Mary Poppins or UP in 3D

We had our first missed connection today. I had planned to visit the Steiger Craft plant today, but we just had too much going on. We waited in line for Mary Poppins tickets, had a latte at Starbucks on Wall Street, visited the Apple Store on 5th Avenue, ate Krispy Kreme donuts at Penn Station, and visited Times Square. Rylee volunteered  to go to the Steiger Craft plant with me, so we set out about noon to do so. On paper, it looked like we could have made it to the plant and back in time for Rylee to link up with Ann, Hannah, and Sam for the Mary Poppins show, so we started off to do it. Upon arriving at the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) an official put it this way... "trains don't go clear out to Bellport all the time...." We would have had to wait a half hour to take an hour and a half ride, then catch a taxi, go another 20 minutes to get to the plant... I guess something had to give in a day as busy as this one. As it turned out, Rylee and I simply took our time coming back to the hotel. We stopped again at Times Square and had a late lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Then we played in Battery Park before meeting up with the gang here. They told stories of the M&Ms Store, the Nike Store.

Right now Ann, Hannah, Rylee, and Sam are back in Times Square at a theater watching Mary Poppins. Hannah left with a bright yellow skirt on that I've never seen before. That probably explains the GAP bag in the corner.  She looked sharp. I think maybe Ann had on a new skirt too, but I stopped short of saying, "Hey, nice new skirt!" You know, if it turns out that she's had it for a while, I would have revealed that I hadn't noticed it -- so I played it safe. Trevor and Iare just about to go watch "UP" in 3D at the cinema that's attached to the hotel. 

I can't find any cameras around here, so instead of a family shot,  I'll post a picture of the 23 foot Steiger Craft Chesapeake. Their construction is impressive, and I am disappointed that I missed meeting with Alan Steiger to see his plant. It's a small outfit, and everything is done by hand. They are built entirely of fiberglass -- with no wood frame. Steiger claims a "wood core" will sooner or later begin to separate from the glass that covers it due to their different rates of expansion and contraction in changing temperatures. I saw one of his boats at the Seattle boat show in 2005 and was really impressed.

--Kipp.

Phabulous Philadelphia

We woke up this morning and trotted to a Starbuck's across the street from Betsy Ross's house. She never would have imagined since she told us this afternoon when we visited with her in the courtyard that the drink of choice for all ages was beer, "It helps the children sleep well."

Our hotel was in the center of the Historic District where horse-drawn carriages strolled by and our legs could carry us to all sorts of interesting venues.  We began at Independence Hall. All of this early American history actually chokes me up while it is perhaps gagging other members of the family.  Kipp and I are hoping some of this precious history is somehow sinking in by osmosis while they lean on the bricks or sit in the congressional chairs.  Anyway, Independence Hall is an experience for every American soul.  

This is Independence Hall in the original capital of the United States- Philadelphia. This is where the Senate and House of Representatives first met. The Declaration of Independence was signed here, and the Constitution was both written and signed here. It is considered as the birthplace of the nation. We toured inside and saw the rooms where very important things happened to form our new country. 

Here's the Liberty Bell we saw in Philadelphia. It once proclaimed liberty on top of Independence Hall before it cracked (the bell, that is). This was a fun stop.

Here's Kipp by Betsy Ross's house. Betsy Ross made the first American flag.

This is Sam by "Betsy Ross" and another colonist. These actors were great.  They called Sam a "red-coat" and had no idea where Alaska was.  They thought Hannah was wearing an awfully bright frock--a tie-dyed shirt--and was a nearly an old maid at fifteen.  We visited Benjamin Franklin's home and the first post office of the United States which he initiated.  

On the train and in New York City looking at Lady Liberty's lighted torch by sunset...

You Alaskans are having warmer weather than we are.  Sounds wonderful.  The shooting at the Holocaust Museum was shocking--we were there just five days ago.  Glad Mom made it home.--Ann

Off to Philly

Gayle headed back to Alaska this afternoon after one last walk through the National Gallery of Art. It is safe to say that Gayle and Ann enjoyed the gallery more than the boys. I held my own and was especially interested in the early American portraits.

