Munday's the Arizona Roadrunners

Found our trip to Gettysburg to be as great as the 1st time... So many monuments to all the troops who spent July 1, 2 & 3 fighting here back in 1863!  What a tremendous battle this was with over 50,000 men killed and the number of wounded not to mention all those that made it out ok! The scene is lovely now though with rolling green hills and a few homes scattered in between.  Although they are really building up around the area this park has been preserved and that is a true blessing!  This was the big turning point in the war.  A worthwhile trip for anyone who would venture over to spend the day!  Of course we chose a day when there were numbers of school children which is great to see young people being able to actually visit these historic places adding meaning to their studies; not just something to read about... Yes, even I ventured to the top of the Pennsylvania monument along with dozens of high schoolers to get a view from the top! fun - although have to say sad in some r

Took a trip to downtown Hershey when children were here to visit Chocolate World and also visited the theme park just when the sky opened up and we had a torrential downpour!  Oh goody, to go on amusement type rides soaking wet!  Not cold though so that was good... Not the best of conditions but then time was running short and had to squeeze a lot into a very short time frame.  Was wonderful the family was able to join us.  Have to mention day after they left it was picture perfect in 80's without any rain but that is what it is... They will long remember their trip I would guess.  We did not know abou the theme park but guess it was because the only other time we were here was in 02 and in the fall after it closes for the season.  Huge theme park with a vast variety of roller coaster rides!  Fun was had by the whole family..

It is easy to see why this a favorite park of so many.. Beautiful park with pretty little lake, the pool is clean and full and ready for the holiday weekend.  Park is really full this weekend with guests and although we have not seen hide nor hair of any deer, we have seen a darling little frog; a colorful active turtle and there are a number of families of canadian geese.  Besides they have a nice variety of birds including kingfisher!  Love it!  A bit muggy most days and we have had a few tornado watches and last night after being gone all day; made it home just in time for the tornado warning!  Goodness, people don't take it seriously but I could see debris flying around so was a little worried.  It is calm and gorgeous again this morning though with some debris (mostly leaves and small branches) laying about the park.  This has got to be one of the prettiest parks in the system and well maintained at least as far as I can see.  Since arriving we have been on the go, go, go and

One of the highlights of our trip to DC was visiting the Memorial at the Pentagon.  It was so tastefully designed.  There is a bench for each person lost either in the plane or who was working  the bench facing the building are those working there and facing the other way were on the plane.  They have a phone number to call that explains it and have to add it is very sad.  Each bench has water under it that lights up at night. 

Our time in DC was busy as always but oh so great!  Not a day under 7 miles of walking with big day being 11 miles!  So good for the Grandchildren who never complained... Had wonderful senate led tour of Capital; 1st tour of White House (after trying several times to get there in past); Supreme Court tour which we all enjoyed and a 1st time to visit the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.  Even finally saw the Watergate hotel.  Fun was had by all.  Never enough time to do all but certainly made good use of time we had.

The family arrived from Seattle and our 1st day we began at Union station then over to tour of the Capital.  So much to see; so little time and ohhh the walking.. only 7 miles the 1st day so not too bad... ha! 

This is from last night in the Chesapeake area for a while... Took evening walk along the river and saw this lone killdeer. The water was shimmering as the sun was setting.  One of my favorite times of day and this place offered so much... I did see Great Blue Heron a few times and of course our resident Osprey.  One morning Earl and I watched as osprey tried to get away with his morning meal while bald eagle was on his tail trying to get him to drop it and crow was having a tissy fit having both of them so close to his nest!  Wonderful to see nature at work some times.. We have so much to be thankful for it would seem.  On our way to DC for a week with daughter Mary and family.  Should be very busy and fun - we hope.  ha!

Took a day trip over to see George Washington's boyhood home now being run by the National Park service.  Not a lot to see and not the origianal home.  That was destroyed by fire many years ago but back in 1930's the Historical society decided to rebuild - unfortunately or fortunately they did not put house on right spot (found much later) however very nice to see and a lot of work and money put into this place.  Wonderful to see folks in time period clothing and it is a working farm so that is very cool.  There was a guy planting tobacco and corn while we were there.  They don't cut their sheeps tails either; fun to see sheep with long tails.  Saw that in Newfoundland.  This house is also on Potomac River and quite a ways down stream from Mount Vernon.  Worth the visit.

Although people like to think of the Pilgrims as being our first settlers in what would become the United States; in fact the first real settlement was in Jamestown in 1607!  Although this area did not prosper for so many reasons just as Plymouth did not become the main harbor in Massachusetts.  In any event, it was a fun visit to Jamestown to see the monument of John Smith who by the way did not remain here but went back to his native England.  They have been doing digs here for years and have uncovered thousands of artifacts.  It's quite amazing actually and they now have large monument dedicated to the settlers of Jamestown.  There is a boardwalk from the National Park Visitor Center out to this area and we noticed the necessity of the boardwalk is to protect the swamp it covers and that is the main reason they found this area undesireable was the mosquitos and swampy landscape.  Interesting.  Of course Virginia grew by leaps and bounds very quickly too as the New World opened u

This is one of the best places to visit in this area of the state!  Love all the colonial buildings; homes, shops etc.  This is not the 1st capital of the state - that was at Jamestown just down the road a bit but this building is still standing. This colonial town is just across the street from William & Mary College.  They have really commercialized the area building Busch gardens and a water park as well as adding outlet stores.  You can still see the docents in colonial wear and get a feel for the folks who started it all here back in the 1700's.  Well worth the visit and it helps to have lovely weather!

Our recent visit to Yorktown battlefield was great!  Not only did we learn about the battle (where the British surrendered to Geo. Washington).  The National Park system has a nice visitor center here right on the York river and our timing was a picture perfect day!  They have done a great job with the old cannon and there is a wonderful monument as well.  There is a town here too and most of the homes are in the colonial style and blend wonderfully with the place overall.  Worthwhile stop for sure.  Of course my Dad served on the carrier the Yorktown in WWII so...

Our day trip into Richmond took us out to see the Cold Harbor battlefield.  Hard to imagine the fighting that went on here back during the Civil War.   Terrible really, but Gen. Grant was determined to get into Richmond and Rbt E Lee was just as determined he was not... so there was terrible bloody battle here.  Lee won that one; and a good thing I think too.  Gen. Grant was quoted as saying it was not worth the loss of life he lost so many. So sad, and so thankful we can visit these places today and learn how terrible war really is.. you'd think people would learn.