Virginia & the Disctrict of Columbia

September 27th, Saturday: Incessant rain continued and I was wondering about those who believe that the sound of rain is relaxing. Normally I'm in that group but not today. The sound of the present rain is more of a solid jet blast. The rain is that heavy. The kids were able to sleep through it but Con awoke and commanded me to, "Turn on the air conditioner. We need to dehumidify the air and the sound might drown out the rain." It did help a bit but it did nothing to lessen the "C-R-A-C-K!!!" sounds of the various acorns and walnuts plummeting from the 120 ft. high trees onto LaFawnduh. Hannah laughed. Audrey grimaced. I climbed onto the roof to check for damage (there was none that I could detect). We did some more reading and decided that the George Washington Monument was more than the miniature Washington Monument of DC. So we returned there as we were heading to the southwest and into the North State (North Carolina). Well, there was more to it than the monument. There was a visitor center on the bay, an archaeological site, various buildings that depicted the Washington family as they resided there from the early 17th century to when the young George moved to Mount Vernon with his family. It was as are most of the unexpected finds of this trip, informative and fascinating. This was a hands on experience where photographs and handling of the implements was encouraged. At the Pilgrim's Museum, and at various locations of the Cody Wild West Museum, Monticello, and at the Lee Plantation interior photographs are not allowed. Unfortunate, for one of the more poignant story told at the Lee Plantation was the story originally written by one of Robert E. Lee's sisters. Where as the family was preparing to leave the house for the move to Arlington the young Robert ("Bob" to the family we were told) (who was age 4) couldn't be found. The family searched the grounds and the home only to find him sitting in a fireplace located in a bedroom. He told his family that he was simply saying "Goodbye to his angels". A metal section of the fireplace contained the images of two Angels (faces and wings). To me this story is simply a reminder that all men (and women) who fight in war are at one time nothing more than little boys (or girls). We must pray and work for peace in anyway we can. We spent so much time at the Washington Plantation that we had to re-think the day's itinerary. Not enough time to make it to Appomatox. Our visit to the Washington home included a visit to the family cemetery (burial grounds to them). George wasn't there but we did see the memorials of President Washington's parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and numerous siblings, aunts, uncles, etc. All in view of the Potomac. H & A earned their "eighth" Junior Ranger Badge of the trip. Most of the National Park sites have the Junior Ranger program where kids are given a workbook to complete from their experiences and observations at the particular site. Yesterday's workbook was on the life of George Washington as well as various 18th century household, farming, and political questions. It seems to me that the kids spend most of their time with their noses in the books and in essence lose out on the experience, but they insist on becoming the Junior Rangers and they love to take the oaths, with raised hands, and they wear their badges with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Con says that it is beneficial to their learning. I smile and nod my head in agreement. As we drove southwest from Westmoreland County we passed Fort A. P. Hill which is an active Army Base. Around Richmond and Petersburg the Battlefield sites were so numerous I had never heard of some of the battles. We continued driving. Southwest of Petersburg we left predominately hardwood forests for forests that were mostly made up of Eastern Pine. Then as we entered into North Carolina (I-85) the trees were again mostly hardwoods. The surprising aspect to me was the absence of farmland. We drove through mostly nothing but forests. Miles upon miles of forests. What open land there was was mostly used for grazing horses and cattle, occasionally sheep and even a few goats. In my mind I had imagined more farmland. Reality was again different than what I thought we would encounter. We are tonight treating ourselves to a night in a motel in Oxford, North Carolina. First night in a motel of the trip. Basically, I'm becoming a bit fatigued of the hook up the sewer, unhook the sewer routine. So, tonight I decided to give it a break and to allow the girls to bask in relative comfort, absent of the pervasive "wet dog" smell in LaFawnduh. Tomorrow instead of emptying the dreaded "black" tank, I'll simply get into ol' LaFawnduh, fire the ol' gal up and drive away. DUKE University is a few miles south of us. We'll pass the Campus en route to Cousin Jim's in Thomasville. Quote of the day, and not all will understand: Audrey saying, "For my birthday I want Pepperoni Rolls." September 26th, Friday: Rain from some tropical depression or system or whatever continues. There are breaks in the downpours and we have decided to make this a homework day. Four hours of Math and Science for each of the girls. Housekeeping, laundry and a hike to the Potomac in the woods took a few more hours. Then we drove to a monument commemorating