Jersey Shore - Quakertown and Philadelphia Pa.

Wed. We drove down the Jersey Shore and stopped at several boardwalks.  They were all different and we enjoyed all of them.  They were all much better than Atlantic City so that restored our view of the ocean boardwalks in  N.J..  Top of picture below, Ocean City where they have alot of foot traffic and family things going on.  Middle pictures are in Strathmere where we found a place to park the rig and they had lots of places to rent.  the bottom is Wildwood they too had alot of foot traffic and family things to do.

We went to the Hereford Inlet Light House.  It was different than Cape May's light house.  The light was on top of the house rather than a tower.  Linda went through the museum which was the first three floors.  She was not allowed to go to the top where the light is.  see pictures below. They had beautiful gardens around the house.

As we left Cape May we stopped by the Lobster House and had their lobster,scallop and shrimp dinner one last time!!!.
Thur. we drove to Quakertown Pa.  After we got set up we got a bag of ice and Linda took the ALS challenge from Michelle Bickford(which she did twice for the first time she got the back of her head the second time she got all wet) then she challenged me.  So I got ready and took it also(boy did the ice water take your breath away).
Fri. We had a relaxing morning. In the afternoon we went to a flea market.  As we got there we were told we had to try their Jojos (potato wedges) we also had a sausage with onions and green peppers in it. We left there and had a chocolate croissant and sticky buns.  We walked a little further and had roasted pecans.  That is when we decided to get down to business and get the things we came for watermelon, hamburger,  sausage, flank steak, celery, peaches, carrots, and corn all from local farmers.  We gathered and cut some wood, started a fire and cooked pork chops on it for dinner but when we went to have our smores we found out we had finished the grahm crackers!.  We have enough wood for a couple more fires later.

Sat.We took a walk in the afternoon after the rain stopped.  We met the owner and he told us the process he went through to get the mill on the U.S. Registry.  Then he took us through the building.  It will cost about a million to get it where they can do tours.  Below is some of the pictures we took.  The mill is in very good conditions and we think it has more than any other mill we have gone through.

Sunday We went to church in North Wales Pa. then to lunch and Starbucks to do the blog and catch up with the email there is no service where we are.
Mon. and Tues. We got up at 6a.m. to go to Philadelphia Pa. It is a 35 to 45 min drive to the train station.  As we got there the train just pulled out.  We bought our tickets for the next two days the train comes every half hour. It is just over a hour to get to town on the train $6.50 each, each way(Tues we got the express both ways). After we got to town we went to the welcome station to get our two day city pass.  I ordered it on line and printed the receipt then lost it on our email.  When we showed the folks the receipt, they said it was the wrong one and wanted to see the email.  After a little while they gave us the two day pass which was for alot which you will soon see.  The first thing we did is go on the double decker big red bus which took us around town about  90 minutes.  The first picture of our tour (top left) the bridge going to N.J. which for years was the longest bridge in the world. Then past the third largest chinatown pictured here is the Chinese Friendship Gate. To city hall which was to be the tallest building when it was being built but took 31 years to build and two other buildings were built at that time one of them the Eiffel Tower which is taller. Across the street is the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. 2nd row a clothes pin which symbolized two people kissing. Next to it an old house forgot name of it. Then three buildings exact size and shape but looking at it they seem to be different heights and widths. The right is when we had to go on different route and we had to hold branches up so we wouldn't get hit on the double decker bus. They were getting set up for a concert this week-end and streets blocked off/. Bottom left Joan of Arc then Rocky the statue that was used in the movie. 3rd picture I forgot but looked cool.  Last picture all the things Philly did first such as flag, fire dept, zoo and more.

We stopped at the first penitentiary (Eastern State Penitentiary) when first built was a single floor(3rd top) as the need rose it went to two floors(top rt.). middle picture 1st three types of punishments the stocks (legs were placed in frame) pillory (man hands and head put in  frame), and Branding (head and hands put in frame then hot branding) the next 3 pictures are rooms in the prison, what it is now and what it was like at the end. But Al Capone served time here and look at the special treatment he got.  Bottom third picture some folks came in with different idea for some of the rooms, this is a floor done in different colors of dust. Last picture where the inmates played baseball and other games. When the balls were hit over the wall folks would through them a different ball back with things inside like razor blades, drugs, and ect.

