Visited: Sunday, July 28th, 2013
Oh my, did this make up for Gettysburg.
We didn't come close to viewing the whole site - and didn't even consider the available train ride, which would have been really nice. The site was once a roundhouse for the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western, beautifully repurposed, and some wonderful train memorabilia (I really want a Erie 100th Anniversary patch). Everything from the tycoons to the hobos are remembered, and for those who enjoy railroads, I would strongly recommend the site.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
89) Gettysburg National Military Park
Visited Sunday, July 28th, 2013
Well, mostly _not_ visited. We were passing by the park, and so figured we'd stop by the see the visitor center for 30 minutes, during the month of the 150th anniversary. And, driving there, we heard about the adjacent Eisenhower site, which we might visit briefly.
Well - to see the visitor center will run you $12.50 - each. This includes the film and the cyclorama, which is all well and good. But - the annual pass is useless, and the whole site feels very _commercial_. (Which makes me wonder how the town itself - which I've always heard feels very touristy - would be.)
We'll go back, when we have more time, but on the whole it was very disappointing - particularly when I compare it to Monocacy or Harpers Ferry.
Well, mostly _not_ visited. We were passing by the park, and so figured we'd stop by the see the visitor center for 30 minutes, during the month of the 150th anniversary. And, driving there, we heard about the adjacent Eisenhower site, which we might visit briefly.
Well - to see the visitor center will run you $12.50 - each. This includes the film and the cyclorama, which is all well and good. But - the annual pass is useless, and the whole site feels very _commercial_. (Which makes me wonder how the town itself - which I've always heard feels very touristy - would be.)
We'll go back, when we have more time, but on the whole it was very disappointing - particularly when I compare it to Monocacy or Harpers Ferry.
88) Catoctin Mountain Park
Visited Saturday, July 27th, 2013
Get there early, on the weekend.
Catoctin is a very nice, traditional national park, with camping opportunities and lots of hiking trails. After finding a place to park (not Muir Woods-difficult, but tricky), we hiked over to a local waterfall (which actually sits in the state park, even though 90% of the hike is in the national park). It's a nice trail, a bit under 3 miles, and not too strenuous (read - I could handle it, as bad shape as I'm in).
Oh, and our timing was perfect. A _downpour_ started 10 minutes after we left the park.
Get there early, on the weekend.
Catoctin is a very nice, traditional national park, with camping opportunities and lots of hiking trails. After finding a place to park (not Muir Woods-difficult, but tricky), we hiked over to a local waterfall (which actually sits in the state park, even though 90% of the hike is in the national park). It's a nice trail, a bit under 3 miles, and not too strenuous (read - I could handle it, as bad shape as I'm in).
Oh, and our timing was perfect. A _downpour_ started 10 minutes after we left the park.
87) Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park
Visited Monday, July 22nd, 2013; Wednesday, July 24th, 2013; Friday, July 26th, 2013-Saturday, July 27th, 2013
We actually passed one of the many C&O Canal sites maintained by the NPS back in 2011, near Antietam, but didn't have time to stop. Then this past week we kept hitting the canal, before we finally got to see the visitor center for real on the 27th.
On the 22nd, at Harpers Ferry, we saw the canal bed; dry, which is an odd state to find a canal in my experience.
On the 24th, on the way back from Frostburg, we passed by and tried to stop at the Hancock visitor center - only to discover it closed.
On the 26th, while in D.C., we saw the lock house for the Washington Canal extension to the C&O canal.
Finally, on the 27th, we visited the Brunswick visitor center. They had two videos; a Charles Kuralt On The Road show, which compared the speed on the canal to that of the concordes taking off nearby today, and a silent movie from 1917 showing the canal in use, which was spectacular. It's a small site, but a very nice one, and on the floors above (at a charge) there's a nice old lodge building redone as a local history museum _and_ a miniature railroad recreation of the path from Brunswick to D.C. on the B&O.
One could spend a _long_ time exploring the canal.
We actually passed one of the many C&O Canal sites maintained by the NPS back in 2011, near Antietam, but didn't have time to stop. Then this past week we kept hitting the canal, before we finally got to see the visitor center for real on the 27th.
On the 22nd, at Harpers Ferry, we saw the canal bed; dry, which is an odd state to find a canal in my experience.
