Day 26 - Family Day

Temperatures again in the 60s but did feel a bit warmer when the sun shown through the clouds.
No gasoline purchased today.
I spent the day with the some of the family in New Jersey watching grandchildren playing softball and just hanging out with them. It was such an enjoyable relaxing day!
As suggested by Brian and Lori, I plan on going to Morristown, New Jersey this afternoon to visit Morristown National Historical Park.
Stay posted everyone!

The Traveller

Day 25 - Brotherly Love Day

The temperatures were even cooler today as the high just made it to 70F.
I purchased gasoline at Fort Meade which cost me $3.889/gallon. I guess we are going to have to get accustomed to over $4.00/gallon cost. Someone is getting rich over this and it is not me.
I spent some of the day at Fort Meade, which is not recognizable at all to me, and I spent the remainder in Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia has so much history about our country becoming a nation. As the guide said at Congress Hall that one of the most significant things that happened there was the swearing in of John Adams transferring the power peacefully from one individual to another. This transfer of power usually happens when someone died or when someone was ousted out of power through an overthrow.
My plans include spending some time with the grandchildren for the next few days. I do plan on looking for Revolutionary Battlefields while they are in school, however. Seems an awful lot of Revolutionary Battles were fought in New Jersey.
Al I plan to be at Thursday get together, so save a chair for me!
Take care everyone!

The Traveller

Congress Hall

Congress Hall is the building that served as the seat of the United States Congress from December 1790 to May of 1800. It was during this time that three (3) new states were admitted, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vermont, both the Bill of Rights and The Constitution of the United States were ratified, and both George Washington and John Adams Presidential inaugurations were oversaw. This again is history folks.

Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell, located in Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a symbol of American Independence. It has grown in stature over the years.
The Bell was originally called The Pass and Stow Bell, named for the two inexperienced local founders who offered to recast the Bell after the civic authorities sought a bell of better quality. It was not known what had caused the crack until 1975 when Winterthur Museum conducted an analysis of the metal. They concluded that a series of errors were made during the construction, reconstruction, and second reconstruction of the Bell. These errors resulted in a brittle Bell that barely missed being broken up for scrap. Basically they were saying that the tin and pewter used versus the pure copper which should have been used made it brittle. By the way its inscription reads "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof". I believe this is a biblical verse.

The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial

Located in the Rotunda of Pennsylvania's most visited museum, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, this centerpiece is a dramatic 20 foot high marble statue of Benjamin Franklin. Designated by The United States Congress in 1972 as the official national memorial to Franklin, I believe it is the only National Monument in private hands. I do have to say be cautious of paying the fee of $15 to go into the Museum unless you brought children with you, however.
Just a tidbit of history, if anyone remembers Nelson A. Rockefeller, on April 12, 1976 the then Vice-President formally dedicated this memorial a National Monument. Benjamin Franklin is another one of our forefathers I hold in high esteem.

Fort Meade NOT

As one can see from the above picture my place of employment while in the service is no more. I drove into Fort Meade and did not recognize anything there. I did find that the unit I was with is still there and is still the Command Headquarters. It went from a wood building of yesteryear to a red brick building that it is today. It is unbelievable just how much it has changed since I was there almost 40 years. There was even a Burger King sign within the confines.

Day 24 - Father of Our Country Day

The temperatures were a bit cooler but did reach 75F in the afternoon.
No gasoline purchased today as the driving mileage was kept to a minimum due to the traffic in Alexandria area.
I spent just about the whole day at Mount Vernon taking in George Washington's estate. He truly was a remarkable man. From the Farmer, Commander of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Congress, President of the United States, and his admiration of all his peers, it was no wonder that he is the only President to be elected unanimously. Where have you gone George Washington!
I am off to Philadelphia and the state of New Jersey tomorrow.
Until then everyone!

The Traveller