Yesterday was Dads' Day in Ellis's 3rd grade class, and a trip to the beginning of the C&O Canal in Georgetown was arranged. Once I figured out that the meeting point was near the start of the Capital Crescent Trail , I decided to bike down rather than drive. It was a beautiful day and I felt privileged in many ways: gorgeous spring in Washington, our house perfectly situated near the Brookeway Dr. trail entrance, me working at home so I could take advantage, and being the father of a nine-year-old like Ellis. I might not be as affluent as some of the other dads, but I felt pretty damn successful.
With Helen's help, I took my camera and a lunch in a backpack and zipped away on my bike feeling like a free spirit. What a great ride it is from here to Georgetown. I took a zillion pictures along the route and with the kids at the event. The photo above is of one of Ellis's classmates and her dad, of course. It doesn't tell you much about the C&O Canal, but I think it captures the purpose of the event pretty well. I could take pictures of cute little kids all day long.
It was nice to receive this response from one of Ellis's teachers:
Wow! Brian those pictures are incredible. You definitely have a photographer's eye. Have you taken photography classes or is that a passion. I do not think I have ever seen such incredible pictures!! ... They look like they all belong in a frame!!!!!!!!
I'll happily take the compliment even if I don't quite agree with her assessment. If you look at the raw images, you'll see that I blew far more shots than I nailed -- I just made up the difference through sheer quantity and ruthless editing (thanks to the wonders of digital technology). My batting average could be a lot better though.