Hi, everybody.
This is Lima "Beanie" Bean. We are home, safe and sound. I remember this house. It's big! So big, it's fun to fly!!
Mom says she is taking a break from the blog until July, but she wanted me to let people know we are home. We got home this afternoon, and Mom and Dad started to unpack the RV, but I know they didn't finish. They both look pretty darn tired tonight.
Bye for now. Thank you everybody for following our trip! We will let you know when the next trip starts.
Sincerely,
Beanie
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Gettysburg
As promised, Lee and I visited Gettysburg today. We started off with the new visitor center, which is ever so much larger than the old one, and beautifully done. For those who have not visited Gettysburg since its opening in 2008, come visit. The exhibits are very well done, and I learned quite a bit more this time about the Gettysburg battle and its significance in the Civil War as a whole.
What has always struck me most about Gettysburg is the overwhelming sense of hallowed ground. The battle grounds are part of the National Park Service, and the NPS has tried to keep the lands as they were when the battles were fought. This means they are largely agricultural, although some of the battles were fought in the town itself. Much of the artillery has been restored and left in place, as in the photo below.
Roads crisscross the battle fields, with signs where the most significant battles were fought. Many visitors buy or rent audio self-guided tours, as we did today. What struck me the most when I first came to Gettysburg, and which still has a significant impact on me, are the 1300 monuments that are scattered around the park. Those monuments honor primarily the regiments that fought so hard, marking the spots where they fought. Through the following photographs I attempt to show the extent of these monuments, in fields, on hillsides, and sometimes next to farm houses:
Most of these monuments were funded by either the states from which the regiments came, or by the regiments themselves. Many were installed not long after the end of the war. The Pennsylvania monument is the largest, because 1/3 of the soldiers on the Union side were from that state, since they were defending their homeland.
The monument to the army of Virginia is impressive also, with a statue of Robert E. Lee on his beloved horse, Traveller, at the top:
Nearby is President Eisenhower's home. He was interested in military tactics, and studied the War of Gettysburg carefully. Some of the war was fought on his land:
As we drove today, the sky became darker and strong thunderstorms eventually swept through. The thunderheads were beautiful when they were first forming:
If you ever have the opportunity, you should visit Gettysburg. Of the battlefields I have visited, it has had the strongest impact on me, possibly because it was so deadly, but also because it has been so eloquently memorialized.
What has always struck me most about Gettysburg is the overwhelming sense of hallowed ground. The battle grounds are part of the National Park Service, and the NPS has tried to keep the lands as they were when the battles were fought. This means they are largely agricultural, although some of the battles were fought in the town itself. Much of the artillery has been restored and left in place, as in the photo below.
Roads crisscross the battle fields, with signs where the most significant battles were fought. Many visitors buy or rent audio self-guided tours, as we did today. What struck me the most when I first came to Gettysburg, and which still has a significant impact on me, are the 1300 monuments that are scattered around the park. Those monuments honor primarily the regiments that fought so hard, marking the spots where they fought. Through the following photographs I attempt to show the extent of these monuments, in fields, on hillsides, and sometimes next to farm houses:
Most of these monuments were funded by either the states from which the regiments came, or by the regiments themselves. Many were installed not long after the end of the war. The Pennsylvania monument is the largest, because 1/3 of the soldiers on the Union side were from that state, since they were defending their homeland.
The monument to the army of Virginia is impressive also, with a statue of Robert E. Lee on his beloved horse, Traveller, at the top:
Nearby is President Eisenhower's home. He was interested in military tactics, and studied the War of Gettysburg carefully. Some of the war was fought on his land:
One of the memorials is an everlasting flame:
As we drove today, the sky became darker and strong thunderstorms eventually swept through. The thunderheads were beautiful when they were first forming:
If you ever have the opportunity, you should visit Gettysburg. Of the battlefields I have visited, it has had the strongest impact on me, possibly because it was so deadly, but also because it has been so eloquently memorialized.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Blue Ridge Mountains
These last two posts will be mostly for my blog followers on the West Coast, since those on the East Coast know these areas well.
Today we left the Shenandoah Valley, and I took a couple of photographs of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They flank the eastern side of the valley. Can you see why they are called the Blue Ridge Mountains?
Today we left the Shenandoah Valley, and I took a couple of photographs of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They flank the eastern side of the valley. Can you see why they are called the Blue Ridge Mountains?
We arrived just outside Gettysburg, PA, late this afternoon. We are staying in the nicest KOA I have ever seen. Not that my experience with KOA campgrounds is very extensive, but this one is very nice and very well kept.
After settling in, we took a quick walk through the town of Gettysburg:
Did you know that some of the battle took place in the town itself? Many of the buildings have bullet holes in their walls. Miraculously, only one civilian died.