Top left is the Franklin Institute. Next picture a metal plane outside the building. Third picture in honor of  Benjamin Franklin (the building is named after). They have many exhibits the one we enjoyed was of the brain top rt, and the heart which as we started to see it but they had a fire drill.  Middle left  picture is a WW1 memorial, next to it a civil war memorial. 3rd picture is for Shakespeare statue and last is a fountain for the three bodies of water that form the city.  1st and 2nd bottom picture is the love park, 3rd is young Ben Franklin and last some of the walk ways in city hall.

 We went to the old part of Philly the first top left Independence Hall inside and 2rd row left outside. 2nd top Senate chambers next to it the House of Rep. chambers. Picture 2nd middle picture a clock out side the building. 2nd row rt. was used as George Washington Presidential home.  3rd row Federal building where we get the phrase of upper and lower chamber. 3rd 2nd picture we went on a Duck ride(while we waited for the ride we ate a Philly Steak sandwich). 3rd picture in water.  Bottom rt home of Will Smith dad 2nd picture tall ships 3rd they were going to run a metro line over the river and did not figure in the height it would have to be so stopped it and it is now the most expensive sign made.

 This is Betsy Ross rented home.  Two of the bedrooms one where she made the first American flag in bedroom for fear of treason from the British (they never check her personal bedroom). Bottom middle a cellar door to the street. Right a copy of the flag she made.

 The last picture Liberty Bell middle a 360 show they took pictures of us as we went in and Linda had her head down so just mine showed up. Top rt. we went to National Constitution Center they had a actor and film presentation then a display of the time line of the USA. Here is the Supreme Court Building. 2nd row Ben Franklin's grave, middle the oldest working Post Office in USA, right she is changing the date on stamp with Ben Franklin signuture. 3rd row left and middle Christ Church where many of our early leaders worshiped. Right Franklin  Fountain ice cream(where they dress in early times) below left Linda enjoying here treat. Bottom middle the Phillies mascot. Right is one of the many murals in Philly.  The painters that did corfetti were asked to put their work to good use and do pictures on things that were positive and not gang related. A good way to clean up the city corfetti and make a negative into something positive for everyone.

 Wed. we got laundry done did the blog. got the rig ready to leave and went to church.

Biking Washington D.C.- New Jersey- Linda's Birthday

Thur. We took our bikes to D.C. on the train.  We were lucky that we got there early and not many folks were there.  Top of picture Washington Monument then 2 of Jefferson.  Middle the cherry trees and 2 of Lincoln.

Top of picture is the Korean War Memorial. Middle WW1 Memorial next two WW2 Monument. Bottom Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Linda and I got to witness two soldiers reenlisting into the service.

 Going to Arlington was quite an experience.Below a few pictures of the graves of the service people and the changing of the Guard at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Very powerful and moving.

 Top 2 and bottom left home of Robert E Lee who married George Washington's granddaughter.  It was handed down to her from George Washington. Middle street entrance to bridge crossing going to Arlington next 2 U.S. Marine corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima). Bottom right Kennedy's grave site.

Fri. we drove to Port Republic N. J. As we came to Baltimore I went the wrong way on  a bypass which cost $12 in tolls then on to the next toll $8 for cars and $24 for 4 axles!!! Then to Delaware $3 for cars and only $7 for 4 axles in all $43 in tolls.

Sat. We rested long overdue.

Sun. We went to church then to Cape May N.J. As we got to town we stopped at the Lobster House. Top left the bay, right a Scallop boat. 2nd row left putting the bucket down, below middle bringing up 6 to 8 bags of 50 + pounds of scallops, right putting them on a tray, bottom left weighing them middle where you buy them, right some of the fresh lobsters.This boat had 12,000#of scallops in 3days.  We ate lunch there shared Lobster tails, Scallops, Shrimp, fries and slaw.  It was sooo fresh and sooo goood.

