Trough Canyon, South Branch of Potomac River, Romney, WV, 10/11/2023

Day outing with our Film Society friends to Romney, WV, to catch a ride on the Potomac Eagle

 The main attraction of the ride through the 6-mile canyon is eagle watching. With its 2000 feet cliffs, the canyon is a prime breeding ground for bald eagles. While we saw a number of them, perched on tree tops or flying low of the water, my camera did not allow me to capture any on film. 

Luray Caverns, Shenandoh Valley, VA, 9/29/2023

A one-day bus outing organized by Howard County Recreational Services led us to 

Luray caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern US. We strolled from one large room with stalagmites and stalactites to another. 

Can't remember which is which? Stalactites stand for "T" or top, and stalagmites stand for "G" or ground. Here at Luray, the rate of growth is about 1 cubic inch every 120 years.

Above, a stalagmite and stalagtite joined somewhere in the middle. 

Look carefully and you will see the water level in the middle of the picture and the stalagtites reflected in the water.

More phantasmagorical formations. 

And, in the middle of it all, an organ. 

 The Wishing Well.  

Good business for the privately owned caverns. We were told that at the end of each year two to three feet of coins are collected from the bottom and donated to charity.