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Showing posts from October, 2011

Virginia countryside

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The weather turned ugly and we left Greenbelt early Saturday morning thinking we would beat the rush onto the roads. Wrong; we stopped at a Costco in Manassas which was on the way and you would have thought it was the week before Christmas; goodness the entire parking lot was full.  Found an area in back alongside the parking spots and stopped for an hour or so. Terrible on roads but then off to a Walmart in Culpepper.  Had originally planned to go to West Virginia but with weather turning so bad decided against.  Let it be known, we can make last minute changes; ha!  Drove up and over the Parkway in Virginia and did see some of the nasty white stuff along side the road but not on it so that was good.  This state is so darn pretty; especially this time of year.  Happy to be back even if we are only passing thru..

Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington DC

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Friday morning we awoke to a perfectly picture perfect day and headed out to finally get to Teddy Roosevelt Island on the Potomac River.  Beautiful day although a bit cool.  We took subway and walked thru town and over the river and thru the woods.  Very wooded and no visitor center so we trudged back to subway to go back into town.  This is our 5th visit to the DC area and you know, we still could not get into see Ford's theater.  always it has been under renovation or some such thing and this time it was just plain closed for the afternoon.  Ok, but the gift shop was open and it was sad.  I mean you know, what could be uplifting about the assisinationa of a President?  It's sad, so off we trudged across town; clouds are building now, and over to the botanical gardens.  That is the coolest place if you have never been.  Of course, it helps to be appreciative of plans and flowers.  Love that place and enjoyed all the variouis plants and unsual flowers especially the orchids but

Freedom Hill, Baltimore, MD

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Freedom Hill overlooks town of Baltimore and looks right down on waterfront.  This place was recommended to us by the National Parks service so we came for a looksee and so glad we did.  Lovely view from there. Helps it was a nice clear day but oh so lovely  - there were quite a number of folks enjoying the day and dogs romping and playing.  Nice to have a place like this to go to near a big city.   If you could count the stars on this flag you would see there are only 18.  It is modeled after the flag at Fort McHenry (number of states at time of War of 1812 more stripes too). fun

Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD

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In all the times we have been to DC we have only been into the Baltimore area one other time and after hearing about their "cleaning" up and upgrading their waterfront, we wanted to go take a look see.  What we ended up doing was taking a ride out to Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner during the war of 1812.  What a great spot on the Patapsco River (which of course runs into the Chesapeake Bay).  The fort is still there and was actually used again during the Civil War.  Ironic that Key's grandson was imprisoned at Fort McHenry during the Civ War due to his southern sympathies only 47 years after his grandfather wrote that song!  The day was lovely and we spent hours walking the grounds and visiting all the quarters and amunition bunkers.  Yes, the flag pole is strange but that is because weren't always able to make such tall flag poles so had to get creative here with two poles... We were under the impression the flag

Honey, we're home

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So driving into Maryland and arriving at Greenbelt National Park Campground on the beltway feels like home.  I couldn't help but comment as we entered the park.  This is our 5th stay at this park since 2002 and although that is not a lot of times by some standards for us being from the west coast it's quite a bit.  We are very familiar with this park and the immediate area and it feels like coming home when we arrived.  This is  a lovely time of year here too and a bit on the cool side.  One down side to this park; the deer.  Love the deer but and it's a big but.. this is rutting season and we tend to see more killed along side the roads then in the park.  We're off to see what ever we have missed in the past 4 previous visits...

Bird Mansions

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What to do in Delaware?  We did not know know and couldn't find information center so left our park and asked a fellow citizen if there may be somethhing along the waterfront in Wilmington?  yes, she replied a riverwalk of sorts; just take this road and follow the signs.. so off we went and whala - found it; not on the Delaware river as one might think, no, but on a tributary river - the Christina River.  Went to wildlife sanctuary and found a wonderful trail up the river towards Wilmington with a wonderful complex that could have been a great shoppers paradise; only problem - no stores.  1 a boy scout store and a few restarurants and a workout gym.  Otherwise no cute little shops; although the bulding looks fairly new.  So what happened? we do not know but were a little disappointed.  Did not stop to dwell; took walk about 3 miles + on this trail round trip and found these darling bird houses perched here and there and sign boards explaining that at one time over a century ago thi

Lum Pond State Park, DE

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This has been our homefront for past few days.  Nice park with large sites.  Pretty little lake and supposed to have the wood duck but of course we didn't see any.  I have only ever seen them at zoo so would have loved to spot one in wild but like so many animals they are just not to be seen any more. This state park charges more for those of us out of state but then offered $1.00 for sr. discount.ha!  Had to pay $20.00 to cross the Delaware Memorial bridge from NJ to DE but knew that one was coming.. Wait until tomorrow when we leave the state into DC. What do you think charge will be then?? ha! A bit cool but not freezing yet so that is good and quite a number of campers out here for one last hoorah I guess.  Am a bit surprised by the place being nearly full and even some campers carving pumpkins at their sites.

Philadelphia, PA

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Took a ride into Philadelphia to see something more than just this historic area which we have seen before.  Began at Visitor Center near Independence hall and walked the streets... ended up for lunch at a cute little Irish pub.  Finally tried a Philly Cheesesteak! Not impressed but then I am not a big steak fan anyway. ha!  Loved the restaurant though and the walk.  I was impressed to see the old buildings still standing amongst all the giant newer buildings.  One thing the east has that the west doesn't have... A bit cool with blustery wind but no rain so that worked out ok too. 

