Mount Vernon and Hurricane Sandy 10/28-10/29

For Today's video click here
We hope you are well from the wet east.  We cancelled our trip to Philadelphia, and we are glad we did.  The roads are all being restricted and it would be tough to get there.  From our vantage point, it feels like a normal California storm at this point.  Windy and Wet.  So, hopefully that continues!  Thank you for all your prayers on our behalf and the people affected more North.
Yesterday was masterful.  Mount Vernon wanted me to come help with Harvest Festival Days.  I was required to get dressed up again, but his time with another layer (it was steadily getting colder). Needless to say, I had a total blast.  My job was taking care of the line for the Horse Drawn wagon on the 14 acre lawn area.  This wagon ride simulated what guests coming by land would have seen as they entered the estate in the 1700's. Guest of all ages loved the ride.  The little kids loved being pulled by the horses (Shire horse, like a Clydesdale), and the adults loved re-living something people would have experienced.  Most guests in the 1700's did not arrive at Mount Vernon by land, but rather by the Potomac River.  The wharf there today (rebuilt in 1951) is in the same spot the previous wharf was.
I had a blast talking with people from all over the world and country.  Ireland, Germany, Russia, Georgia, Maryland, Kentucky, Iowa, Kansas, California, Washington.  I was able to talk with an eighth grade teacher from Georgia for a long time. I was also, in lots of pictures with people as they wanted a "Colonial" man in the picture.  I often stayed in character when we chatted, and the guests got a big kick out of that.  For instance when the people from Ireland told me where they were from I'd say, "I hope your sea voyage was to your liking."  Or to the people from Kentucky I'd say, "The wilderness, welcome."  Tons of fun.  It was also great talking with the Livestock experts that I was working with.  Not only are they knowledgeable about livestock, but also the history behind the breeds.  After I was finished, they gave me a ride on the wagon about half-way back to the volunteer center, dropped me off, and I walked the rest of the way on the back-lot of Mount Vernon.  I had three thoughts:  First, Thank you God, my district and Family and Friends for their support as I pursued this amazing adventure.  Second, I just experienced what it would have been like to get a ride home in the 1700's.  Third, I felt like I was part of History Disneyland.  Walking in costume, behind the scenes.  What an adventure.
My girls explored the Estate again for several hours.  They enjoyed it so much the previous day as a family, they wanted to do it again.  Apple roasting, Corn-cob dolls, A picture with Washington, and Wagon rides.  The highlight of my day was seeing my girls towards the end of their day.  My daughter was running up the hill (called tomb road) and laughing and saying "Daddy."  She ran right into my arms and we hugged.  Right behind her was my smiling wife.  You can't get a better picture as a Husband and Daddy.
We then treated ourselves to the best ice cream we've ever had at this point in our lives:  Pop's Old Fashioned Ice Cream.  We figured, if we have to ride out a Hurricane, might as well eat Ice Cream.  Then for a nice, restful night.