We drove to the Cape May lighthouse 199 steps to the top. Bottom left is a old WW2 bunker( more about them later) bottom right is the old lens which was replaced by the lights bottom middle.

Top left a eternal flame for the veterans in Cape May next to it was a WW2 watch tower.  they had them and the bunkers along the coast for fear attack.  Before it was completed we started to win the war and the project was scrubbed.  The rest of the pictures are homes and churches at Cape May.

We drove to Sunset Point.  Top Left picture Cape May diamonds next two Linda and I looking for them.  They are a stone from Pa. brought down the river and washed ashore. It is the 7th hardest rock and used for diamond cutters to practice on before they become good enough not to make mistakes. Middle left and bottom right is the USS Atlantus a concrete ship that washed ashore and they could not free it so over the years it has been breaking apart.  The middle right 2 pictures is taking down the flag.  A military flag that has been on a casket.  This one told the story of a man when he was born, entered WW2, got shot in the hand went back, got shot in the back got fixed went back had his leg blown off.  Lived till his 70's.  His family was the ones who brought the flag and took it down.  They played three songs then the lowering of the flag.  Bottom pictures sunset.

Mon.  We drove to Atlantic City for a fun day but was a little disappointed.  The hotels did not have the wow factor.  We still had fun doing some things.  Top left we found a chocolate shop named James.  Atlantic City is where Miss U.S.A. takes place and you can see Linda is getting crowned.  Bottom left we found some sand sculptures. Outside the museum was an old fish boat.  We went to the Absecon Lighthouse, 3 of the pictures are some of the hotels and 2nd row right is the amusement park on the boardwalk.

Tues.  LINDA'S BIRTHDAY.  We had cowboy coffee cake and coffee for breakfast.  Did a bible study had a wonderful salad for dinner.  Went shopping at Smithville which is a old town that has purchased many old homes and churches and placed them in the town for retail shops(4 bottom pictures).  We saw alot of wonderful things went to the coffee shop and the bakery for a treat. Top pictures is some of the ducks that crossed the road both on our way to Atlantic /city and in Smithville and the chicken was just strutting along the sidewalk.  When we got home wine and cheese before our steak dinner with baked potato and broccoli.  Later for dessert tea and a fresh pineapple/coconut scone.

Dumfries, Triangle Va and Washington D.C.

Fri. We drove to Dumfries Va. to the Prince William Forest RV Campground. The trip was great till we got to I-95 where the traffic was stopped going south and slow going north. After a small delay we got to the campground got set up then drove to Starbucks for a treat then to Prince William Forest Park. After talking to the volunteers at the welcome area we walked about 4 miles in a woods that was NOT that pretty, the water falls was a small cascade, and it was HOT. When we got home we both were exhausted ready for a shower and get out of our sweaty clothes!!!.

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Sat. We went to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Top left out on the street the replica Marine Corp War Memorial flag raising at Mount Suribachi battle for Iwo Jima. Picture below is the flag that flew there and next to the flag is a WW2 vet that fought at Iwo Jima(he was 89yrs old and was very interesting listening to him). Top right is a picture of John  Philip Sousa. How at 13 he ran away to the circus because he did not want to be in the service. He was put in the service  as a apprentice musician. After many years he became the head of the Marine Band for 5 presidents and he wrote Stars and Stripes Forever and Semper Fidelis. The two middle right are on display as you walk into the museum. We were told that all of the planes, cars and tanks all are in working order. Bottom left is Molly Marine dedicated to all the women past, present and future who earn the title of "Marine". Next to her is Iron Mike. Then the third bottom picture is King Armored Car. Produced for the marine in 1916 By Armored Motor Car Co. of Detroit on a King luxury sedan chassis. In all 10 were made and they never saw war.

Sun. Yea we made it to our campground(Cherry Hill) in Washington D.C. After we got set up we took the metro to town.

We went to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, African Art Museum, Sackler Art Gallery, Freer Gallery Art & Industries, and American History Museum.

Mon. We took the train in to town again.  It sure is nice getting there with no traffic. Below are some of the many statues.

