Yesterday, Kelsey and a friend were competing in the Regionals of National History Day with a project they’d spent hundreds of hours preparing. We were proud of them and happy to see them do so well. The event was held in a school far away so for the between events down time, we couldn’t drive home. The girls had homework so I dropped them off at a local library and I headed for the Potomac. This has been a strange week at home and at work and the clawing to keep up is taking a toll on my normally positive attitude. Mind you, that is not a complaint, that’s just the way I feel…more of a life observation. So a photo walkabout was just the thing I needed. While looking for a park or at least a parking place next to the River, I stumbled upon the “Collingwood Library” right next to the Potomac. Beautiful gated grounds, winding drive, etc. Very close to Mt Vernon. Maybe it really is a library, I don’t know because I did not go inside. The building is large, like an old southern mansion. The grounds are expansive and literally sweep down to the Potomac from a height well above the river level. At first glance and thought, expansive and elegant, and I said to myself, this would be a very nice wedding venue. Not that I am interested in finding such a place, I was just trying to match the beautiful setting with a human purpose. Too sloping for sports, too close to awesome mansions for grand outdoor celebrations…so weddings seemed a perfect fit. On the riverside of the mansion, a large concrete deck looks down the grounds to the river and a gazebo on the shore.
I walked down to the river and yes, it was beautiful. Except, there was goose poop everywhere. I don’t know how you’d clean that up for weddings, I guess if you had a dog you could let the dog run free and (hopefully) chase and keep the geese away from the grounds. Good luck with that. As I walked down, I noted a thick power extension cord running down the side of the property. Actually, two or three strung together. I think that perhaps that is how the gazebo area gets power. I’d hate to bet my wedding on that. I tried googling the library function of the facility but apparently their website isn’t working. I did find some Yelp reviews of the place as a wedding venue so I know my assumption was correct. No one mentioned goose poop so they must do something to become poopless. The house right next door is the size of a small luxury hotel, I’m guessing that they wouldn’t be fans of loud, raucous celebrations so there are probably rules about noise, peeing in public, that kind of thing. It was a pretty place, I was just in a maudlin mood. The shot below is taken from close to the gazebo.
There are certainly some beautiful old homes in your neck of the woods (literally)! It’s one of the few things I miss about living back east. The original buildings here were shacks made of stone & mud. They graduated to wood somewhere along the line & the first wooden building ever built in Hesperia is still standing, but barely.All of you are the busiest people I have ever run across!! It’s a blessing to have such talented beautiful children UNTIL you get the gasoline bill every month! Did the girls win anything at Regionals? I had such fun listening to Kyle play his flute the last time Sis & I talked! He’s SO good! Must be those musical genes from both parents!I hope you can get some rest today and perhaps that will perk up your mood a bit. Mine’s been a teensy bit in the pits because of the darned RAIN! But I’m not complaining……at least it’s a warm rain! Almost over now & maybe the hillsides will stop moving! Have a good day, hon! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!!! Love you!
There are certainly some beautiful old homes in your neck of the woods (literally)! It’s one of the few things I miss about living back east. The original buildings here were shacks made of stone & mud. They graduated to wood somewhere along the line & the first wooden building ever built in Hesperia is still standing, but barely.All of you are the busiest people I have ever run across!! It’s a blessing to have such talented beautiful children UNTIL you get the gasoline bill every month! Did the girls win anything at Regionals? I had such fun listening to Kyle play his flute the last time Sis & I talked! He’s SO good! Must be those musical genes from both parents!I hope you can get some rest today and perhaps that will perk up your mood a bit. Mine’s been a teensy bit in the pits because of the darned RAIN! But I’m not complaining……at least it’s a warm rain! Almost over now & maybe the hillsides will stop moving! Have a good day, hon! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!!! Love you!
There are certainly some beautiful old homes in your neck of the woods (literally)! It’s one of the few things I miss about living back east. The original buildings here were shacks made of stone & mud. They graduated to wood somewhere along the line & the first wooden building ever built in Hesperia is still standing, but barely.All of you are the busiest people I have ever run across!! It’s a blessing to have such talented beautiful children UNTIL you get the gasoline bill every month! Did the girls win anything at Regionals? I had such fun listening to Kyle play his flute the last time Sis & I talked! He’s SO good! Must be those musical genes from both parents!I hope you can get some rest today and perhaps that will perk up your mood a bit. Mine’s been a teensy bit in the pits because of the darned RAIN! But I’m not complaining……at least it’s a warm rain! Almost over now & maybe the hillsides will stop moving! Have a good day, hon! Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!!! Love you!
Next time you’re there, treat yourself and go in. It is really beautiful. And yes, it is a wonderful wedding venue. Your pictures are wonderful, keep taking them and as for your mood. Patty keeps telling me that it’s ok not to feel so great all the time….which is a good thing, at least for me.Love ya!
Next time you’re there, treat yourself and go in. It is really beautiful. And yes, it is a wonderful wedding venue. Your pictures are wonderful, keep taking them and as for your mood. Patty keeps telling me that it’s ok not to feel so great all the time….which is a good thing, at least for me.Love ya!
Next time you’re there, treat yourself and go in. It is really beautiful. And yes, it is a wonderful wedding venue. Your pictures are wonderful, keep taking them and as for your mood. Patty keeps telling me that it’s ok not to feel so great all the time….which is a good thing, at least for me.Love ya!