Not necessarily related but seen here from the side of the Lincoln Memorial are the Washington Monument and the dome of the Capitol.
Family Farms - part of the National Park Service /
This area of Whidbey Island in Washington is set aside because of the unique nature of the farmland. Most of these are family farms that have been in operation for over 150 years. Ebey’s Landing
National Historical Reserve description from nps.gov "This rural historic district preserves and protects an unbroken historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement from the 1800s to the present. Historic farms, still under cultivation on the prairies of Whidbey Island, reveal landuse patterns unchanged since settlers claimed the land in the 1850’s under the Donation Land Claim Act." And it is beautiful. That is Olympic National Park in the distance over the heavy fog and a peek at the snow covered slope of Mt Olympus.
One Hundred Fifty: Celebrate /
I discovered that I missed one of the sites we not only visited but took a couple of photos when we were in Washington. It is Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and I have a better photo today in the National Park blog. You can read a bit more about the site on that blog. But happy to announce 150 National Park Service sites visited and we ought to see a few more in the next couple of weeks.
Sunset at Seal Harbor /
"Yours, O lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things." 1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT
Thanks /
Katherine is a ranger at the Arlington House located on the grounds of Arlington Cemetery. We were there on a busy Sunday and it was her last tour of the day. She was outstanding. Katherine is another example of how your experience at a National Park Service site can be enriched by an energetic, knowledgeable and enthusiastic (and funny) guide. She went well beyond what was expected and provided a memorable tour that enabled us to see much more than anticipated. The folks who staff the Park Service work with too few resources, too many people and work, often for years, with only the promise of another season. And most of them are, like Katherine, stellar. Thanks for the great time at Arlington House.
North Cascades National Park /
This alpine valley was reached after a 3 hour hike, mostly up! But well worth the effort. This pass was used for generations by tribal peoples in the area to transverse these impressive mountains in the north of Washington state.
So I visited this Secret Castle in London... /
...and was greeted by this fellow.
Actually, I don't even know the story that encompasses the Harry Potter books, just enough to know there were owls.
This one was not quite so magical and could be seen performing at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.
San Antonio Mission /
This is another of the San Antonio Missions. This one has a beautiful, narrow aspect to the worship area. There are only three small windows in the building. The decor is ornate and well-preserved.
Irish at the Grand Canyon /
We met these three men while waiting for the sun to go down along the Grand Canyon. They were from Ireland and on a tour, two brothers and their dad. They were enthralled and we had a wonderful time chatting and exchanging information while we spent the last hour of daylight. The "boys" had just bought cameras for the trip and did not have any idea how to use them because they left the books in Ireland to save space. Oops. I have since corresponded (a rather fancy name for email, i think) with them a couple of times. They are hoping to do another US tour but this time the Northwest. Love to run into them again. And if we get to Ireland...
Bryce Canyon National Park /
This is an unworldly place. The colors, shapes and changing landscape as the sun rises and falls are hard to explain. It is a disappointing place if you just peer into the canyon from the top or, really bad, from a viewing point having been disgorged by a tour bus. But walk down, and you do go down, amongst the columns and tunnels and staggering rock columns and you will be amazed.
Historic Faith /
One of my favorite views in Colonial Williamsburg is of Bruton Parish Church from the colonial gardens. This has been an active parish since 1715 and people like Geo. Washington, P. Henry and T Jefferson have worshipped in these pews. But any church you visit on Sunday is historic in as far as the faith aspect goes, even if it opened up in a movie theatre or elementary school today because it is based on historic reality not philosophy or mystery or esoteric visions.
"We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life" 1 John 1:1 NLT
Tippecanoe: More Than a Slogan /
Of course, most folks don't know it was a presidential campaign slogan for William Henry Harrison who was the Governor or the Indiana Territory and whose forces defeated Shawnee leader Tecumseh in the battle of Tippecanoe on November 7, 1811. While it was not because of any great leadership by Harrison the threat from Tecumseh never regained strength after this battle and WHH was able to use the slogan, Tippecanoe and Tyler Too, into a winning theme for the presidency in the 1840 election.
Today this is a very quiet and out-of-the-way spot in Indiana. At present it is a National Historic Landmark and does not rise to the list of 413 NPS sites so we will just leave it here in the more eclectic portion of the web site. There are more than 2500 NHL so that list will be another lifetime of shooting. Although, maybe...
Entrance Gate to the battlefield
Monument
Shiloh National Cemetery /
This brick walk leads from the Pittsburg Landing to the bluff over the river where scores of soldiers are buried. All of the National Cemeteries evoke deep feelings and appreciation of loss and sacrifice.
Fall Training /
We are headed into the heart of ice cream country in New England. MA, CT, RI, and NH rank in the top ten states in per capita ice cream consumption with Maine and Vermont just outside of the rankings. So with plans to try several unique ice cream shops training is critical. How do you train? Well, you cut down to one scoop per day for the two weeks before you leave. Sacrifice.
Cones in NYC is one of my favorite but the number of shops is climbing across the country so they might be surpassed and it is my job to find out.
Chicago Skyline /
Early evening from the Navy Pier.
Lunch Spot /
Traveling across the high desert of Arizona in the 1960's one of your destinations would likely be this spot, the Painted Desert Inn or more familiar, a Harvey House. It is now a part of the National Park that includes the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. The Inn was built over three years from 1937 to 1940 and operated here for almost thirty years. The inn now serves as the visitor center and museum for the park but a portion of the restaurant is restored. Here is a bit more on the Harvey House chain.
"Fred Harvey civilized the west with his '3000 Miles of Hospitality' that consisted of an extensive chain of Hotels, Shops, and Restaurants along the Santa Fe Railway, staffed by a professional, customer service army which included the famous Harvey Girls." You can read lots more here http://harvey-house.info and here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Harvey_Company and here http://www.harveyhouses.net
Celebrate /
Labor Day is not likely anyones favorite holiday. Just the lack of presents or fire works or fabulous meals relegates it to a second tier status, although it does mean real football is near. To most it reminds one of the end of summer, start of school and end of vacations. While historically Labor Day has many aspects it does honor the contributions that workers make to the strength and prosperity of the nation. Once, perhaps, even more than today but hard work is still a hallmark of many in the United States. Enjoy the day, I, for one, am working!
Ready /
It is still hot The day I took this photo it was 99 degrees in Washington, NC. And this is a Laughing Gull all dressed for winter. It responds to the seasons by a yet uncertain mechanism but is ingrained for survival. We seem to wake up one day and wonder how we got in the mess we find ourselves as if we had nothing to do with the issues. God's wisdom is perfect and the admonitions about preparation and planning are clear across the scriptures.
"As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.” Genesis 8:22 NLT
And Now There Are 413 /
A new National Park Service site came on line the end of August. It is Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument located in central Maine. It consists of four separate tracts two abut the Baxter Park, one is on the south east side and the fourth, the largest unit is more northeast of Baxter. The land was donated to the park service. The photo is of a moose swimming across a large lake very late on a rainy day in September. It was taken just outside the boundary of Baxter State Park in 2013. It "might" even be within the new park but it is certainly very close and will have to do until? There are a lot of articles on the park and several include vocal opposition to it from local residents. Here is just one link: http://downeast.com/new-maine-national-monument/
Glamour /
The life of an artist is one glamorous gallery opening after another. Or...
