We love to explore!	Cumberland Gap Ntl. Historic Park   Okay. How many of you know why Cumberland Gap is "famous" enough to have a National Park title, and monies given for its support? I sure didn't know.  We found out, though - and I'm glad we did.  Daniel Boone was instrumental in helping hundreds of people make their way through this "Gateway to the West."   We walked explored a small clif cave on our own, hiked to "the Gap," went on a Ranger-leg tour of a Civil-War "hide-out" cave, and hiked to the peak where three states meet. Do you know which ones?
Beautiful columns on our cave tour.	"The Gap"
AFTER CUMBERLAND GAP...           We had a wonderful time in Cumberland, and their Wilderness Campground is excellent!  After a welcome re-entry into our Journey, we moved along to Nolin Lake State Park. A wonderful park too, we visited Abe Lincon's Birthplace and Mammoth Cave Ntl. Park. Unfortunately, the Ranger-led tour we took here was a three-hour rigorous introduction to spelunking, and bringing a camera was not an option.  But, after seeing as many caves as we have, this kind of tour was EXCELLENT!	Nick is in Kentucky, where are Natalie and PK?
Nolin Lake State Park - hike to the waterfall.	The waterfall's size is deceiving...when Natalie scaled the ledge behind the fall, it looked a little more intimidating.
Louisville - We all enjoyed visiting Churchill Downs, and went on a "behind the scene" visit of the barns and grounds. Too bad we didn't see Big Brown!  Then, the next day we went to the Louisville Slugger bat factory and museum. How cool! Pk even got a specially-made bat with his name on it.

	NEW RIVER GORGE NTL. RIVER   It is actually is our Nations's oldest river; and I didn't ask how they knew that. We had a great time exploring more rocks and crannies, hiking, and taking an exhilerating drive to the bottom of the gorge to look up at our Nation's largest (and World's second) arch bridge. It was cool watching the kayakers and rafters going over the rapids, and clibing on the big rocks was a blast!
	SENECA ROCKS/MONONGAHELA NTL. FOREST   We had a great hike to the peaks (to the left side of the pictures) and then went behind them for a hike back down on the rocky path of East Trail.   This place was truly beautiful, and held a very deep spiritual "magic." Glorious and yet almost too powerful...

	Shenendoah Ntl. Park   The day we went here was cold (40 deg.) and drizzly. And, early spring meant lots of soggy earth and little foliage.  I was not as "wowed" as I had expected to be (I'd heard wonderful things about Shenendoah).  But, we had a great Ranger-led hike and interpretive program on a bit of the Appalachian trail.  I can't wait to take on that adventure some day....
Yorktown   Our 'history' lessons begin! We've had a beautiful time learning our Nation's beginnings - walking the hallowed grounds and listening to interpretive and living history programs.	Firing a Civil War cannon (left) at Yorktown Ntl. Battlefield.  After the battlefield we ventured into Yorktown to view the historic area & buildings. Can you find the two cannon balls stuck into the side of this brick home? (above) click on the picture for an enlargement
	Fort  Monroe - Sometimes we just 'fall into things.' Because I'm x-military we stay frequently at military installation campgrounds. Fort Monroe is one such base. Although this particular one is slotted for closure by 2012, it is still operating and the historic areas are tourable. The house (left) was visited by Abe Lincoln and other Civil War leaders, and Jefferson Davis (the Conferderate 'President') was held prisoner at the Casemate. But, even more importantly, it was known to slaves at 'Fort Freedom.'  Click on the picture to learn more about Fort Monroe, or click FORT FREEDOM to learn about it's connection to the Civil War and slavery.
Colonial Williamsburg   Two days was not enough time to explore all the living history shops, AND follow along in the living 'play' designed to recreate Williamsburg during the Revolution. We all had a great time learning by participation/activity, and getting to know these 'characters' from history. (I would not recommend this place for young kids under 9 yrs of age - the 'actors' speak in period language, and even my 9 y.o. had a difficult time following some of the plays.)

JFK Center for the Performing Arts Ntl. Symphony Orchestra presents; All in the Musical Family   World premier of 'Toyjam' composition; a piece which included narration by Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs).  Prior to the show, volunteers helped audience participants (pictured here :) in a musical 'petting zoo' where many instruments were attempted to be played. What a great intro to the Symphony!  Afterward, we even got a few autographs!!  Natalie attempts the piccalo.	PK plays the cello
Nick actually plays a note or two on the flute.	How cool is the symphony?!
Although we didn't get approved to tour the White House, we still did a 'walk by' for this shot. Our Capitol Tour was 'cleared' though, and we even did a gallery sitting on a Senate Hearing (that was awesome). Our Nation's capitol was as cool as I expected, but if you're planning on visiting come in the winter - every single museum, monument, and historic site was jammed-packed!
	$696 Million printed on paper here daily!
We took a moment to pay our respects to those unknown soldiers who fell defending our country; Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington Ntl. Cemetery	Alone (??) on the steps of the Capitol - a magic moment.
We spent our last of four days in D.C. touring the major monuments. Pictured above is Franklin Delano Roosevelt Monument, and Lincoln Monument is Right.

