A DAY WITH MICHELLE & TAYLOR; & MT VERNON

I am running behind on my blog. Here it is April 18th and this happened on April 5, 6, & 7th. Yes we did have a wonderful time with my niece, "Michelle & fiancee Taylor". Drove South on the DC Beltway to meet them for breakfast. First we had a tour of their new fixer upper home in Annandale, Va. Also met the new dog, "Dozer" a character. A trip after to the Great Falls National Park. This is where Taylor proposed to Michelle just a week ago. Don't you know I forgot to put a chip in my camera. No Pictures until I get home. After a stroll in the park we were on our way in this historic area to see the battlefield of Manassas. Then back to their home for a BBQ...weather co-operated all day with a springlike day.

The following day Michelle took the day off to be our personnel tour guide to several of the museums in DC. So we didn't get lost this day in DC. Thanks so much Michelle.

On Tuesday Pat & I drove to Mt. Vernon to visit George Washington's restored home. Amazed how they could build such a quality home at this early date. Yes it was crowded during this Easter Break week but doable & weather was on the cool side.
The view from George's front porch looking North at the Potomac River...what a view.
The crypts where George & Martha lie.
A memorial to his slaves.







On my next blog I will post a few more DC pictures.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Yes we up early & ready to ride the Metro into DC. Seniors ride the Metro at half price. Arriving by bus at the station along with hundred's of people with families all going to the well publicized festival. Needless to say their was standing room only on the ride. Departing the train the station was jammed with people but doable. Once outside everyone was heading to the parade route or their favorite viewing area.

Able to have another tourist take our photo under this fruitless Japanese cherry tree...blacked out all the other people here.

Here is a tree that is in full bloom. It had rained hard the day before & quite windy today. The blooms managed to hang on.

You can enlarge a photo by dragging your cursor over the photo & them clicking it.
A view of what is called the: "Tidal Basin".
Couldn't pass up this shot of the Washington Monument with the bloomed cherry tree.

Boy did we do a lot of walking this day. On returning to a metro station it was so crowded we walked to the next station so we could board a train. It is easy to ride the metro when it is not so crowded. They have five lines that criss cross each other; red, orange, blue, yellow & green.

Sunday we will visit our niece, "Michelle Massey & fiancee Taylor"

A WEEK'S STAY IN WASHINGTON DC

We arrived here Friday April 3rd in pouring down rain. College Park, Md. is home to the Cherry Hill RV Park about 30 minutes from the Capitol by Metro Train. We can't say enough good things about the people at Cherry Hill. They give you a lecture about how to ride the buses & metro & things to see in DC. We found it easy to get around DC.

Friday evening we booked a Gray Line tour, "Washington By Night". It left the park at 6 PM & returned us at midnight.
So lucky to have an excellent driver & our tour guide. Had the front seat of the bus for the entire evening. The tour takes in the entire DC area including Arlington Cemetery. Many stops and getting on & off the bus to walk up to vantage photo ops. Here is Pat standing in front of the Capitol on this crisp Friday evening.
It was just getting dark at this point. All the monuments have strong lights on them showing them off to there advantage. Yes; we are here at the peak of the Cherry Trees in full bloom. Will save their beauty for later.
Plan to share blogs with you in order of how we toured DC.

This Friday evening many people were taking advantage of the outdoor cafes & dining at side walk tables. A beautiful setting with all the lights.

Washington Monument all lit up. A clear evening. One could see from one end of the Mall to the other a 2 mile distance.

I took many photos but will only share 4 with you on each blog. (that's all blogger will let me post at a time)
World War II Veterans Memorial with Lincoln's Memorial in the background.

There were a total of 41 passengers on the bus. We picked up the other 39 passengers at the Grand Central Train Station.
At the end of the tour the bus took the passengers to their respective hotels. We were the last drop off by midnight. We did get to see many of the fine hotels in DC.

Tomorrow will be the day to ride the Metro & view cherry blossoms...good night. Roger & Pat

ST. MICHAELS, MD.

In the afternoon when returning from Annapolis we took a side trip to ride thru this small tourist city of St. Michaels. "The town that fooled the British August 10, 1813". The residents were forewarned, they hoisted lanters to the mast of ships and in the tops of trees. Tricking the British by causing the cannons to overshoot the town. The blackout was effective, only one house was hit by a cannon ball. Still being lived in today.




St. Michaels harbor on the Chesapeake Bay.






The original houses built back in the late 1700s that are still lived in today. The early settlers were engaged in tobacco growing and ship building. The city today has become a small tourist area with many B & Bs, small shops & restaurants. One called the "Crab Claw" I would have liked to eaten in...we had eaten light already.







Just out of town on the way back to the motor home we spotted this flock of wild turkeys grazing in a farm field. Must have been 30 in the flock. Tomorrow morning we make a move to Washington DC for a week's stay. Until next time wish you were here! Roger & Pat

NAVEL ACADEMY

This morning we were off in the Honda to visit the Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. A one hour drive from the RV Park. In the afternoon we will visit the small city of St. Michaels on the Chesapeake Bay.
We had did our research and was glad we didn't take the motor home. Very limited parking in the area. Finding a two hour parking space we were off to the visitor center. A modest admission fee of $8 each.
Our tour guide was terrific with her knowledge sheared.
4000 midshipmen & 600 instructors at the Academy that was in session. A very impressive campus; high security. The old buildings are of french design.
Bancroft Hall is the only dormitory housing 4000 midshipmen in four wings, four floors covering 38 acres.
This photo shows the main lobby inside the hall. It also houses the largest dining room in the US. Able to feed all midshipmen in 1 hour. 300 food service personnel are employed.


An outside view of Bancroft Hall. A very massive building of the french design.
This is one of the newer designed building. The Science Building. While at the Academy all midshipmen are required to enroll in one of the many sports program for all four years. We were able to tour the indoor sport center complete with a 24 lane Olympic size pool. They all have to pass a swimming test before they graduate: 15 laps with full dress...2 laps in a life preserver made from there clothes.

This is one stop well worth your time to visit.

GREENSBORO, MD.

Arrived in Greensboro Maryland around noon at the Holiday RV Park which is located in the countryside. After getting setup in the park we elected to take a short drive to the capital city of Delaware, "Dover". First we would visit the Agricultural Museum. Depicting early life in Delaware.
Not much of a museum. On to the historic Delaware State buildings. All are located around a square
city block with a park in the center of the square. The state capital is on the left. Governor's mansion on the right. All the buildings date back to the late 1700s. Well preserved.
Dover is a small city with a lot of charm. Easy to find your way.
More state buildings around the square.
Historic homes in the next block.
Returning to the RV Park was a secnic ride through the countryside. Many small well groomed farms along the way.