Tag Archives: Harper’s Ferry

Banks of The Potomac

Late summer moving in slow motion,
surrounded by green on country trails,
the brazen sun burning our skin
as water gurgles against the rocks
on the banks of the Potomac.

A father and son cast on the North Branch,
tackle plunking down, reels whizzing,
pulling a croaking catfish from indigo waters.
I watch and smile, filled with fond memories
of our son bass fishing our backyard lake.

A melody of sound cuts through the heat,
Canadian Geese honk across the river,
the moo of cows carries from a distant farm,
blue jays scream, darting from ground to tree,
a freight train clicks and lumbers down the tracks.

The wind whips up the heavy storm clouds,
rustling the maple and hickory leaves
deer run for cover in the deep thickets
as a jagged bolt of lightning splits the sky
and faraway thunder rumbles deep and low.

A split second, the dark sky opens up
and torrents of rain tumble down,
father and son scramble to their truck
and we dash to the paper mill ruins,
refuge from the intense afternoon storm.

Drenched and laughing, we huddle close,  
as cool air descends from the pelting rain,
the parched oak trees seem to sigh in relief
as the raindrops pound the hot asphalt
with a hiss and rising plume of steam.

There’s no place that I would rather be than
riding out the torrid summer rainstorm with you,
watching with wonder as the sun peeks out
and a rainbow rises with its hues of glory
over the banks of the Potomac.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2023
July 29, 2023

Hello, can you believe July is almost over? Yikes, I wish time would slow down!

The Potomac River took me away this week, but disclaimer – this is a mostly fictional write that I could visualize in my mind. It’s a toss-up whether The Potomac or The Shenandoah River is actually closer to us. But I have very fond memories of the Potomac, especially from my childhood. We had Keller family picnics at my Uncle Bobby’s Club house near the river. There are many stories to tell about that place, as kids we loved to explore around his property but were not fond at all of that darned outhouse LOL! Some of my cousins have tried to find the place again, it’s basically a deteriorating shack now, but it seemed SO BIG when we were young! I would like to take a drive and try to find it.

One thing Dan and I really enjoy doing is going over to Harper’s Ferry for a day visit. It’s been a few years since we have gone there. It’s only about 25 miles away, and it’s where both rivers meet. Harper’s Ferry has always held a special place in my heart, for several reasons. It’s so historical, quaint and beautiful. You can hike up the big hill to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, then even higher to the lookout at Jefferson Rock. And you can climb the stone steps still higher to explore the beautiful, ancient graveyard. Or you can take the bridge adjacent to the train tracks and cross over the Shenandoah, then climb down to explore the other side. There are many little shops and historical buildings to visit, as well as the paper mill ruins with lovely arches, which I just love photographing.

As far as best days ever, there have been far too many to choose one. My best days ever were the days Vince and Katie were born, the day I married Dan, the birth of our grandchildren, the weddings of both Vince and Katie, as well as many recent best days. And of course, childhood memories that were my best days way back then. But now that I’m older, I really try to make the absolute best of each day. Time is flying by at breakneck speed, and most days I just want to go into slow motion and savor every moment. I hope you have a lovely weekend, family and friends!

XOXO
Colleen

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 4.15 – Best Day Ever
Hard Bonus: Use four animal or bird sounds (catfish, geese, cows, blue jays)
Easy Bonus: Include a river near you (Potomac River)