The Eternal Flame at John F. Kennedy gravesite.
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Mt. Vernon
Another early morning bus ride to Union Station with Tony. This time we were passengers on his comfortable bus for the entire day. We stopped in Alexandria to photograph Christ Church Episcopal before heading out to Mt. Vernon.
Lunch was at the Mt. Vernon Inn
Of course, dessert was cherry pie!
D.C After Dark
We had an early dinner then returned D.C. to photograph one evening.
The streets were empty, with the exception of the tourists.
D.C. in a Day!
Wow! What a day is was! Beginning at 6:50a.m. we boarded the Gray Line bus that would transport 18 of us to Union Station. Our driver, Tony, was a friendly fellow who told us to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. As you can imagine, the traffic was very heavy but Tony took it all in stride. He has been driving the bus for 31 years and allows the other drivers who weave in and out or cut in front of him to just go on about their business. He says that he has no worries as he is already at work and they are just trying to get there.
Upon arriving at Union Station, Tony told us he would meet us at 5:00 p.m. for our return trip to Cherry Hill. We disembarked his bus and were guided to an open top tour bus and a new driver. It was quite cool that morning and our new driver was very considerate. He altered his normal routine to take us a short drive to Capitol Hill for a tour there. By the time we returned to the bus it was warmer.
Our Capitol chaperon has been on the job 36 years and loves her job. She did a great job directing us and sharing her wealth of knowledge with us. At the conclusion of that tour, Ray and I took the tunnel over to the Library of Congress, a slight detour on our way to meet the bus. We were on and off the bus many, many times during the day. Lunch was at the Ronald Reagan Building food court.
I was able to photograph the White House, Intercontinental The Willard Hotel, multiple national monuments and buildings as well as the Pentagon. The pace was quick and exhausting, but we had a great day in D.C.!
Upon arriving at Union Station, Tony told us he would meet us at 5:00 p.m. for our return trip to Cherry Hill. We disembarked his bus and were guided to an open top tour bus and a new driver. It was quite cool that morning and our new driver was very considerate. He altered his normal routine to take us a short drive to Capitol Hill for a tour there. By the time we returned to the bus it was warmer.
Our Capitol chaperon has been on the job 36 years and loves her job. She did a great job directing us and sharing her wealth of knowledge with us. At the conclusion of that tour, Ray and I took the tunnel over to the Library of Congress, a slight detour on our way to meet the bus. We were on and off the bus many, many times during the day. Lunch was at the Ronald Reagan Building food court.
I was able to photograph the White House, Intercontinental The Willard Hotel, multiple national monuments and buildings as well as the Pentagon. The pace was quick and exhausting, but we had a great day in D.C.!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
On Our Own in Washington D.C.
We took advantage of free parking at the Metro station Sunday to take the train into the District. With a Metro map and a tourist map in hand we set off. The trip was easy including a transfer at L'Enfant Plaza. We didn't get lost even once. A young man greeted us as we emerged onto Jefferson Dr. SW with another tourist map. He was full of information, pointing out landmarks, telling us the distance and recommending places to have lunch. We knew he zeroed in on the tourists he spotted, but we appreciated his help.
We made our way across the National Mall, which is undergoing renovation, and walked directly to Hotel Harrington where we had lunch at Harry's. We enjoyed our meal and decided what to do for the afternoon.
We photographed the W.J. Clinton and Ronald Reagan buildings and the old Post Office, which Donald Trump is transforming into a hotel, as we strolled along 12th St., NW. The rest of our day was spent at the National Museum of American History.
We made our way across the National Mall, which is undergoing renovation, and walked directly to Hotel Harrington where we had lunch at Harry's. We enjoyed our meal and decided what to do for the afternoon.
We photographed the W.J. Clinton and Ronald Reagan buildings and the old Post Office, which Donald Trump is transforming into a hotel, as we strolled along 12th St., NW. The rest of our day was spent at the National Museum of American History.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
A Day in Gettysburg
The day began at the visitor center where we saw a short film, "A New Birth of Freedom" and the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a 360 degree painting depicting "Pickett's Charge". The photo is only a small section of the cyclorama.
Our first tour was at President & Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower's home in Gettysburg. I found it interesting that Mrs. Eisenhower had curio cabinets chock-full of trinkets they received as gifts. There were portraits, family photos and even drawings and paintings done by Ike after they left the White House. The home was not grand at all, but was very comfortable. I found it fascinating that Mamie kept a guest book out at the entrance and everyone was required to sign it, even the grandchildren.
The farm was a short helicopter ride from Washington, so the President would go there as a retreat and even took dignitaries there to spend a more relaxed time with them. It seems to me Eisenhower was a very practical man and the impression I have of them is they were very gracious and loved family.
The rest of the day was spent touring the battlefield. Imagining the thousands of men and boys who marched into battle there delivers an air of sadness and realization that they were so dedicated to their beliefs.
Our first tour was at President & Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower's home in Gettysburg. I found it interesting that Mrs. Eisenhower had curio cabinets chock-full of trinkets they received as gifts. There were portraits, family photos and even drawings and paintings done by Ike after they left the White House. The home was not grand at all, but was very comfortable. I found it fascinating that Mamie kept a guest book out at the entrance and everyone was required to sign it, even the grandchildren.
The farm was a short helicopter ride from Washington, so the President would go there as a retreat and even took dignitaries there to spend a more relaxed time with them. It seems to me Eisenhower was a very practical man and the impression I have of them is they were very gracious and loved family.
