Monday, July 21, 2014

Swallow Falls State Park: Part 3

Here is the final set of pictures from my hike at Swallow Falls State Park out in Garrett County, Western Maryland.

If you are ever out at Deep Creek Lake or Ski Wisp, no matter the season, make sure you take the time to visit Swallow Falls - it's worth it.

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
On the other side of the Youghiogheny River eyeing up my target (back to the right).
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
I made it across the river and up the bottom of the falls to the main attraction.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Some shots from different angles...
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Who is this James Robbins???
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Making my way up the stairs to the top...
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Looks scary, but the top of the falls has lots of big, dry rocks to stand on.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Tried to get a little more creative with the camera.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

Swallow Falls State Park: Part 2

As promised, here are more pictures from my trip to Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County, Western Maryland.

Swallow Falls State Park is home to the oldest grove of white pine and eastern hemlock in Maryland. Some trees are over 360 years old and beautifully line the only officially designated 'Wild and Scenic' Youghiogheny River.

Deep Creek Lake (and the surrounding areas) is a great place to bike, camp, fish, hike, and ski.

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Some smaller falls before the grande finale.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
A cool rock face as we hiked down the trail.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
Water making its way down to the river. Science.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
A couple of daddy long legs that were well camouflaged. More science.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland

Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
A cool little rock formation.
Swallow Falls State Park, Garrett County, Western Maryland
At the bottom of Muddy Creek Falls. About to cross the river and make my way up.
Stay tuned for one more set of pictures as I make my way up Muddy Creek Falls (part 3)!
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Swallow Falls State Park: Part 1

Much of my summer vacation back in the United States has been spent visiting family and friends. While visiting my in-laws out in Garrett County, MD, my wife and I took a 20 minute drive from her parent's house over to Swallow Falls State Park to do some hiking and adventuring.

Swallow Falls is located 9 miles north of Oakland, Maryland and is home to Muddy Creek Falls, Maryland's highest free-falling waterfall. The Muddy Creek Fall stands somewhere between 50 and 60 feet tall, depending on who you ask. The Youghiogheny River flows through the park and creates some decent rapids and attractive scenery. The 1.25 mile trail through Swallow Falls State Park allows hikers to easily take in what the park has to offer.

Rather than paying the fee and entering through the state park entrance, we started our hike on a trail on the other side of the Youghiogheny River. After about a 10 minute walk, we arrived at Muddy Creek Falls, where I daringly crossed the river and made my way up the falls without getting wet!

Anyway, pics below.

Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD
Walking along the trail and came to an opening...
Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD

Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD
They look like they're having lots of fun!
Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD
Moving along...
Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD

Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD
There were some cool views from the trail.
Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD
There were lots of fallen trees too.
Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD

Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD

Swallow Falls State Park, Oakland, MD
The walkway in the state park across the river.
Check back soon for more pictures (part 2) from Swallow Falls State Park!
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Monday, July 14, 2014

My Final World Cup Post

Here is the final set of pictures I'm retroactively posting from the World Cup in Brazil. They provide a good summary of my experience there. The pictures are from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Fortaleza.

Attending the FIFA World Cup in Brazil allowed me to cross a major item off my bucket list. I got to watch the best soccer in the world, in the best country to watch soccer in the world, with old and new friends from around the world.

Simply fantastic.

Watching the opening ceremonies at the Sao Paulo FIFA fan zone.
Some pretty important people at the opening match between Brazil and Croatia.
Cafu and Kaka in the same shot.
I met some fellow Persians at the fan zone in Sao Paulo.
Flamingo beach in Rio.
Sugarloaf mountain in the background.
Jesus in the background.
Gift shop at the Rio fan zone on Copacabana Beach.


Watching soccer on the beach. Heaven.

Do you see what I see?
Now you should.

Soccer was everywhere!
Even in the airports!
In Curitiba. About to head to stadium for Iran vs. Nigeria game.
Walked with a bunch of Nigerian fans.
Took some pics with them too.
Iranians and Nigerians uniting for a picture!
About to enter the stadium.
That says Brazil in Farsi.
I'm ready!


The players are ready too.
I moved to the big Iranian fan section on the lower level.
I forget where I saw this...
Graffiti in Fortaleza.
The military police were very cooperative. They did everything I said ;)
Met some Kurds too!
SO MANY streets in Brazil looked like this.
Best way to watch soccer. EVER.
I got interviewed at the Fortaleza fan zone the day of the USA vs. Portugal game.
The dogs there love soccer too!
Watching Brazil play Cameroon with some locals at a small cafe.
Fortaleza stadium at night.
Getting ready for the Greece vs. Ivory Coast game.
Sitting with the Greek contingent in the stadium.
Greece vs. Ivory Coast.
Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo.
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