Val-Kill, Hyde Park, NY - Eleanor's Place

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Years ago I read the biography on Eleanor Roosevelt.  Dry reading that took what seemed forever to get through but oh my, what a woman!  I was so excited to finally get to visit Val-Kill.  This was "their" home built after the furniture business Eleanor had backed with 2 friends went under during the depression.  Her family enjoyed this area for years swimming and picnicing and when FDR passed away she chose to give up the big house and make Val-Kill her home.  By the way, all the children gave it up as well as they were all living elsewhere.  Therefore the big house went into the National parks system.  Val-Kill is also part of the National Parks system and not because Eleanor was a First lady.  She was so much more and worked tiredlessly for her husband during the war and beyond as diplomat and author.  I loved this visit but then this woman was one who would be hard to match.  Remarkable in so many ways.  Must say although they were a family of "means" they did l

Frankin D Roosevelt Home and Library

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A visit to the FDR home and Libary was truly one of the most informative and rewarding visits!  This man was truly remarkable as a President.  Although he was an only child and could have lived a life of ease and luxury he chose to enter public life; even after being inflicted with polio.  Amazing all the things he accomplished as a President and after all these years at war isn't it amazing that WWII (the whole world) involved only lasted 4 years!  Of coruse, that was only one of the things he had to deal with; along with the Great Depression.  His library was the 1st of the Presidental libraries and tastefully done.  Well worth the visit..

Central Park, NYC

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Since the 1st time we ever came to NYC I have always wanted to revisit Central Park. It was one of the priorities and we did.. wow!  This is a beautiful park. The fall colors are not all out in their splendor yet, but starting to show and it is fun to walk through a park in the city.  Not all cities have parks like this and of course this one is gigantic! Afterwards we walked out and saw this car - only in New York I guess. Tomorrow is travel day and not looking forward to the ride thru New Jersey. I have terrible memories of the last time we traveled through that state - so conjested and the roads up here are so narrow (not made for RV's!) oh well. We are on our way out..  I have truly enjoyed my time here and so thankful for all we have been able to see and do these past few months.

Grant's Tomb

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Drove into the city and our 1st stop was Grant's Tomb.  Wow!  It used to be the most visited post in Manhatten for many years even beating out the Statue of Liberty.  The day was perfectly lovely and we found parking on the street (no meters!) ... enjoyed the visit very much!  The film wasn't much but then we learned the historic places are still in NYC; just sort of hidden by all the newer buildings.

Fall Colors

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Too pretty and never was in this spot but had to share... this is what I think of when I think of the Northeast in Fall.  And yes, there is my white church spire!  I love them and New England is full of them.  Some towns have several.. Most have clocks that work on them too.  Glad to see that even when the church is no longer being used for a church, they have not torn down these beautiful buildings but have used them for other means.  Nice for us all really.

Croton Point Park on the Hudson, NY

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What a day! Yesterday we had pouring down rain, fog and wind and thunder in MA and woke up to lovely sunshine. Perfect for travel.. Headed south to this great county park on the Hudson River just a few miles north of NYC!  We along with 5,000 boy scouts!  That's right.  We finally made it after bumper to bumper traffice in Yorktown, NY. Wow!  Ah well, all if well and we are happy to be on the river.  Not the nicest of days but then it's not too cold so that is good. A real Pooh blustery day.. 

Stowe, Vermont

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  Took one last little ride around mid-state Vermont before leaving and oh my --- what a nice surprise!  We found that perfect little town that you see in all the postcards!  Did not know it before landing there but Stowe is home of the Trapp Family Inn and cute other historic Inns and churchs ... Yes, those are large spoons hanging from the tree!  Stowe is really known for it's skiing but they are diversified and have a lot more going for it than just ski season.  Not far from there is gateway to all the little fun places like Ben & Jerry's and Green Mountain Coffee just to name a few.   Check out the chair on the porch of this house... we have seen quite  a few chairs made from old skiis ... great way to use old skiis.  Worth the stay to see the scenery take on a new life of it's own. 

Covered Bridge, Sunday River, ME

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There is some sort of magical about these covered bridges.. this one seemed to be in the right place at the right time too.  It's a wonder how these bridges as old as they are; are still standing and such good shape... Love seeing them. This one was drawing quite a crowd on this "leaf peeping" sunday drive.  We were headed up to "Sunday River" a ski resort here in ME to their fall festival and made this stop a long the way.  Days like this are numbered here and all seemed to appreciate the lovely day.  Motorcyclists were out in abundance and it was the perfect weather for it.. The fall festival was fun and different.  A big sales boost was on for seasonal lift tickets.  They had a zip line but we were all too chicken to try it.ha!  and did see bikes being carried up on the ski lift and people riding down... a lot of fun was had by all.

Leaf Peeping in Maine

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Maine is one of our prettiest states and not just because of the fall colors but that part certainly helps!  We took ride through the hills and although there is a lot of color unfortunately there has been a lot of rain this year and warmer temps so some of the sharper colors are not as prevailant as should be.. Nothing quite like nature though to feel so blessed!  We do live in a beautiful country and it is a joy to be able to see some of it.. No white steeples yet, off to Vermont in the morning and more leaf peeping from there...