Categories
Chester County Events Exton Photo Journal Photography

Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival

Ferris Wheel at the Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival
Ferris Wheel at the Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival

Earlier in the week, while driving near the intersection of Rt. 30 and Rt. 100, I noticed that something was going on in one of the parking lots at the mall, and for the must part, thought nothing about it.

The next day, when I drove by, poof, there were rides and things all setup, but since there were not signs, it was kind of hard to tell what was going on.

Later on, once at home, I posted something to my Facebook wall, asking if anyone in the local area knew what was going on. Several other folks, also commented that they were wondering the same thing.

In doing some more research, it turns out that Powers Great American Midways was hosting the Spring Carnival at the Exton Square Mall from May 4th – 8th, which included Mother’s Day!

Needless to say, the kids wanted to go, so after a lazy Sunday Mother’s Day morning, we headed toward the mall to have some fun!

Not being sure where to park, we snaked our way through the various roads near the carnival, and were able to find easy parking right next to the main entrance!

Blue Fish Bowl Game at the Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival
Blue Fish Bowl Game at the Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival

As the four of us started to walk in, we were taken back at first with the lack of a crowd, and that none of the rides were operating yet, so it gave a chance to walk around and scope out what was available.

The vendors were scurrying around preparing for the day, setting up games, replenishing the prizes and cleaning up their areas.

Madison seemed to want to go on everything and Logan was eager to follow, but like many kids his age, he was going to be limited because of height requirements.

Because it was so early, the kids were easily able to go from ride to ride, and only pausing to grab tickets from us, and then running to the next gate.

Then came the bumper cars, and of course the kids wanted to go, but Mom had some reservations, but gave up when I handed the tickets over, and they were off like a shoot.

At the edge of the rides, both Amy and I watched as the two kids found a car, and buckled themselves in.

Finally, everyone was in their cars, and the main power was switched on.

It took Madison a moment to find the go pedal, followed by a giant lurch forward, and two kids twisting their necks to look at each other in a combination of “Did we do that?” and “This cool!”.

Moments later, they crashed into their first car and smiles and laughter erupted.

Eventually, the ride was over, and we headed further into the food and games area.

Yellow Rubber Ducks at the Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival
Yellow Rubber Ducks at the Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival

We stopped at one of the drink stands, got some lemonade, and rested as we plotted our next adventure.

The Ferris wheel as a family!

We got into one of the pods, and were slowly raised into the air as other folks got on an off the ride.

Madison and Logan, gitty with delight as they looked all around as we got higher and higher.

A view from the Ferris Wheel at Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival
A view from the Ferris Wheel at Exton Square Mall Spring Carnival

Once the wheel was ready, we began to go around and around, each time finding something new as we looked over the landscape.

What was once fear of going so high, transformed into excitement of seeing things from a different point of view.

Finally, the ride came to and end, and we disembarked, and took another walk around the carnival, eventually we all agreed it was time to go home.

As we found our way back to the parking lot, we realized that their Amy nor I had the keys to the car.

We began to panic…

Where could we have lost them?

When we got to the car, I looked in, and there were the keys!

In the ignition…

Just sitting there….

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Andrew (SDC) - View my '110508 Exton Square Mall Carnival' set on Flickriver
Categories
Announcements Chester County Covered Bridges Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography Published

Covered Bridges of Chester County – Featured

Destinations Travel Magazine - May 2011
Destinations Travel Magazine – May 2011

The new May issue of Destinations Travel Magazine has just been published and is now available!

Once again, Darlene Perrone has done a great job of putting this issue together, which also includes Day 2 of the “Covered Bridges of Chester County“!

The Covered Bridges featured in this months issue include:

I encourage you to take a look at this wonderful issue!

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Categories
Blogging Chester County Events Photo Journal Photography

2011 Spring Sampling at Exton Beverage

This afternoon, I got a chance to help a friend out, and also enjoy a good time!

I have known Greg Ramirez for over 12 years now, and it is always nice to have a chance to help him out.

So to this afternoon, I got a chance to go down to Exton Beverage to participate in their “Spring Sampling”!

and never passing on a chance for doing some photos, and sampling some good beers, I took a little time to capture some of the following images which are now only available on the Exton Beverage Facebook Fanpage.

