Historical Tour Day 9

Today I went to the Holocaust Museum which was my reason for coming to DC. After yesterday's practice run of getting into the city I did it without any problems today - they still need signage BUT I knew where I was going today. Got to Union Station and bot a good sweet roll and bottle of water in case I didn't get to eat lunch since my Museum time was 11:15. Got on the trusty Tourmobile and rode to the Museum. Got there about 10:30 and wandered around looking at the exhibits for which a ticket was not necessary. About 11:15 I headed into the permanent exhibit. On the way to the elevator you pick up a little booklet that is the story of one of the Holocaust victims to take through the exhibit with you. My person was Vita Rivkina who was deported from the Minsk ghetto and never heard of again. The Museum is really well done. So much to read and to look at. When I finally finished and came out of the exhibit it was 2:30. I'm really glad that I did this - somehow the word enjoyable can't be used for such an experience BUT really a good thing to have done. I was going to walk along the mall some and perhaps go into a Smithsonian or two BUT it was raining when I came out. So I just made my way to the Tourmobile stop and caught the bus back to the car. Got home here about 4 - it is not raining here - walked the dog - and then discovered that the Rangers are on TV. So I am settled for a while. Historical tour takes a 4 day break since I am stopping in Pittburgh for 3 nights! Looking forward to that part of the trip. I'm sure Breck is too though he doesn't know it - he'll be glad to have a house and a friend!!

Historical Tour Day 8

It was 64 this morning when I walked the dog! WOOHOO!! It was really nice. I left here about 8:15 with my trusty map and directions. BUT let me be the first to tell you that DC needs better signage!! I missed North capitol Ave. and had a hell of a time getting back to it. Probably broke a million traffic laws going around the police station! Then I finally got to Union Station but could not find the public parking - they need signage! Finally went up this ramp which said rental car return and low and behold when you go to the top there was a P for parking too! So - finally parked and ready to go... Union Station is really nice - a beautiful building and lots of shopping and places to eat. I bought my 2 day pass on Tourmobile and headed off. They have a route that they follow with 19 stops and I can get off and back on at any of them. I stayed on until Arlington Cemetery - I wanted to see the Tomb of the Unknown. Got there in time to see the end of the changing of the guard and there were 2 laying of a wreath ceremonies. It was really good. Quite moving when they played taps during the laying of the wreath ceremonies. Then I got off at the Lincoln Memorial and walked to the VietNam Memorial and the WWII Memorial. All three places were wall to wall people - I think I want to come back in the dead of winter - maybe the crowds would be less. Since it was well past lunch time after the VietNam Memorial, I stopped at a stand and had a Dove bar and a diet coke on my way to the WWII Memorial. Unlike the VietNam Memorial that lists all the dead from VietNam - the WWII Memorial has a field of 4000 stars that each stand for approximately 100 dead. It was a really beautiful monument but way too crowded. Got back on the tour bus - well, it was really open cars - and headed back to Union Station. Of course, you still get to see all of the things you are passing and there is a tour guide who is pointing out all the sights. The first guide this morning was really good - wasn't that impressed with the others. Then of course on the way out of the city the need for signage once again reared its ugly head!! After going around a few blocks I finally got on 50 east and headed back to Breck and the motorhome.

Historical Tour Day 7

Today was an easy day. Got up to cool weather - well, a lot cooler than it has been. Breck and I had an enjoyable walk and then a ride to Wal-mart so that I could buy some stain remover and do my laundry. Got the laundry done and the car all hooked up and left the Williamsburg campground a little before 11. Only had about a 3 hour drive so I was not in a hurry. The traffic around DC is a nightmare. Glad I planned this stay over the weekend. Found this KOA without any trouble though they all seem to be tucked away to such a point that you wonder if you are going to end up stuck somewhere. And the car unhooked without me even having to CUSS at all! How happy was I. It is cool here - it is 70 even at 9 at night! Haven't seen that in months. Should make wandering in DC tomorrow a little more bearable than it could have been. Tomorrow I am headed into the city to see what I can see - not sure what I am going to try to see tomorrow BUT whatever it is it should be good.

Historical tour Day 6

Well, got one picture on - this is the House of Burgesses.

