U.S. Air Force Memorial

I'm away from Corning on a two week vacation at my son's home in Maryland. Because of a problem with one leg, I haven't walked as much as I would have liked, so there aren't many local pictures to offer you.

Instead, I want to share photos from a recent drive to the Washington D.C. area.

Fourteen years in the making, the United States Air Force Memorial near Arlington, Virginia proudly features three spires extending upward next door to Arlington National Cemetery. Standing at the base of this memorial, you can easily spot the distant Washington Monument and the Pentagon.

A view of the memorial from the fully-shaded parking lot...

Four Airman with the American and USAF flags...

In the first photo below, the memorial dedication star lies in the middle of three spires of differing heights, ranging from just over 200 feet to 270 feet. The base of one spire is seen in front of me. The other two are to my left and right. Look closely to see the Washington Monument on the left and the Pentagon just to the right peeking from behind the spire.

The first couple of times you look upward from directly below a spire, you imagine that it is swaying. It's not, but the clouds are moving which causes it to appear to sway. A rather dizzying effect.

The Pentagon...

Washington Monument...

In the Army you are a soldier, no matter your rank. In the Navy you are a sailor. In the Air Force you are an airman. The next four photos name airmen who received the Medal of Honor, including names that I recognize ~ Rickenbacker, Mitchell, Lindburgh and Doolittle.

A strange day weather-wise and darker clouds were rolling in. I could see a long line of rain approaching from D.C. and hurried to the car to avoid being soaked.

...And The Rain Keeps Pouring In Corning NY

Today's photos were taken at the end of June and beginning of July, during the week my son was visiting. We'd all hoped for clear weather so lots of short trips and grilling could fill our days. It didn't happen that way. Every day featured some sunshine, but also included rain at some point or other.

If you enlarge and look closely at each picture, you'll see raindrops, even on the leaves of the flowers above.

Too much rain is not good for the benches.

Four trees were cut down in between downpours. Now the homeowner, friends, family and village workers clear up the branches.

I rode back to the State of Maryland with my son on July 6 and am here for a couple of weeks. Would you believe, no rain (except for a couple of 2-3 minute sprinkles) until last night and today it continues, on and on. We've stayed close to home. He's been working an average of eleven hours a day and I've got a leg that's giving me trouble if I use it too much.


A Vacation Glimpse of Maryland and DC


We love to eat out and have many, many choices between Washington D.C. and Baltimore MD ~ Annapolis, Alexandria, Laurel, Columbia, Silver Spring and many others. So far this year we've concentrated on the nearby Waugh Chapel Towne Centre. What a fancy name for a shopping mall! I've noticed that this mall, as well as others in the area, have huge multi-story apartment complexes built right next to them. Out your door and you're in this new mall. We've eaten at Wegmans Market Cafe and Elevation Burger. (I originally said we ate at Red Robin, but realized after a couple of days that we checked out Red Robin and they weren't open yet, so we went next door to Elevation Burger.)


More Vacation Photos From Maryland


Saturday's prediction is for 85-degrees Fahrenheit and low humidity, so we might travel to D.C. Stops may include the U.S. Botanic Garden to see the blooming Titum Arum (corpse flower or stinky plant). Also, I have a gift for Koomo--manager of Chocolate Chocolate in downtown Washington, D.C. and serious collector of shot glasses.


Maryland Vacation

A Walk On The Northside

If you’re from out of town and are doing the touristy thing -- that is, going to the Corning Museum of Glass (known to us locals as CMOG!) -- you’ll probably leave your vehicle in the CMOG parking lot behind Black’s Auto Service Center on Pulteney Street. Logical place, too, because that particular parking area is just off NY-17/I-86's Exit 46.

You’ve parked. Now walk south to the intersection of Pulteney and Centerway. Cross the street and that’s where you’ll find the sidewalk leading to the front entrance at CMOG.

