Even though the Fall Colors are really over, we are still enjoying the aftermath of true fall colors. Robust burgundies, deep forest greens, thick, luscious rusts, tawny golds, dark browns, and tree barks from powder gray to almost jet black. You can really see where the designers get their inspiration for "fall" colors. It doesn't come from the vivid palette of a few weeks ago -- it definitely comes from these yummy leftovers of the now neglected forest beauty. Mix this palette with a little sun, a little rain, and some clouds, and you have a sight every bit as breathtaking as the much more acclaimed "fall colors".
Tune up those Fifes and Drums -- we're marching on to Gettysburg. The town is right in the middle of the battlefield and the National Military Park. Stayed in a lovely Quality Inn all decorated with the look of the era and super clean and tidy -- for $49. General Lee's Headquarters building is right next to it and the Battlefield right in front of you. Enjoyed our dinner in a Bewpub (GettyBrew) that is housed in a building that was a hospital during the Civil War -- much of the building is still original and we enjoyed feeling the aura of the time.
The Visitors Center is a beehive of activity, even this time of year. Lots of groups of Boy Scouts and other assorted Father-Son groups were all about this weekend. The Battlefield stretches for many miles, so before you get your audio tape to head out there, there recommend their "Electric Map" presentation -- costs a few $$, but worth it. We've never seen anything quite like it. You sit in an tiered auditorium with a map of the battlefield on the floor below you. They narrate, with sound effects, the entire 3 day battle. As they describe the various battle positions occupied by the Confederates and the Union -- appropriate colored lights light on the map. The city is shown, they show red fires at night, and the positions of the generals were lit in a different color. It was a very effective way to show us novices what happened.
The audio tour takes about two hours, and they have costumed rangers at the major points to help answer questions. It was another one of those experiences that really brought history to life. It was scary to learn that just a few small changes in what happened, and the whole war could have shifted in favor of the Confederates. Most historians feel this battle, with it's 52,000 casualties, was the turning point in the war. This was the bloodiest fight in the war -- it was not hard to imagine what was going on after seeing the Map and listening to the audio tour.
Eisenhower's only home he ever owned is just at the edge of the battlefield, and the bus to see it leaves from the Gettysburg Visitor Center -- so we had to take that in also. He only lived there from 1961 to his death in 1969, but he loved his farm, which he bought in 1951, when he thought he was retiring! Mamie continued to live there til her death. It is a very simple home with beautiful grounds.
Off to Baltimore on Sunday -- we like to explore large cities on the weekends -- so much easier to get around, park, and see things without the workday crowds around. We didn't know what to expect in Baltimore, and really just focused on their renovated harbor area. They make extensive use of water taxis to get around to the various places around the u-shaped harbor. For $5, you can ride them anywhere, all day long. We decided that would be a fun way to see things and "hopped on, hopped off" several times to enjoy the sights. This was a beautiful fall Sunday, with lots of people enjoying their City, and street jugglers out, music along the promenade, and people sitting outside at the many restaurants all along each area. The skyline is beautiful, and this part of the town is vibrant and enjoyable.
Drove on late in the day to our Delaware stop--Dover. Delaware was our first state, and the first to ratify the Constitution. Dover is a small town, the capital, and really the only sizable place in Delaware, other than Wilmington, which is really a suburb of Philadelphia. Explored the downtown the next morning, but not really much to see -- lots of brick government buildings, and a pretty Capitol building. A couple of streets of well restored homes, and we were off to Annapolis.
What a nice place Annapolis is! Water all around it -- it sits on a little peninsula in Chesapeake Bay. A small downtown that really exists to support the Naval Academy. There is a beautiful view of the Academy as you come down the hill and across a bridge into town. The sun was shining, the midshipmen were out in their sailboats, and the buildings struck an imposing stance along the shore.
Found the Post Office among all the quaint buildings downtown -- more of those damn "roundabouts" -- and picked up our swimsuits that we left in Newport, RI -- on the back of the bathroom door -- I knew when I saw them there, that that was a bad place -- and sure enough, left them right there.
Explored the downtown's waterfront and poked around in the shops a bit -- Christmas is coming, you know!! Decided to take the tour of the Naval Academy. After a short, very well done movie, we were off to see the campus. Fabulous physical fitness facilities -- their wall of fame of Olympians, World Record holders, and National Title holders, was impressive. A real tradition of excellence..Most of the buildings were designed by the same architect and make a beautiful campus. Their Chapel has a stained glass window donated by Tiffanys -- the most beautiful blues you have ever seen. John Paul Jones is buried in the crypt in the basement -- the sarcophagus is carved with dolphins and seawood in marble -- it is fabulous.
