Camp Potomac (Oldtown, MD)

Name: Camp Potomac

Council: Potomac Council

Location: Oldtown, Maryland (Allegany County)

Website: http://www.bsa757.org/

Note: This is the camp where I was on staff as a teenager - Quartermaster and Camp Store.

Patches Available to Purchase: No, part of my personal collection.

Fort Coombe Area looking toward Sideling Hill Cut

This picture was taken in Maryland just south of the Mason-Dixon line about 1/2 mile from Fort Coombe. The picture is of the Sideling Hill Cut (recent man-made to allow I-68 to go through the mountain).

I posted this to show how close Fort Coombe is to Allegany County, Maryland. Sideling Hill Creek divides Washington County, MD from Allegany County, MD.

Little Tonoloway Creek Area - Hancock, MD

Fort Coombe Area

Tonoloways Marker - Wider View

Tonoloway's Marker - Fort Coombe

C&O Canal - Canal Boat Replica

Matt and Melissa in front of the Canal Boat Replica. This boat used to be further down the canal, but they moved it here when they re-did the terminus area (very nicely I might add). The buiding to the rear is what remains of the Footer Dye works - once the largest and most prestigious dry-cleaners in the world. The building under construction to the right is a new Marriott brand hotel.

C&O Canal - Milemarker 184.5

This is the beginning or the end of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, depending on your perspective. Milemarker 184.5 is in Cumberland, Maryland. The canal begins (or ends) in Georgetown, Washington, DC. When I was younger I rode the entire length of the canal on my bike with my scout troop. We did it in 3 long weekends. It was quite an adventure. I learned a lot during that trip. It was the first time that I ever had cheesecake - I bought it in Georgetown.

After finishing the trip, our scoutmaster Ernie Fauss took us to spend the night at Andrews AFB outside DC. We ate and slept on base. Ernie even took the whole troop out for bowling.

C&O Canal - Irish Laborers Monument

C&O Canal Visit - Cumberland Maryland

Pool Chemicals - Chlorinating Tabs Suggestion

If you have a pool, you need to make sure it is free from bacteria and algae. What I use is Chlorinating Tabs. I try to keep 1 1/2 tablets in a floating dispenser. Mine is a large yellow duck. I have cut out all of the holes in the dispenser to allow maximum water flow over the tabs. When one tablet gets down to 1/2, I add another one. My pool is 18 foot round by 52 inches high. Your number of tablets required may vary based on the size of your pool.

I highly recommend getting a chlorine tablet which contains COPPER. The copper sulfate in the tablet is what keeps the algae from forming. It does wonders to keep the algae from growing in your pool. I use HTH Pace Dual Action 3 inch Chlorinating Tabs - Part number 76531 and Item number 41204. After switching to these tablets I have had no algae.

I also shock periodically - every two weeks or so. Use a shock which contains COPPER as well.

Hope this helps.

Matt's Smokey Bear Birthday Cake

I sold my Dodge Dart.

I sold my 1972 Dodge Dart to a nice 16 year old and his mother. It is his first car. I hope he enjoys driving and working on it as much as I did.

Fort Coombe Historical Marker

Fort Coombe Historical Marker - where my Combs originally come from, based upon DNA analysis.

http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=833

New Bypass Hose for 1972 Dodge Dart

On Saturday I changed the Bypass hose on the Dart. Not too bad to change. I had noticed a very small amount of coolant pooling near the hose. I decided it was best to change it before the weather gets worse.

I filled up with a tank of Premium Gas. This vehicle really does prefer Premium Gas. During the recent shortages, it was nearly impossible to find/afford Premium Gas. Now that gas prices have dropped, I put in a tank full of premium.

Matt in front of 1972 Dodge Dart

Here's a picture of me in front of my 1972 Dodge Dart. I changed the battery cable which goes from the battery to the starter. It was quite a chore due to the location of the starter and the other items around it. I had to go buy some new wrenches to fit the location. It seems to work fine, and definitely looks better.

New Shocks for 1972 Dodge Dart

Last Sunday I put 4 new shocks on the 1972 Dodge Dart. It really makes a difference in the ride quality. The front shocks were in worse shape than the back shocks. The back shocks appeared to have been more recently replaced. To make for a more even ride, I replaced all 4. It makes the car ride and handle better. It was a good investment.

1972 Dodge Dart Advertisement

I found this advertisement on the web. I thought it was pretty interesting.

Other work on the 1972 Dodge Dart

Just for completeness sake, I decided to list the other work I have done on the Dart. I replaced the battery, changed the spark plugs, put in a new dome light bulb (like the joke does it actually took 2 people to change it), put in a new trunk light bulb, and changed the fuse for the lighter/brake lights.

The owner's manual calls for 91 octane gas. Here in NC, I can get 87, 89, or 93 octane. I have been trying the 93 octane gas and it does seem to drive better.

I really would like to get an AM/FM radio (original) to put in it. That withstanding, I would take a modern AM/FM/HD radio with CD player and new speakers. AM alone is getting a little boring.

Vintage 1972 NC License Plate

I went to the auto show at Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, NC this past weekend. I was looking to pick up whatever parts I could find for my 1972 Dodge Dart. There were a lot of vendors there. I picked up a 1972 North Carolina plate for my car. North Carolina allows you to put a YOM or Year of Manufacture plate on your vehicle. I happened to pick one up with my initials MC.