American Visionary Museum, Baltimore, MD, 7/15/21

Rode the Columbia-Baltimore commuter bus to the Inner Harbor. First ride on a public bus since the pandemic started. Jim found an advertisement for the American Visionary Museum in a City of Baltimore tourist magazine some time back and off we went....

But first we climbed up to Federal Hill, right next to the museum, for a panoramic view of the harbor and city.

The museum is housed in three different buildings with a connecting garden. To our surprise and delight we discovered the Jim Rouse Visionary Center housed in one the buildings.  Jim Rouse is the founder of Columbia where we live.  His vision of a more equal society in the 1960s at a time when Maryland was heavily segregated was truly exceptional. His vision, we learned, was influenced by his stay in Hawaii during his formative years.  There he experienced an imperfect but definitely more equal society than in the Southern US. 

The visionary arts focuses on what the future will bring to the earth and all life within.  

Needless to say, climate change and all its consequences was front and center.

 

 On a ligther note, a sculpture just for me: coffee man.

Little Bennett Loop, Clarksburg, MD, 7/4/21

A 4th of July 3-mile stroll in the woods.  Setting off from the Kingsley entrance, we soon crossed Little Bennett Creek, and followed Mount Builder and Bennet Ridge trails to the campground and the amphitheater back via Big Oak and Acorn Hollow trails. 

Just before reaching these mounts a sign warned us to "Thread Lightly and Swiftly." The mounts are Allegheny Mount Builder ant nests and have apparently been active many years.  I tried to take a close up picture but that turned out to be a difficult task with thousands of ants everywhere hurrying about their business.

A rare treat on the trail! Here is one creature that doesn't instantly run away.... he/she even posed to have his/her photo taken. 

Patuxent Brand Trail, Columbia, MD, 6/26/21

 

On this last day of caring for Suna, my daughter's family puppy, Jim suggested we explore one of the many trails in Columbia.  Starting from Lake Elkhorn, above, we set off for the Patuxent Branch Trail.

One of the great pleasure of living in Columbia, MD: here we are in the middle of the woods yet also in the middle of town! 

Above, approaching MD Highway 32, one of the two major highways intersection the town.  

Suna making sure we did not wander off.

Close to the 2-mile mark in intense heat, Suna stretched out in the cool grasses and told us clearly - no words needed - that it was time to turn around.