Lee and I have been to Gettysburg a few times, but it is always worth another visit. The reverence one feels for lives lost is palpable. I will have more tomorrow night (or the next?) about the Gettysburg battle grounds.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Lexington, VA
I have decided that travel works best when I don't try to see everything there is to see. Instead, I have found it very satisfying to focus on a few experiences and immerse myself. Today we did just that. We visited the small and very charming town of Lexington.
We walked around the Washington and Lee University campus, and spent more than an hour in the chapel and its small museum. I learned so much about Robert E. Lee and have a new and profound respect for him. He is interred in this chapel, along with his family. Did you know that after the Civil War, Lee became President of Washington University? He served as President for five years until his death. One month later the university became the Washington and Lee University. In his five years as President, he established new programs and modernized the curriculum. He inspired students and faculty by his example as leader and humanitarian.
Just outside the chapel is the grave of General Lee's horse, Traveller. The horse stood 16 hands high, and was steel gray with black tail and mane. He was apparently an impressive horse, and students would pluck hairs from his mane or tail to keep as souvenirs.
We walked around the Washington and Lee University campus, and spent more than an hour in the chapel and its small museum. I learned so much about Robert E. Lee and have a new and profound respect for him. He is interred in this chapel, along with his family. Did you know that after the Civil War, Lee became President of Washington University? He served as President for five years until his death. One month later the university became the Washington and Lee University. In his five years as President, he established new programs and modernized the curriculum. He inspired students and faculty by his example as leader and humanitarian.
Here is the chapel where he is buried. His office was in the basement of the chapel, and has not been touched since his death. All his papers are spread out on his table, and the same chairs, books, maps, and artifacts remain in their places.
The chaple's steeple:
Just outside the chapel is the grave of General Lee's horse, Traveller. The horse stood 16 hands high, and was steel gray with black tail and mane. He was apparently an impressive horse, and students would pluck hairs from his mane or tail to keep as souvenirs.
I photographed a photo of Traveller from a brochure - please don't reproduce this!! The photograph dates from 1866, and was taken by Michael Miley just outside of Lexington:
Lee designed and built his family's home on the campus, and it is still lived in to this day by the University's President:
Behind the home is the stable where Traveller lived. The doors of the stable remain open at all times, so that Traveller's spirit may move in and out as it pleases (or so it is said):
The campus itself is lovely. The architecture is uniform throughout, and as with many university campuses there is a lot of green space and many shade trees:
Graduation is this week, so chairs are ready:
People have asked if Barney would please post to the blog. Beanie informs me that Barney does not wish to do so, he believes it is beneath him. He is at the top of the pecking order, and does not feel he should have to post if he doesn't want to. Beanie says he is not surprised. After all, Beanie preens Barney but Barney never preens Beanie. That's just the way it is.
Tomorrow we leave for Gettysburg. We have been to Gettysburg a couple of times, but Lee would like to see it again, and it's on the way home if one wishes to avoid the Washington D.C. beltway! We will spend all day Thursday in Gettysburg, then arrive home Friday, weather permitting.
Tomorrow we leave for Gettysburg. We have been to Gettysburg a couple of times, but Lee would like to see it again, and it's on the way home if one wishes to avoid the Washington D.C. beltway! We will spend all day Thursday in Gettysburg, then arrive home Friday, weather permitting.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Natural Bridge
Hi, this is Lima "Beanie" Bean. I am taking over tonight because Munchkin's posts are kind of boring. That's because Munchkin is an old fuddy duddy. He gets scared of everything. He is even scared of me, and I am way smaller than he is! He is scared of bugs and shadows and funny noises. He is cautious, maybe because he is old, or maybe because he is a cockatiel. He should embrace life, like me!! Life is fun and it should be filled with singing songs!
Well, anyway, Mom and Dad went to a place called "Natural Bridge" today, another beautiful place for birds. Not those funny long-legged things they have in Florida, but regular birds that sing, like me. People call them song birds.
So, Natural Bridge was well-known to the Indians, and was sacred to them. It was also known to George Washington, who carved his initials in the stone when he was young. Then the land was sold to Thomas Jefferson, who loved the place and visited it almost every year.
Here are pictures of the Natural Bridge. It is bigger than Mom expected. There are several pictures to try to show how big it is:
A quick note: we plan to be home Friday, if all goes as planned. It may depend on the weather.
Well, anyway, Mom and Dad went to a place called "Natural Bridge" today, another beautiful place for birds. Not those funny long-legged things they have in Florida, but regular birds that sing, like me. People call them song birds.
So, Natural Bridge was well-known to the Indians, and was sacred to them. It was also known to George Washington, who carved his initials in the stone when he was young. Then the land was sold to Thomas Jefferson, who loved the place and visited it almost every year.
