The Adventures & Travels of RoadAbode

Great Dinner, Great Company at Brauhaus on South

2012-01-28T07:32:00.001-05:00

Looking Up South Street

Went to South St in Philly to eat for a "guys nite out" at Brauhaus Schmidt's, located between 7th & 8th. Got parking right out front, though didn't know it at first. So we heightened our appetites with a stroll down & back South before heading in. Place definitely rocks with a younger crowd, but with an olde world charm about it. Our young, blond, hazel eyed rubenesque waitress dressed in a traditional drndl was quick, courteous and efficient. How do I know the color of her eyes, you may ask? Because of the "body molding" effect of her barmaid drndl, and the way she leaned in to show us the menu or clear the table, I felt inappropriate looking anywhere else. But back to our meal.
A German Brauhaus is basically about two things - beer and meat. This place delivers that and more. We started with a selection of cheeses (and beer) with and interesting array of asides to heighten their flavor. Traditional German breads as well. Pink kraut, a sour cherry compote, hot mustard and honeyed almonds were included. Besides traditional camembert and gouda, I even sampled some limburger! For our main Meal, Frank had a "Schinken - meat platter" (usually an appetizer) and Kev and I split a "Schlachtplatte - butcher's plate" with a mix of traditional sausage, cured meats, and kraut. No-one went hungry! After enjoying our meats, we couldn't resist some desserts - Strudel, Black forest cake, and Hazelnut tort - along with coffee and conversation. Afterward, we enjoyed walked down to Front street and the overlook for Penn's Landing.
Great Night out!

Last RoadTrip

2011-11-26T10:03:00.001-05:00

last roadtrip of the year. Top off the fueltank, put on the tire covers, and close RoadAbode up for the season. see you next year, olde friend.

2011-11-12T12:02:00.001-05:00

That time of year again, winterizing for the end of season in Lancaster.

2011-10-15T12:11:00.001-05:00

Now available at the Goods Store @ Shady Maple

settled in @ Spring Gulch

2011-10-15T09:57:00.001-05:00

settled in @ Spring Gulch

Fish for Breakfast?

2011-10-15T07:34:00.001-05:00

No - fish-bread! Thanks Pepperidge Farms!

A new era in RoadAbode camping

2011-10-14T19:02:00.001-05:00

Today is the first time Wifey and I have camped without the girls. Just the Missus and me!
The girls have their own things going on, & we are nestled in at Spring Gulch in Lancaster. Not in my favorite spot at this campground, but still good to be out.

A little drizzle

2011-09-17T12:25:00.000-05:00

A little drizzle has started, squelching our idea of an afternoon canoe trip. Instead, we are all just vegging out, either wagging some tv, or reading. For me, Kathy Reichs "Death Du Jour" is holding my Interest. The main character, Temperance Brennan, is whom the tv show "Bones" is based upon.

Left from Hurricane Irene

2011-09-17T11:28:00.001-05:00

September Trip

2011-09-16T20:15:00.001-05:00

Drove to the KOA in West Chester after work. Traffic was suprisingly light. Even though night had fallen by the time we pulled in, we are level and setup was easy on a dry, clear night. Pizza and some cable tv tonight.

Winner @ the DogPound!

2011-08-08T17:43:00.001-05:00

Winner @ the DogPound!

View of Lake Glory from our campsite.

2011-08-08T16:21:00.001-05:00

View of Lake Glory from our campsite.

make your own slushie :-)

2011-08-08T15:06:00.001-05:00

make your own slushie :-)

The North Pole - made of ice

2011-08-08T13:49:00.001-05:00

The looper aka "hampster wheel"

2011-08-08T13:35:00.001-05:00

The looper aka "hampster wheel"

Another great concert with Rick K

2011-08-08T13:09:00.001-05:00

Another great concert with Rick K & the All-nighters

2011-08-08T11:16:00.001-05:00

Alligator bites are yum!

