2009 USA trip

DEPARTURE POINT - LYNNWOOD WASHINGTION

2009-10-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

DEPARTURE POINT - LYNNWOOD WASHINGTON

Packed and ready to go

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK

2009-10-31T07:43:00.000-07:00

The first significant stop on our trip is in North Dakota

THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK

LAKE SUPERIOR MINNESOTA

2009-10-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

LAKE SUPERIOR MINNESOTA

THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

2009-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

Fort William is the reconstruction of an old British fort originally erected in 1816. Situated on the banks of the Kaminiskwia River in south Thunder Bay it comprises some 40 buildings enclosed within exceedingly substantial palisades.

THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

2009-10-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

THUNDER BAY ONTARIO

2009-10-31T06:40:00.000-07:00

NIAGARA FALLS

2009-10-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

NIAGARA FALLS

Straddling the Canadian-United States International Border in the Province of Ontario and the State of New York, magnificent Niagara Falls turned out to be a highlight of our adventure tour.

NIAGARA FALLS

2009-10-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

NIAGARA FALLS NY

2009-10-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

A historical ride aboard the world-famous Maid of the Mist was a half hour thrill of a lifetime! Water rushed all around as we"soaked" in the excitement and roar of Niagara Falls.

SUGAR GROVE

2009-10-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

SUGAR GROVE NEW YORK

Along the way we stop and visit my cousins Harold and Betty Nuttall in Sugar Grove Pennsylvania.

Harold and Betty show us the home where my Grandfather (Mother's father) Elsworth Nuttall was born in 1888.

THE CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUION

2009-10-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

THE CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUION

On the southern shore of Lake Chautauqua in western New York lies a learning institution like no other in the United States, the Chautauqua Institute. Established in 1874, "The Institute,” as some locals call it, is a distinctive learning and teaching community that hosts open forums for political and religious issues, exquisite performance facilities, a diverse talent list, a multitude of recreation activities and multicultural spiritual education

Chautauqua Institution

2009-10-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

Chautauqua Institution

2009-10-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA

2009-10-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy", it was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address.

GETTYSBURG

2009-10-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

2009-10-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

THE AMISH VILLAGE OF INTERCOURSE PA

2009-10-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

THE AMISH VILLAGE OF INTERCOURSE PA

Intercourse Pennsylvania is the hub where the Amish and local folks do their business and host thousands of visitors each year. The beautiful Amish farms surround the Village, which is located on the Old Philadelphia Pike (Route 340), earlier known as King's Highway, in Eastern Lancaster County. Intercourse is in close proximity to all Lancaster Country attractions and, in particular, our sister Villages of Bird-In-Hand and Strasburg. The Village stands as a clear reminder of our traditional American heritage as people live by a simpler way of life.

Much speculation exists concerning the origin of the name of this little country village. There are several explanations, but none really can be substantiated. The first centers around an old race track which existed just east of town. As one leaves town, traveling eastward on the "Old Philadelphia Pike", there is a long stretch of road where the track was located. This was the entrance to the race course, and was known as "Entercourse". It is believed that "Entercourse" gradually evolved into "Intercourse" which became the name of the town in 1814.

Another theory concerns two famous roads that crossed here. The Old King's Highway from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (now the old Philadelphia Pike) ran east and west through the center of the town. The road from Wilmington to Erie intersected in the middle. The joining of these two roads is claimed by some to be the basis for the town "Cross Keys" or eventually "Intercourse".

A final idea comes from the "old english" language used more commonly when the name "Intercourse" was adopted in 1814. It speaks to the "fellowship" or social interaction and friendship which was so much a part of an agricultural village and culture at this time. These roots mark the community of faith to this day, and the many evidences of it are experienced by those who care to dig a bit more deeply in their Amish farmland venture.

MOUNT VERNON

2009-10-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

MOUNT VERNON

Overlooking the Potomac River in Alexandria, (Fairfax County) Virginia, south of Washington, D.C.; is Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. The tomb (built 1831–37) of George and Martha Washington and the graves of other members of the family are also located on the grounds of the estate. A National Historic Landmark, .George Washington's estate and gardens, Mount Vernon, is set on 40 wooded acres. The house was built by the Washington family about 1735, and was Washington's home from 1747 until his death in 1799.

MOUNT VERNON

2009-10-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

MOUNT VERNON SLAVES

2009-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

George Washington was born into a world in which slavery was accepted. He became a slave owner when his father died in 1743. At the age of eleven, he inherited ten slaves and 500 acres of land. When he began farming Mount Vernon eleven years later, at the age of 22, he had a work force of about 36 slaves. With his marriage to Martha Custis in 1759, 20 of her slaves came to Mount Vernon. After their marriage, Washington purchased even more slaves. The slave population also increased because the slaves were marrying and raising their own families. By 1799, when George Washington died, there were 316 slaves living on the estate.

WASHINGTON DC

2009-10-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON DC

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA

2009-10-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA

Williamsburg was the thriving capital of Virginia when the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape and the colony was a rich and powerful land stretching west to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes. For 81 formative years, from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies.

WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINA

2009-10-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA

2009-10-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT

2009-10-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT

The settlement is a replica of the old Jamestown Settlement near Williamsburg Vergina.
The first joint-stock company to launch a lasting venture to the New World was the Virginia Company of London. The investors had one goal in mind: gold. They hoped to repeat the success of Spaniards who found gold in South America. In 1607, 144 English men and boys established the Jamestown colony, named after King James I. The colonists were told that if they did not generate any wealth, financial support for their efforts would end. Many of the men spent their days vainly searching for gold.

MONTICELLO

2009-10-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

MONTICELLO

THOMAS JEFFERSON 3RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

HIS HOME IN CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA

Although Thomas Jefferson's view of freedom was the cornerstone of the Declaration of Independence, this founding father owned 170 slaves to run his 5,000 acre plantation.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY MAP

2009-10-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY MAP

Our favorite drive of the entire trip was the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway winds its way for 469 miles of beautiful ridgeline, from Waynesboro, Va. to Cherokee, N.C. The two-lane, 45-mph, limited access roadway generally rides over or ducks under the big state and national highways, with only occasional crossings of state or U.S. highways.

WHY DO THEY CALL THEM THE "BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS."

2009-10-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

WHY DO THEY CALL THEM THE

"BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS"

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T03:42:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T02:53:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T02:46:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T01:52:00.000-07:00

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

2009-10-29T01:33:00.000-07:00

THE GAYLORD HOTEL

2009-10-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

THE GAYLORD HOTEL IN NASHVILLE

Opened in 1977, Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is the largest non-gaming in-hotel facility in the world. It contains 2,881 guest rooms and 200 suites, all of which have been renovated as part of an $80 million makeover. That means the Opryland Hotel is huge -- so if you're looking for something quiet, romantic, and intimate, this isn't for you.

NASHVILLE TENNESSEE

2009-10-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

NASHVILLE TENNESSEE

WHILE IN NASHVILLE WE VISITED THE GRAND OLD OPRY

PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON HOME

2009-10-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON HOME

Designed in the Greek Revival style, the "Hermitage" was erected
in 1819 by Andrew Jackson, 7th president of the United States.

FORMER SLAVE QUARTERS
The Hermitage was a 1,050 acre self-sufficient farm. The slaves performed the hard labor on this farm and as it grew so too did the slave population. In 1804 Jackson owned 9 slaves, by 1829 over 100, and at the time of his death in 1845 approximately 150 slaves lived and worked on the property.

HOT SPRINGS ARKANSAS

2009-10-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

HOT SPRINGS ARKANSAS

PICTURES OF OUR CAMP AT LAKE QUACHITA LAKE NEAR HOT SPRINGS

ARKANSAS, THE BOYHOOD HOME OF PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

WOODLAND GARDENS

2009-10-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

WOODLAND GARDENS

Located at Hot Springs Arkansas this 210-acre botanical garden operates as a non-profit organization. Its mission is to be a resource for people desiring to improve their aesthetic, cultural, and scientific knowledge of plants, gardening, architecture, and landscape architecture, within a woodland environment.

ANTHONY'S CHAPEL IN WOODLAND GARDENS

2009-10-28T10:07:00.001-07:00

ANTHONY'S CHAPEL IN WOODLAND GARDENS

The chapel is a work of art created to capture the beauty and natural elements of the dense woods and 4 1/2 miles of Lake Hamilton shoreline surrounding it. The soaring 57-foot, open-rafter ceiling, supported by massive pine columns and crossbeams, is sure to enhance the floor-to-ceiling windows and flagstone floors.

A FRAMER'S NIGHTMARE

BELL TOWER AT ANTHONY CHAPEL IN WOODLAND GARDENS

2009-10-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

BELL TOWER AT ANTHONY CHAPEL

ROSWELL NEW MEXICO

2009-10-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

ROSWELL NEW MEXICO

The Roswell UFO Incident was the alleged recovery of extra-terrestrial (alien) debris, including corpses, from an object which crashed near Roswell, New Mexico, USA, on or about July 8, 1947. Since the late 1970s the incident has been the subject of intense controversy and the subject of conspiracy theories as to the true nature of the object which crashed. The United States military maintains that what was actually recovered was debris from an experimental high-altitude surveillance balloon belonging to a classified program named "Mogul", however many UFO proponents maintain that in fact a crashed alien craft and bodies were recovered, and that the military then engaged in a cover-up.

NOTE:

RAAF IS THE ROSWELL ARMY AIR FORCE

NOT THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE !

LINCOLN CITY NEW MEXICO

2009-10-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

LINCOLN CITY NEW MEXICO

HOME OF BILLY THE KID AND THE LINCOLN COUNTY WARS - LINCOLN

CITY IS NOW A NATIONAL MONUMENT KEPT IN ORIGINAL CONDITION.

WE ARRIVE AT OUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOME

2009-10-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

WE ARRIVE AT OUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOME

LINK TO HOME PAGE

2009-10-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

LINK TO HOME PAGE

CLICK ON THE DUMMIE'S GUIDE TO BE

TRANSPORTED TO HARP'S HOMEPAGE