On the 24th, on the way back from Frostburg, we passed by and tried to stop at the Hancock visitor center - only to discover it closed.
On the 26th, while in D.C., we saw the lock house for the Washington Canal extension to the C&O canal.
Finally, on the 27th, we visited the Brunswick visitor center. They had two videos; a Charles Kuralt On The Road show, which compared the speed on the canal to that of the concordes taking off nearby today, and a silent movie from 1917 showing the canal in use, which was spectacular. It's a small site, but a very nice one, and on the floors above (at a charge) there's a nice old lodge building redone as a local history museum _and_ a miniature railroad recreation of the path from Brunswick to D.C. on the B&O.
One could spend a _long_ time exploring the canal.
Friday, July 26, 2013
86) White House
Visited: Friday, July 26th, 2013
We weren't able to visit the white house itself - tours are currently not offered, due to sequestration - but we did visit the emergency backup visitor center (the main one is being renovated). The movie was a great overview, both of the house as it exists, and how it got to be what it is today. We'll have to come back, but it certainly feels like we've seen the site.
Addendum: In 2009, we visited 21 NPS sites over the course of six weeks. In the past seven days, we've visited - 21 NPS sites.
We weren't able to visit the white house itself - tours are currently not offered, due to sequestration - but we did visit the emergency backup visitor center (the main one is being renovated). The movie was a great overview, both of the house as it exists, and how it got to be what it is today. We'll have to come back, but it certainly feels like we've seen the site.
Addendum: In 2009, we visited 21 NPS sites over the course of six weeks. In the past seven days, we've visited - 21 NPS sites.
85) Ford's Theatre National Historic Site
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
The museum under the theater is really well done - it gives a feel for both Lincoln and Booth and how they came to April 14, 1865. The ranger program was - good, but somewhat rote; I think the large audience made it less interesting than many of the ranger talks we've heard. The house where Lincoln actually passed, across the road, was quite interesting in it's own right, and continued the story very well; I'd strongly recommend it.
Going into the day, the two things I'd most hoped to do were the Jefferson Memorial and Ford's Theatre, and they both lived up to expectations. FDR was the biggest surprise of the group.
The museum under the theater is really well done - it gives a feel for both Lincoln and Booth and how they came to April 14, 1865. The ranger program was - good, but somewhat rote; I think the large audience made it less interesting than many of the ranger talks we've heard. The house where Lincoln actually passed, across the road, was quite interesting in it's own right, and continued the story very well; I'd strongly recommend it.
Going into the day, the two things I'd most hoped to do were the Jefferson Memorial and Ford's Theatre, and they both lived up to expectations. FDR was the biggest surprise of the group.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
84) Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
Um - yes. It's a road, with some notable places along it. Not a particularly interesting site, really.
Um - yes. It's a road, with some notable places along it. Not a particularly interesting site, really.
83) National Mall
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
The Washington Memorial is closed - with some nice scaffolding up - but we did cover a fair bit of the mall, and did go around Washington. Next time, for sure.
The Washington Memorial is closed - with some nice scaffolding up - but we did cover a fair bit of the mall, and did go around Washington. Next time, for sure.
82) World War II Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
Another one new to me; this again feels like a more traditional memorial. But - I'm not sure I'm fond of how it breaks up the Lincoln - reflecting - Washington setup.
Another one new to me; this again feels like a more traditional memorial. But - I'm not sure I'm fond of how it breaks up the Lincoln - reflecting - Washington setup.
81) Constitution Gardens
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013 - Friday, July 26th, 2013
I don't recall having gone by the Constitution Gardens before; it's - quite nice, but not heavily set off from the reflecting pool.
Update: On Friday, we visited the memorial to the 56 signers of the declaration of independence, which we'd somehow missed the first time around.
I don't recall having gone by the Constitution Gardens before; it's - quite nice, but not heavily set off from the reflecting pool.
Update: On Friday, we visited the memorial to the 56 signers of the declaration of independence, which we'd somehow missed the first time around.
80) Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
I still think this memorial is very well done. It was odd not to see more devotionals and the like along the wall; I suppose it's a result of the growing age of the memorial.
I still think this memorial is very well done. It was odd not to see more devotionals and the like along the wall; I suppose it's a result of the growing age of the memorial.
