When Life Feels Screwy, Go To Intercourse, PA

© (2009) Photographs By Vicki Polin

Since I moved to Baltimore, when ever life gets funky, I find myself taking a ride out towards Intercourse, PA.  I always seem to find peace driving around in the Amish community taking pictures.  I'm aware that they have the same sorts of problems as every other community, yet the nature around the community feels empowering and healing to me.

Hope you enjoy all three videos that are posted below.

Hunt Valley, MD (July 14, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Natures Way

I was having an off day so I took time off to take a few pictures out in and around the Hunt Valley area.

Pond of Pikesville

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

These were taken at a local pond in Pikesville, MD.

2009 - Fireworks at the Taste Of Chicago

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

This is Part 2 of pictures from my week in Chicago


Fireworks at the Taste Of Chicago (Individual Pictures)

Fireworks (Part 1)



Fireworks (Part 2)



Fireworks (Part 3)

Trip to Chicago to celebrate my B-day (Part 1)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I spent a week in Chicago to celebrate my birthday.

I wanted to do something completely different. A friend suggested with go to the Gay Pride Parade. This is what we saw.

Gay Pride Parade (Part 1)


Gay Pride Parade (Part 2)

Road Trip: Indianapolis, IN to Baltimore, MD

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took these on the way back home after speaking at the NOW conference.

Fort Harrison State Park - Indianapolis, IN

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had to go to Indianapolis to speak at the 2009 NOW conference. I got there a day early and had time to go to Fort Harrison State Park for a few hours. This is what I saw.

Catoctin Mountains (June, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Peter Himmelman


I took these last week when I ran away from home with a friend for that day. We ended up in the Catoctin Mountains, which are in western Maryland. At one point we were taking photographs near a wood pile, when someone who lived nearby came over to free a black snake which found it's way in his home. We ended our journey near one of the entrances of Camp David.

Baltimore County to Gettysburg, PA (May, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went with a friend on a mini day trip out towards Gettysburg, PA.  We took a break at Codorus State Park

Moments at Fells Point (Baltimore, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was my first time at Fells Point.  I had a few minutes before I had to be somewhere, so I snapped a few pictures.

Just Outside of Glen Rock, PA

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I've been under a great deal of stress lately and needed to get away and drive down roads with no lines down the middle. I really just needed to BREATHE.

There's three sets of photographs of the excursion outside of Glen Rock, PA.

Meadow Green Farm



Just Breathe!



Hikers, Bikers and More . . .
These were taken off of the York County Heritage Rail Trail

Rush Hour Traffic on Tufton Road (Baltimore County, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I got stuck in rush hour traffic Friday afternoon. Instead of getting frustrated I picked up my camera and started shooting what was around me.

In honor of my nieces 15th Birthday

© (2009) photographs by Vicki Polin

I can't believe that my niece is already 15.  

A beautiful day for a ride in the country

© Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a beautiful April day. It was late in the afternoon when I finally could escape and take a ride out towards Hunt Valley.

Sherwood Gardens (Baltimore, MD)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: Let me in

The following pictures were taken on April 16, 2009 at Sherwood Gardens. It was a picture perfect day. I was told that I should come back in a few weeks to get the garden in full bloom.

In Memory of Jamie Lynn Baylog (April 13, 1960 - Januray 6, 1992)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Jamie was a dear friend who lost her life at the age of 29. Today would have been her 48th birthday. I met Jamie at an extremely low point in my life. At the time we met we were both working with therapists struggling to overcome the flashbacks associated with child abuse.

Jamie was one of the few people who I need to thank for helping me to overcome so much in my life. If it wasn’t for our friendship I would never have gone back to school or gotten my degrees. Prior to becoming friends I never thought I was smart enough to be considered “college material”. Jamie taught me how to apply for grants and scholarships, and most important how to use a library to do research.

I’ll never forget when she finished her education and received both her undergraduate and masters degrees. I'll never forget the excitement she felt when she landed her first job as a social worker at a child advocacy center. It was amazing to watch her blossom and grow. My dear friend dedicated her life to helping children and adult survivors of child sexual abuse, including those who had histories of ritual abuse.

Jamie died suddenly on January 6, 1992. Those of us who knew her and the works she was doing believe she was murdered, yet there was not enough evidence for the police to conduct an investigation.

After Jamie died I remember going to her grave and telling her that the work I did would be dedicated in her memory.

The song playing in this video was Jamie's favorite and she sang it often.

Pikesville to Hunt Valley, MD

(2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took a mini vacation that lasted about two hours. I went from Pikesville to Hunt Valley and back again

Driving Around Hagerstown, Maryland (April, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I needed to get away to think. I found myself driving out west on Route 70. Before I knew it I ended up near Hagerstown. Got off and drove back towards Frederick on winding country roads.

Just outside of Intercourse, Pennsylvania (April 5, 2009)

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went out to Amish country with a friend.

Blizzard Today in Chicago . . . But I'm in Baltimore

© (2009) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I was talking to a friend of mine in Chicago who was telling me they were having a huge blizzard. I've been very homesick and really had hoped I would have been in Chicago this weekend. I looked up and the sun was shining and decided to enjoy the snowstorm in Chicago from Baltimore.