Here are pictures of the Natural Bridge. It is bigger than Mom expected. There are several pictures to try to show how big it is:
In the picture above, see how tiny those little people are? They look smaller than me, a little parakeet! They look like specks, like bugs maybe. Like gnats.
I was just very brave. I tried to eat Munchkin's food. But Mom peaked around the computer and almost saw me, and I had to fly away really fast!! She can't catch me eating Munchkin's food, oh, no!
Anyway, back to the Bridge. More pictures:
Mom took this picture because she likes the texture in the rock. I think that's a funny reason to take a picture, but then I don't have a camera:
There is a sign that says the tree below is the oldest Arborvitae in the world, over 1600 years old. It must know a lot about the world!
Mom, I am getting tired and hungry. Can you please take over?
(Okay, Beanie Bean. This is Eileen taking over.)
A lovely mountain stream carved the Natural Bridge out of limestone over a period of thousands of years.
The Lace Waterfall is upstream about 3/4 of a mile. It's nothing like Bridal Veil Falls, but pretty in its own way:
Here's Lee and I standing in front of the waterfall. A young couple asked us to take a photo of them, and they took this of us. The guy said he had seen large trout in the stream on occasion.
And for those at the Academy is the photo below. All I could think when I took this photo was "the Data is in the Strata!"
A quick note: we plan to be home Friday, if all goes as planned. It may depend on the weather.
Shenandoah Valley, again
Hi, everybody. This is Munchkin again. The thunderstorms are gone. Mom has a picture she wants me to show of the mountains before we entered the Shenandoah Valley, from the highway:
From here, we drove over a pass and into the valley. These aren't as big as the mountains in the Sierras, but they are pretty good mountains for Virginia.
Mom took some pictures at the Virginia Visitor's Center on the North Carolina/Virginia border. She said it was a very nice rest stop - she likes shady rest stops, and this one is especially good for birds:
Have you ever heard of Mountain Laurel? There was a lot of it at this rest stop, and it was all in bloom. The balls of flowers are about the same size as hydrangea balls of flowers:
No more thunderstorms tonight! Yay!
From here, we drove over a pass and into the valley. These aren't as big as the mountains in the Sierras, but they are pretty good mountains for Virginia.
Mom took some pictures at the Virginia Visitor's Center on the North Carolina/Virginia border. She said it was a very nice rest stop - she likes shady rest stops, and this one is especially good for birds:
Have you ever heard of Mountain Laurel? There was a lot of it at this rest stop, and it was all in bloom. The balls of flowers are about the same size as hydrangea balls of flowers:
No more thunderstorms tonight! Yay!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Shenandoah Valley
I think I have to sign off. There is a thunder storm coming. Thunder storms and computers don't get along very well together.
Bye!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Mooresville, North Carolina
Yesterday was exciting for me because I was able to visit one of my interns from the Academy of Natural Sciences, Sarah Rice. She was an REU student (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) several years ago, I think the second year of the program at ANSP, and I have kept in touch with her ever since. After her summer at the Academy she went on to do internships at the National Archives (NARA) and the American History museum at the Smithsonian Institution, and earned her degree in Museum Studies. I am so proud of Sarah - I loved working with her, and have enjoyed watching her career evolve. She is talented, enthusiastic, a good thinker, and so much fun.
She now works for Dale Earnhardt Inc in Mooresville, North Carolina, which is what brought Lee and I here. I wanted to see Sarah, and Lee was happy to come along to see DEI. Mooresville is north of Charlotte and the Charlotte Speedway, and the area is steeped in car racing history. Sarah, the Curatorial and Museum Specialist at DEI, gave us a fabulous behind-the-scenes tour and explained some of its history. Lee got a close-up look at several cars that won big races. He said he liked the smell of the cars, of "oil and steel". Here is a photo of Sarah and I:
Sarah took this photo of Lee and I standing in front of one of Dale's winning cars, at the entrance of the public showroom of DEI:
Thank you, Sarah, for giving us so much of your time yesterday! I know it is difficult when you have piles of stuff stacked up on your desk, waiting for you. I so enjoyed seeing you again, and Lee was very appreciative of the behind-the-scenes view of DEI, Dale Earnhardt, and the Earnhardt family. What a special afternoon it was for us.
I unfortunately didn't take any photos other than the two above, but don't worry, I have plenty of photos for the blog.
Later in the day, we drove by the Charlotte Speedway, and sort of on a whim bought tickets for the late afternoon and evening races. It was spontaneous and unexpected, and not particularly on my bucket list, but I am glad we went. It was an "educational experience". I am not crazy about racing, because I think of it as crass materialism that adds all kinds of pollutants to our environment (including noise). (Sounds like the RV we are driving?) Even so, it was kind of fun to watch for an evening. We saw things they never show on TV, such as the drivers who trail at the rear of the pack all they way because they are just learning the ropes. We also saw the qualifying runs for Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Biffle, and all the other big names in the racing world.
