Colonial Log House Celebrates Independence Day

Happy Independence Day, America!

This circa 1700 Colonial era log house, still preserved today in Downingtown, Pennsylvania by the Historical Commission, is open to visitors on July Fourth each year during the Good Neighbor Day holiday celebration.

Photo copyright Adele Downs 2016-17

On Veterans Day- A Trip To The American Helicopter Museum

On Veterans Day, I’m thinking of those who have served our country, and sending my heartfelt thanks for their sacrifice. Almost all of the men in my family have served in either the Navy or the Marines and I appreciate each one of them for keeping our nation safe.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, I thought I’d share some of my photos of vintage military aircraft from the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, Pennsylvania. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful museum if you visit southeastern Pennsylvania. It’s located about a mile from QVC headquarters and worth the trip.

Thank you for your service.

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Photos copyright Adele Downs

Visit Adele’s website and check out her books at http://adeledowns.com 

“The Blob” Still Lives in Downingtown, Pennsylvania

One of Downingtown, Pennsylvania’s most enduring and endearing claims to fame is its location for the 1958 horror film The Blob starring Steve McQueen in his first leading role. McQueen went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars of the 1960’s and 70’s and an icon of popular culture. Though he died at an early age, he left in indelible mark on my home state of Pennsylvania.

Downingtown is the oldest town in Chester County, and looks little in 2016 like the village filmed in 1958. The Downingtown Diner, which was featured in the movie, is a local landmark that still serves customers 24 hours a day in a 1950’s style setting.

Although the diner has changed ownership over the past 58 years, Downingtown’s affection for the “Home of The Blob” has never changed.

 

 

 

 

THE BLOB 1958 Trailer on You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdUsyXQ8Wrs

Lewes Ferry by Adele Downs #Foto_Friday

Photo copyright Adele Downs 2016

Boardwalk Rest by Adele Downs #Foto_Friday

Photo copyright Adele Downs 2016

Mornings By The Bay: Last Days of Summer

Life near the water stimulates creativity, and though I didn’t take selfies while working on a new book, editing my upcoming release Luxury Model Wife, or painting rooms in my beach house for my “How I Spent My Summer” collage (below), I got lots of writing done. Two books are finished and submitted to a publisher and a novella is almost complete. As soon as I have news of a new publishing contract, I’ll post it here.

Enjoy these photo snips of the Delaware coast and the last of the sunny summer days!

Photos copyright Adele Downs 2016

Mornings By The Bay: Beachcombing

The unofficial end of summer has come and gone with Labor Day and the Delaware beaches’ narrow escape from the wrath of Hurricane Hermine. Now that the kids have gone back to school, and the tourist season has ended, lazy days and warm sun on the September sand offers beach living at its best.

The ideal time to beachcomb is during the first low tide after a storm. When Hurricane Hermine churned the ocean off the Delaware shore and littered the coastline with pebbles and shells, I put my writing aside and went on the hunt. Beachcombing is a great way to exercise and enjoy the sunshine, and for shell collectors like me, a fun way to spend a few hours. I haven’t found gold from a pirate’s chest or the remains of a sunken ship yet, but I have gathered beautiful natural treasures for my home.

Here are some of the shells I collected after Hurricane Hermine. When wet, the black and red scalloped shells look especially vibrant. Once dry, they tend to look gray or brown. The prize of the bunch is the tiny slice of very hard to find purple beach glass.

Since the ocean is still churning from the storm system, I plan to go back to the beach at low tide to hunt more treasures. Maybe I’ll find something rare or exotic. Wish me luck!

Photos copyright Adele Downs 2016