Mount Vernon Harvest Day Festival, DC Night 10/27

For today's Photo slideshow click here
For today's VIDEO click here
First off, I want to say Happy 16th dating anniversary to my wife!  Yep, 16 years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life, and asked my wife to become my girlfriend.  It all happened at a Lyon's restaurant.  Well, 16 years later, we love each other even more.
We started this day off by heading over to Mount Vernon's Harvest Day Festival.  It was such a great event.  I wish everyone I knew could have been there today.  Especially, those of you that have kids between the ages of 2-10.  They had Apple Roasting, The General in person, Hay maze, Potomac boat cruises, Carriage rides, Corn Husk doll making, music, etc.  There were SO MANY people there today.  We absolutely enjoyed ourselves today.  My daughter loved all the activities, and they do a great job as I mentioned quite a while ago, at hitting all ages interest levels.  Hightlights for me, were watching my wife dancing with George Washington (have it on tape), our Potomac River Cruise, the wreath laying ceremony at the Washington Tomb (On tape), and watching my daughter navigate the Hay Maze.  We had a total blast.  I hope that everyone of you someday make it a point to come out here in October.  It is a wonderful time of year.  The video tonight has a good amount of the actor that plays George Washington.  Very instructive.  Also, I'm happy to report, that after four weeks of wandering, exploring, working, and learning, I have officially seen every part of Mount Vernon.  Yep, it took that long.  This place is remarkable.
Then, we headed out to the city again after dinner to take in the sites we didn't get to the other night.  We walked a ton.  We did the WWII memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial.  We also saw the President come into the White House, but couldn't see it land.  Three helicopters come in and two fly off at the last second, and the official Marine One lands at the White House.
It is absolutely a fantastic night here in DC.  The calm before the storm.  Many of you have asked if we are going to be affected by Hurricane Sandy.  The forecasters are saying we are going to be a direct hit.  We are planning on heading up to Philadelphia Monday and Tuesday, but are assessing that in the light of this storm.  We are all prepared though, if it is a big storm.  We have sought counsel from veterans in the area today, and we are ready!  We just pray for those the Hurricane has already affected, and pray that it becomes a minor storm.
On a light note.  Just watched the Giants score the first run of Game 3!  Nice.  Go Giants!

Bull Run, Plane Spotting, Hurricane Sandy 10/26

For today's here click here
Today was a very strange day.  I guess you just have to laugh at it.  We woke up a bit late today, and headed down to the First Battle of the Civil War:  Bull Run.  This battle was also called 1st Manassas, based on the town nearby.  It is bit of drive, but very nice.  The battlefield is lovely.  We did a fair amount of walking.  We saw the place Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson received his name "Stonewall".  We also saw the bridge that spanned the creek Bull Run.  A very nice day.
Then, it all went crazy directions wise from then!:)  We basically, were lost all day.  I must say the new Apple Maps app that came out with the update is very bad.  50% of the time it is wrong.  I kept thinking of the "Office" episode when Michael is listening to the GPS and he drives right into a lake because the GPS says turn!  After awhile I just turned it off (along with the google maps) and just figured it out.  We finally got to the zoo (after I turned off the app) and it was closing!:(  So, then we headed to a park where you can watch the planes land at Reagan National Airport, and mistakenly listened to Siri again.  After being put in random areas, we turned it off again and found the park!  It was amazing.  You will enjoy the video of the planes landing.  It was incredible!
We then headed to ShopHouse (A Chipolte owned company) and it was so good.  It is Southeast Asian fare, and at this point, the one we went to is the only one in the nation at this point.  I hope it comes to the Bay Area soon!
Another thing we have been doing today is following the track of Hurricane Sandy.  We are trying to figure out how serious it is.  Everyone here, thinks there are life threatening earthquakes in CA everyday. (Not kidding)  Mainly because of the media.  So, we are trying to figure out the plans we need to take.  We will be talking to people at Mount Vernon (who do not seem worried) to figure out the precautions we need to take to be safe.  Please pray that the Hurricane would dissipate and would not be an issue!
Blessings!

Mount Vernon and Nighttime Memorials 10/25

For today's video click here
So, this is going to be short today.  Spent the morning at Mount Vernon (dressed up again) and helped with the hay maze and corn cob darts.  Had a blast working with tons of kids 2nd-8th grade at Colonial Days at Mount Vernon.  The small kids had the funniest questions like, "Do you know George Washington?"  "Do you see him?"  Hilarious.
Fun working with my colleagues.  It is a blast working with a whole bunch of history dorks.  Today I worked with a 16 year old and a 75 year old.  History dorks come in all ages.
My girls just hung around the house.  I think they were pretty worn out after our trip North, and my daughter definitely needs 2 year old time.  So off the park and good naps!
We decided to go to DC tonight and walk around the Tidal Basin.  On the way there we dropped off my wife at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. (loading and unloading only)  She said it was a great memorial, and a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives at the Pentagon in the 9/11 attacks on that building.  After picking her up we were off to the DC Tidal Basin.  The Tidal Basin is really a flood lake for the Potomac River.  Until this area was build by the Army Corps of Engineers, DC would flood every year up to the steps of the White House.  It is a beautiful walk.  We walked to George Mason's Monument (Main reason Bill of Rights were added to the the Constitution) and had dinner right by his statue.  We watched planes for awhile, and then headed over to the Jefferson Memorial.  Very big and impressive.  Then we walked back through the Tidal Basin (quick stop at the FDR memorial again), got in the car and did a nighttime driving memorial tour.  The Monuments have a different life at night.  Very pretty.  Now we are at home and the girls are in bed.  I'm watching the Giants game (go Giants!) and it is 9:00 pm and it is the 3rd inning.  Not sure I'll make it through the whole game!
Hope all is well today with you!  A quick shout-out to my students.  I hope you enjoyed Colonel Wells American Revolution Presentation at school today.  The guns he used are so loud, aren't they?  A week and a half left.  See you all soon.

Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg, Eisenhower's House 10/22-10/24

For Harper's Ferry and Antietam Video click here
For Gettysburg Photo video click here
For Gettysburg Battlefield Guided Video tour I made click here
For the Eisenhower House video click here
How fortunate we've been the past few days.  I finally have a little time to reflect on the past few days. Find a good spot and get cozy, this is going to be along one.   On Monday 10/22, we hopped in our car and drove FOUR STATES!  Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  Believe it or not, they actually look different.  The trees and terrain are similar but different.  Quite an experience.  It only took three and half hours.  The states are much more compact out here.  Our first stop was Harper's Ferry, the small West Virginia town that has played a huge part in American History.  This small town is in-between to major rivers, and housed the United States Arsenal (where they made guns) for several years.  Merriweather Lewis stopped here on his way West on the Lewis and Clark expedition to get guns.  Also John Brown took over the Harper's Ferry Arsenal in 1859 to procure guns to lead a slave rebellion.  His attempt failed and he was captured, tried and hung.  Many historians believe this event was the spark that started the American Civil War.  It is beautiful country as you can see from the slideshow.  We really could have spent all day there, but had about two hours.  We first walked down to the Arsenal.  It was destroyed during the Civil War, but the remnants are still there.  As we walked there, we were attacked by Gnats!!!!  Thousands.  In our mouths, ears, eyes, hair!  Man, it was thick.  So we stayed there for only a few minutes.  Then we joined a tour of the Firehouse where John Brown fought against the US Army.  It is still there, albeit in a different location.  The Park Ranger opened it up, described the events (incredible storyteller), and we just took it in.  Fantastic.  My daughter was listening intently the whole time, but we are never sure how much she is really listening.  On the way out she said, "John was shot, why?"  Ummm......  This little girl is getting so much history.  In fact her words today after the Eisenhower house tour  was "Eisenhower".  NICE.  Just a quick shot-out to the National Park Service of the Interior Department.  They just do an awesome job.  Every time we leave a site, we say, "Wow, that was nice!"

We took a few more pictures and headed north to Sharpsburg, Maryland aka the Battle of Antietam.  This was the bloodiest day in American History, 22,000 casualties in one day.  The battlefield was epic.  We are now trying to guard my daughter a bit more from the people that "fell down", so I just watched the video.  We then headed out to the battlefield.  Our first stop was the Dunker church.  It was strange.  You will see the famous picture in the slideshow of the dead soldiers laying by this church.  So, to see the church and walk in the place of the dead soldiers was strange.  In fact when I was eighth grade I got my first credit card, and it was  Civil War Preservation Trust Credit Card.  On the credit card was the Antietam picture with Dunker church.  So, since I was 12, I've seen that picture. Now, 24 years later, I was standing in front of it.  We then did a driving tour.  The Cornfield, Sunken Road, Antietam Creek, Burnside Bridge.  Incredible.  My knowledge of the Antietam Battlefield isn't where I want it, so I bought a video, and we left.  The drive through the Maryland countryside was amazing.  Lots of "tickle-belly-hills" as my grandparents called them.  My daughter loved it.  My wife and I were in awe of the little towns, quaint homes, green hills, and beautiful fall trees.

