The Murden

15 Monday Feb 2021

Posted by Ronald Parks in Assateague, boating, Eastern Shore, engineering, Harbor, ocean city, Road Trips

Tags

Assateague, Corps of Engineers, dredge, inlet, Murden, OC, sand, Thrashers

Headed down to Ocean City, Md. the other day. It was cold and windy but a nice day to be out. We parked at the Inlet Parking Lot after checking to see if Thrasher’s Fries was open. They were not. Off in the distance we saw some sort of ship way down near Assateague.

The ship started to head back towards the Inlet Channel – some rough seas

Suddenly he headed towards the beach adjacent to the fishing pier.

Did a u-turn and we thought he was going to hit the beach.

He straightened himself (or herself) out and then headed into the channel.

Where the seagulls and I could get a good look.

The cars lined up for lunch and the gulls waiting for some Thrashers. Disappointed.

Back in the car with a view one way…

Then the other.

Here is a stock photo of the ship and some info.

The split hull dredger Murden is currently very busy working in and around Ocean City Inlet as part of the Assateague Island Restoration project, conducted in partnership with the Assateague Island National Seashore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Baltimore District said in its latest announcement. This project involves dredging sand from in and around the Ocean City Inlet navigation channel and beneficially placing it south of the inlet just offshore of Assateague Island. The work is being done to mitigate the impacts on sediment transport and erosion caused by the the inlet and associated jetties. According to USACE, this work generally takes place twice a year. The Murden arrived at Ocean City Inlet at the end of May (2019) and is expected to continue working in the area until mid-June. The USACE’s shallow draft dredger is based out of the the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wilmington District in North Carolina.

Birthday Down the Oshun Hon

04 Saturday May 2019

Posted by Ronald Parks in Eastern Shore, nature, ocean city

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Boardwalk, Crafts, nature, ocean city, photography, Springfest

What a great day my birthday was yesterday! I just might have to start celebrating being 29 every year! Kathy was helping her friend Sandy at a conference/workshop for Kennedy Krieger down the ocean and I was to meet them for dinner, but they said I should come down at lunch time. So after sanding and touching up the floor and two doors on the house, off I went.

We ate at Dough Rollers and then headed to Springfest. It is a craft show held every year at the inlet parking lot.

Kathy and Sandy.

Kathy and I.

Lite crowd which is my favorite.

Nice crafts. One of my Baltimore favorite artist was not here – Charlene Clark.

But someone I do know was there. Ron from Jaded Love. I’ve known him and his wife Lisa for 25 or more years.

After some roaming around the fest for a while, we headed to the beach. That water tower made the front page of the local paper. It was just painted and is now peeling. Probably another low-bid contract.

One of the functions of my photo edit tools is called ‘Memories’. My memory must be shot because I don’t remember the fishing pier ever looking like this.

Oh my God! Look at this cute couple with their pants rolled up, heading into the water!!

That is some cold water! There were a couple kids swimming! Kathy asked if I had ever stood in the surf on my birthday before? I came to OC on May 3, 1972 to work, but don’t remember being crazy enough to get my toes wet. I did however stand in the water on May 8, 2015 when I came here to find my friend Eric’s grave.

Sandy’s turn. Wave dancers.

Headed back to the boardwalk towards bay side. Not a bad crowd for early May.

Over to Sunset Park and saw these guys. They look to be Ruddy Turnstone birds? Kathy got me a 16-300mm lens for my camera. It hasn’t come yet. Can’t wait to be able to have a zoom lens and do close ups without carrying a bunch of equipment around.

Our selfie down the shore.

I missed this history sign and Kathy got on me about it. Usually I just stop dead in our tracks (and on the highway) to read these things.

A great day and way to celebrate my birthday! Thanks God, Kathy and Sandy!