79) Lincoln Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
Impressive as always; I don't think I'd ever noticed the bookstore (for the record - go in, take a right, and another right - it's about 6x16) before. The rest - was familiar, but still very nice to see again.
Impressive as always; I don't think I'd ever noticed the bookstore (for the record - go in, take a right, and another right - it's about 6x16) before. The rest - was familiar, but still very nice to see again.
78) Korean War Veterans Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
This memorial is very nicely done, and very different from the Vietnam War memorial, the only one of the war memorials I'd seen previously. We also stopped by the D.C. War Veterans Memorial, which is a more traditional war memorial.
This memorial is very nicely done, and very different from the Vietnam War memorial, the only one of the war memorials I'd seen previously. We also stopped by the D.C. War Veterans Memorial, which is a more traditional war memorial.
77) Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
There's an interesting design to this memorial, having MLK stand forward from the baseline of the memorial. I'd not seen this before; unfortunately, they were doing some work, which made it difficult to fully appreciate it.
There's an interesting design to this memorial, having MLK stand forward from the baseline of the memorial. I'd not seen this before; unfortunately, they were doing some work, which made it difficult to fully appreciate it.
76) Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
This one was a bit of a surprise. Due to coming from the Jefferson Memorial, we saw it backwards, but even so it's very well done, and nicely isolated from the city. The waterfalls, in particular, stand out.
This one was a bit of a surprise. Due to coming from the Jefferson Memorial, we saw it backwards, but even so it's very well done, and nicely isolated from the city. The waterfalls, in particular, stand out.
75) Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Visited: Thursday, July 25th, 2013
OK, this was a day of memorials, none of which I have a great deal to write about. We started with Jefferson, which worked out really well; I'd never visited it, and it was very nice to see. I particularly enjoyed the view from the memorial. The nearby George Mason Memorial was also quite nice, if simple.
OK, this was a day of memorials, none of which I have a great deal to write about. We started with Jefferson, which worked out really well; I'd never visited it, and it was very nice to see. I particularly enjoyed the view from the memorial. The nearby George Mason Memorial was also quite nice, if simple.
74) Monocacy National Battlefield
Visited: Wednesday, July 24th, 2013
This is, on the whole, a nicely preserved battlefield. It's not a major battle, but a reasonably interesting one, and a reasonably important one. There's a brief auto-tour; it's no Antietam, but it does give you a feel for the battle, particularly with the podcast available for purchase to provide additional information. But it was too short and decisive a battle to be among the very most interesting of the sites.
This is, on the whole, a nicely preserved battlefield. It's not a major battle, but a reasonably interesting one, and a reasonably important one. There's a brief auto-tour; it's no Antietam, but it does give you a feel for the battle, particularly with the podcast available for purchase to provide additional information. But it was too short and decisive a battle to be among the very most interesting of the sites.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
73) Assateague Island National Seashore
Visited: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
This was truly a last minute addition - we hadn't planned to go when we woke up - but it was quite enjoyable to see. We only visited the Maryland portion of the island, but the story of the island (particularly the "Atlantic City" like development planned - but then washed away before ever opening) and the wild horses to be viewed there were fascinating.
Unfortunately, we only had about an hour to see what we could; fortunately, that was enough to start to gain an appreciation for the site - and inspire a trip to the Virginia portion of the island next time around.
As a bonus, Megan spotted a jellyfish in the shallow waters; I don't think I'd ever seen one in the wild before.
This was truly a last minute addition - we hadn't planned to go when we woke up - but it was quite enjoyable to see. We only visited the Maryland portion of the island, but the story of the island (particularly the "Atlantic City" like development planned - but then washed away before ever opening) and the wild horses to be viewed there were fascinating.
Unfortunately, we only had about an hour to see what we could; fortunately, that was enough to start to gain an appreciation for the site - and inspire a trip to the Virginia portion of the island next time around.
As a bonus, Megan spotted a jellyfish in the shallow waters; I don't think I'd ever seen one in the wild before.
72) Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
Visited: Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
How do you visit an NPS site that's been named - but which doesn't really exist yet? And what's necessary to count visiting such a site?
There are some real issues here, as there's actually no way to visit one of the NPS sites - Hohokam Pima National Monument has no public access. For the Harriet Tubman site, things are much easier; waiting two or three years should do the trick. But for now, there is the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cambridge to visit - and visit it we did. It's a small museum, but staffed by folks who clearly care dearly about Tubman.
