Hi.
Whew! We spent the day viewing as many national monuments as our "50-something" bodies could handle.
We visited the:
-Washington Monument (we rode the elevator to the viewing windows at the top of the monument)
-Lincoln Memorial
-World War II Memorial
-Vietnam Veterans Memorial (including the original Memorial Wall, as well as the "Three Soldiers" statue, and the "Vietnam Women's Memorial" statue).
-Korean War Veterans Memorial
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
-Jefferson Memorial
Each of the memorials is so unique, majestic, and awe-inspiring...they are each breathtaking in their own way. All three of the war memorials are very impressive in representing the individual and collective sacrifice of so many soldiers (men and women) who served our country. Sandi and I both agree that the "Korean War Memorial" is the most unique and moving.
I have included more photos than usual for this day's blog entry...just couldn't help myself.
Take care.
Don & Sandi
Don & Sandi at "home", back in the Stockton area.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Hi.
Today we had a chance to have a very nice lunch-time visit with our niece Deanna, and her 1-year old daughter Allie. (Husband Ray was at work at the Pentagon today.) Ray, Deanna, and Allie just moved to the Washington, DC area a couple of months ago for Ray's new employment. They have a lovely home in Virginia...it was great to visit!
Yesterday Sandi and I took a side "road trip" to West Virgina and visited Harpers Ferry, about 85 miles from our Maryland campground. What beautiful country (even in the pouring rain)!
Our visit to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park was educational and fascinating. (Quick history review: In October, 1859, John Brown and 20 men raided the Harpers Ferry federal armory. He wanted to seize the 100,000 weapons, primarily rifles, and use them to wage a battle against the South and free the slaves. He was captured; and his plan failed with his execution by hanging just two months later. However, his action is credited with focusing the nation's attention on the "moral issue of slavery", which led to the beginning of the Civil War 18 months later. During the Civil War, the town of Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times between the Union troops and the Confederate troops.)
OK, end of the history review...but this was an amazing place to visit and walk through the streets where so much history took place.
Take care.
Don & Sandi
Today we had a chance to have a very nice lunch-time visit with our niece Deanna, and her 1-year old daughter Allie. (Husband Ray was at work at the Pentagon today.) Ray, Deanna, and Allie just moved to the Washington, DC area a couple of months ago for Ray's new employment. They have a lovely home in Virginia...it was great to visit!
Yesterday Sandi and I took a side "road trip" to West Virgina and visited Harpers Ferry, about 85 miles from our Maryland campground. What beautiful country (even in the pouring rain)!
Our visit to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park was educational and fascinating. (Quick history review: In October, 1859, John Brown and 20 men raided the Harpers Ferry federal armory. He wanted to seize the 100,000 weapons, primarily rifles, and use them to wage a battle against the South and free the slaves. He was captured; and his plan failed with his execution by hanging just two months later. However, his action is credited with focusing the nation's attention on the "moral issue of slavery", which led to the beginning of the Civil War 18 months later. During the Civil War, the town of Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times between the Union troops and the Confederate troops.)
OK, end of the history review...but this was an amazing place to visit and walk through the streets where so much history took place.
Take care.
Don & Sandi
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Philadelphia
Hi.
On Saturday we went to Philadelphia and we had a very enjoyable time walking around Independence Square.
We started the day by viewing the Liberty Bell. This symbol of freedom was very exciting to see; especially with Independence Hall directly behind it and viewable through large windows. Independence Hall was a little difficult to see as it was covered in scaffolding. They are working on refurbishing the clocks on the tower and also repairing/replacing some of the wood ledges in several places on the tower.
We then took a guided tour of Independence Hall. We stood in the room where great men of history like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and many others debated and eventually signed the Declaration of Independence, and later the Constitution. It was hard to get our minds around the fact that we were actually standing where they set into motion the creation of the "United States" of America.
In one of the wings of the Hall there were actual copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution used by some of the men during their debates regarding wording and philosophy. (No photos allowed!) A very impressive place to visit. We really enjoyed seeing our American history "up close"!
We also found out that there is a "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" from the Revolutionary War. Thousands of soldiers are buried in mass graves in an area called "Washington Square". A monument was built in 1954 to honor their extreme sacrifice for our freedoms.
We will now head to Washington, D.C. for a week (and more lessons in history). Stay tuned!
Take care.
Don & Sandi
On Saturday we went to Philadelphia and we had a very enjoyable time walking around Independence Square.
We started the day by viewing the Liberty Bell. This symbol of freedom was very exciting to see; especially with Independence Hall directly behind it and viewable through large windows. Independence Hall was a little difficult to see as it was covered in scaffolding. They are working on refurbishing the clocks on the tower and also repairing/replacing some of the wood ledges in several places on the tower.
We then took a guided tour of Independence Hall. We stood in the room where great men of history like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and many others debated and eventually signed the Declaration of Independence, and later the Constitution. It was hard to get our minds around the fact that we were actually standing where they set into motion the creation of the "United States" of America.
In one of the wings of the Hall there were actual copies of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution used by some of the men during their debates regarding wording and philosophy. (No photos allowed!) A very impressive place to visit. We really enjoyed seeing our American history "up close"!
We also found out that there is a "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" from the Revolutionary War. Thousands of soldiers are buried in mass graves in an area called "Washington Square". A monument was built in 1954 to honor their extreme sacrifice for our freedoms.
We will now head to Washington, D.C. for a week (and more lessons in history). Stay tuned!
Take care.
Don & Sandi
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