the birthplace of George Washington (a mile and a half west of us). Then we drove to a 1,900 acre farm which is where Robert E. Lee was born (a mile and a half east of us). There were two Lee's to sign the Declaration of Independence, the only two brothers to do so. Stratford Plantation was a fascinating place where we learned of both 18th and 19th century traditions. The tour was individualized. Other than the four of us, there was a couple from England. So, social studies and history occupied the afternoon hours. Audrey purchased a bonnet (from her earned allowance) and is going to be Clara Barton on Halloween. So, if you see Clara Barton show up at your door step and yelling, "Trick or Treat" just pretend you don't know who she is. We think we will be spending Halloween somewhere around New Orleans. . . . We'll wait and see. Thus far: 5,144 miles on the Motorhome (LaFawnduh is strong and hasn't given us a lick of trouble, although we've let her down a time or two or three). 2.210 miles on the Jeep (surpassing my estimate) Con almost passed out from laughing just to give you an idea of the tenor of the trip. As I write this, Hannah is on a hike by herself (accompanied by Cocoa and keeping in touch with a walkie talkie). Audrey is reading. Connie is doing laundry. The pace of the trip is alright with me. September 25th, Thursday: We drove to Franconia Station and boarded the subway train for the Smithsonian stop in DC. The train was efficient, clean and stress free. A good choice for getting around in the DC area. Climbing out of the underground subway station you emerge onto the "Mall". Basically, the heart of the Nation's Capitol. Immediately we were made aware of where we were as a caravan of six black Suburbans with their lights on and being escorted by DC Police whizzed by. Helicopters from Marine Squadron One (Presidential Service based at Quantico) went to and fro from the White House throughout the day. We were in DC. Audrey reminded us, "Hey guys, this isn't Port Angeles anymore." The day contained all of the typical DC touristy things. The Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Monument, WWII Memorial, Korean Memorial, the Holocaust Museum. With the advantage that we were prepared for a change in the weather. Around One-ish heavy rains came to the area. With umbrellas in hand, ponchos or parkas on, we soon found that we were the only ones at the Jefferson Monument, the pond, and the FDR Monument. The rains were more akin to November rains in Seattle. Rains that made driving home (back to LaFawnduh) a bit of a challenge. Especially as the Sirius GPS in Kip kept rerouting us due to "traffic updates". The rains in DC as in Seattle bring traffic accidents and miles long backups on the Interstates. Such is living in our complex society. I recalled the words of the blacksmith at Jackson's Mill in WV, "We sure have a lot of stuff that we don't really need." The highlight of the day were the people. Fellow travelers who were trying to figure out the ticket system as we did and were courteous and kind. A very helpful subway worker. The solemn attitudes of tourists at the Lincoln Memorial. The retired park service worker who was also camping at our campground who was eager to share information and advice about the area. It's a complex world fraught with difficulty and challenges but folks are generally "good" if you give them a chance. September 24th, Wednesday: We had high aspirations for the day. In one sense they were surpassed and in another they weren't realized. We had expected to do this and that and some other things. But, our first stop turned out to be our only stop of the day. Not because of anything other than our expectations were far surpassed and we needed to spend more time there. We spent the entire day at the National Marine Corps Museum in Quantico. This incredibly beautiful building was opened on 10 November 2006. It is my first time to visit as well as everyone else in the family. The museum covers the entire history of the Corps starting with 10 November 1775, the Birthday of the Corps, and a day that is celebrated throughout the nation. Audrey, Connie, Hannah and I had a great time. Audrey was the hardest one to move on as she did everything she could to read every word of the displays, see every article, picture, painting, sculpture, exhibit. Throughout the day we had to remind her, "Come on Audrey we need to move on." I believe that throughout our lives we measure events, friends, experiences, jobs, etc. against a "standard measure". I believe that this individual measure is established in our early adulthood as we break away from home and childhood. For some it is a college fraternity, or in an adventurous job such as in wildland firefighting in the USFS, or a vacation to Europe with a close friend. Whatever the measure, it is our individual measure and we measure subsequent jobs and experiences against it. My measure was established in Quantico, Virginia and my Marine Corps experience. The bonds forged by the hardships and overcoming the obstacles of the training have been lifelong and enduring. All of my subsequent experiences haven't been as difficult or as challenging or as rewarding as the experiences that I had at Quantico or throughout my relatively short Marine Corps experience. That training began 32 years ago and I am dumbounded by that