Merry Mixer in Action

2011-08-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

2011-08-08T10:25:00.001-05:00

Riding the merry mixer

More info on Centralia

2011-08-07T19:50:00.001-05:00

Visiting Centralia PA - Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Centralia

RoadTrip to Centralia

2011-08-07T13:20:00.004-05:00

While the girls enjoyed Knoebels, I took a little roadtrip to the moonscape of Centralia. This small coal mining town's demise started in May 1962, when the story is the dump next to the cemetery caught fire, smoldered, and the fire contacted a coal vein and traveled underground. Every attempt to suppress the blaze failed, and the flames had consumed an underground area hundreds of acres in size - including right under the town.The fire caused fissures in a section of Highway 61 that runs right through Centralia. Smoke, fumes, toxic gases, and in some cases flames, rose up through the ground. The fire has literally consumed Centralia. Residents moved or were force to move because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and cave-ins.
Now this ghost town holds only a few residents, and hardly any buildings. The streets are mostly overgrown, but their eerie city grid still remain. I drove up from one of the streets to a dirt road, which led to the dump where the fire started. I could see the fissures where steam or smoke escaped into the air, and the ground near them did feel warmer. Putting my hand by a fissure, I could feel the heat rising up and out. Quite a few other visitors were wandering - seeing for themselves the town that once was.
I'm glad I was able to see Centralia, but it was quite sad to think what these people needed to give up, and how quickly their lives had changed.

Knoebels - Crazy Awesome Drummer Dude!

2011-08-07T08:54:00.003-05:00

Saw "Crazy awesome drummer dude" Steve Moore of Rick K and the Allnighters last night @ Knoebels. They made a rainy day brighter!

Knoebels - Carousel Girls

2011-08-06T17:41:00.001-05:00

The RoadAbode Girls Enjoying Knoebels Grand Carousel, a 1912/1913 carousel. It is one of the few carousels remaining with a working ring dispenser, allowing riders on the outside row of horses to reach out and grab steel rings as they pass.

Knoebels - Raining. Hard.

2011-08-06T13:54:00.002-05:00

Raining. Hard. So the girls are playing "Clue" in the back bedroom.

Knoebels - On the paratrooper

2011-08-06T10:47:00.002-05:00

On the paratrooper

Knoebels - First ones on the Boatride today!

2011-08-06T10:04:00.002-05:00

First ones on the Boatride today! Plenty to ride and Discover at Knoebels!

Tilt-A-Whirl - First Ride This Year

2011-08-05T20:50:00.001-05:00

Slideshow of Our July 4th Holiday at French Creek State Park

2011-07-05T23:21:00.000-05:00

Canoeing on Hopewell Lake

2011-07-05T12:30:00.001-05:00

The Great Hunter of Chipmunks

2011-07-05T10:31:00.002-05:00

Still trying to decide whether Molly was being Driven Crazy by, or having Fun with, the chipmunks. At one point she had her head so far into a hole under a small tree - I thought she was going to get stuck!

In the end, neither canine nor rodent were harmed in the incidents.

Black-eyed Susan from Six Penny Lake

2011-07-05T08:30:00.001-05:00

Black-eyed Susan

2011-07-04T14:41:00.000-05:00

4th of July, and the campground is much more quiet than earlier today. Most of our neighbors have left. Relaxing reading "Walden Pond".

Streamside on July 4th

2011-07-04T13:29:00.001-05:00

Caught a baby crawdad!

2011-07-04T13:28:00.001-05:00

Girls on a streamside rock

2011-07-04T12:29:00.002-05:00

This was probably the favorite part of this RoadTrip for all of us. Ever since my hike "back in time" to Six Penny Lake area, in July of 2009, I've been wanting to get the girls back to this mini Shangri la. I knew they wouldn't enjoy the Hike in, and definitely not the Hike out - so I checked maps and found the old access road to what use to be the day use area. It has just enough parking for two or three cars where it meets the main road. Boulders lined up block entry any further. The girls didn't seem too enthused by the idea, but E was sold on the idea of catching some salamanders, which is what Frank use to do with me in this area when I was a boy. Once Amy had joined us, I talked up the idea as well, and we headed out for our unusual 4th of July Picnic with a few snack crackers, bottles of water and a neat sheet. Molly was along as well.
I guess, I'm not the best map reader - but how did I miss that the access road I wanted was off one main road - not the other? It's not like there are a lot of roads out here to choose from ! =p After a few turn-arounds, Amy got me to the right place. We walked in - with all the girls wary of the poison Ivy along the old macadam road - now just a walkway. We walked the gentle slope downward and came to the small concrete bridge - and suddenly you could feel the difference - the coolness - in the air. You could smell it too - as if there were somehow more oxygen in this place. We continued - now following the gentle babble of the water upstream.
We explored the dam just a bit - what use to be the lake was a mix of mucky and dry this visit - and then settled upon a rounded rock along the stream that we could all sit upon. E was right away walking in the water, with K right behind. I followed along, giving tips where and how to find some creatures to capture for a bit. Don't think Amy ever made it into the water. K eventually relaxed with Amy on our comfy rock, while E took point and I followed along downstream. Here's a list of what creatures we ere fortunate enough to be acquainted with:
A Salamander. Never "officially" caught the little guy, but found him in a feeder stream, but he wiggled out of my muck-covered fingers. E said she did see him before he vanished into the mud of the bank. Glad she did get that at least.
Three Crayfish - or Crawdads. E caught them all, in shallow still-water pools alongside the stream. We watched them for some time - and I was able to show how they swim backwards - something the girls didn't know before.
A Leopard Frog. E caught him as we clamored up by the dam, with some herding assistance from me. Muddy Mess I was! the Frog, however, was quite quick and lively and E got to give him some close up looks through her Clear "DQ" cup she used as trap, habitat, and observation area.
Minnows. Well, they look like minnows, but we have a tendency to call any fish smaller than our pinkie "a minnow". Never successfully caught one in our cup. They were Quick!
Was nice to share the experience of "hunting our prey" with E. Hope she enjoyed just as much.
We enjoyed a small snack and water, and just relaxed and chatted stream-side. I was surprised no other hiker ever ventured past.
What was Molly doing during this adventure? She's not really a wading dog, so she mostly sat near Amy, with perhaps a foray stream-side to see what the girls were up to. She did find a stick or two to pass the time. I think she enjoyed this relaxing spot as well.
We finally decided to head back after a few relaxing hours enjoying the stream together. This was not one of our most active 4th of July's - But one of the most memorable ones.

Pictures from our beaver walk

2011-07-03T14:23:00.001-05:00

A Book to Read

2011-07-03T08:12:00.001-05:00

For our past few roadtrips, I've been reading through "Walking Across America" by Peter Jenkins. A definite good read for someone who wants a flavor of this great country. Quite a few surprises along the journey too!

Hotdog time!

2011-07-02T17:07:00.007-05:00

Yep, Just a Simple Meal over the fire.

Sometimes simple is just better.

2011-07-02T17:07:00.006-05:00

No pool, but a nice glide on Hopewell lake in a rowboat
(Edit 07-16-11) Between Being Busy @ Work, and Falling asleep WAY too early when I get home, have had no time to update the memories from this trip. While on the lake, there were many other boaters enjoying the great weather. Not overcrowded, but more than I had see - but it was a holiday weekend. While paddling along, we heard an "Ahoy Matey" coming from a paddle-boat in the middle of the lake, with someone waving crazily at us. I think it was K who said - I think that's Uncle Frank! Looking Closer - it was! We paddled over to him and met his girlfriend and her two boys. What a Surprise! We invited them over to RoadAbode for hot-dogs or s'mores, but they declined. Made the day that much more joyful and relaxing for me. Wish I would have taken a picture, but I'm lucky I got what shots I did with my new phone.

2011-07-02T10:35:00.001-05:00

Keeping the noseeums at bay with punks smoke while we relax and read at the picnic table @ French Creek. Girls are thinking of going for a swim.

Settled in @ French Creek State Park

2011-07-01T18:32:00.002-05:00

Settled in @ French Creek State Park for the Holiday
(Edit 07-16-11) Got to say, this was one of the Best 4th of July weekends we've every experienced. Not that we didn't miss the parade, activities, and fun at RPC, but it was relaxing and different. The girls and I headed up in RoadAbode and Setup Camp Friday, A headed up after work two days later. Both girls helped out great, and we pretty quickly got into a relax mode - just reading and snacking, and making plans for what to do when "mom gets here". We each were doing our own things at points, but doing them together.
K is starting College in the fall, E is prepping herself to go to High School next year, so the dynamics of our RoadTrips in RoadAbode are going to be changing.
As usual, we'll see what God places before us on this journey.

2011-07-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

Profound thought of the day;
"The best journeys are those that answer questions you didn't even have when you started"
From "180 Degrees South"

SlideShow of June 2011 RoadTrip

2011-06-27T23:37:00.003-05:00

2011-06-25T14:51:00.001-05:00

Watkins Glen walk

2011-06-25T11:13:00.001-05:00

Glassblowing

2011-06-24T16:35:00.001-05:00

At the Glass Market

2011-06-24T15:54:00.001-05:00

Glassblowing @ Corning

2011-06-24T15:06:00.000-05:00

Corning Museum of Glass

Now in Watkins Glen State Park

2011-06-24T13:36:00.003-05:00

Now in Watkins Glen State Park in New York
Drove down Route 14 past many wineries along the Shore of Seneca Lake. Nice easy two lane highway, with little traffic. Got to the Campground an hour before check-in, but that seemed OK to the Reservation station - who was happy that I had done my pre-confirmation steps on-line. Guess it made her job easier.
Our campsite is one of the most spacious we've had, and we are nestled in between the playground and a service road to a water tower. Shower-house is an easy short walk, and if we need more water for the fresh water tank, a hose bib is right next to us. under some beautiful white pine, we'll enjoy a nice campfire tonight.

Niagara-on-the-Lake and a Winery Tour & Tastling

2011-06-23T21:40:00.111-05:00

Today We Took a ride - with Molly in tow - to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a quaint Village of Shops and History located where the Niagara River and Lake Ontario meet.The town has many national historic sites including Fort George Used in the War of 1812. The girls enjoyed window shopping while Amy and I took turns with Molly. The town was a little more pricey than expected, so our stay was only a few hours.

On the way back to the RoadAbode, we made a stop to a famous winery. Inniskillin Winery is the Winery back in the early 1990's that brought attention to the wines of the Niagara Region. They are most famous for Icewine, which originated in the German/Austrian regions of Europe. I had heard that their Icewine Reisling was especially excellent as a dessert wine, so wanted to find out for ourselves. We signed up for a tour, and joined a group of about twenty people. We were given an introducton to Wine making, and especially IceWine production - by Don, a very kind and knowledgeable winemaker from the Staff of Inniskillin. He explained how Karl Kaiser, an Austrian-born chemist, and Donald Ziraldo, a young Italian Canadian agriculture graduate, met and partnered. While tasting Ontario Wines in the early 70’s, they realized that they could improve upon winemaking in the Niagara Region. They seized the opportunity and set out to break new ground to produce premium wines from premium grapes grown in the Niagara Peninsula. Both Karl Kaiser and Donald Ziraldo believed their future in the wine business was dependent on using the Vitis vinifera grapes, the preferred family of grapes used to produce the fine wines in the great wine regions of the world. When sourcing these limited grapes became a challenge in the early 70’s, Ziraldo took the lead and planted a vinifera vineyard which included Riesling, Chardonnay and Gamay and formed the quality base for Kaiser to work with. In 1984, Kaiser made the most of the extreme Canadian winter to produce his first Icewine — a pivotal point for Inniskillin.
The ice wine harvest, usually occurs Between Christmas and New Year - and in extreme cases can occur after the New Year. This gives ice wine its characteristic refreshing sweetness balanced by high acidity. Due to the labor-intense and risky production process (manual picking of the frozen fruit - usually starting at 1am in the morning) resulting in relatively small amounts of wine, ice wines are generally quite expensive.The grapes used for ice-wine usually only yield about five percent of normal for the fruit.
Canada and Germany are the world's largest producers of ice wines. About 75 percent of the ice wine in Canada comes from Ontario. Inniskillin and it's owners were the pioneers of the industry.

We toured through the press area, the wine storage cellars, and the vineyards themselves during the education given by Don on the process. Then came the fun part - Tasting! Don taught us how to look, smell and taste a wine to get a sense of it's quality. He gave us instructions on three wines to try - a Pinot Gris - White, a Pinot
Noir - Red, and what I was waiting for - Riesling Icewine. Even though we are not wine drinkers, Amy and I both appreciated the three wines and their distinctive traits. We both agreed the Icewine was our favorite - It truly could replace dessert after dinner, with it's honey color and almost syrupy-smooth texture. very tasty!

June 2006 vs June 2011

2011-06-23T09:25:00.003-05:00

Took a picture and pasted in one from our June 2006 Trip to Niagara. How things Change!

Dinner atop the Skylon Tower

2011-06-22T16:17:00.002-05:00

Dinner @ Skylon Tower
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner atop the Skylon tower, overlooking Niagara Falls. What makes this a splendid place to dine in Niagara Falls is not just the meal, but also the changing view as you dine. The dining room rotates once an hour. The Tower, which is 520 feet tall cost $7 million dollars to build in 1964. After dinner we went to the observation level above to take in more of the splendid views.

2011-06-22T12:44:00.001-05:00

In front of Frankie's Burger King

Ripley's Believe it or Not

2011-06-22T12:10:00.002-05:00

Ripley's Believe it or Not
Above is K rubbing Buddha's head (suppose to be his belly) at the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum at Clifton Hills. Saw plenty of unique artifacts there!

2011-06-21T19:19:00.001-05:00

Canada!

Tuesday, Travel Day

2011-06-21T15:54:00.004-05:00

If it's Tuesday, We must be in Canada - or at least heading there =p. Just pulled into Lundy's Lane KOA in Niagara, Ontario, CA. Quiet, indoor and outdoor pools, nice patio campsite - and the wifi is good too. Time for a shower, then maybe head down to Clifton Hill to take in the sights and get a bite to eat.

Lake George Reflections

2011-06-20T14:02:00.001-05:00

2011-06-20T13:54:00.001-05:00

William Booth's (founder of Salvation Army) house on Lake George

2011-06-20T11:07:00.001-05:00

On the lake

2011-06-20T10:09:00.001-05:00

Getting on the Minne Ha Ha for a lake cruise.

2011-06-20T06:52:00.001-05:00

Nice when a campground is mostly empty.

2011-06-19T13:31:00.001-05:00

Walking around Lake George Village, girls window shopping

2011-06-19T12:32:00.001-05:00

Jailed!

2011-06-19T12:17:00.001-05:00

Lake George Visitors Center

2011-06-19T11:26:00.001-05:00

2011-06-19T11:23:00.001-05:00

Walking the streets of Lake George Village

2011-06-18T19:36:00.001-05:00

A campfire @ Lake George

New Sofa going in

2011-06-17T15:07:00.001-05:00

In process wow!

Gone! The jack-knife sofa is out for re-

2011-06-12T15:17:00.000-05:00

Gone!
The jack-knife sofa is out for re-uphostery. Hopefully back by our next trip.

May 2011 Trip SlideShow

2011-05-25T12:32:00.000-05:00

Homeward bound

2011-05-23T13:27:00.002-05:00

Homeward bound
After window shopping a bit at Mystic Village, we headed to the local Five Guys for a late lunch. Even though it was not the "local fare" we had been seeking throughout this trip, Kev had never had one of their burgers, and I new it would be a great treat. As we were enjoying our burgers, it began to lightly drizzle, and by the time we headed to RoadAbode, it was a steady rain. On the road heading south on Route 95, the heavens opened up and poured down. The rains slowed us down, and instead of hitting the Tappan Zee Bridge before the commuter rush, we ended up on the Bridge as the crush started. Still, we did seem to keeping moving, just slower than expected. With the heavy traffic and wet roads, we finally made it to RoadAbodes Home - two hours longer than expected.

@ da submarine museum

2011-05-23T09:04:00.002-05:00

@ da submarine museum

The Sub Captain

Last Day in the Mystic Area, We decided to Go over to the Sub Base and Museum in Groton.
Everytime I go I enjoy this museum on the history of the Submarine in the United States - Dating to Colonial Times.

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough

2011-05-22T17:57:00.002-05:00

Stonington Light

2011-05-22T12:53:00.002-05:00

Stonington Light
Enjoyed the blue skies and breeze surrounding Stonington Light. We didn't enter the museum - the $9 per person for the small space was just a bit much for us. Was great to walk around the small village though.

Stonington point

2011-05-22T12:49:00.001-05:00

Stonington point

Site of Thoreau's House

2011-05-21T11:58:00.001-05:00

Site of Thoreau's House

Thoreau's cabin Here - in spirit

2011-05-21T11:35:00.002-05:00

Here - in spirit

Robbins/Hutchinson House

2011-05-21T09:22:00.002-05:00

Hutchinson House

Fife + drum

2011-05-21T09:07:00.001-05:00

Fife + drum

Moving a historic house

2011-05-21T09:05:00.001-05:00

Moving a historic house

Temporary Mobile Home - Robbins House on the Move

2011-05-21T09:04:00.002-05:00

Moving a historic house

2011-05-21T09:02:00.001-05:00

Moving a historic house

Our fireplace

2011-05-21T07:49:00.001-05:00

Our fireplace

A little explore of Concord

2011-05-20T22:56:00.002-05:00

Our stay for the first part of our trip is @ Minuteman Campground in Littleton MA. This is a great family run Campground that really is both Technically Savvy, and "Homespun" at the same time. I was able to make reservations online easily, and when Maureen (who I conferred with via email) met us in the store - quickly and without hesitation credited us for the my brother's portion of the overnight. She right away also asked for and applied my "Good Sam" credit - I would have forgotten about both those items.They have a great, stocked store, and other employees were just as helpful. Their recommendations for eateries in the area were spot on for our appetites as well. Great Place to camp in the Concord/Boston/ area.
Once Settled in at Minuteman Campground, we went and visited The Visitors Center for Minuteman National Park, and also "The Olde Manse" which is the home built by Rev. William Emerson, and later lived in by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott. The homestead is located Right by the North Bridge - where the "shot heard round the world" was fired, and the revolutionary war began.

Learned from a colonial dressed woman how a musket was readied, loaded and fired. Quite Loud!

Saturday,, heading back to see historical demonstrations, military drill, musket firing, field music, and more. Then heading to be more contemplative @ Walden Pond.

Lighting da fire like a BOSS

2011-05-20T18:34:00.001-05:00

Lighting da fire like a BOSS

Minuteman

2011-05-20T15:46:00.002-05:00

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood,

And fired the shot heard round the world."

~ Emerson
Minute Man National Park in Concord

North Bridge - 'shot heard round the wor

2011-05-20T15:16:00.001-05:00

North Bridge - 'shot heard round the world'

In Concord, MA

2011-05-20T14:37:00.001-05:00

In Concord, MA

Medival Times

2011-04-19T18:28:00.001-05:00

Medival Times
On Tuesday Night we surprised the girls with a Trip to "Medieval Times" a Dinner Theater with audience participation located about 40 minutes from Cherry Hill Park. Our "roles" were as lords and ladies of the kingdom, taking part in festivities at an 11th century castle - guests of the King Phillipe of Leone, and his daughter Princess Leonore. As we enjoyed our feast of a half chicken, we were entertained by a falconer, dancing horses, and finally, a match of six knights. Ours was the Green Knight, Don Temple. Turns out he was the bad guy.
For a great show, and a surprisingly great meal, check out Medieval Times - They have "castles" across the US
Some Pictures: from the Evening

Dancing Horse

Entrance of Medieval Times

Our Ladies Ready for the Show

Amelia Earhart's Vega

2011-04-19T10:17:00.003-05:00

K with Amelia Earhart's Vega
We didn't expect to go into the Air and Space Museum, but the Arts and Industries Building next to the "Castle" was closed for renovations. Arts and Industries is one of my favorites, so I was a little disappointed. Still the Air and Space is interesting, and they had a hall I had not seen before dedicated to the Wright Brothers. Also, seeing the exhibit on Amelia Earhart inspired K to buy the flier's biography - the first in her personal library.

Display @ the Castle

2011-04-19T09:37:00.001-05:00

Display @ the Castle

Da Metro

2011-04-18T16:07:00.003-05:00

Da Metro
The best way to get around DC is the Metrorail. Clean, quick, and running every few minutes, the Metro made it easy to get from College Park, where Cherry Hill Campground is located, to any of the sights in DC. Since granny was along, we did use RoadToad to hit the Women's War Memorial and the National Zoo, just to save her some steps we used her handi-cap placard to get closer parking. Below is the Map we would use the Green line from College Park, then transfer to (mostly) the Orange or blue line.

DC Metrorail Map

Julia Childs Kitchen

2011-04-18T15:11:00.001-05:00

Julia Childs Kitchen

Hey, where's Perry?

2011-04-18T14:14:00.003-05:00

Hey, where's Perry?

Natural History Museum

2011-04-18T13:47:00.001-05:00

Natural History Museum

Federal Triangle

2011-04-18T13:27:00.001-05:00

Federal Triangle

Library of Congress

2011-04-18T09:50:00.001-05:00

Library of Congress

New Day, Bright Skies

2011-04-17T21:22:00.000-05:00

A New Day and Bright Skies. Molly and I found a great trail that takes us around the perimeter of the campground. As Molly and I made the rounds, Am started making our breakfast of walnut pancakes and fresh fruit salad. Since the weather was expected to be beautiful all day, we planned on travelling to Arlington Cemetery to see The Women In Military Service Memorial, and the National Zoo.

By the Women in Military Service Memorial

At the National Zoo

Panda Feeding on Bamboo

White House - and the Skies Open Up

2011-04-16T19:23:00.003-05:00

What a Wet Day!
Today started at 5am for our family. Back in November, through Congressman Chaka Fattah office, we requested to tour the Whitehouse during our time in DC. Just a few weeks ago our request was approved. So we needed to be @ the check in point by 8:45am for our 9am tour today. We pre-bought our metro tickets last night, and Amy and I did a dry run to the parking at the College Park station. We didn't want to miss our train. After a good walk around the campground for Molly, we got everyone breakfast and together and out by 7:15am. A 10 minute car ride later, we were at the College Park Metro Station. We were concerned for Granny's ability to do the steps in and out of the stations, and to walk the distance to the Whitehouse. As it was, we all did fine. As we waited for our turn to get checked in, a slight drizzle started. We were able to get in the Whitehouse before the skies opened up. Each of us (even the girls) were verified with picture ID, and verified our information, more than once. It seemed our check-in process took longer than our self-guided tour.
I'm thankful we were able to see the inside of our wonderful Presidential Mansion, but after all the waiting, it seemed almost anti-climatic. I must admit though, the amount of history in the place, knowing what has occurred within it's walls, and who had spent time in the rooms we toured, gave a feeling of being in hallowed halls.
When we exited, rain was pouring down, so we donned our rain gear as we headed out. We ducked into a Souvenir shop for a bit - girls bought a few trinkets. With the rain, wind, and granny not up for too much walking, we took a break under cover of the Ronald Reagan Building . The Metro Station is right there so we decided to come back to the Campground and relax for the rest of the day. Glad we did - as the rains and winds really rocked us all day, and I heard from other campers that they had to do detours from flooding and fallen debris coming up from Annapolis.
Got some reading in, watched the rain, and tracked it on TV. Enjoyed some time in Cherry hill's cafe & lounge as well. And a Rainy Day is not complete without a little nap to the sound of rain on the roof. Not a productive day, but still a good one.

Waiting at L Enfant Plaza for the Metro to RoadAbode

Washington DC RoadTrip

2011-04-15T21:36:00.000-05:00

After finishing a few last minute items at work, (remote work) packed up the car and headed down toward Cherry Hill Campground in College Park., MD. On the way, was able to help troubleshoot a log-on issue at work. Just glad it got fixed for them. First time using EZ-Pass, made the trip a bit quicker - til we hit the traffic close to DC. Left RoadAbode's Storage around 1pm, and pulled into our Spot @ Cherry Hill about 4:30pm.

Cherry Hill already has their pools open - which was a surprise. Em may get enough gumption to take a swim - too cool for me though. Had our usual Friday Night Pizza - and enjoyed some curly fries and Onion rings as appetizers from the Cafe here. Everything here at Cherry Hill is well laid out, well done, and cared for. Great Campground, and well run. Looking forward to our tour of the Whitehouse tomorrow Morning. It will be an early start - but we're excited. Time to turn in for the night.