Today was Williamsburg. Got to the Visitor Center at 8:15 just to find that it didn't open until 8:30. Bought my ticket and walked the 1/3 mile trail over to the old town. Wandered around and finally made it to the Governor's Palace. The woman that led us through was great. It was very interesting the way the docents took on the time period and stayed true to it. I went to a lot of the buildings - the ticket seller had marked my map for me telling me the things I didn't want to miss. I saw the end of the take over of the government by the colonists - it was great. They took down the British Flag and put up the Virginian flag and fired canons to celebrate! After years of hearing about - and then teaching about - the House of Burgesses, it was really cool to see it!! Even though it was REALLY, REALLY HOT I enjoyed the 6 hours I spent wandering around Williamsburg. The car registered 107 when I got in it at the end of the day!! But - this evening we had a good thunderstorm and it is now 72!! Walking the dog this evening was really nice for the first time on this trip. I'm hoping it will be nice in the morning. Tomorrow I leave for DC - not a very long drive so I will dilly-dally around here before leaving. Internet connection not wanting to upload pictures so I may add some tomorrow if my connection is better.

Historical Tour Day 5

Headed out of Pigeon Forge about 7 this morning and got to the Williamsburg KOA about 3:15. The drive was all interstate so it was easy but tiring. It really is a pretty drive - nice scenery. It was HOTTER than HELL when I got here. Sweat buckets while unhooking the car - which once again was not the easiest part of the job. BUT it is done and I have wifi and cable tv - so all is good. Breck and I headed out about 5 to go check out Jamestown - figured maybe I would be able to see something even if I couldn't take the dog BUT it was CLOSED! The drive was nice. Then we just walked up to the dog playyard and there were a couple Dalmations there for him to play with. BUT it is still hot - down to 93 - and Breckerboo and I are glad to be back in the airconditioning. Tomorrow - Breck will stay here in the airconditioning watching FoxNews and I will go tour Williamsburg in the heat!

Historical Tour Day 4

Today Breck and I went back into the National Park - after finding out one and only Geocache for Pigeaon Forge. We went up to the top today - Clingman's Dome at 6643 ft is the high point of the park. It was a great drive. I even turned off the airconditioner in the car for a while! As you can see from the pictures below - the Smokies come by their name legitimately. The streans are really pretty. And Breck got in a little but was not really sure about water that moves by so quickly. When we got back, I left Breck in the motorhome and went over to tour some small shops that were close by. A cool toy store and a candy shop where they make their own taffy and fudge - both os which came home with me. Then since I will be leaving in the morning, I hooked up the car so I can pull out pretty early. Think tomorrow is my longest driving day. Thus far - the trip has been a good one.

Historical Tour - Day 3

Breck and I walked the park that is next to the KOA this morning. It is called Patriot Park - it has war memorials and a Patriot Missle. It is basically a big field with a half mile paved trail around it. Good place to walk Breck. Then we headed into the National Park - put the top back on the Jeep and turned the airconditioner and music on. Had a great day. We went to Cades's Cove. It was a beautiful drive. We saw a BEAR - right there - almost closer than I wanted to be BUT there were first meals even closer! Breck wanted out of the car to meet the bear but I thought perhaps that might not be a good idea! Breck got to take a dip in the river which made him happy. We took another walk around the park this afternoon. And now the afternoon thunderstorm has set in - glad I am back in my home away from home. Like Eastern Time Zone for Beck - it is beer time here! Only reason to like Eastern Time Zone! Here are some pics.





Here is the bear. He was a cutie.





The Mill at Cade's Cove. It still works - they were grinding corn when I was there.

Historical Tour - Day 2

Today was Memphis to Pigeon Forge and all was fine until I got off I-40. Then the traffic was bumper to bumper, stop and go all the way into Pigeon forge. Good Lordie - people - go home! Then the city had changed the m=names of the streets and the GPS couldn't find the campground and I was driving all over the countryside trying not to end up on some dead-end road! But with the help of some nice young man on his way home from work and the KOA people on the phone I got here. Have FoxNews and internet - what else is necessary? There is a nice walking path around a park right next door to the KOA so Breck is happy too. Tomorrow into Smoky Mountain National Park. Glad I am here for a couple of days.

Historical Tour - Day One

Made it to the KOA just west of Memphis today. It is HOTTER than HELL! The airconditioner is struggling to keep this tin box cool but it is okay. Once the sun goes down it will probably get downright chilly in here. This KOA has internet but no cable tv. I figured I would set up the satellite but there are too many trees - no clear view of the southern sky - so NO TV! That is a first in a long time for me! I've got FoxNews on Satellite Radio and will catch the Ranger game on the computer!! Tomorrow - on to Great Smokey Mountain National Park for 3 days. Breck and I will check you later.

Travels without Breck this time

All packed and ready to go tomorrow. Headed out on an Alaskan cruise with my neighbors. Looking forward to a good time. Hope to update and upload pictures along the way.