O.C. in the Spring

14 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by Ronald Parks in Eastern Shore, ocean city

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Beach, Boardwalk, nature, ocean city, photography

After Cypress Park we headed to Ocean City for some lunch. Bikes, dogs and walkers. Dogs and bikes thru May 1st I believe. Humans anytime.

New construction going on. Looks like bollards?

Yes they are. Kathy said she once rode her car up on the boardwalk years ago.

Favorite art store. Bought Paul McGehee’s Old Baltimore at Twilight here a few years back.

Here is our postcard to you!

Time for lunch. Call me un-American, but I really do not like vinegar on my fries. At least there is not the usual summer wait in line.

Although, being retired and down the ocean, time is not important. This clock has been in this same position for a long time…

Kathy taking a risk holding up her fries like that – when seagulls attack!

The empty haunted house.

Walked up to the end. To the left is where we were the other day – at Assateague.

Scene from Final Destination #3..

Kathy’s pic of the Ferris wheel. Nice.

Time to head onto the beach.

Then under the fishing pier.

What is your favorite one – Surf City by Crack the Sky or Surfer Girl by the Beach Boys?

The North Easterly Easter Bunny.

Another great adventure. Happy Happy.

Easter Weekend in OC and on the Farm

02 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by Ronald Parks in Hiking, ocean city

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

deer, Farm, Hiking, nature, ocean city, photography

Friday we went to Kathy’s parents down the Eastern Shore. It is always nice to spend time with her family. They treat me like family. After a few hours of chores, time for dinner and relaxing. Saturday we headed down to Ocean City. Went early enough to beat most of the holiday traffic.

The Easter Bunny was there, taking carriage rides with visitors.

Started our walk at the Life Saving Museum.

Not a bad crowd for Easter weekend. I know them three ladies! The inlet and other municipal lots have a new system of charging for parking. Seems like it is going to be a pain, having to remember you license plate # and it is going to be expensive – but today it was free. People were still feeding the new meter. OC must have made a ton of money on Saturday. New meters went into effect on Sunday.

While Kathy, her sister and mom headed to some shops, I headed to the water. You have got to touch the ocean while there! The fishing pier.

The inlet from the jetty. After the storms a couple weeks ago, they said this sand bar was sticking 20+ feet into the channel.

Looking south from the pier, towards the jetty.

Looking north. This sandbar went under the pier.

Heading back to the Boardwalk. The last time we were here, they had just started painting the water tank. Looks good.

So back to the farm and after some chores, I decided to take a hike around the property. The farm next door, the guy has cut a lot of trees down and deepened his storm water trench. Merrill says the guy plans to plant pines back there.

Nice green color. Lots of water throughout the woods.

Woodpecker condo?

No car or truck research today.

Looking through the trucks engine compartment to another car.

Car from another view.

This one does say Cosmopolitan.

Nice dash.

Left the car cemetery and thought I could take a path not taken before – too much water. I did have my water proof boots on but this was a little deep and muddy. Private property on the right and water on the left.

Headed back and took another trail. (Lots or trails back there. Merrill does a great job keeping them clear). A new sniper stand.

Hit another pool of water so I cut across and found this path.

Am I laying on my back, looking up? Or is this tiny house laying on its back?

Passing the little house, I see an open field and a fairly large storm water ditch and these two guys. They didn’t see me for a couple minutes and I just stood there watching them. Always a peaceful feeling to see nature at her best.

After a couple minutes of watching, I turned the corner and these three were on the other side of the ditch. After posing for a couple pics, they took off.

This fence heads to the road, but I wanted to head back to the farm through the woods.

But unfortunately I hit more water. I was going to follow my path back the way I came but Kathy texted me and wanted to know if I was alright? It was about 2 hours of hiking and enjoying nature!

I followed the above fence to the road, and came across an old farm. Being a guest at some ones home, I thought it best not to trespass to get a better look.

This is the path my Not-So-Smart phone said I took. (Just watched a show about a girl who followed her smart phones directions and ended up lost in the desert for a few days)