The Wayback Machine

My last couple of entries for Watery Wednesday were photos of Blackwater Falls here in West Virginia. I posted those on my photoblog here and here. I don't think I've mentioned the amber color running through the water that is fairly evident in this image. It is a result of high amounts of tannin in the water. The tannic acid is from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.
Some of my readers will remember I told of going down and back up 214 steps. This first photo shows the railings of the last set of steps going down to the falls. What I'd like you to focus your attention on is that huge rock at the bottom of the falls and then take a look at my next photo.

This is from the wayback machine when my brother and I visited Blackwater Falls in our youth. I so remember this outfit. That shirt was a canvas cloth of red, white, and blue. I usually wore it with a blue wraparound skirt. I'm sure some of you ladies remember those. Kinda reminds me of wearing a hospital gown. You had to be careful how you sat on it or the back folded and you and your underwear were exposed for all to see. What's with that hairdo you might be asking. Truthfully it was a grown out 'pixie' haircut and not a Beatles do! I loved it and can only wish that my hair was just as thick today.

Do you see where we are standing? Yep, right down at the bottom of the falls. This picture was taken about the last year before the steps were installed. Until then you found your way down a damp boulder strewn path. I talked to my Mom last week and we discussed it probably wasn't the safest place to be. When we visited we always went clear to the bottom. There are signs these days to tell you to stay on the path, that deaths have occured.

As Hubs and I stood above the river a couple of weeks ago I marveled how powerful the falls hit bottom after their five story drop. At one time I could get up close and personal with this waterfall. Today 214 daunting steps down and back up somehow seems like the right way to enjoy the view.

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Watery Wednesday At The City Park

In 1897 at a cost of $52,ooo the city of Parkersburg, West Virginia purchased 42 acres of land for use as a city park. Other land was added later. Citizens of the era didn't like the name chosen for the park. Since 1911 the park has officially been known as and named The City Park. In 1902 a prominent member of the Jackson family bequethed $5,000 for the purchase for the erection of a fountain at the park's main gates. The ornamental water fountain was purchased in New York City by the executor of the Jackson estate while he was on his honeymoon. Except for the lions it is made of case iron metal and represents the Victorian Period of Garden and Design. At one time it was three tiered and stood 30 feet tall. With the top tier removed it presently still stands at an impressive 20 feet.
The fountain stands at the entrance to the park which is across the street from the house in my previous post. I'll just let the rest of the photos speak for themselves.

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Watery Wednesday A Sentimental Journey

Monday afternoon while out on a drive to catch a little autumn splendor before it was all gone I found myself on a sentimental journey. My Grandfather was an avid fisherman and he and Grandma used to take us to the river swimming and fishing. I hadn't been to the spot in over twenty years. The ride out the long road was like going back in time. Not much had changed. Until - I came to the river. When I came to a huge bridge I knew my 'spot' was underneath. It was hard to find a place to park so I managed to pull just off the road and start my walk. This first shot is looking down on what remains of the old road we drove across, walked across to go swimming and sometimes fished from the top of. I was heartbroken.

A little further down the hill you can see just how high the new bridge is above the riverbank.

When I walked across what remained of the old bridge I took a picture where the road ended and looked at some of the pieces left behind in the dark murky water. The grey clouds reflected in the water seemed fitting to the hurt I felt inside. So many happy times had been spent here with family and friends; but especially with Pap and Grandma.

The rushing water over the rocks seemed to correspond with the jumbled thoughts and emotions swirling around in my mind.

I stood at the end of the jagged bridge and looked upstream and imagined all those years ago. Where the left pillar of the bridge stood was once the sandy beach where we played and waded out into the river under watchful eyes of loved ones - where a group of friends frolicked that last summer before college.

Turning to walk back across the crumbling bridge I stopped to 'see' Grandpa fishing from his favorite side of the river if he wasn't sitting in the corner by one of the culverts that let the water flow under the bridge. My brother and I often walked that side of the river and often came upon dead snakes. We knew they were there and most often smelled them before we saw them. To this day I'd know that smell anywhere. At the top of the bank I can barely see a road. Signs say it's posted now. Many times Grandma and I would walk a worn path and look for 'greens'. She always had to help me find the right ones to pick. I guess it was our 'poke salad.'

Before leaving I took one parting look down the river and sent whispers of love with the wind.

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Watery Wednesday: High Atop Fort Boreman

In this photo I'm standing atop Fort Boreman in Parkersburg, West Virginia looking down upon the Ohio River. The Fort was built during the Civil War. The bend here in the river provided a wide ranging view. Standing up on the hill looking upriver I could see the white sternwheeler to the right and hear its horn. The river you see merging with the Ohio is the Little Kanawha. The Ohio flows from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Cairo, Illinois. It will eventually empty into and is the greatest tributary to the Mississippi River.

This is a view looking downriver. You can see it was a great day to be out on a boat.

In the first image you may have noticed a wall behind the sternwheeler. I zoomed in to get a closeup of the floodwall that surrounds the city.

The sternwheeler had blown its horn because it was going to be moving. I watched as it backed out and eventually headed underneath the bridge. Time to go.

Guess we could stop off at Kokomos!

Watery Wednesday:Deep Dark Water Reflections

Traveling a rural road there was an overhanging rock formation to the right and a deep body of black water on the left of the road.

Look where the water has stained the trees black.

More Reflections

Can you see the boulder in the water?

(May 2008)

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Happy Wednesday Everyone

Edited: In reading comments I wanted to explain that the water you see is black. The green is the reflection of the leaves of the trees overhanging the water. This water is like a pond and does not flow. The water is black from the tannins leaching into the water from the decaying leaves that fall in the water and build up leaving the water black. It was quite eerie really; but I thought quite lovely as well.