The temps weren't quite hot enough to drive the ponies to the beach and water (to cool off and remove flies), but we still enjoyed both!  As the afternoon lengthened several small groups (one stallion and 1-5 mares) came roadside for the tender grass.

	Brandywine River Near Wilmington is this lovely river for kayaking or tubing. We were the season's first tube-ers. At one stop we played on some large rocks and at another we played on a small island. The afternoon went too quickly...
DOVER  AFB We had a wonderful stay at the air base! We stayed at a campground right across the street from an awesome, huge playground, and an archery range about 1/4 mile down the road. It was a great stay!

Little Round Top, Gettysburg	Dwight D. Eisenhower National Historic Site
	Daniel Boone State Historic Site (left)         Valley Forge National Historic Park (below) Even when I was in Desert Storm the enlisted (me) stayed in the less desireable housing (tents), while the officers usually had buildings. Left; George Washingon's quarters, Right; the troops' huts - 12 to a cabin!!
Lancaster County, PA Amish & Menonite country - We had a lovely ride in an Amish carriage with an Amish guide, through, well, an Amish town.  It was an eye-opener for the kids...
	PHILADELPHIA   More "history" lessons!  Independence Hall (left), the home where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (below, right), and, PK working in the same printing shop as Benjamin Franklin, doing the same job! (below, left)

The "Jersey Shore" at Sea Girt.

Manhattan skyline behind the largest park we've ever visited. Too bad it was dirctly in the sun with no protection. We stayed a short time before heading into the nearby Liberty Science Center.

Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty
Manhattan (above) and East Greenwich Village; Trash and Vaudville on St.Marks (I shopped there in my punk days of collge)

Weir Farm Ntl. Historic Site - Nick sees a newt along the trail to the pond. Later, we all paint in the sunken garden, carrying on the artistic tradition of this site.
	American Legion and People's State Forests - Rich and moist, the beautiful aroma was one of the most primal since visiting Alaska. Along the Farmington River, designated National Scenic and Wild, it was a relaxing stopover; even without the comfort of electricity...or cell phones.

Providence   The Arcade; America's oldest indoor mall. Unfortunately, it was in the process of closing, as the lack of central AC and other modern conveniences demanded upgrading and remodling.
	Newport Mansion Tour   It started with The Breakers and then The Marble House, both Vanderbilt Mansions. Since visiting Biltmore, then the Vanderbilt's summer mansion in Hyde Park, we had to visit the last two standing (and "originally- decorated") mansions on the mansion tour. The last home (bottom right), is The Elms, and its gardens and weeping European Beech trees are awesome.

	Cape Cod National Sea Shore; Atlantic side (left photo), The Cape (right). The water is colder and more rough in the Atlantic, but the sand is smoother. The Cape beaches have more coarse sand, but the water is more tolerable.
Below: Battle Road; Lexington to Concord. The road to rally the minutemen to prepare for the "Regulars" (Redcoats). Pictured; The Bloody Angle. Rt: Longfellow NHS; Cambridge. Among many other wonderful poems, one we tied in to our history "lesson" for the week: The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere !	The kids play a "period" game of Graces on Longfellow's lawn. Using two 18 in. sticks a decorative rod is tossed to the other player who must catch it with their sticks.

	Great Pond   Just a little east of Bangor, this military recreation area was a wonderful "introduction" to Maine; secluded, peaceful, and lots of water and the  smell of evergreen trees!     After our short stay, we headed down to Acadia Ntl. Park (pictured below).  Although VERY crowded, we started out early in the morning and didn't run into the crowds until after lunch.
	A sunrise walk through the woods to the coast... By Blackwoods Campground
Searching the horizon atop Cadillac Mtn.	....pickin' blueberries; a Maine must-do!
	It was raining at Jordon Pond by the time we finished up our second day at Acadia. The lovely, smooth stillness prompted this photo...
Cobbscook St. Park   I got to talkin' with the hosts and discovered that his mom and my mom had the same last maiden name; "Grindle. A little more research will be necessary to see how we're related!   Bill takes the kids and I out for some real Maine clammin'.
	Eastport   The furthest most eastern city of the United States is very Maine-ish...   Although I couldn't talk ANY of the kids into eating lobster, we still had fun checking them out at a lobster pound/restaraunt where we ended up eating lunch (I had fried clams so Nick wouldn't be upset).