A Stop in Yorktown Before We reach Gettysburg

This was a great place to stop and listen to the Park Ranger about the Battle of Yorktown. He studied many diaries of the soldiers to put together his story which was so much more interesting than the textbooks we read in school.

A charming town with little businesses lining the street

An antique shop

Many butterflies in the garden

There are many large mansions, too. I just love the look of brick!

On to Gettysburg where too many young men lost their lives in war.

One of many views of cannons

Views of the battlefield

The view from Little Round Top

It was this point of advantage that led to the Union's battle success. When the men ran out of bullets, they put in their bayonets and charged down the hill wiping out their Confederate adversaries.

Throughout the park, there are monuments representing different infantries

The Infantries were composed of like members of a group. There were from a particular town, for example.

This is the back of PA Infantry monument

You need to know about the back of this monument or you will drive by without a clue.  The Infantry had a dog who stayed with them throughout battles. Sallie stayed two years guarding the area with the downed men until her own death in battle. She lies at the foot of the monument. http://www.nycivilwar.us/sallie.html
for more on Sallie.

Sallie, the men's best friend

Someone has left an American flag and "Beggin Strips"

The largest monument in Gettysburg

The faces of battle

The Blue Union solider

The Gray Confederate Solider

The Union Flag... notice the stars

 

The Union Flag includes the stars representing the states that have left Union. It was the goal to have one United States.

There is too much to see in too little time. I am pooped. Got to get ready to leave in the morning. What?!! We have to wake up at 4:30 AM!!!

At the airport. Looking at the plane. Notice the sun is not out yet. Yawn...

Back at home...Hope you liked the blog....Have a great day!

Mount Vernon, George Washington's Beloved Home

If you ever are in the area, Mount Vernon is quite a beautiful and interesting place to go. I visited years ago, but today, technology has made it more enjoyable.

Isn't it beautiful?

The view from the back porch

Gayle, Kenny, and Chris on the Back Porch

Martha was known for her smoked Virginia Ham

George and Martha Washington had an average of at least 2 house guests each day of the year.  She always had a ham on the table. They were a loving couple. He was 6'1" and she was a "firecracker" at 4'11".  The day George died, she could not speak and moved to the 3rd floor.  On the day of his funeral, she did not attend but watch out her 3rd story bedroom window. It was there she burned all the letters between them. She thought their life was public and that their personal life should stay personal.

The tomb of Martha and George

Martha (left) and George (right)

The museum was outstanding. I like to watch "Bones" and the forensics used in reconstructing George Washington's face as a younger man was very interesting.  A lot of the pics I am posting are Chris'. He took this one of how the wax model was made, as well as many others I am using.

From the skull, to the artist rendering, to the wax finished head

They used computer measurements of all portraits of Washington ever painted, then they had hair samples from his home to get the color right. Locks of hair were saved in lockets as keepsakes. They put all the information collected together to do an accurate wax figure. They did an age regression from the age 19. I believe he is middle aged here.

Very realistic General Washington

On to Gettysburg.....

Sights of DC

Here are a variety of pics taken throughout the day.

The castle

The guys

The Justice Department Door

I took this pic because of the design on the door. I did not realize how large of a door it is.  Each side was 4 ft. x 20 ft. It has two huge door knockers and I doubt it is in use because of its massive size.  Chris wondered what was behind the door. Steve asked...What do you think will happen if you knocked on the door?...Chris said...A giant man would answer. I thought that funny...I guess you would have to have been there.

A pic for "Ludi"

The Ford Theater

The Presidential Box

President Lincoln was assassinated in the right where he sat.

The house across the street from the Ford Theater where Lincoln was taken

The room where Lincoln died

You know whose house

The White House Garden

TC Williams High School

Did you see the movie "Remember the Titans"? This is the high school stadium.

Very nice high school in Alexandria, VA

Quaint street in Alexandria

On the road to Washington's home...Mount Vernon
Good night.

More Freer

 Good morning!

There was a very busy, bright, room....which was called "The Peacock Room".  It was a dining room in the home of Frederick Richard. He was a wealthy shipowner living in London and collected Chinese blue and white porcelain. Freer purchased the room and had it moved and reconstructed at his Detroit home. It was then moved in 1923 to the Smithsonian. The moves must have been tedious since it had so much wooden pieces.

The ceiling

Harmony in Blue and Gold (I think the name of the pic)

The other side of the room

The museum had a display of Islamic artifacts, too. This mosaic caught my eye.

Part of a temple that points to Mecca, the holy land of Islam

Let's go on with the vacation!

The Freeer Gallery

 The guys have gone to the Air and Space Museum and I am going to meditate at the Freeer Gallery.  It is a quiet, most restful place, where I can get into the feeling of calm. One of my favorite spots on the mall. It is never crowded when I have visited. Mr. Freer was quite the collector and had made his fortune building train cars in Detroit.

The old castle next to the Freer

In the Freer. Looking out into the center garden.

304-30 BC, Egyptian Falcons carved of dark stone

664-525 BC, plaques of limestone

 The details of the art are intricate and the civilization of Egypt must have been very refined at this time to develop such beauty.

1550-1070 BC, tiny mosaic glass Inlays. Egyptian

Amida Buddha of Infinite Light, Bronze, 13th century, Japan

Bodhisattva (enlighten being), wood, late 12 century, Japan

ca. 507, stone, China, from S. Xiangtangshan, Cave 2

To be continued...Have to share the computer with Steve.  Good day!