Speaking of Black’s, yesterday’s (Thursday) price for Regular gas was $3.93. High compared to states further south. When I headed out on vacation to Maryland in early October, the price was $4.21. Maryland offered a bargain at $3.55-3.60.

See the hills in the background of the Sunoco photo. The leaves are falling fast. The red sign is for the CMOG parking lot and the truck in the center of the photo is coming from the direction of Exit 46.

Now that you know where you are, here’s a picture of a Corning Inc. parking garage on Pulteney Street. I took it for the colorful trees!

This sign sits in front of the Corporate Offices on Pulteney Street. Ahead is the intersection of Centerway. The long walkway (shown in the lead photo to this post) goes to the right.


Lots of construction -- I know not what! -- going on between the Corporate Offices and CMOG (CMOG is closest to you).

There’s a narrow driveway next to the long sidewalk. It goes the entire block and is used only by the CMOG bus. This bus runs every fifteen minutes, from the parking lot to CMOG to downtown Corning on Market Street.

That’s the red CMOG flag with the American flag next to it (and flying slightly higher, as it properly should). I love the ornamental grasses that front the entire CMOG complex. Not everyone does, but I do.

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One last mention... the new transportation center has suddenly popped up. Last I knew, before going on vacation, the foundations were being poured. Then as I rode through town with my daughter, I spotted the new building and was able to pull out my camera for a quick drive-by shot.


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Several friends on Facebook have posted that there is snow just west of us, especially up in the hills. I can’t wait! We got gypped last winter with too little snow. This snowy scene is from 2010.

Today’s prediction was for rain. There was little of that, too. The weekend weather is predicted to include snow. I can only hope.

Looking Back at the Summer

I've been away on a Maryland vacation for over three weeks. Returned home just ahead of Hurricane Sandy and haven't yet had a good long walk to take new photos. Don't despair, though, 'cause I have LOTS of photos left over from this summer (and earlier).

The picture above is a typical scene at Centerway Square on Corning's Market Street. A great spot to take a break, eat lunch, listen to live or recorded music.

East of Centerway Square is Market Street Coffee & Tea, its facade freshly enhanced.

The Centerway Bridge, Corning's special walking bridge, is being spruced up even more than ever. No more dull grey walkway with a faded maze painted on its floor. The new plan includes landscaping, park benches, grassy areas and special lighting--all ON the bridge.

Entrance to the south side of the walking bridge...

Parked near Corning Museum of Glass's Studio. Check out the license plate...

The YMCA on Corning's north side is also being spruced up, particularly the parking areas.

The fountain attracts many "bathers" to the Riverfront Centennial Park during Corning's warmer months.

This photo was taken on Corning's Bridge Street at J&T Auto Cafe during preparations for "Race Fever".

October and Autumn

Just before the death of flowers,
And before they are buried in snow,
There comes a festival season
When nature is all aglow.
(author unknown)

I’m in Maryland now, visiting for the month of October and present for the turning of the leaves. Before I left New York State, however, there was a burst of glory as our NYS leaves made their transition from green to glorious reds, yellows and golds, as seen above on downtown Corning’s Market Street.


West end of Market Street, beside Community Bank N.A. drive-thru…

Bridge Street, looking toward Corning’s southwest hill residential area.

A new business presents itself…

Stepping out of Corning ~ I rode to Watkins Glen with my daughter to join my grandson’s kindergarten class at Reisinger’s Apple Country. While there I introduced myself to a photographer and asked permission to use photos I’d taken of him and his subjects. Turns out he’s from Corning.

So, I’m introducing Lee Speary of Lee Speary Photography ~ Outside the Box.

Showing the ladies a pose…

As I said, I’m in Maryland. Had to grab my camera when I saw this morning’s sunrise.

A reddish sunrise, caused by particles suspended in the air, often foreshadows an approaching storm, which will be arriving from the east, within the day.


And as I typed this last part of today’s blog, it began raining.