We'll go back, but we've visited what for now is the place to visit - where they do have the NPS pamphlets, by the way - so it goes on to the visited list.
For Hohokam Pima, I suspect it's just going to be visiting the Snaketown artifacts in Casa Grande Ruins NM which will have to suffice.
How do you visit an NPS site that's been named - but which doesn't really exist yet? And what's necessary to count visiting such a site?
There are some real issues here, as there's actually no way to visit one of the NPS sites - Hohokam Pima National Monument has no public access. For the Harriet Tubman site, things are much easier; waiting two or three years should do the trick. But for now, there is the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cambridge to visit - and visit it we did. It's a small museum, but staffed by folks who clearly care dearly about Tubman.
We'll go back, but we've visited what for now is the place to visit - where they do have the NPS pamphlets, by the way - so it goes on to the visited list.
For Hohokam Pima, I suspect it's just going to be visiting the Snaketown artifacts in Casa Grande Ruins NM which will have to suffice.
71) Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Visited: Monday, July 22nd, 2013
The problem with our quest to visit all of the NPS sites - besides the ones that keep on being added - is that many sites don't cater to our interests particularly well. While both Megan and I enjoy walks and short hikes, neither of us has any real desire to hike the Appalachian Trail. So, then, how do we cover it?
I'd had thoughts about visiting visitor centers along the trail, and maybe the endpoint in Maine, but while visiting Harpers Ferry we discovered that a portion of the trail was _right_ _there_. So we walked on the Appalachian Trail from West Virginia to Maryland, and back again. Not very impressive, but along with visiting the NPS center in town, about what we're looking to get out of it. We'll likely aim for more, but it's a start.
The portion we walked paralleled the B&O Railroad, and a very impressive tunnel from 1931. It also provided a great view of the C&O Canal - a drained portion, giving a very different perspective from most canals I've seen in the past.
The problem with our quest to visit all of the NPS sites - besides the ones that keep on being added - is that many sites don't cater to our interests particularly well. While both Megan and I enjoy walks and short hikes, neither of us has any real desire to hike the Appalachian Trail. So, then, how do we cover it?
I'd had thoughts about visiting visitor centers along the trail, and maybe the endpoint in Maine, but while visiting Harpers Ferry we discovered that a portion of the trail was _right_ _there_. So we walked on the Appalachian Trail from West Virginia to Maryland, and back again. Not very impressive, but along with visiting the NPS center in town, about what we're looking to get out of it. We'll likely aim for more, but it's a start.
The portion we walked paralleled the B&O Railroad, and a very impressive tunnel from 1931. It also provided a great view of the C&O Canal - a drained portion, giving a very different perspective from most canals I've seen in the past.
70) Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Visited: Monday, July 22nd, 2013
What an - odd NPS site. Half of it makes perfect sense; it's a battlefield. Well, a minor battlefield, but with enough civil war history to fit in just fine. But - then there's the lower town, which is really odd; it's a mix of commercial sites, with a few historic sites mixed in. There are the foundations of the armory and arsenal, and a very nice bookstore. But really, after the well done focus on the battle and movements around the town, the old town is a bit of a disappointment.
What an - odd NPS site. Half of it makes perfect sense; it's a battlefield. Well, a minor battlefield, but with enough civil war history to fit in just fine. But - then there's the lower town, which is really odd; it's a mix of commercial sites, with a few historic sites mixed in. There are the foundations of the armory and arsenal, and a very nice bookstore. But really, after the well done focus on the battle and movements around the town, the old town is a bit of a disappointment.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
69 ) Theodore Roosevelt Island
Visited: Sunday, July 21st, 2013
If Rock Creek felt out of place for D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island is even more misplaced; other than for the planes from Reagan flying overhead regularly, you could be in, say, Vermont. (Well, on a _very_hot day, at least.) There's - nothing to do, really, other than to see the Roosevelt Memorial Plaza, which like the Washington Monument suffered damage during the earthquake in 2011. It's a pleasant walk, though, and nicely removed from the bustle of the city.
If Rock Creek felt out of place for D.C., Theodore Roosevelt Island is even more misplaced; other than for the planes from Reagan flying overhead regularly, you could be in, say, Vermont. (Well, on a _very_hot day, at least.) There's - nothing to do, really, other than to see the Roosevelt Memorial Plaza, which like the Washington Monument suffered damage during the earthquake in 2011. It's a pleasant walk, though, and nicely removed from the bustle of the city.
