Valley Forge

Our summer of fun continues. We started our day on a quest for furniture. We were told by a local about an awesome furniture warehouse that was the size of ten football fields. So, we headed towards Philadelphia thinking that we would be spending the entire day looking at furniture. Sadly, the warehouse was more a yard sale than a warehouse.
However, since we now live two hours from everywhere, we hopped back on the turnpike and ten minutes later arrived at Valley Forge.



Well, I told you I like my men tall. This man was in character and I was very intimidated by him.



This will be the first of many trips to Valley Forge for us, because there is so much to see and learn there.

Replica of the huts or cabins that the troops lived in during that cold winter.

More than 11,000 troops made camp at Valley Forge in December of 1777. The men set to work to build, small, crude huts that would be their homes for roughly the next six months. During that time, more than 2,000 men died there from disease and inadequate supplies.



 National Memorial Arch-Dedicated 1917





Window in the Washington Memorial Chapel



Washington's Headquarters



George and Martha slept here

 After spending a few hours in Valley Forge we took the scenic route home through Amish country and stopped for dinner at a local diner that has been around since 1917. It was an all-you-can eat buffet so Jay took FULL advantage of all they had to offer. O.K., not everything, he passed on the baked cabbage and oatmeal pie but he ate his money's worth and left fat and happy. Our cute little waitress came over to see what I had on my plate. When she asked why I didn't have any baked cabbage casserole, I told her I was afraid to try it. She said, "Nonsense", and quickly brought me a dish full of it. She was a little intimidating, too. "Bleh!!" But, I tried it and many other Amish dishes. Did you know their chicken pot pie doesn't have any crust? They serve their waffles and french fries with gravy? We should have no problem losing weight. Ha, ha!

Chicks Dig Diamonds

 I love going to ball games and fortunately so does Jay. For the second weekend in a row we found ourselves at another game. This time we were at the Washington National's Park watching the Nationals take on the Orioles. This was our third game in three weeks and our first game without a rain delay. It was heaven on earth! However, before even getting to the game, we made a side trip to Gettysburg and to downtown D.C. I must admit I have not gotten used to crawling out of bed and being in the middle of a Civil War battlefield in half an hour much less at the steps of the Washington Monument in 90 minutes. So much to see and do. We look forward to our Saturdays.



I loved the presidents. After the third inning they had a race in the outfield.
Poor Teddy fell flat on his face. What a hoot!



We look forward to our next trip to Gettysburg when we can spend more time seeing the sights. I think I would like to watch a good DVD on the history of the Civil War so I can refresh my memory a bit on some of the details. So, if any of you have a favorite Civil War movie that you think we should watch, let us know.

After the ballgame we stopped off in Leesburg, Virginia to buy a BBQ for Father's Day. I completely fell in love with Leesburg. It was beautiful! I will definitely be going back to visit.

We look forward to the rest of our weekend. We will be attending church in the morning and having a yummy BBQ in the afternoon. It's going to be weird not having the kids and grandkids here with us tomorrow. We look forward to hearing from them.

Baltimore and a Visit to the "Poe House"

Following a wonderful time in D.C. we headed to Baltimore to see the harbor and to take in a ballgame. We found the harbor to be quite beautiful and Oriole Park at Camden Yards was a real treat. We had to try the famous Boog's BBQ. That has the long u sound like you hear in boot-not like booger.



Yo ho Yo ho






Me and the bird...











Jay and The Great Bambino















Sweet seats!



Me and # 8. I always thought he had beautiful eyes.



Good BBQ!

                                                                         
In honor of Darcy we had to visit the sights in Baltimore that had to deal with Edgar Allen Poe. The area was pretty rough and TomTom didn't realize that some roads were under construction, so we were having a difficult time finding Poe's home. I thought we should pull over and ask one of the locals for directions. Jay thought I would be asking for trouble if I asked for directions to the "Poe house". He thought they would show me all the "Po" houses in the "hood". Jay seemed pretty nervous but, we eventually found it and then went in search of Poe's grave.



The "Poe House"




Never More




Grim Grinning Ghosts?
















We had no problem finding the gravsite. It was pretty cool, and a little spooky, actually. It sort of reminded us of the Disney Haunted House graveyard scene.

We also went in search of a famous sight for Amy and Katy, Charm City Cakes. We were hoping to go in and buy a cupcake, but this guy is so popular that only serious cake buyers can go in, with an appointment.

We enjoyed our stay here in Baltimoreand we hope to return sometime soon.

A Day at the Museums

After spending my first week in our new home it was time to cross some more things off our bucket list. First stop, Smithsonian Air and Space, and American History.







Jay was able to swing a deal with Abe and scored a pair of sweet theater tickets in Abe's box.

It was a nice hot day in D.C. and we enjoyed the walk from the Air and Space Museum to the Museum of American History.



I think I may have found my next career.




Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat




Archie Bunker's Chair

We had a great time touring the museums. I especially enjoyed the World War II artifacts. We also really enjoyed the cafeteria. Great food and lots of choices. Can't wait to go back and see the other museums sometime soon.



Fifteen Miles on the Erie Canal

 Just out of Rochester, New York is a lovely little town named Pittsford. This would be our final stop before we arrived home to Carlisle. Jay and I were able to cross off another place on our "bucket list". Our hotel was right on the Erie Canal. It was like going back in time, riding on a small boat and going through the locks. It was quite fascinating to go in and watch the water rise, or fall. It made me think of the men who designed it, and built it for that matter. The canal really helped to change the lives of so many people for the better.

The next day, we headed to Palmyra for a little more Church history.



Hill Cumorah



Oh Canada!

Good day eh! After driving nearly 2,000 miles we finally made it to the border. We had a car full of our personal belongings, so it was obvious we were defecting. However, when Jay found out that their football game only had three downs instead of four, he said, "Forget that" and we only went in for a short visit. Only a short drive from the border we arrived at our destination, Niagra Falls. I was awestruck by the beauty and the power of what we saw. Pictures are great, but you should all make it a goal to come see for yourself.


The Sky Tower gave us a great view of what we were about to do next.

  

We are behind the falls.


 

Much too close for comfort.




Don't feed the animals!



Hey everyone, I'm having a GREAT time!



This is me smiling even though I'm terrified to go in the falls. Jay looks pretty good in his blue slicker, eh?

  

A beautiful place to have dinner.



Overall, it was a wonderful two days in Canada. We will definitely go back!