thought. I am also amazed at all of the doors that were opened by this experience. "A" led to "B" led to "C" led to "D" etc. The "A" for me was football which gave me self confidence to do other things. "B" was going to college and was a direct result of "A". "C" was Officers Candidate School at Quantico. D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L are all a result of "C". The "C"orps changed my life. And ultimately affected the lives of Connie, Hannah, and Audrey. Ultimately, this trip is even a result of "C". My yardstick. Hannah and Audrey are in this trip, establishing a yardstick by which to measure future experiences. I hope they surpass this and have wonderful experiences in the future. It is a wonderful museum, it is located off base so anyone can go and get this, it is free. I've been falling way behind with the pictures. Got to go import them from the camera and edit one or two (Hopefully). Right now the campfire has burned down and it is time to roast some hot dogs, here on the banks of the Potomac at Westmoreland State Park (Virginia). September 23rd, Tuesday It has happened again. Expectations being surpassed by reality. As a child we had all read and seen pictures of Monticello. Thomas Jefferson's home in western Virginia. Folks it is true, pictures don't do it justice. An amazing home that would in many ways be "modern" or even "advanced" by today's standards, but for it's day it was breathtaking. Designed and built by the great man and influenced by his travels to Europe (Paris and Italy). Then there was the property with sweeping views of the countryside and mountains and of his last project, the University of Virginia campus, which he designed after his presidency and during his "retirement". From Monticello we headed northeast along Virginia's backroads. Two lane highways through the most picturesque farmland. All immaculately cared for and with fence line after fence line with fresh white paint. Few crops in the fields as most of the land was pasture for the horses and occasional sheep and cattle. The afternoon was spent at the Wilderness of Spotsylvania battlefield where NPS Rangers were more than happy to share the story, history, and maps of the engagement. I told them of my 2-Great Grandfather Lora Johnson being wounded here (he was serving in the 143rd Pennsylvania) and of my Great Uncle David Little's service in the 22nd North Carolina. As it turned out, on the day of Grandfather Lora's wounding his unit shared the field with the 22nd NC. Not directly across from one another as the 143rd was from the 2nd NC Battalion at Gettysburg (when David's father Green was killed), but had they known each other then, they would have known the others unit was nearby (by the regimental colors and knowing what Division was facing them). Later, David Little would be at his brother's home, my Great Grandfather Robert when Lora Johnson married Robert and David's sister Lucy. . . . The Civil War brought all of them together along the Illinois/Indiana border. Lora after he more or less went AWOL after being wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness, David, as he went to his Uncle's home in Parke County, Indiana after he had been released from a Prisoner of War Camp in Indianapolis (David had been taken prisoner 12 days before Appomatox). The Uncle in Parke County was Green's brother who had left NC in 1855. He was a Quaker probably with strong anti-slavery views and at his church in Parke County (meeting house, not church) the congregation was active in the underground railroad. Robert and Lucy and other siblings and their mother Jemima (Davidson) as they left for the Midwest following the war's end. Probably at David's urging. From the Wilderness Battlefield (fought in May 1864) we went the short distance to the Chancellorsville battlefield (May 1863) and found the locations of David's, and his father Green's units. We also went to the spot of the fatal wounding of General Stonewall Jackson. We drove on the road that the armies had marched and of which our Port Angeles friend, Michelle H., rode daily as a child going to school. I have read about American History before but it has never been so real to me as actually walking the land with Connie, Audrey and Hannah. This trip is wonderful, it was five years in the planning and I highly recommend to all of you to set as a goal, a similar trip with your family. It is rewarding beyond imagination. No "thing" has ever been as rewarding to me as this "experience". September 22nd, Monday Highway 60 eventually became Interstate 64 and we left West Virginia for Old Virginia. Folks, it is so pretty I can't find words to describe it. Forested mountains as in West Virginia continue and as we move east they are intertwined with the most beautiful rangeland farms. I understand why Stonewall Jackson wanted to fight for his home, this place is worth fighting for. Speaking of Stonewall, we went through Lexington and the Virginia Military Academy where the General was teaching as the Civil War began. Beautiful. Tonight we are a few miles south of Staunton and are moving eastward towards Westmoreland State Park southeast of DC. We stopped by the visitor/rest area as we entered the state and learned of a few places to see on the way. We could spend a month here, easily. We need more time. We do appreciate the time we have.