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.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
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.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
30 Revisited) Acadia NP
Visited: Sunday, February 17th, 2013
A first - since we started this journey, this is the first time we've visited an NPS site on multiple occasions. Ben was interested in The University of Maine, so we were nearby, so...
Acadia is mostly closed in winter, so there was very little to do today - basically, we got to see Thunder Hole. Which was very impressive - the winter adds a starkness to the landscape that is impressive to see.
But on the whole I can't recommend the park in winter unless you love cross-country skiing. It did make me want to be back again in better weather, though...
A first - since we started this journey, this is the first time we've visited an NPS site on multiple occasions. Ben was interested in The University of Maine, so we were nearby, so...
Acadia is mostly closed in winter, so there was very little to do today - basically, we got to see Thunder Hole. Which was very impressive - the winter adds a starkness to the landscape that is impressive to see.
But on the whole I can't recommend the park in winter unless you love cross-country skiing. It did make me want to be back again in better weather, though...
Sunday, September 16, 2012
65) Cape Cod National Seashore
Visited: Saturday, September 15th - Sunday, September 16th, 2012
I've been to Cape Cod before, previously, just twice. Two enjoyable times, to be sure, but the traffic makes it uninteresting for me from Memorial Day to Labor Day. And while I had visited the Marconi site, that was really all of the national seashore I'd seen previously. I'd also not arranged either previous trip there.
So in many ways, this was my first real experience with the Cape, and certainly my first experience with the NPS site, and I must say - it's very enjoyable.
We started with the visitor center in Eastham, which runs five films on a fixed schedule; we hit the film on the geology of the cape, in addition to the one on Marconi, plus the nice museum at the site. We then went up to Provincetown to visit the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, hitting some bad traffic on the way (well, how else would we have known we were on the cape?), but getting there in time to see a fascinating remnant of America's past. Of particular interest was a map showing wrecks up through 1900, and how the building of the Cape Cod Canal essentially eliminated the wrecks - and thus the need for these stations. As we crossed the canal, I'd been wondering what lead to it being built; unlike the Erie or Ohio canals, it wasn't for commerce, but - for safety.
We then hit the Province Lands visitors center, which shows the same films on demand; we asked for Thoreau's Cape, which was excellent - it's a very different view of the cape. The visitor center also has an excellent observation tower. We then visited downtown Provincetown for the evening before heading to our hotel, in North Truro.
Finally, we joined the ranger-led hike "Shoreline Stroll", around Great Island, this (Sunday) morning. It was fascinating and well worthwhile in and of itself - but with the high tide we got to view:
* Dozens of crags, of at least two different varieties,
* The oddest coming in of the tide I've ever seen, as water came in sideways to one point,
* A gorgeous midday at the beaches, first on the gut side and then on the harbor side, and finally,
* A coyote, who we apparently disturbed while taking a bath.
(Not right up close, but close enough to see well, and wonder at first what we were seeing.)
Overall, the Cape Cod National Seashore is well worth visiting.
I've been to Cape Cod before, previously, just twice. Two enjoyable times, to be sure, but the traffic makes it uninteresting for me from Memorial Day to Labor Day. And while I had visited the Marconi site, that was really all of the national seashore I'd seen previously. I'd also not arranged either previous trip there.
So in many ways, this was my first real experience with the Cape, and certainly my first experience with the NPS site, and I must say - it's very enjoyable.
We started with the visitor center in Eastham, which runs five films on a fixed schedule; we hit the film on the geology of the cape, in addition to the one on Marconi, plus the nice museum at the site. We then went up to Provincetown to visit the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, hitting some bad traffic on the way (well, how else would we have known we were on the cape?), but getting there in time to see a fascinating remnant of America's past. Of particular interest was a map showing wrecks up through 1900, and how the building of the Cape Cod Canal essentially eliminated the wrecks - and thus the need for these stations. As we crossed the canal, I'd been wondering what lead to it being built; unlike the Erie or Ohio canals, it wasn't for commerce, but - for safety.
We then hit the Province Lands visitors center, which shows the same films on demand; we asked for Thoreau's Cape, which was excellent - it's a very different view of the cape. The visitor center also has an excellent observation tower. We then visited downtown Provincetown for the evening before heading to our hotel, in North Truro.
Finally, we joined the ranger-led hike "Shoreline Stroll", around Great Island, this (Sunday) morning. It was fascinating and well worthwhile in and of itself - but with the high tide we got to view:
* Dozens of crags, of at least two different varieties,
* The oddest coming in of the tide I've ever seen, as water came in sideways to one point,
* A gorgeous midday at the beaches, first on the gut side and then on the harbor side, and finally,
* A coyote, who we apparently disturbed while taking a bath.
(Not right up close, but close enough to see well, and wonder at first what we were seeing.)
Overall, the Cape Cod National Seashore is well worth visiting.
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