Shortly after saying goodbye to Gayle, we said goodbye to D.C. and boarded our first AMTRAK train. We passed through both Maryland and Delaware on our way to Philadelphia, PA. It took about two hours to get here. AMTRAK seemed okay, with no security to speak of, wider seats with more legroom than a plane, and a snack car to visit. 

As we walked in to our hotel, Gayle called me to report that she had been delayed back in D.C. Weather had closed the airport and her plane had been diverted. Her Seattle connection is questionable at this point. 

Our hotel is situated in the historic district of Philadelphia. Ben Franklin’s grave is across the street, and the Liberty Bell isn’t too far away. We enjoyed some Philly cooking for dinner, and look forward to a busy day tomorrow.  – Kipp.

A Relaxing Day

Today was hot- highs in the upper eighties. We went shopping at Union Station and saw many ducks on our way there. We went to the American History Museum, another part of the Smithsonian. We saw cool things like the first ladies' dresses, Julia Child's kitchen, and the first Star-Spangled Banner. We walked home in the upper eighty degree heat to a refreshing swim in the pool. Another nighttime walk concluded our relaxing final full day in D.C. We saw fireflies for the first time on our walk, and the kids caught a couple. The monuments were lit up and very picturesque. Tomorrow we head to Philadelphia. Thanks for the great time, Grandma! We have enjoyed our time here with you very much. 

These are many ducks we paused to look at; the Capitol lies in the background.

 

Here is a closer view of a mother duck and her ducklings.

This is an old-fashioned washing process demonstration Trevor is looking at. This was at the Museum of American History.

Here is Sam cooling down in the pool. It appears as though he is blowing water at some sibling.

These are a couple fireflies Trevor momentarily captured. We were fascinated; we are firefly rookies.

Here is the Lincoln Memorial from a distance on our nighttime walk. Abe is the bright spot in the middle.

Little asides...

Our "bloggist," Hannah, didn't mention a couple details... We were quite the whitest people in church.  Historically, whoever told us not to clap and "Amen" spontaneously in worship,  was fortunately ignored by some.  

A fire alarm went off while we were at Arlington Cemetery and we had to evacuate the Visitor's Center.  No harm done, but alarms make us wonder when we're in public places in the nation's capital!  

Enjoying your comments, you "followers."

--Ann

Worship & Remembrance

We started off the day with a visit to the Ebenezer Methodist Church here in D.C. It was a great service, and we were very welcomed. They were amazed at how far we had come. After that experience, we took the Metro to the Arlington Cemetery. It was a great place to remember all those who served our country so well. Besides seeing thousands of graves, we saw JFK's burial site and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated to all those unidentified soldiers  who died in war. It is guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by highly trained guards. We saw the change of the guard ceremony that happens every hour. It was a great thing to see something that prompts us to pay even more respect to our American soldiers. Our busy day was followed by a great dinner at a pizza shop that opened today. A swim at the pool got us refreshed, and we may take a walk around the monuments under the full moon tonight. The weather was in the high seventies low eighties and very sunny. Another great day has been added to our trip!

This is part of Arlington Cemetery. There are many, many more graves.

This is John F. Kennedy's burial site. The other three stones belong to his wife, son, and daughter.

This is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a guard performing his duties.

This is a closer view of the Tomb of the Unknowns during the changing of the guard.

Precious moments

By no good planning of our own, we ended up at the WWII Memorial on 65th anniversary of D-Day.  I had a brief conversation with a vet from Nebraska who had landed  on Normandy Beach. He said, "I never thought I would see this memorial--this is really something."  Sam moved in and out among the vets reading and looking at photos and staring at them now and then.

The memorials are something every American ought to see.  They are all so unique and thoughtfully planned.  The Korean War Memorial was especially impactful since Dad served in Korea. --Ann