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.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
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.
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...
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