I will be taking a break for a couple weeks to celebrate Christmas and my birthday. Here is a look back at some Christmas pasts.
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Happy Holidays
I think this says it all. This neighbor is really in the Christmas spirit. The Nativity at a local church. My town makes a great collective effort with the Christmas lights. -
The Wilder Side of the Holidays
I took advantaage of the fact that the Elmwood Park’s Zoos had its Wild Lights attraction open this holiday season with timed tickets that limited visitor numbers. I think most of this post is self-explanatory, so just enjoy the festive lights and holiday cheer. The Elmwood Park Zoo is located in Norristown, Montgomery County. The pictures are pretty much in the same order as if you followed the pathway through the exhibit.
This Eastern Screech Owl was popular for selfies with the kids. 
One of the zoo’s jaguars, checking out the tourists. Excuse the glass reflections here. 
Another owl in a desert exhibit in the jaguar house – it looks like a burrowing owl to me. 
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Honoring Those Who Served
Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is located in Annville, Pennsylvania. Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The cemetery was created in 1976 when a section of Fort Indiantown Gap was selected as the national cemetery for the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia. I also presume it is open to Pennsylvania veterans. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania donated Land for the 677-acre site to the Veterans Administration.
The elaborate Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial is the largest monument in the Veterans Administration’s National cemeteries. The combination open-air space and building stands 107 feet high and 360 feet long. Its design evokes “the ruins of a war-torn building centered in a land of solemnity.” Designed by Cee Jay Associates of West Chester, Pa., the granite, stone, and concrete composition was dedicated Oct. 7, 2001. The memorial is dedicated to all who serve the nation and veterans of all wars—past and future.
Let’s take a look around the cemetery and remember those who served our country.
Old Glory in Autumn leaves. 
The cemetery has a peaceful and beautiful setting. 
A walk around the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial is next.
The Pennsylvania coat of arms. 
A bikers’ group was visiting the Memorial. 
The flags of all states are flown. 
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A Little Lancaster County Christmas Closer to Home
Here is a look around the Lancaster County Farmers Market in Strafford. It’s not in Lancaster County, so I suspect the name has more to do with the origin of some of the vendors. This is a great place no matter.
At the produce stand. 
A little holiday decor with your produce. 
Now, this is my kind of holiday display. 
A little coffee to go with those sweets. 
Decisions, decisions … 
A little assistance for a boy at the candy counter. -
A Merry Christmas Pageant
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Here’s a look at the Christmas Pageant at St. Davids Church in Wayne, PA. You can’t beat the combination of community spirit, cute kids, and potentially miscreant livestock. A great and inspirational time was had by all.
The donkey, however, was not pleased. -
More Christmas in Black and White
Here are some Christmas scenes from Phoenixville this past Saturday night.
There was quite a crowd going through town. 
A visit with Santa. 
It was a “starry” night. 
Time for a night cap. I followed up by visiting the Luminaria display at the Lock 60 Recreation Area on the Schuykill River in Mont Clare.
This was impressive in an eerie sort of way. 
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A Black and White Christmas
I am experimenting taking some black and white images from around my local area and in my church this holiday season. This is still a work in progress. Check back for more later this month.
Poinsettias lined up ready for delivery. 
It’s still Advent. Like many Episcopal churches, mine doesn’t actually decorate much for Christmas until it’s the actual liturgical season of Christmas (Christmas to Epiphany). 
Christmas from the little ones. 
Christmas lights from around the area. You’re not losing much in black and white. People seem to like white, not colored, lights these days. 
This one was red and green, however. -
Knee High by the Fourth of July: Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?
I had promised my cousin that we would take a camping trip to Codorus State Park in Hanover, Pennsylvania over the July Fourth holiday. I decided to stick with the plans despite a weather forecast calling for high heat and humidity with the added bonus of regular thunderstorms popping up. I went back and forth between calling this post “The Camping Trip from Hell” and “Silver Linings.” Ultimately, I couldn’t decide if it was good or bad.
I’m more of a fair weather camping kind of girl, I don’t mind a little rain, as long as I can set up when it ‘s not raining and everything has a chance to dry before I pack up. I was frustrated because all my trips last year were affected by rain, despite being out only 1-2 nights each time. I didn’t get my wish for fair weather on this trip. Everything was wet and/or dirty prior to departure. Pennsylvania is getting record rain, and it kind of stinks. At least the corn is high.
The park itself did not disappoint. I went primarily to see if I could get a glimpse of the newly fledged bald eagles that hatched in an oak tree above Lake Marburg this Spring. They are quite the web cam stars. I did not see the fledglings, but I did get my first look at the parents in flight, having only previously seen them in the nest or resting in a nearby tree. The weather prevented much else in the way of activity.
Nonetheless, it was not a complete loss. On the way to Hanover, I stopped briefly at Samuel S. Lewis State Park. It looks like a great place for a picnic and has a nice scenic view of the Susquehanna valley. The website also recommends kite flying and sledding, and it seems really well suited for those activities.
The flag was still trying to fly proudly on the 4th despite the hot and damp weather. 
Here’s the view toward the river. I arrived at Codorus and immediately started to set up camp.
Here is a look at lovely Lake Marburg,
From the band shell area. On the way home, via Lake Redman, I made a few stops. The first was to photograph this hay field that was harvested just the day before.
Newly harvested hay. I also took a few pictures of some of the lovely farms of southern York County.
Farm, Yoirk County 
Red Barn, York County -
Peace and Merry Christmas
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Chester County. Here are some of the holiday decorations from my town.
I think this says it all. 
This neighbor is really in the Christmas spirit. 
The Nativity at a local church. 
Mother and child decorated for Christmas. 
My town makes a great collective effort with the Christmas lights. 
Merry Christmas, America. 
Finally, the town Christmas tree.