I returned from a great road trip with Phil for ten days to Chicago, Pennsylvania, DC, and Ohio. Here are a few shots of the highlights of the trip. Thanks Phil for a great time! He's standing so far away to give a perspective on the size of the columns at the Supreme Court building.
Thanks to Brig. Gen. R for a tour of the Pentagon. What an amazing place.
Here is the new memorial to those killed on September 11, 2001, recently dedicated at the Pentagon. I think there were 184 killed on the plane and in the building. There are some moving memorials in the building as well. One conference room was packed with people and thirty five died in that one room.
The Pentagon is truly an enormous building filled with military history. No pictures were allowed inside.
While you won't be able to see it, the black colored block (centered in the circle in the iron fence) is focusing on one of the original burned blocks saved and put into the new face of the building as a reminder of the tragic day. (Click to make larger).
Across from Ford's Theatre, which was being renovated, is the house where Lincoln was taken and later died. The corner of the bed is in the bottom right.
Arlington Cemetery was once owned by General Robert E. Lee and is a beautiful resting place for so many who have died keeping us free. There are around 35 funerals there everyday and they are expanding it.
The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknowns was remarkable.
The honor guard is on duty 24/7 every day of the year no matter what the weather and keep their uniforms in perfect condition, learning the names of famous people buried in Arlington, and committing to a strict lifestyle.
The eternal flame needs no comment as we all recognize it.
The new Air Force Memorial near the Pentagon is spectacular... here is one of the three aluminum contrails.
The three spires are seen in the background through the glass portraying the missing man formation.
In the Archieves Building the signatures of the patriots can still be seen in well protected cases.
The White House at dusk. George didn't invite us in.
The lobby of the Union Station is still busy with Metro and Amtrac trains.
In the Air and Space Museum the Spirit of Saint Louis still is flying.
We could only see into the room where the judges of the Supreme Court meet.
The Library of Congress has a beautiful ceiling.
I was touched by a single note at the Vietnam Memorial at dusk.
The reflection of the Washington Monument can be seen in the memorial where the 50,000 names of those who died are inscribed. It seemed smaller in size than I pictured it.
The new WW II memorial is truly a fitting tribute to the "greatest generation."
The Washington Monument is spectacular by night or by day and you can clearly see where the different colored stone indicates the building of it was resumed.
Lincoln appeared to be alive in his memorial and had little to smile about during his presidency.
Jefferson can be seen in the memorial to him.
We got directions from a staff person that the restrooms were behind the "big" elephant. Ah... like there isn't any other elephant in the room but the big one.
The beautiful capital building seems unaware of the fact that the House was debating the 700 billion dollar bailout while we were there.
I could not be but impressed by the beauty of this building which is already being prepared on the outside for the inauguration.
We stayed till the sun set to get this evening shot
Col. L takes aim at a pumpkin in his back yard.
I hadn't shot a rifle in nearly 50 years but managed to hit the can on the first shot... other shots were not so accurate.
A trip to Gettysburg was one of many highlights. Here the men from Minnesota are honored for the high price they paid in the battle that turned the war effort in favor of the north.
The view from "little round top" shows the advantage the union soldiers had in the second day of the three day battle.
The same man who sculptured this memorial to the North Carolina confederate soldiers also carved the presidents on Mt. Rushmore.
While in Pennsylvania we took a train ride through Amish country.
Here is a great Amish market in York... two dozen ears of corn for $5.00.
What a perfect day for a ride...
This house in Strasburg was built in the 1750's.
Do you recognize tobacco drying in the barn?
Not much else to do for a hard working man on the Lord's day but to rest.
We found a creamery in Strasburg and enjoyed a hot apple dumpling with ice cream. Yummy!
Everything is kept neat and tidy.
We couldn't miss this museum in Dayton, Ohio.
They even had a C-130 like son-in-law Rob will be learning to fly soon in Little Rock.
We stayed with Maj. General K, and I had lunch with a friend from my childhood days.
Here is the Two Star General in front of his flag with the two stars on it.
The General and his wife were gracious hosts to us while in Dayton...
In front of the housing development for senior officers was this great fountain which I snapped at night while trying to hold the camera still enough.
On the way home we enjoyed some spectacular fall colors in Pa and Minnesota.
Having never been to Washington, Gettysburg, or Dayton, this was a great trip for me and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks again Phil, for taking me along and being such a great tour guide. And thanks to all those who were such kind hosts to us.
He did see some interesting creatures God made for us to enjoy on his walk though. This guy is peering into the water looking for his breakfast. Fish for breakfast doesn't sound good to me.
He did see some interesting creatures God made for us to enjoy on his walk though. This guy is peering into the water looking for his breakfast. Fish for breakfast doesn't sound good to me.
This cattle egret looks too pretty to have been hanging out with cows but nobody apparently told him that there aren't any cows around here.
Here I am in my new swing with some silly little mobile hanging over my head. Kind of silly compared to what Grandpa saw this morning.
But I just play along with them and swing back and forth and make them think I like it.... kinda funny, I think, don't you?
It does kinda make me sssllleeeeeeppp......