The rest of the day was spent touring the battlefield. Imagining the thousands of men and boys who marched into battle there delivers an air of sadness and realization that they were so dedicated to their beliefs.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
History in Pennsylvania
Wrightsville is where we found John Wright Store and Restaurant near the sight where the world's longest covered bridge (5,960 feet) once spanned the Susquehanna River connecting to Columbia. The bridge was built in 1814 and destroyed by high water and ice in 1832. The replacement bridge was burned in 1863 during the Gettysburg Campaign of the Civil War. Wright's Ferry was the first means of crossing the river beginning in 1730.
We also discovered a lime kiln, used to burn limestone and turn it into lime.
Naturally, driving through Lancaster County you will see many farms similar to this one.
Friday, June 26, 2015
On the Boardwalk
As we arrived at Atlantic City we saw closed casinos and boarded up businesses. The Trump Taj Mahal is open, but not as grand as I expected a Trump business to be. We passed through the casino to get to the boardwalk. Our first stop was Landshark Restaurant for lunch. Afterward we walked the boardwalk, exploring the various shops. We entered the casinos at Bally's and Caesar's Palace and it was very noticeable that they were less than half full. One casino employee told us business would pick up July 4th.
We made a quick stop at the nearby SAM's Club to purchase four coach batteries for the motorhome. We found the batteries were bad when we arrived at Timberline Lake Campground. Ray and Dave got them installed and now everything is in order again as we prepare to roll on down the highway again.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Visiting Great Friends!
We spent the day in Toms River, New Jersey with Jim & Marilyn at their beautiful home.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
New York City
We started the day with a commute to the city on a New Jersey Transit train from Harriman to Hoboken then a short trip on the subway to WTC. The trip went smoothly from the automated ticket purchases to the transfer from train to subway. Linda had been to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in October so she decided to stay at the motorhome with the dogs.
Our excursion to the city centered around the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the One World Observatory. A time to enter the observatory is assigned to the tickets at the time of purchase. We had a 2-hour wait so we walked over to the memorial pools then a bit farther to lunch. There was a short wait once we returned to the observatory. At 1776 feet, the building is the tallest in the western hemisphere. During the elevator ride to the 102nd floor there is a 47 second video depicting 500 years of the Manhattan skyline, at the end of the video the doors open to the magnificent view today. There is also a restaurant there and visitors have access to the two floors below for the panoramic views of the city.
Following the observatory we went to the National September 11 Museum, where again the time to enter is assigned to the tickets at the time of purchase. Our assigned time was just minutes away. It is amazing how the museum is built around the remains of the two towers. Most of the museum is below ground level. I wonder if visitors in fifty years will still feel the same somberness we did. The sadness was intensified when we entered the room where photographs are displayed of those who perished September 11, 2001. 3,000 is a large number and upon entering the room my breath was taken away by the sight of so many, but as I read each name and examined each face the sadness was so very real for each one of them and the loved ones they left behind.
Tuesday we all took the train from Harriman to Secaucus where we transferred to another train to New York Penn Station. At Secaucus we were at the track just about to board the train, when we heard the announcement that the train to Penn Station was leaving from a different track. Everyone aboard quickly ran off the train up the stairs to get over to the correct train. We turned and followed them and learned from one of women that was the second time the train had been switched. She told us that happens regularly and she has the hardest time getting to work on time.
The others have had enough of NYC, I could stay and take the train into the city again and again, but it was time to pull up the stakes and get rolling down the highway again.
Our excursion to the city centered around the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the One World Observatory. A time to enter the observatory is assigned to the tickets at the time of purchase. We had a 2-hour wait so we walked over to the memorial pools then a bit farther to lunch. There was a short wait once we returned to the observatory. At 1776 feet, the building is the tallest in the western hemisphere. During the elevator ride to the 102nd floor there is a 47 second video depicting 500 years of the Manhattan skyline, at the end of the video the doors open to the magnificent view today. There is also a restaurant there and visitors have access to the two floors below for the panoramic views of the city.
Following the observatory we went to the National September 11 Museum, where again the time to enter is assigned to the tickets at the time of purchase. Our assigned time was just minutes away. It is amazing how the museum is built around the remains of the two towers. Most of the museum is below ground level. I wonder if visitors in fifty years will still feel the same somberness we did. The sadness was intensified when we entered the room where photographs are displayed of those who perished September 11, 2001. 3,000 is a large number and upon entering the room my breath was taken away by the sight of so many, but as I read each name and examined each face the sadness was so very real for each one of them and the loved ones they left behind.
Tuesday we all took the train from Harriman to Secaucus where we transferred to another train to New York Penn Station. At Secaucus we were at the track just about to board the train, when we heard the announcement that the train to Penn Station was leaving from a different track. Everyone aboard quickly ran off the train up the stairs to get over to the correct train. We turned and followed them and learned from one of women that was the second time the train had been switched. She told us that happens regularly and she has the hardest time getting to work on time.
The others have had enough of NYC, I could stay and take the train into the city again and again, but it was time to pull up the stakes and get rolling down the highway again.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
West Point
The adventure for today was a visit to West Point. We were permitted to drive and walk the entire campus. We just couldn't enter any building. The Hudson River overlook was gorgeous! I got several photos of the Parade Field and the tree planted by the class of 1874.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Bar Harbor Behind Us...
New York City ahead of us. Today is a traveling day for us. We won't try to go the entire distance today, we'll stop at about the halfway point for the night. The roads in Maine are making for a bumpy ride this morning.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Lulu
Today's adventure took us aboard Lulu with Captain John Nicolai. We set out to see Egg Island Lighthouse, harbor seals and see a demonstration of lobster fishing. Captain John was a wealth of information. We have learned so many things during this summer adventure and today's lessons were well planned and skillfully presented. Thank you Captain John and Steerman Frank! Wait until you see the 4-pound lobster Dave ate today! The blueberry pie was mine.
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