 Also there are many museums.  Two that we enjoyed today was the United States Botanic Garden(3rd top) and Thomas Jefferson Building and Exhibitions (Library of Congress).  They have millions of books in multi buildings If you have a permit you will get your book within hours. They will let everyone use most of the books. The detail in the building is beyond description, there are so many hidden meanings everywhere you look. This was our favorite so far we could spend another day there. The next five pictures. Bottom row you have the Supreme Court, Minute Man, U. S. Capital Building, and U.S. Court House.

We went to the  U. S. Botanic garden and just love how it was laid out and all the flowers.

Tues. Linda had one of her headache, we are hoping it will be gone tomorrow which will be the third day. We went to town anyway and saw the Natural History Museum. It was raining and by the time we walked the four blocks we both were drenched.After taking off our rain gear and getting a little dry we had a wonderful visit at the museum, there was so much to see. As we walked to the U. S. Dept. of the Interior we past Washington Monument, the White House and other monuments.

 At the Dept. of the Interior we had a mural tour with one other couple.  The building was one of the first in D.C. around 1930 they went through many interior ideas before doing these murals. When we left we were a little bum because we were to see the Marine Corps at the Iwo Jima Memorial Parade and it got rained out.

Wed. Linda still has headache but up went to D.C. After we got off the train we went to get a roll at a bakery and across the street Starbucks coffee.  We went to the U.S.Archives. Then ate lunch as we walked to the capitol, Linda made a friend along the way. 2nd row left the Capitol is being renovated. 2nd picture the picture used on a two dollar bill. When they did the Lincoln statue the right side is when he was younger and the left older. We went back to the Library of Congress and went through Bob Hopes section. They had alot of interacting their. We then walked to Good Stuff eatery and had a Obama burger, fries and a marshmallow milk shake (yum yum).

Williamsburg,Jamestown,Yorktown, and Norfolk Va

Thur. We stayed at the camp ground and relaxed.  We did go on a bike ride and played Pickleball.  Some folks came by on there golf cart and  we talked awhile then we played doubles.  When we got home we started a fire for smores and watched the sun set.

Fri. It was to rain today but today is the day we are to go to Colonial Williamsburg so off we go.  After we got our tickets we put on some colonial hats then started our tour.  Linda is on a bed stuffed with horse hair (only the rich have it). They use it in the summer which makes sleeping cooler then in the winter they use feathers like everyone uses year round,but the very poor had to use straw which is not very comfortable. They had street exhibitions going on all day. After a tour of the coffee house which they served us coffee,tea or choc.Of course we choose choc!In middle right you see inside the Capitol building chambers.  The first is for all the people and second for the Governor and his folks.  We went to see what a jail would be like you see me in chains and on the"throne".  I did not see how they emptied it.

We went to places that showed how it would be in the 1770's. They played music, showed how they made silver, made dresses, horse and buggy, an army camp, made buckets and made bricks and how they baked them. The last four pictures is the Randolph house.  They told the story about slaves and at the end of the revolution they were told if they joined the English army they would be given their freedom.  How the slaves worked in that household and as the English were leaving the eight slaves went for freedom.  But at the end of the war they were either killed or captured and resold as slaves.

This is Linda's and mine favorite spot.  This is the Governor's Palace. As you enter you see the weapons on the walls the lush rooms the ballroom and dinning room and the gardens go and go. They even have a maze(bottom middle).

There are many old churches, a courthouse with their meeting rooms.  We went to a hospital where they had the first treatment for mental illness. From putting folks in a jail to a apartment.  Next to the hospital was the museum they had alots of things from the time such as the Harpsichord and the pianos, fire truck, furniture, and clocks.  They had a great area for kids to interact in.

Sat. we slept in and did blog and visited friends.
Mon. We drove where The first English settlement Jamestown Va. started in 1607. Where 104 English men and boys went up what is now the James river to now Virginia.  Their goal was to make a profit from the resourced of the New World for the Virginia Company's shareholders in London.  That took a back seat to the survival of the harsh realities of life in their new home.  For over 21 years folks have been digging and digging to see what was going on over 400 years ago. They have many items on display even skeletons where they know the story of that person.  Top picture below the archaeologists are excavating area's today. 2nd row left a fence where the first fence was put up. Middle what the fort looked like. right the boats that brought the men here. 3rd row left a monument to the start of our Nation.  Next to it the first church that was built (where Pocahontas got married). Picture on right Captain john Smith.

