The "First" Washington Monument

Many of you know how much I love Washington DC.  Each time I have visited I have stopped at the Washington Monument.  It is stunning at sunset and the views to WWll and Lincoln are some of my favorites.  What I didn't know with each visit is that it was not the first Washington Monument. The honor of that title belongs to the city of Baltimore.

A few weeks ago Sean and I visited the FIRST Washington Monument.  It is located in a beautiful section of Baltimore.   The monument sits in the center of Mount Vernon Place, where it is surrounded by four small parks, one each side.  

Like all other monuments and memorials they need to be enjoyed during the day and at night.  They take on a different feel when the sun sets and the lights come on.  Our decision to venture out to the monument was last minute, so our first visit was in the evening.  

We arrived just as the sun disappeared for the day.  The lights were already on as the sun faded, but the parks were still alive with visitors.   Each park has beautiful architecture, history, fountains and landscaping to be enjoyed all year.  There were a lot of people out playing games, reading, visiting, drinking coffee and eating ice cream.  

Each of the four parks had  their own feel, a bit link a different room in your house.  The one thing they had in common were the bistro tables with chairs and park benches.  These tables and benches invited visitors to sit and stay a while.  The canopy of the trees made it feel very cozy, a place you would want to  enjoy any time of day or evening.  Our walk through each park allowed us to admire the monument from each side all lit up.

 There is more to the monument than the stunning views at sunset or at night.  It actually provides a history lesson on Washington as well as the construction of the monument and area.  We definitely want to return during the day, so we can walk the 227 steps to the look out tower, tour the gallery, visit the Peabody Library, art gallery and Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church.  

When we found out we were moving to DC, I was excited to explore areas that aren't on the typical tour.  I wanted to meet people that either grew up here or have lived here for many years and learn about the places locals know.  Getting to explore these lesser known places has been thrilling.

* I have included links so you can explore on your own virtually or add it to a trip itinerary. 

Have I Told You Lately . . .

. . . that I love you? 

Thirty-one years ago Sean and I said those words as we knelt across the alter to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Portland Oregon Temple.  

Portland Temple Spring 2021

When selecting our date to be married we did not consider that as a school teacher I would be in the throws of the start of the new year on our anniversary and wouldn't be up for more than a dinner out.  Not much has changed except I'm not teaching, but Sean is still traveling for work.

Portland Temple, June 2023

This year we planned ahead.  Sean arranged his schedule so he was home all week and we decided to do a few things together throughout the week.  

On our anniversary we shared a yummy steak dinner at home with the kids.  We tried our best to mimic our favorite steak dinner at Ringside Steak House.  We celebrated many anniversaries at Ringside and figured if we couldn't eat there we would at least try to make it at home.  I have to say, Sean did an amazing job with the steaks.  We didn't even try to mimic their famous onion rings.  

Like other young girls I had visions of my wedding day.  One of my visions included a delicious white cake with lemon filling from Beaverton Bakery.  They made the best cakes in town and each birthday my favorite cake appeared in time for me to blow out the candles.  

I took Sean on a taste testing trip before we selected our cake and he too fell in love.  So much so that he endured years of trips to the bakery around holidays to get some of their yummy fare.  Beaverton Bakery closed after 93 years and we don't live in Portland any more.  As a substitute I picked up Nothing Bundt Cakes in our favorite flavors, chocolate and lemon.

Before dessert we played a little golf at a 3-par course near our house.  For years I have viewed golf as a crazy game where you try to get a little ball into a little hole among a whole bunch of grass.  Well, I have changed my mind and now own my own clubs.  My shot isn't terrible, when I hit it.

He is much better

A couple of days later we went to the Washington DC Temple.  The temple is always a place of peace and comfort, this visit was no different.  

Attending the temple together on or near our anniversary is extra special.  It is a great reminder of the covenants we have made with the Lord and to each other.  With the Lords help and our commitment to one another anything is possible.  I love being married to Sean and that we are on this journey together.

We spent part of our anniversary weekend exploring parts of Virginia.  Our first stop was at the  Luray Caverns, the largest caverns in the eastern US.  I have never toured caverns, I was not disappointed.  My geekie science teacher side came out loud and proud.  

For many years I taught a "Geology Rocks" unit in science.  It included many pictures and a few videos of stalactites and stalagmites.  We even tried growing our own crystals in the classroom.  Pictures and videos can't even come close to seeing these natural creations in person.  

We took a lot of pictures, but none of them truly captured their beauty or majesty.    Dream Lake was one of those areas we just couldn't capture.  At its deepest the lake is only 18-20 inches, not deep at all.  What makes it so amazing is that it acts as a perfect mirror of the ceiling.  

Dream Lake

Around one bend we came upon a fallen stalactite that looked like a fallen redwood tree.  It fell due to a massive earthquake 7,000 years ago.  This was incredible and we felt like we were in a stalactite forest.

It was time to move on and walk through the Toy Town Junction and Car & Carriage Caravan Museum. I enjoyed the toy museum more than the car.  Seeing and reminiscing over the toys you use to play with is so much fun.  Sean enjoyed both as well, but throughly enjoyed the old historic carriages and cars.

Little People

Portuguese Carriage

We did walk around the Shenandoah Heritage Village.  It is a great visit back to the 18th century.  Some of the buildings like the Shenk Farm House are on their original site, while others like the Hamburg Regular School have been moved to this area.  After so much walking and reading we were ready for a little lunch and ice cream.  