Off to Pennsylvania! Fourth state!  We arrived in Pennsylvania, dropped off our stuff and went out to eat.  I think it is only our second time out to eat.  We went to Hunt's Cafe in Gettysburg, PA.  A SMALL place, but it had good reviews on Tripadvisor.  The waitress was pleasant, but we were the only ones there.  A little concerning.  The waitress suggested the Cheesesteak sandwiches.  She said, they were fantastic.  We figured, what the heck!  For our first Cheesesteak sandwiches we need to be in Pennsylvania.  Folks, they were incredible.  My wife and I couldn't get enough.  Fresh, tasty, delicious. A great way to end a long day!

Tuesday 10/23
We headed over to the Battle of Gettysburg Center.  It is a massive center.  We knew we wanted to do an auto-tour, because we have a two-year old.  We were thinking about the possibility of hiring a guide to go with us, as were were told this was the best way.  After thinking about it for awhile, we decided that my daughter couldn't handle it.  So, we decided on the self-guided auto tour.  After teaching Gettysburg for 14 years and my wife just finishing the movie "Gettysburg" we figured we would figure it out.  The day was rainy.  That's okay, that's how it was the third day of the battle.  My wife and I agreed that Gettysburg was incredible.  The Battlefield is so momentous.  There were not a ton of people there (great time of the year), and it was just so beautiful.  The auto-tour is laid out wonderfully, and my wife was my co-pilot. We saw Seminary Ridge, Devil's Den, Culp's Hill, Pickett's Charge, Little Round Top.  To see the same sights as my heroes saw (Hancock, Chamberlain) was just so great.  This was a brutal battle. A highlight for all of us was walking the field where Pickett's Virginians charged at the Union Army on the third day of Battle.  That was eerie.  Another highlight was to walk up to Little Round Top and see where the 20th Maine Regiment fought to their final bullets in an effort to preserve the United States.  That was again, humbling.   A vicious fight to perserve our great country. Gettysburg is a sickening place and a beautiful place.  To see the carnage was humbling and too see the bravery was inspiring.  We did a fair amount of hiking and a ton of driving.  The whole battlefield took us 5 hours.  Then we went to the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.  Wow.  The graves everywhere, the symbolism.  At the stop where Lincoln gave the speech, I whipped out the speech and we listened to it.  Very cool.  To be standing in the same spot and listen to the speech that people listened to 150 years ago.  We spent a fair amount of time there.  My daughter was beat, so they took a nap and I headed out to watch the Gettysburg movie and see the Cyclorama.  The movie was pretty good and the painting was cool.  The museum was excellent, about the same caliber as the Smithsonian.  We then all went swimming in another indoor pool.  This indoor pool concept is strange. On one hand it is cool you can swim whenever you like, no matter the temperature, or time of year.  However, being a Californian, a indoor pool just seems awkward.  Nonetheless, we really enjoyed our time!  Gettysburg was amazing, and definitely in the top three on this trip.

Today, Wednesday 10/24 we headed out to Eisenhower's House.  Dwight David Eisenhower was a Five Star General, Leader of D-Day Normandy during World War II, Supreme Commander of NATO forces post war, and two-term President of the United States.  In my estimation, one of the greatest Americans to have lived.  He chose Gettysburg, PA for his home, for many reasons, and we had the chance to go visit today.  It is a 189 acre farm right next to the Battlefield.  You need to get a shuttle there from the Gettysburg Visitor Center, otherwise it is closed to the public.  One of the first things we noticed was how normal it was.  This larger than life man, was human.  He ate his dinner with his wife in front of the TV using TV dinner trays.  He loved to golf, had a putting green in his backyard, and loved his son and grandkids.  In fact he once said that when he got a hole-in-one at a golf course in Palm Desert, CA that it was almost as fulfilling as being victorious on D-Day in WWII.  I'm sure that was hyperbole.  His bedroom was normal, his cars were normal, he was a very normal man.  We spent close to two hours there, and packed up ready to go home.  After traveling three states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia) in an hour and forty minutes, we are home.  The girls are out getting Caribou Coffee for us, thus giving me time to write.  We hope you are well.  Tomorrow I work at Colonial Days again at Mount Vernon and get dressed up as a Colonial Man!  No pictures this time, as I don't need anymore blackmail pictures floating out there.

Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg 10/22-10/24

Hey folks!  No update tonight!  Had an incredible day today, but just got settled in, and no time tonight!  Hopefully I will do an update tomorrow, but definitely Wednesday night.  Enjoy the debate

Washington DC, and other things! 10/20-10/21

For today's video click here
This weekend my wife will be taking over the blog entry!! GRACIOUS!! YEAH!
How to sum up another God given Saturday in DC?
Fantastic Family, fascinating fun & fabulous fall flurries!
We started at the Air & Space Museum taking in the exhibits of the
Wright Brothers plane:  http://wrightbrothers.info/
Spirit of St. Louis:  http://www.charleslindbergh.com/plane/index.asp
Hubble Telescope, and a replica of the first moon landing space shuttle.  There were some fun hands on buttons and activities for little girl.  She was able to pilot her first plane, experiment with gravity, investigate air pressure, analyze buoyancy, and research the items through a space station.  You can see she is all smiles...we're thinking we have a future scientist on our hands!  But let's not forget the incredibly entertaining escalators and alligators (elevators)-they are always a delight as well.
Our next stop was the very popular Natural History Museum.  Lots of fun and life sized stuffed animals-(although we enjoyed seeing the real thing at the zoo-minus the dinosaurs and Woolly Mammoth). Now we need to watch Night at the Museum again! Next stop was a picnic lunch along the National Mall.  Afterwards baby girl slept in her stroller.
While she napped we walked and stopped for photos at the backside of the Capitol building.  The construction you see happening just beyond the grassy area is for the upcoming inauguration!
We continued walking and made a stop at the National Botanical Gardens.  It was fabulous!  We thought of our good friend Martina.  (You would have LOVED it Martina!). While there we got our Hawaii fix with humid greenhouses and Hawaiian flowers and plants.  Next, we walked around to the front of the Capitol building, took a few more pictures and then went to the Visitors Center for the start of our tour.  Upon our arrival we learned they have strict rules about no food, water, or anything of the sort inside the building.  We had with us snacks, bottled watered, etc. and in addition there were no tours going on of the Congress floor, so we left.
Our last stop for the day along the National Mall was a visit back to American History Museum to finish up unseen exhibits.
One exhibit we stumbled upon was a live presentation of an actress giving a portrayal of what the 1960's Lunch Counter Sit In at Woolworth's in North Carolina would have looked like and felt like.  It was very moving and powerful.  In addition the actress sang beautifully and had a strong gospel voice.  Our daughter LOVED it, so of course we had to snap a few pictures with the actress.  What's funny is that she waited patiently to have a turn for a picture and to sit in these special stools and then when it came time to snap the photos she got really shy...the photos say it all.
We then walked back to the car-made a quick Starbucks stop and drove to the MLK Monument, Tidal Basin & FDR Monument.  This whole place was beautiful, full of fall colors, and is a generous tribute to these men. All in all it was a day full of laughing, running, tickling, and "gitch me daddio gitch me mommio"-little girl loves to be chased.  We put about 6 miles on our feet for the day.  It made the Dunkin' Donuts we had for breakfast worth it!:)
Today, Sunday, started with brilliant sunshine at about 50 degrees out...bbrrrr for those of us born and raised in California.  We went to Alexandria Bible Church were the sermon was on one of my favorite Bible verses:   Colossians 3:5-17.  Afterwards we stayed for the potluck lunch and enjoyed meeting new people and talking with them about being born and raised in Virginia.  Everyone has been so gracious and hospitable.  In the late afternoon we drove to the Marine War Memorial (also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial.)  It was an incredible monument and an inspiring recognition of the brave men and women who keep our country safe so we may enjoy the vast and varied freedoms we have today.  It was sad reading all the wars and conflicts we've been a part of, but at the same time I was full of pride & gratitude for these people who make the United States of America amazing!  Thanks for reading!  Hoping you and yours are well!