My Most Popular Photos on Flickr

   This photo, taken at the Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was my most popular photo taken in 2015. At the time of this post, it has 768 views and 19 favorites. It is now my most "favorited" photo on Flickr. I don't get too many page views, so these numbers are outstanding to me. I see some photos with 100s of 'faves' and I can't imagine any of my photos ever gaining that many. Of course, it is my hope in the new year that I will visit many interesting places and take even better photos.

Dec 5, 1933 Repeal of Prohibition in the United States

   On this date in history, December 5, 1933, the Twenty-First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States officially repealed prohibition. Prohibition was voted into law to begin January 16, 1920. It outlawed the production, sale, importation and transportation of any and all alcoholic beverages. There was some hypocrisy in the law because it did not prevent consumption. Wealthy citizens simply stocked up before the law took effect, including Presidents Wilson and Harding.

Hocus Pocus Filming Locations

   Over the summer, we visited Salem, Massachusetts. One of the main things we wanted to see while in the area was various places used in the 1993 Disney movie "Hocus Pocus". Unfortunately we didn't have access to the film before the trip(why I never bought it before, I do not know!), so there were places we missed. But I am quite pleased with the locations we were able to find.

   The film starts in the past at a small village. I would include that location here, but the historic village was closed at the time, and photos from the fence show an area quite overgrown. You can barely make out the buildings through the woods.

Obsession With Salem, Massachusetts

   I was not feeling well when we visited Salem, but it did not detract from my feeling of awe when seeing it for the first time. The sadness of the Trials memorial. The awesomeness of The Burying Point Cemetery, this rich history, the sense of familiarity from having seen the area on so many television shows. There were times I would just stand and look around, trying to take it all in, hardly believing I was really there. I know that I really, really want to return.

Liberty Tour Day 3: Lost in Boston and Seeing Salem

   Bumper to bumper traffic at 6am going in to Boston, of course. Remember, I don't need no stinkin' gps, I got maps and instinct! Take Storrow Drive, sure, that sounds right. Charles River, ooh pretty! There's an exit for Fenway, take that! Oh, not Fenway Park...where are we? Wrong way, take a right at the next street, then another right, then a left, just a few more streets. I think. Yes! There she is, what a beauty!

Liberty Tour Day 2: New York to Boston

    Finally being "in" New York after having stared at it all day was a little unusual. Just seeing the magnificent skyline felt like being immersed in it. I can't remember a time when I have spent so much time staring at another state without actually being in it. New Jersey and New York made states visited #33 and #34 for me, and that number would jump to 40 before the trip was over. I'm hoping to make 50 before I hit that age, but I'm starting to think Alaska will never happen.

   On to the trip!