Our next adventure took us to the Shenandoah National Park.  It is a beautiful forest that snakes along the ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  What makes this park unique is the 105 mile Skyline Drive with 75 overlooks.  We only drove about a third of Skyline Drive, but were impressed by the views, we have missed the mountains.

The leaves are just starting to change, Shenandoah will be spectacular in about 4-6 weeks.  We can't wait to go back and rent a cabin, check out the trails and waterfalls, visit the lodge and drive the other two-thirds of the park.

On the way home Sean asked if I wanted to stop and see the Manassas Battlefield.  Why not, it was still fairly early.  What a wonderful surprise this was.  We arrived just before sunset.  My photographer hubby refers to this as the "golden hour".  The soft golden light cast beautiful colors on the rolling open grassy fields, cannons and the light coming through the trees was amazing.

 The visitor center had already closed, but we and many others enjoyed an early evening walk (or portrait session) through the battlefield.  Visiting battlefields gives new perspective to wars or battles you may have studied.  I know it changed how I taught about Gettysburg after visiting it.  This visit would have changed how I taught about the first battle of the Civil War.

We read personal accounts of families living in the area, about those who sat on nearby hills to watch the battle, how homes were peppered by cannons and the personal descriptions of Thomas J "Stonewall" Jackson.

It was incredible to walk among a well preserved battlefield.  You could get a sense of what these young men saw that day at Henry Hill on July 21, 1861.  Little did they know then that on that day they would suffer over 5,000 casualties and the war would last for 4 years.

Golden Hour is a beautiful time of evening, in fact its our favorite.  Saturday we enjoyed bright vivid colors as the sun slipped behind trees and mountains.  I remember a Lifesaver Commercial where father and daughter were watching the sunset together.  The most memorable line was the daughter saying, "Do it again Daddy."  Sean and I often share this statement at the end of a beautiful sunset.  

Do it again!

Living with our daughter and her family have provided us with so many treasured opportunities.  We could not have imagined how wonderful it would be to live with our grandsons and to support our daughter and her husband in such a personal way.  But the moments we get to spend together exploring areas we never thought possible has been a true gift.

I love you Hun, and can't wait to visit again.

* I have included links so you can explore on your own virtually or add it to a trip itinerary. 

Shenandoah National Park

Swinging Through the Summer

With Labor Day a few days past it means that summer has unofficially come to an end.  I am ready for fall temperatures, leaves to change, cozy clothes and hot chocolate.

Wizard of Oz Park

Cutie E and Cutie O have had a busy summer visiting many parks, learning to wash the car, taking the doggies for a walk, blowing bubbles, hanging out with family and growing into busy independent little boys.

As a kid I spent much of my summer pool hopping, riding bikes, climbing trees, and running around with the neighborhood kids.   It was a "Leave it to Beaver" kind of place to grow up.  One of the things that made it so special was the incredible park that wasn't too far from our home.  It had everything, swings, giant slides, hills to roll down and open space to fly kites.  Many afternoons we would pack a sack lunch and head to the park on our bikes where we played for hours.  I want to help the boys expereince a childhood filled with wonder, discovery and lots of play.

We have discovered some incredible parks that are within a short driving distance to our home.  This town really knows how to build a park.

Corkscrew slides are the best

Picture a park set in the woods that looks like every land from the Wizard of Oz.  This park has everything from the yellow brick road, to ruby read slipper slides, Aunt Em's house with a kitchen, musical pipes, and the best corkscrew slides.  

Usually you wash a car when its dirty, hot or want an excuse to play in the water.  On this day the car was a filthy mess, but it was also hot and super humid.  Since we would already be wet with sweat why not we cool water to the wetness.  The only thing I didn't plan on was Cutie E not sharing the hose.  It was a little difficult washing the top parts of the car.

This summer Cutie E learned how to throw the ball for the doggies.  He could use the ball launcher or he tosses the ball off the deck into the yard.  He giggles every time the doggies take off after it and bring it back.

Cutie E got bubbles for Easter and he loves them. It helped that Bluey was the cap, but by summers end he was shaking, dipping and even blowing on the wand.  I am amazed by the skills he has developed this summer.

We visited this park a lot over the summer.  Cutie E loved playing chase, climbing on his own and running down ramps.  He got so much braver as the summer passed.  I had to remember that its ok to let him fall, that's how he learns.  

Everything Doggies!  We have 3 dogs and the boys love them, unfortunately only 1 of the dogs loves them.  Kaia is so patient.  She lets them climb all over her, grab at her and even touch her face.  The other two are old ladies and usually run off or growl at them.  The first time Abbey let Cutie E close was a mile long walk with him holding her leash.  Cutie E walked the whole mile.  We asked if he wanted up or to stop, each time he said "nuh-uh".  

How cute is this?

The boys spend a lot of time at Home Depot.  This was the first time they got to ride in the cart together.  Cutie O was adorable.  I think he was just excited to be sitting next to his big brother.

Summer would not be complete if we didn't visit Costco at least 4 times, haha.  This was the first time I braved going alone with both boys and put them in the cart.  They did great!  Honestly it wasn't too bad.

I think I should have been the one to get a nap after Costco since I was the one who did all the work.  Don't worry boys, your time to help at Costco is coming soon.

While I am ready for much cooler temperatures, much less humidity, sweaters and football.  I am going to miss all the time we have spent outside.  Hopefully we have a beautiful long fall.