1st left picture the swamp area going to the settlement.  Part of the reason so many died. Next to it two free fairies go by on the James river. Next to it the Museum with over 1,500 artifacts.  You can't see it but the museum is not touching the ground because it is a burial area for some of the first settlers. Picture on right they are redoing the bell tower next to the old church. 2nd row left inside the church. The next five pictures are of the glass blowers, from the remains of the first furnace to today modern furnace.  The one I am holding is one he was working on you can't see it well but on top of the legs is a indention of a lion.  Last picture bridges on the parkway to Yorktown.

On Oct. 19, 1781 the Colonial America came to an end and a new Nation was born.   With the French help the Siege of Yorktown ended the six year struggle for American independence.  A park ranger took us around and told the story, top picture is redoubt 10 where Hamilton on the 10th month took redoubt 10 in 10 minutes. He is also the picture on the 10 dollar bill. Middle picture is Yorktown Victory Monument (voted on days after the victory but was not built till 100 years later for the centennial). Middle picture Moore House where the surrender papers were signed. 2nd right guns on the second allied siege line.  Bottom some replica of the guns used in the war.

As we walked around town we went to Nelson house(top row). On left the living room next to it shows where a cannon ball went through the wall in the siege, it was believed that the English used the house for their headquarters. 3rd picture a cannon ball stuck on the outside the house.  Bottom two pictures statues in the square and rocks on the beach area with sailboats in the back ground.  On the right is the courthouse.

Tues. After our walk we did the blog and Linda got things ready for our trip for Washington D.C.
 Wed. we drove to Norfolk Va. and walked on their Cannonball trail.  This town also takes a figurine and different folks paint them. This as you can see  are mermaids that we found on our walk and drive in town.

Our walk took us to many old buildings and the top right two are at the American Wartime's Memorial where 20 letters are spread out from eight different wars where folks wrote home. Middle left a picture of the bay just before we went into the Naval Museum. While there Linda is our little mermaid and I dressed as a sailor.  Picture left is the USS Wisconsin. Which got a nick name Wisky because It ran into another naval ship and the nose, 1st 20 feet was damage.  When they got it back to Norfolk for repair they took the nose off the USS Kentucky  which was being built at the time and put it on the USS Wisconsin. Bottom left is the Pagoda Garden, next to it one of the many old homes.  Bottom right two an old church called Freemason Abbey which was turned into a restaurant. The picture on the right Linda and I enjoying our Crab Bisque.

On our walk we stopped by the Chrysler Museum of Art. Top Left below the entry then Linda next to real flowers the rest is stuff there.

There were many old churches Top 2nd picture a cannon ball in the building(top right) next to that the pews with doors then right is the pipe organ. Middle 2nd the old city hall building changed  to the MacArthur Memorial. 3rd picture is where General Douglas Mac Arthur and his wife are buried. Picture on right the end of the war and the folks that signed. Bottom we went to Doumar's where next picture he made the first ice cream cone.  The Ice cream man ran out of cups and was getting ready to close where the person next to him made waffles. Doumar took the waffle and made it in the shape of a cone put ice cream in it.  Picture fright the counter in the store.

We drove to Norfolk Botanical Garden. Top two left my favorite bonsai trees. Right one of the fountains. 2nd left a canal they use to take folks on a boat ride. the next 2 we are in the children section. 3rd left a watermelon next a egg plant and they had many more veg. there. 3rd right we went to the butterfly display.  Bottom middle our path way around the park. Bottom tight another display.

The first 14 are some of the many beautiful flowers there.  We were fortunate to see a Shakespeare's play called the Twelfth Night.  It was done by High Schooners that travel around from July 24 to Aug 8 and do eight performances.  It was very well done.  We did not get to see the end for it started to rain.