68) Rock Creek Park
Visited: Sunday, July 21st, 2013
Rock Creek Park was - entirely unexpected. First of all, it's essentially entirely within Washington D.C. - but is nothing like what I expect from the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, there was little parking save at the Nature Center, so that was the only part of the park we explored.
But - the center was fascinating. In addition to some snakes and bees, there were three turtles - and they were amazing. Megan's facebook page has video of one turtle - but another, as we were getting up to go, _followed_ us (within its tank) as we moved away, at very un-turtle-like speed. I enjoyed the turtles - but the boys absolutely adored them, watching them for more than 15 minutes.
We tried to visit the Pierce Mill as well, but found no parking there.
Rock Creek Park was - entirely unexpected. First of all, it's essentially entirely within Washington D.C. - but is nothing like what I expect from the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, there was little parking save at the Nature Center, so that was the only part of the park we explored.
But - the center was fascinating. In addition to some snakes and bees, there were three turtles - and they were amazing. Megan's facebook page has video of one turtle - but another, as we were getting up to go, _followed_ us (within its tank) as we moved away, at very un-turtle-like speed. I enjoyed the turtles - but the boys absolutely adored them, watching them for more than 15 minutes.
We tried to visit the Pierce Mill as well, but found no parking there.
67) Clara Barton National Historic Site (and Glen Echo Park)
Visited: Sunday, July 21st, 2013
Clara Barton is the official reason for the NPS site, and her home - and the early home of the American Red Cross - is very interesting. It's a uniquely designed home, and they've done a nice job of restoring the house; it definitely has a feel of Barton.
But - it paled, for me, in comparison to Glen Echo Park, the adjacent park which is part of the same NPS unit. It is a classic amusement park, which closed down after the 1968 season - but unlike essentially every other park from that time to have closed, it was saved, became an NPS site, and is still around today. It's not a park anymore - the only ride to survive is the carousel - but you can still see how the park was, in it's heyday. The carousel is great, and I'd recommend the park to any fan of classic amusement parks. The ranger talk about the carousel was particularly appreciated - and, apparently, generally poorly attended; the ranger was happy to have _any_ audience.
Clara Barton is the official reason for the NPS site, and her home - and the early home of the American Red Cross - is very interesting. It's a uniquely designed home, and they've done a nice job of restoring the house; it definitely has a feel of Barton.
But - it paled, for me, in comparison to Glen Echo Park, the adjacent park which is part of the same NPS unit. It is a classic amusement park, which closed down after the 1968 season - but unlike essentially every other park from that time to have closed, it was saved, became an NPS site, and is still around today. It's not a park anymore - the only ride to survive is the carousel - but you can still see how the park was, in it's heyday. The carousel is great, and I'd recommend the park to any fan of classic amusement parks. The ranger talk about the carousel was particularly appreciated - and, apparently, generally poorly attended; the ranger was happy to have _any_ audience.
66) Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Visited: Saturday, July 20th, 2013
I've driven _past_ Fort McHenry a number of times - but this is the first time I've actually stopped to see it. It's a reasonably nice site, but more spectacle than other forts of the area we've visited. In particular, we really enjoyed Fort Adams in Newport - but, never having been in a battle, it's a state rather than national site.
But Fort McHenry is still quite interesting. It was particularly fun to roll out a 42 x 30' flag, while learning about the site and the flag's role in the national anthem. The movie they show at the visitor center also stands out - they end with the national anthem, and a big reveal that I won't spoil the surprise of. Suffice it to say that it's well worthwhile.
I've driven _past_ Fort McHenry a number of times - but this is the first time I've actually stopped to see it. It's a reasonably nice site, but more spectacle than other forts of the area we've visited. In particular, we really enjoyed Fort Adams in Newport - but, never having been in a battle, it's a state rather than national site.
But Fort McHenry is still quite interesting. It was particularly fun to roll out a 42 x 30' flag, while learning about the site and the flag's role in the national anthem. The movie they show at the visitor center also stands out - they end with the national anthem, and a big reveal that I won't spoil the surprise of. Suffice it to say that it's well worthwhile.
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