An American Paradise

The biped and I arrived in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania today. He's here for a residency at Wilkes University--part of his MFA program. We're here for ten days.....

While the biped is "writing" all week, I've decided to do some photo essays. Here's my first.

The Town Square. This is where a fort was built that became the site of the Wyoming Valley Massacre in 1778. Wilkes-Barre became a major coal mining center and also the birthplace of Planters Peanuts. If I were pressed, I would have to guess that today the major industry of WB (as it is lovingly called) is picking through garbage.


Some of the historic buildings around the square. They make me think of how there must have been people living here once.


This is Santa behind bars. I guess this is how they celebrate the holidays here.


This is a menorah, part of the court-ordered diversity of most municipal holiday displays. To be fair, the vandalism done to the menorah probably has less to do with Judaism than a general appetite for destruction. Honestly, look at how the base is secured!


And another little known fact: Wilkes-Barre was the birthplace of HBO. The list of "firsts" grows longer.


A beautiful sunset casts a warm glow across the Wyoming Valley.


This is the Best Western where the biped and I are lodging. Last time, the biped said it smelled like cigarettes. This time, the rooms have been renovated!!