Monday, November 06, 2006

Fade to Black: Moon Over South Mountain

At the risk of being redundant, once again I have to reflect on the beauty of Antietam National Battlefield.

Falling back to daylight savings time brings changes to the Park. The Rangers shift into winter uniforms and it's nearly dark when we close the visitor's center. Exiting the center after locking up two days ago our usual banter was interrupted by the image of the moon just cresting South Mountain (always carry a camera).



I began at the park in mid-January so each season has been full of new surprises for me.



Watching the cycle of agriculture in the Antietam Valley, from cultivation to harvest, churned up memories of my own rural childhood in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan.



Walking the park in the cool of the morning, or in the dense fog of late summer sunrises brings a host of plesant surprises, from the red fox who hasn't yet noticed me to the revelation of bejewled spiderwebs hanging heavy from every tree.



Watching storms boil through the valley or thwarted passage by the mountain always makes for dramatic (and interactive) viewing.



I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Good night, from Antietam

Ranger Mannie

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