Lee took a short video of one of the truck races, which I have uploaded on YouTube. What amazed me most was how LOUD those cars are. I wore ear plugs, and they were still loud. I had no idea. Here's the link for the YouTube video. Turn up the sound on your computer for maximum impact, although even then it's nothing like being there. Lee and I couldn't talk to each other, it was so loud when the cars came by.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqwm6AUmdhU
Today we explored Lake Norman and some of the surrounding towns. We also visited the "Memory Lane Museum", which houses a private collection of many different kinds of vehicles - cars, bicycles, motorcycles, roadsters, and racing memorabilia. The first photo below is for my cousins Ed and Wes, because they are both retired firefighters. This car belonged to the "Chief" of a firefighting unit somewhere, and has been meticulously cared for:
The photo below is taken of the museum from a staircase. Lee is in the middle holding up his arms - see him? Apparently, movie makers borrow cars from this collector when filming in North Carolina, because he has such a huge collection. Several of the cars had labels indicating which movies they had been used in.
For nature lovers, I hope you aren't getting bored! More vehicles, below. I learned here that Lee has always wanted to restore a Model T. Who knew? My Uncle Larry had one for years in his garage.
The collection included crashed race cars, including one that was so far gone it was compressed into a cube:
Another crashed race car, not quite a cube. Why?? What can I say, other than "To each his own"?
To end on a more natural note, here is the view out the front of our motor coach window this morning. It was so beautiful it was almost magical:
She now works for Dale Earnhardt Inc in Mooresville, North Carolina, which is what brought Lee and I here. I wanted to see Sarah, and Lee was happy to come along to see DEI. Mooresville is north of Charlotte and the Charlotte Speedway, and the area is steeped in car racing history. Sarah, the Curatorial and Museum Specialist at DEI, gave us a fabulous behind-the-scenes tour and explained some of its history. Lee got a close-up look at several cars that won big races. He said he liked the smell of the cars, of "oil and steel". Here is a photo of Sarah and I:
Sarah took this photo of Lee and I standing in front of one of Dale's winning cars, at the entrance of the public showroom of DEI:
Thank you, Sarah, for giving us so much of your time yesterday! I know it is difficult when you have piles of stuff stacked up on your desk, waiting for you. I so enjoyed seeing you again, and Lee was very appreciative of the behind-the-scenes view of DEI, Dale Earnhardt, and the Earnhardt family. What a special afternoon it was for us.
I unfortunately didn't take any photos other than the two above, but don't worry, I have plenty of photos for the blog.
Later in the day, we drove by the Charlotte Speedway, and sort of on a whim bought tickets for the late afternoon and evening races. It was spontaneous and unexpected, and not particularly on my bucket list, but I am glad we went. It was an "educational experience". I am not crazy about racing, because I think of it as crass materialism that adds all kinds of pollutants to our environment (including noise). (Sounds like the RV we are driving?) Even so, it was kind of fun to watch for an evening. We saw things they never show on TV, such as the drivers who trail at the rear of the pack all they way because they are just learning the ropes. We also saw the qualifying runs for Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Biffle, and all the other big names in the racing world.
Lee took a short video of one of the truck races, which I have uploaded on YouTube. What amazed me most was how LOUD those cars are. I wore ear plugs, and they were still loud. I had no idea. Here's the link for the YouTube video. Turn up the sound on your computer for maximum impact, although even then it's nothing like being there. Lee and I couldn't talk to each other, it was so loud when the cars came by.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqwm6AUmdhU
Today we explored Lake Norman and some of the surrounding towns. We also visited the "Memory Lane Museum", which houses a private collection of many different kinds of vehicles - cars, bicycles, motorcycles, roadsters, and racing memorabilia. The first photo below is for my cousins Ed and Wes, because they are both retired firefighters. This car belonged to the "Chief" of a firefighting unit somewhere, and has been meticulously cared for:
The photo below is taken of the museum from a staircase. Lee is in the middle holding up his arms - see him? Apparently, movie makers borrow cars from this collector when filming in North Carolina, because he has such a huge collection. Several of the cars had labels indicating which movies they had been used in.
For nature lovers, I hope you aren't getting bored! More vehicles, below. I learned here that Lee has always wanted to restore a Model T. Who knew? My Uncle Larry had one for years in his garage.
The collection included crashed race cars, including one that was so far gone it was compressed into a cube:
Another crashed race car, not quite a cube. Why?? What can I say, other than "To each his own"?
To end on a more natural note, here is the view out the front of our motor coach window this morning. It was so beautiful it was almost magical:
