Amish country, Trains, Liberty Bell & Independence Hall

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall,

Philadelphia, PA

Neil & I standing in front of Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Independence Hall is in the background. The crack in the bell developed over time as a result of the weaker material that was used.

"We the People" .... and "All men are Created Equal" are great messages that originated at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. It is where the Declaration of Independence was drafted and finally signed; and where the Constitution of the US was formed and signed. Unfortunately, we arrived to late in the day to take the 3-1/2 hour tour of the hall.

Train Museum, Strasburg, PA

When Neil was looking through literature and tourists books for the Pennsylvania area he saw that they had a museum of trains. On our way to the Quilt shop, we happened to drive by it, and it was open. We spent one entire morning looking at all these old Steam Engines and older trains. It was great. Neil standing on the landing of an old train in the Museum.

Two very old Steam Engines
Right next to the Train Museum was a "Caboose" Motel. Had we known this existed, we would have made plans to stay here, instead of one in town. It would have been a neat experience.

THE AMISH COUNTRY, Lancaster County, PA

The Amish people are known for their hand-crafted items. The ladies make beautiful quilts and craft items from fabric, while the men build wonderful furniture out of wood. While in the Amish Country, we visited the Zook Quilts, Craft & Furniture Store in Strasburg, PA. I really enjoyed talking to Mrs. Mary Zook. She showed me how she works her sewing machine without using electricy, and talked openly of their way of life. It was wonderful. I have always loved the quilts they make, especially knowing the are done by hand. Neil talked me into getting one for our home in Ronald. It just arrived by UPS today, and I love it! What a treasure to have from our trip!!! I also picked up several hot pads, and a purse that she designed using the "Log Cabin" Pattern of quilting.

The form of transportation for the Amish people in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is a young boy driving the coach and horse.

We watched this gentleman for quite some time plowing his field using the horses. It such a simple way of life they live, yet so peaceful. No electricity, no phones, no automobiles, no conveniences as we know.

Lancaster county has many covered bridges. If you look closely, you'll see that the man behind the wheel is Neil driving our new (new to us) car we picked up in Charlotte, NC. It's a 2005 Honda Accord EX -- Silver with Black leather interior. Very nice.

More vacation... Washington, DC, Arlington, Gettysburg

GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania

One of the most monumental visits for me was to go to the scene of the battle at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War on July 1 - 4. We chose to hire a personal guide to give us a first-hand tour of the site. It brought it to life! He took us day-by-day thru the battle between the Confederates (led by Robert E. Lee) and the Union Soldiers. The guide would take us to a point that looked over an open field and would then show us where Union or Confederal troops were advancing towards each other. He started by showing us the town of Gettysburg and the Bullet holes that still exist in some of the buildings. The site where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address is still standing. You can see the porch on which he stood. As much as possible, the Gettysburg National Museum has kept the grounds where the battle actually took place in it's original condition.

This is a picture of one of the farm sites that still exists and was there during the Civil War. At this particular location in a single day 9,000 Confederate soldiers were killed. The owners had left because of the advancing soldiers, and when they returned, they found the dead in their farm lands.

A statue of Robert E. Lee on his horse Traveller that stands overlooking the site of the Gettysburg battle.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VA

Only Soldiers who served in the military, and their spouses, can be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Just a few of the many grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA. Most of them are white crosses line up in perfect rows. A few of the older grave sites have regular head stones

Neil & I standing under the sign "Dewey Road" in the Cemetery. The Road is named after Admiral Dewey, a distant relative of the Dewey family.

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In the tomb is buried an unknown soldier from both WWI and WWII. The soldier that had been buried from the Vietnam War was identified and removed. It is a very solemn and moving moment. Someone stands guard at the tomb 24/7, 365 days of the year.

The Memorial resurrected for the men who were killed on September 11 when Terrorists flew an airplane into the Pentagon. From this spot you can see the corner of the Pentagon where the plane struck

WASHINGTON, DC

The War Memorials

The Korean War Memorial

The World War II Memorial


The Vietnam Wall where all soldiers killed in the Vietnam War are listed


Neil standing in front of Vietnam War Memorial

The Smithsonian Museums

Of the 12 Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC, Neil & I were able to visit three of them. We saw the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of American History, and the Air & Space Museum.

The Red Shoes are the actual ones worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz Movie. The Hope Diamond is a 45 Carat "Blue" Diamond, and is surrounded by 16 beautiful diamonds. The largest diamond in the world.

Neil is holding"Flat Stanley" as he stands in front of a NASA plane in the Air & Space Museum. Flat Stanley is for Cody, my brother's grandson, 3rd grade school project. We took pictures of all the "tourist" sites with Flat Stanley to show where he had traveled.

Dorothy's Red Shoes from Wizard of Oz.

from Museum of Natural History

Dinosaur Skeletons


Neil in Air & Space Museum holding "Flat Stanley"

The Hope Diamond

Start of Vacation: North Carolina; President's Homes, Quantico Museum, Wash. DC

Washington, DC

Pictured here are the Lincoln's Memorial, the White House, and the Congressional Building.

For our trip to Washington, DC, Neil's cousin, Jane suggested we stay in Springfield, VA, to avoid driving into the city. We could then take the Metro Train into town. Sounded great to us; except our Navigation System on the car wasn't current, and didn't show the new freeway systems that had recently been installed.

We could actually see our hotel from the freeway when we drove into Springfield, but we couldn't get to it!! After an hour of trying, and 3 or 4 trips down different freeways looking for a place to turn around to get back to the hotel, we called. They said they couldn't help us because we didn't know if we were traveling North, South, East or West.... Finally, Neil shot across at a stop sign to get out of the Freeway loop trap and found an exit that took us to the hotel. That was our driving nightmare of the trip. At least it was only once! And, when we got to the hotel, they didn't have a room. They directed us to a nearby nice hotel and we found a place to eat close by! Believe me, we didn't get back on the freeways until we were heading out of town towards Arlington National cemetery. And, we had made sure we got specific directions from the computer before we left the hotel!

Quantico Marine Museum, Virginia...

After our visit to the President's homes in Virginia, we traveled North towards Washington, DC. We stopped at the Quantico Marine Museum in Virginia, which had a wonderful display of World War II memorabilia and pictures. With Neil's interest in WWII he really enjoyed visiting here. It was then on to Washington DC.

FORMER PRESIDENT'S HOMES

George Washington

Neil & I in front of Mount Vernon, Arlington, VA. Home of the first President, George Washington

Thomas Jefferson



Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, a former president and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence.

VASS, North Carolina

After visiting with Jane for a couple of days, we traveled on to Vass, NC, to stay with a high school classmate of Rosie's, Darla (Stevens) Howe and her husband Jim.

While there Rosie & Darla attended a Women's Fashion Show, and Neil & Jim went to a nearby Airborne Museum. Later that day we all toured the area, and visited the Pinehurst Golf Course where several U.S. Open Golf matches have been played.

CHARLOTTE, NC

On the morning of March 9, Neil & I flew out of Seattle, WA, to Charlotte, NC. When we left Seattle it was snowing hard and they were de-icing our plane. We arrived in Charlotte at 8:30 pm in 80 degree weather, and I was wearing my fleece-lined snow boots! Ooops. We went shopping the next day so I could pick up some short-sleeved blouses. I had only brought warmer clothes - sweaters and sweatshirts.

Neil's cousin, Jane Retherford, was selling her 2005 Honda Accord, and we decided to purchase it from her. Instead of having it shipped to us, we chose to make a vacation of it by flying back to pick it up, and then driving it back home. It was a great time to see many famous tourist attractions and visit family & friends along the way.

Neil & I with his cousin, Jane, and her friend, Rob

Neil & I at the Lowe's Motor Speedway (Nascar Race track) in Charlotte, NC

Neil & Jane in front of Slave home at Latta Plantation

Snowmobiling at the Hunting Cabin, Tonasket, WA

Last week Neil and I, and our friends, Ken & Marian Russ, spent 5 days up at the Hunting Cabin near Tonasket where we enjoyed snowmobiling, relaxing and "roughing it" (no running water, no lights, no indoor bathrooms, and cooking on a wood stove.)

On Thursday, Van and Lisa Hockenberry, with daughters Ellie & Tori, came by to visit, and later joined us for dinner at friends, Denny & Jeanie Hughes. Van & Lisa attend the same church we do in Roslyn, and also have a recreation place near the hunting cabin.

The Hunting Cabin on a cold, frosty morning.

The Trotnik Ranch near the hunting cabin. Lots of rolling hills where we could ride our snowmobiles. It was such a fun time.

Neil & Kenny relaxing in the sunshine out in front of the cabin. As you can see, the weather was great....

Neil, Ryan & Jon Snowmobiling

Last weekend two of our sons, Ryan Dewey & Jon Weddle, came over to go snowmobiling. They both wanted to go up to Gallagher (a rough ride to 5500 feet), so after packing a lunch, Neil & the boys headed up to the mountains. They had such a great time and came back full of stories! Here are a few pictures of their great day.


Jon, Neil & Ryan waiting at the bottom of the hill. There were lots of people at Gallagher, so they all had to take their turns to climb the hills.

The weather was great! Jon shows how he takes a break during a fun day of riding

This is some of the beautiful scenery you can only see while Snowmobiling. This is looking down on Fish Lake. A views like this is what makes snowmobiling such a wonderful sport.




Almost made it! Jon didn't quite make it up the steep hill. His 1990 Yamaha snowmobile is 19 years old, but he showed he could have just as much fun, go just as fast, and 'almost' climb as high as the expensive sleds. All three of our boys are tremendous riders and can go places on a snowmobile I would never think of attempting. They have all been riding since their early teens. Don't kid yourself, they still would have a hard time keeping up with Neil...



The day's over and the guys are waiting to load their snowmobiles to head back home... They look a little tired, don't you think?

Gracie

Gracie is the youngest daughter of Melissa & Ryan Zdenek, and our youngest grandchild. She is 7-1/2 Months Old. Look at that red hair! She sucks her two fingers, instead of her thumb. A little Love Bug!

"Happy Birthday, Payton"

This fall, Melissa & I made a "Happy Birthday" Banner for her to hang at the girl's birthday parties. It turned out really cute... She has it hanging in her bay window for Payton's birthday

Last Friday we ventured over the pass to help celebrate Payton's 3rd Birthday. We went to the Zdenek home early to also exchange Christmas gifts. They were unable to make it over during the Holidays because of the bad weather, and Melissa's Grandfather was very ill. After exchanging Christmas Gifts, we had Payton open her Birthday presents, and then went to Claim Jumpers in Lynnwood to meet other family and friends for a party. It was a great evening! Payton was the "Bell of the Ball". We can't believe she is already 3 years old! What a cutie!

Payton enjoying her Birthday dessert at Claim Jumpers

Earlier this year, BaPa made Payton a refrigerator and stove out of wood (similar to ones he made for Melissa when she was a little girl). So, for her birthday we gave her pots and pans, dishes, and even fake food for her 'little kitchen'. One of the gifts (I think it was her favorite) was a mini-microwave oven. It has a timer, a turntable that actually goes around, lights up, and beeps when it is done. Of course, it doesn't really cook anything. Here's a picture of Payton with her kitchen, and playing with the Microwave.

BaPa reading Payton a story while we were waiting for Ryan to get home from work