About an hour and a half away from the city, Mountain Craft Days take place at the Somerset Historical Center grounds. This year was the 44th year for the event!
V saw it mentioned on TV and it look interesting so she suggested we go.
Clear weather and lots of interesting demonstrations – here is a sampling of what we saw- blacksmithing, log splitting, cider making, basket making, spinning, lacemaking, pewter making, wood carving, felting and knitting, weaving, soap making, food preparation and if you are into “coopering” you can even get some materials and supplies at the Center to make your barrels.
Dulcimer music wafted through the woods, the smell of wood fire. A bagpiper walking down the path and some Civil War reenactors with drums and fifes marching past the covered bridge. Bought some dried apples that were nothing but apples, very tasty and tried a Maple Walnut sundae with real maple syrup.
The Broom Maker- Lone Oak Brooms– Bob Haffly from Amberson PA
He was so nice and said I could photograph him when I asked. We watched him make a broom from start to finish and it was amazing to see. You can watch the YouTube videoof his making a broom below.
Who knew there were so many different types of brooms. Brooms for kitchen floors and brooms for concrete floors and whisk brooms and all handmade with a machine made in the late 1800’s. Seriously.
A carousel horse carver
Woman walking down the path carrying a basket
Lacemakers from Five Rivers Bobbin Lacemakers You can try your hand at it, right on site!
Blacksmith and Storytelling
White Oak Basket Making
Fried Mush Lots of wood fires burning
A bagpiper walking and playing along the path
The log cabin and the cooking demonstration were interesting.
An apiarist explained how he harvests the honey.
The loaves of bread baked in the Dutch Oven.
Glowing coals inside the log cabin called a Settler’s Cabin.
Be sure to go and watch Bob Haffly craft a broom on YouTube
Unexpected bagpipe music emanating from Penn Avenue near the Car Park, on our way to the Fireworks Night at PNC Park-
Steve pulled over to the curb. I got out of the car. Placed a bill in her case on the walk and asked if it would be all right to take a photo. She nodded.
A student at Carnegie Mellon University, piping for the Tartans, practicing, playing cool music for downtown Pittsburgh
AND imprinted on her card-
Bagpiping for Western Pennsylvania, (and doing a great job of it, too)
and at the bottom- Weddings, Funerals, Military Functions, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Social Events, Group and Individual Instruction. Solo and Band Prizes -US Canada and Scotland I believe it!
….. Her name is Liz Cherry and she is skilled in the way of the pipes!
I crossed Penn Avenue and took this view, to capture the surroundings.
Last Saturday night we were down by PNC Park and strolling along the walkway while the Pirates were inside the park, beating the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-1. The Allegheny River was muddy and reflecting the night lights of the boats and city.
My friend Steve saw a man he recognized. Captain George Boyle on the Safety Boat by the fireworks on the barge. They hadn’t seen each other in years.
Captain George was patrolling the river to keep the pleasure boats away from the barge where the fireworks were set to go off after the game, to keep the boaters out of the danger zone.
Captain George invited us aboard the Safety Boat, and Steve bought his book (which Captain George autographed for him) One of those serendipitous moments in life.
“A world traveling photographer and film producer chronicles the highlights and adventures of a unique and thrilling career”
If you’re from Pittsburgh you might have seen one of the 13 part TV series “What’s New at the Zoo” which Captain George filmed.
You can read about Captain George’s suiting up in scuba gear and his retrieval of the Gateway Clipper Steamboat’s Paddlewheel from the bottom of the Allegheny River.
Captain George Boyle just autographed a copy of You Ought to Write A Book…By George
Lots of adventures packed in twenty chapters! If you want a copy of his book just leave a comment and I’ll contact Captain George.
Here is what Mr. Fred Rogers said in the blurb on the back cover
“My goodness George, what a marvelous tome you have written. You certainly have gone to great lengths to help the reader understand some of the technical details of photography. I’m happy to be included in the events of your life.” Fred Rogers, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
View from the Roberto Clemente Bridge( 6th Street)
Knit the Bridge on the Andy Warhol/Seventh Street Bridge. Night shot.
Photographed from the vantage point of the Roberto Clemente/Sixth Street Bridge on Fireworks night, A muddy Allegheny River reflecting the night light. I used the 70-200mm L series lens.
Just three more days of the installation so get down and walk across and back to experience the creativity of communities gathering together who nit and crochet the colorful panels now stretching across the span.
