo from behind the scattered clouds. That kind of light could be really dramatic. Patience is needed waiting for the right opportunity. An opportunity that may not materialize on any given day.


As I turned to return to my car, who should be walking in my direction but the wedding party. I had to stay in the area just to capture a few images of the photographers creating wedding photos of their party. I am interested in photographing photographers in the act of photographing. I am not sure it is something psychological or it is revealing behind the scenes magical secrets. I am neither a psychologist or magician. Why do you think I do it?

I was loosing the sun quickly behind Mt. Joy and all of its trees. As I had a pressing appointment, I packed my camera into my car and headed out of the park. I never did find the old observation tower site that day.

The park is 3,500 acres / 1,400 ha in area. There will be many days spent photographing the park in the future. I will get to the old observation tower site at some point in time.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Encampment Tour Route Stop 2 VFNHP

On Monday 24 September 2012, I started my visit to Valley Forge National Historical Park (VFNHP) at the Visitor Center. This is the first stop on the Encampment Tour Route. I collected an official park map and set out to my car to continue my photographic survey of the park.

I drove onto the Encampment Tour Route towards stop 2 where a group of reconstructed log huts are located. The road leaves the Visitor Center in a broad right curve up a slight incline. The view of the area is quite open with hills in the near distance to the SSE where the Schuylkill River has cut through the landscape on its way to Philadelphia. Today, unlike the view in 1777, the hills are covered with buildings, commercial and residential.

Looking ENE from Stop 2 along the Encampment Tour Route back toward the Visitor Center

To the ESE you can see one of the commercial buildings, the new Valley Forge Casino Resort. That is it straight ahead with the V on the roof. The two buildings to its right are the hotel/resort. 

Above cannon from a distance.

There are two cannons at this stop on the tour which are across the road from the reconstructed log huts.

These huts are like the huts constructed by the soldiers in the Continental Army during the encampment at Valley Forge in 1777-1778. Many trees gave their lives in the name of the revolution, too. According to a pamphlet published by the National Park Service, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and I quote, "Prior to European settlement, Pennsylvania was 90-95% forested. In the Valley Forge area, forests were cleared for lumber, agriculture, firewood, and fences, reducing forest cover to approximately 60% by 1777. During the encampment of George Washington and the Continental Army, almost every tree in what is now the park—and for miles beyond—was cut down for firewood, shelter, and defensive structures. Post-encampment, small woodlots and hedgerows were re-established by farmers. Some areas of the park such as Mount Joy and Wayne’s Woods were re-planted by the Valley Forge Park Commission in the early 20th century. Today, forest communities cover 34% of the park and contain 110 different kinds of trees." 

Looking back from just past the log huts.

Looking towards Mount Joy on the Western side of the park from just past the log huts. 

You don't see many trees along this road. You can see that Mount Joy in the background is covered with trees.

The survey continues.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Valley Forge Survey - Building@County Line and Valley Forge Park Rds

I found this building at the crossroads of County Line and Valley Forge Park Roads. It is a small unassuming building without a marker nor is it marked on the official park map. I was reminded of an Andrew Wyeth painting, Christina's World, when I first saw it in its surroundings.

Andrew Wyeth (American, 1917-2009). Christina's World, 1948. Tempera on gessoed panel. 32 1/4 x 47 3/4 in. (81.9 x 121.3 cm). Purchase. Courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, New York.

© Andrew Wyeth

I will need to do some research on this building.

Photographs captured around 13:00 EDT

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Valley Forge Survey - Maurice Stephens House

Near sunset I arrived at Valley Forge National Historical Park to continue my photographic survey. There wasn't much time before the sunlight would be gone. The landscape is such that to the west were tall trees and elevated ground that already blocked direct sunlight to the low lying areas. I had to work fast.

I drove a complete circuit around the park looking for the best location to take advantage of the setting sun. By the time I completed the circuit, the warm golden sunlight no longer draped the landscape. 

Across the road from the Washington Memorial Chapel, I spied the house shown in the photographs below, Maurice Stephens House.
Although this very house did not exist during the winter of 1777-1778 during the encampment of the Continental Army, General Huntington's quarters were in a log structure on a farm that occupied this area.

The waxing moon floated above the tree.

I am attracted by the moon. I try to include it as much as possible.

There is quite a bit to photograph in 3,500 acres / 1,400 ha!

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

Valley Forge National Park Photo Survey

History has always interested me, even though I never received good grades in history classes. Living in and near Philadelphia all my life, I have never been far from US history. Back in 1990 I considered moving to State College, PA to purchase a photography studio. I had severe historic separation anxiety. I never made the purchase nor the move. 

Today, I live about 8miles/13km from Valley Forge National Historical Park and I have never seriously explored the park. So I decided to do a photo survey of the buildings and landscape of the historic place. This very land where, over two hundred years ago, the ragtag citizen soldiers of a new nation suffered through harsh cold weather with very little food to be drilled into a trained Continental Army that defeated the well trained professional British Army and became an independent nation.

The park is large, 3,500 acres / 1400 ha. At least large by east coast standards. Valley Forge Park started as a state park. In 1976, with the bicentennial celebration of the Declaration of Independence looming, Pennsylvania gifted the park to the nation. 

There are many scenes to photograph. I have composed a few images in Valley Forge Park over the years.

At different seasons.

If possible I would like to photograph each scene in every season, at different times of the day (think Claude Monet and the Rouen Cathedral). This will be a long term project.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved

London 2012 Games Recapped

The London 2012 Olympic Games are over. The Visa Vip Lounge is closed. The children will soon be home. A recap is in order.

The trip started with a automobile ride to Newark, NJ airport. There was a savings of about $200 over leaving from Philadelphia, PA on BA. Upon reflection, my son didn't think the savings was worth the effort.

Tickets to the last individual event for Michael Phelps which were won in a raffle at the lounge by family who had tickets but wanted the Michael Phelps autographed swim caps that my children won at raffle. A trade was negotiated.

The Visa VIP Lounge was a terrific resource for tickets to events at the games,

Nadia Comaneci and Bart Connor

meeting past Olympic medal winners

Photo:VisaVipLounge.com

and dinners by Iron Chef Morimoto.

Team USA Men's Volleyball

They did actually purchase some event tickets.

Women's Football match Team GB vs. Brazil

Women's Football Final Match USA vs Japan

They made friends with

Aussies

Spaniards

South Africans

Irish

Japanese and Americans in Zentais

Other sparkly Americans

and Wenlocks

Because my eldest tried out as a dancer for the opening ceremonies, and will be performing at the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics, they attended a practice session of the opening Olympic ceremonies on July 25th.

They ate at the largest McDonald's restaurant in the world, if only a temporary structure.

They tried to keep dry

and warm

and one of them was awakened at the end of the bus line, in Chingford, several times in the wee hours the morning.

They did a bit of tourist sightseeing. 

Victoria and Albert Museum

Hampton Court Palace

Westminster and London Eye

Went to the theatre

and saw a few musicals.

They also visited the Globe Theatre to see Henry V.

They leave for Heathrow airport on Wednesday. My son is hoping to get bumped off his scheduled BA flight to Newark. If bumped he will opt for a cash payment of around $700. Not a bad gig, if you are flexible with time. $700 isn't a bad day's pay.

I am sure there will be many lasting memories of this trip to London for the 2012 Olympic Games. I hear they are already making plans for Rio.

©Damyon T. Verbo - all rights reserved