Going to finish up our week back in Washington, DC. We'll be there for several days, so have gotten an "all suites" place -- for $99 --- less than many of the regular hotels, and the cheapest price we could find close in!! It is wonderful -- 2 TV's (don't have to watch sports all the time!), a full kitchen -- we're loving fixing our own meals!, and a real living room! I didn't realize how much I missed it all.
Today we fell into a very special celebration -- the 200th Anniversary of The White House. They had a party with The Marine Corps Band, guest appearances by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Calvin Coolidge, and punch and cookies -- it was really fun! We have to come back tomorrow -- we missed the tour times -- only from 10-12, Tuesday through Saturday.
Spent alot of time in the Capitol. A wonderful building with so much history. Even though Congress wasn't in session, we enjoyed seeing the chambers. The "Whisper Room" where John Quincy Adams could hear everything the other party was saying, due to the way the dome reflects voices across the room -- really cool!!
Our final stop for the day was Ford's Theatre and the house across the street where Lincoln actually died the next morning. We couldn't see the theatre due to rehersals for the upcoming production of "The Christmas Carol". But we're going to try again tomorrow--they say we can see it before noon. The museum has all kinds of artifacts from that fateful night -- still is chilling.
So much to see -- we haven't even started on the rest of the Smithsonian Museums.
Mama Mia!! Our tootsies and backs are killing us -- two long days in town in a row!! We were off early to see the Ford Theatre (where Lincoln was assassinated) and The White House before noon. Both were worth getting going early for. The White house really is beautifully decorated -- did you know there are 132 rooms just in the main house -- without the East and West wings!! It is 6 stories -- 2 below ground and 4 above. Every day they roll back the oriental rugs (which are exquisite!), put up the ropes and runners, and then take it all down again 3 hours later! What other country in the world can you tromp through the home of the leader!! Wonderful!
After a bite of lunch at a deli, we were off for the Washington Monument. Found out that they give out tickets for this at 8:30AM each day til they are gone -- and they were -- we groaned. But wait!! not everyone is showing up today for their appointed time (why not?? it is a beautiful day!!) -- "so we've started this standby line over here" -- 10 minutes later we were in the elevator to the top!! And what a view it is!! We really enjoyed seeing everything from a birdseye view.
As we took in the sun on this gorgeous day, we wandered down The Mall just watching people. I spied an exhibit on the history of Pianos. Phil took a little rest, and I went to see them. Franz Lizst's ornately carved instrument, Liberace's rhinestone studded Baldwin, and Duke Ellington's antique white prize. There were about 25 instruments in all dating back to the very first "hammer struck" instrument. The harpsicord was the instrument until that time. It was a very interesting exhibit.
Spent the end of the day in the Hirschorn Museum and sculpture garden -- mostly modern works form many artists. I especially enjoyed the Jackson Pollacks (what is that man thinking?) and the Alexander Calder mobiles.
Today is the Civil War -- and it is being televised here on ABC!! -- Phil is ecstatic!! So, after 2 hard days in DC, we decided to sleep in a bit, amble on down to Mt. Vernon for a few hours, and get back to our homey suite in time for the game.
Another absolutely perfect day -- bright sun, crisp air, and leaves still swirling around your feet. The George Washington Parkway that takes you out to Mt. Vernon is a scrumptious drive. Park along both sides, running right along the Potomac, running/biking paths all along the 16 mile drive, and nice homes peaking out between the trees.
The grounds at Mt. Vernon are all open to wander around with well placed signs about various points of interest--and there is lots to see. George and Martha's Tomb, the dock where George ran his fisheries from (now receives visitors arriving by boat - private or commerical), a representative example of his advanced farming practices and his barn "invention" that allowed the wheat to be separated from the chaff -- and the grain to fall through the cracks in the floor to waiting slaves below that vastly improved that process.
Lots of out buildings where all the work got done -- smoke house, weaving building, salt house for preservation, the "Necessary" -- a 3 holer that contained the waste for recycling, the master gardeners house where all the decisions about fruits, vegetables, etc were made and many buildings where the 300+ slaves lived.
The house is large by 1700's standards, befitting George and Martha's position and wealth. It contains 10 bedrooms, and many public rooms, large and small. It appears to be stone on the exterior, but it is really wood that was grooved to look like stone, then painted with a sanded paint to give it stone texture -- really interesting looking. The exterior looks out on the Potomac froma large veranda, which has lots of chairs for the public to enjoy the view like they did! This is a great time of year to visit, as the crowds have died down, and the guides can answer lots of questions and give lots of information.
Off to the Smithsonian tomorrow. GO DUCKS!!