Located just west of the southern tip of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay, Bloody Point Bar remains active, in spite of it’s perilous past.  Mounted on an iron caisson, the 40 foot round cast iron tower was constructed in 1882.  The following winter storms caused the structure’s stone foundation to be rinsed away, thus causing a 6 degree tilt to the northwest side.  Further damage was halted by the placement of riprap stone at the base to stop the erosion.  In 1884-85 efforts were made to right the tower by dredging and placement of  additional rock forming a “scour apron” around the foundation bringing the tower to within 2 degrees of vertical.  In 1960 the original fourth-order Fresnel lens was destroyed in a fire.  It was replaced with an 300mm acrylic lens with a 54 foot focal plane.

In 2006, Bloody Point was sold to a private owner for the sum of $100,000.  The Nevada lawyer plans to restore the light and dedicate a room to a small brewery, which he hopes will cover the maintenance of the light itself.

Wow, I must have gotten pregnant moments after that photo was taken. Fast forward to 2012 and a bigger stroller:

Over the months following my 2011 post, the mile markers were rotated, moved and then completely removed and on at least three separate occasions. Signage was changed (Mile 1 became Mile 5.5). For a while, I really thought my mind was playing tricks on me. When I hung up my sneakers for the season last fall in my third trimester, I mourned the disappearing wooden mile markers.

But like mushrooms popping out of the spring dirt, we saw them again yesterday – in concrete! Here’s one:

… and another (upper left of the photo, no signage yet)! Dear Queen Anne’s County, we really want to know: what is going on with our mile markers?

Tickets to the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department’s Wine Pairing Extravaganza are $75 in advance and $80 at the door. They are for sale at Baker’s Liquors, Western Tire & Auto and Love Point Deli, Wine & Spirits; all on Kent Island.

The event will be held on Saturday, March 24th from 7 to 10 PM at 1610 Main Street in Chester. For more information or to place a reservation, please call Sandra Early at 410-643-6288.

the choppy waters channeled the setting sun

This photo was taken on a sunset boat ride in the waters off of Kent Island in Maryland.  It was a beautiful, cold night, and there were few on the water.  The chill of the ride, the warmth of the glow, and the beauty of it being just us and the sunset was wonderful.  When I do HeartMath, this image and remembering is the place I go.  There is some special feeling when all of the senses are consumed by beauty.  Hope it is a blessed, restful, and glorious day for you…and that wherever you are, you will feel the warmth and joy of the setting sun.

Troopers say 47-year-old William Matthews was found inside his burned home in Stevensville on Dec. 2. An autopsy indicated he died of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Investigators say Matthews started the fire, using an unidentified accelerant and igniting the blaze.

It took 75 firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control. Damage was estimated at $550,000.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Officials say three firefighters needed medical attention after battling the two-alarm blaze on Queen Anne Club Drive in Stevensville on Friday afternoon.

One person was found on the floor of the master bedroom and pronounced dead on the scene. The body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification and autopsy.

It took 75 firefighters about an hour to get the fire under control. Damage was estimated at $550,000.

State police and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating the fire and death.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Melissa and Bill were so easy to work with! They were both so laid back and it was just a go with the flow type of day! When we began photos at the house they rented in Love Point, the weather was overcast and humid, but at least there was no rain! We were grateful to continue with the plans for an outdoor ceremony, overlooking the beach along the Chesapeake Bay. A little later, we decided to use our sunset time slot for more photos. Even though there really was NO sun all day, the skies parted right at that moment and gave us about three different sunsets! It was awesome to watch and photograph! Even though I’ve seen it a million times, I’m always still amazed at how each sunset is unique and so beautiful. The two of them are so cute together and you can tell it’s a genuine love and mutual respect for each other! much love to the newlyweds!

Emma and Anthony’s wedding was right in the middle of a string of KI weddings! September is typically some of the best Maryland weather, but not this year! Luckily for us all, even though it rained all week, by Saturday the skies cleared and allowed them to have a beautiful outdoor ceremony along the Chester River. The only thing about all that rain was the ground was still pretty muddy, so by the end of the evening everybody’s feet were brown with mud (as well as Emma’s beautiful dress!)… good thing she had a backup dress to change into! This was a big party not only to celebrate their marriage but also to celebrate Emma’s Maid-of-Honor’s 21st birthday, so everyone was having fun. Congrats to the Newlyweds!