 

2011 Spring Sampling - Exton Beverage
2011 Spring Sampling - Exton Beverage

My next technical task, is to figure out a better way to display Facebook images in my Blog.

As always, comments are always Welcome!

– Andrew
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Categories
Chester County Creeks Nature Photography Photostream

Hibernia County Park – CCPaPhoto Meet-Up

After several weeks of ‘conversations’ online, we finally gathered at Hibernia County Park for the first Meet-Up of the “Chester County (PA) Photography” – Facebook/Flickr groups!

What is always very interesting at First meetings that start via the internet, is the real person behind the profile icons!

Also helps with not having to create or bring “Hello/My Name Is” name tags!

Anyhow…

We meet at the main parking lot for the mansion at Hibernia County Park, and then drove down the hill toward the “Old Damn” Area, which was already rather full with fisherman.

From the parking lot, we started down the Forge Trail, which follows the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek.

For me, this was a second visit.

The last time that I had been here was seven months ago, just after Tropical Storm Nichole in early October 2010.

On a technical side, this was my first chance in trying out my new Tiffen Digital Neutral Density Filter Kit!

The Kit includes a 0.6ND, 0.9ND and a 1.2ND, and the concept of playing with an additional 9 stops was very intriguing, especially around water!

When the group got to a cleaning next to the water, all the tripods sprung into action, and camera bags flying open in all directions.

110410 Hibernia Park 012
110410 Hibernia Park 012

Not wanting to be left out, I started to look for a good entrance point into the water, and then waded in.

It was cold, was not too bad.

On the way back to the trail, I did manage to slip, and dunk my arm put to my elbow in the creek!

My vest did touch the water, but the pocket liners kept everything dry!

I did not need to lose another camera to water, like I did back in college at Watkins Glen (NY) when my Canon A-1’s neck-strap broke.

We continued down the trail toward the small fishing pond, where there were many people enjoying the day.

Stopping at the small little bridge, we spread out to capture the sights around us.

One vary popular subject, was the small little water fall on the down stream side of the bridge.

110410 Hibernia Park 039
110410 Hibernia Park 039

From the bridge, we head down Lion Heads Drive and toward “The Wall”.

After a little stop, we found another interesting area, which had a very strange attribute.

As one walked from the road toward the creek, there is a large area that has an intense orange color in the dirt and a blueish sheen.

110410 Hibernia Park 048
110410 Hibernia Park 048

Once on the other side of the mess, I crossed a little island, and found a spot.

110410 Hibernia Park 058
110410 Hibernia Park 058

We turned around at Cottage #1, and headed back to the parking lot.

When we got back to the small fishing pound, Jason headed directly back to his car via the trail, while the rest of us continued up Lions Head Drive.

We passed the Mansion and headed back down the dirt road to the Upper Damn Area parking lot.

In the parking allot, we chatted some more, and tossed out ideas of where and when the next Meet-Up will be. Details will be Posted on Facebook and Flickr groups.

From there, we went our separate directions.

When I got home, I began to transfer and process my files, and while showing my daughter my new images, I was able to show my daughter these two images, which I quickly turned into a combination “Poster”.

Hibernia County Park (Oct 2010 vs Apr 2011)
Hibernia County Park (Oct 2010 vs Apr 2011)

All and all, I think folks had a good time!

Thanks to all those folks that came out, and I look forward to our next adventure!

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Attendees

Categories
Announcements Blogging Chester County Covered Bridges HDR Lancaster County Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography Projects Published Web

Covered Bridges of Chester – Featured

Destinations Travel Magazine - April 2011
Destinations Travel Magazine – April 2011

Just got and email from the Editor/Publisher of Destinations Travel Magazine, that the April 2011 has been released, and my Photo Essay “The Covered Bridges of Chester County” has been included as the first of a planned three-part series of Photo essays!

Each photo essay is geared to be single 8 hour day trip.

Featured in this month issue (Day 1) are the following Covered Bridges:

Hope you enjoy them, and I would love to hear your feedback!

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