After 35 years

it finally happened.  Took an intentional trip into Washington, D.C. to see the Cherry Blossoms.  I've lived most of my life just out of DC, but have never gone in ~ it was about time!

 Right outside of the Smithsonian Metro Stop.

 Jefferson Memorial across the Tidal Basin.

 Close up of blossoms.

 Tulip display ~ I was partial to the yellow . . .

 and red ones.

 Stopped by the WWII memorial.  Took pictures of the

two states that our foursome were born in.

I'm the only one born in Wisconsin!

Lots of walking, lots of steps, a few tired legs here!

I can now check off seeing the Cherry Blossoms in person, that is if it where on an actual list somewhere.

Visit to Yorktown, Virginia

Although Yorktown wasn't the same time period as Jamestown, it is relatively close.  We spent part of a day there and at Yorktown's beach area.  Was pleasantly warm that day!

Camp's kitchen.  The fire pits were dug into the ground to minimize sparks burning down camp.

Government didn't have enough tents for families that came along.  Wives would have a "tent" out of whatever was available.  She may also do laundry to earn some money.

Musket demonstration.

Few turkeys roaming around Yorktown.  They escaped the Thanksgiving feast.

Thing Two was chosen to be a part of the cannon demonstration.

Canon after being fired!

Pretty Chicken!

On the beach, burning off energy!

Our builder dude!

Grass of some sort!

Surprisingly good picture.

Still digging and finding time for a picture.

Time to sit on the rocks.

Visit to Jamestown, Virginia

We finished up our Pioneer Unit Study this past Friday and took a trip down to Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg Virginia area.  Here are some highlights of Jamestown.

Hole in perimeter!  Got to stick your head out.

The other kid seeing if his head will fit.

Yup! I fit through.

Here's my better side.

Armor for the day!

In Jamestown's Church!  Really!  They aren't normally this still.

Iron work.

Scrapping out a trunk to make it into a boat.

How the Indians slept.

Williamsburg and Nature

The first day we were in Colonial Williamsburg we came across this hawk sitting near a squirrel bray. It was neat to watch the hawk and squirrel play "cat and mouse" as the squirrel tried to get to it's nest. In the second photo here, you can see the hawk's back and left wing extended trying to scare the squirrel away. It did finally make it to it's nest.















There was also a fair amount of snow on Monday as well in Williamsburg. Occasionally (possibly only the second time in about 9 years) I like to take a series of photos, focusing on one spot, but getting closer with each shot. Think it creates a neat effect. These three photos were all taken from inside the unit. In the first, you can see the unused patio, it was just to cold and winter like that day to eat outside (by Friday, it was almost 70 degrees and little sign of snow).


Here, no signs of man, just a white lawn where no one has walked and the woods.









The shrub before the forest, covered in snow.









So, this was Williamsburg and our nature shots. Not many, but interesting non-the-less.