College Park, Maryland - October 6 - 9, 2015

 

College Park, Maryland - October 6 - 9, 2015

October 6, 2015

We got on the road about 9:15 a.m. heading to Maryland.  It is only 118 miles, but it is expected to take about three hours.  It is a beautiful sunshiny day, great for driving.

The drive was actually very easy in comparison to some of the previous ones.  When we got to the park Penny was there to greet us and give us our packets.  We were held up by one of the rigs ahead of us that were not with our group, so they were in registering.  No problem, we were not in a hurry.

Finally, they got moving, so we headed to our RV spot.  When we got there, the spot we were assigned, it was already filled – with nobody other than our Wagon Masters.  As it turns out, the park had double assigned several sites, and had not assigned some of the group sites at all.  Also, they had spots assigned for people that were not with our group.  I think there were some issues.  After waiting for them to sort it all out, we were given a pull thru site – the only one that the Fantasy group got.  As I said – we fell into a pile of “P**P” and came out smelling like a rose.  We have a great site with 50 AMP.  All is good.

The guys giving help with the bus engine
 

We needed to be ready to head out for our first tour at 2:00 p.m.  As usual, people started to gather at 1:45 p.m. – but unfortunately we found out that the bus had arrived, but it immediately quit working.  The bus company was at least 2 hours away, so they got a replacement from another company and we continued on our way.  We finally got on the road about 4:00 p.m., so Penny, our Wagon Master, had to do some rearranging of the plans.

When we picked up the tour guide, Dan, we started our Washington DC Tour.  Dan had grown up in DC and is very familiar with all of the buildings and history of the area.  He pointed out many of the buildings.  We were able to see the Washington Memorial, Capitol, IRS, Mint, etc. from many different angles.

We stopped to see many of the area Memorials.  The first visit being to the Lincoln Memorial.  

“The Lincoln Memorial is an American national monument built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument. The architect was Henry Bacon; the designer of the primary statue – Abraham Lincoln, 1920 – was Daniel Chester French; the Lincoln statue was carved by the Piccirilli Brothers; and the painter of the interior murals was Jules Guerin. Dedicated in 1922, it is one of several monuments built to honor an American president. It has always been a major tourist attraction and since the 1930s has been a symbolic center focused on race relations.”




“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a 3-acre national memorial in Washington, DC. It honors U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, and those service members who were unaccounted for during the War.”

Viet Nam Woman's Memorial
 

Viet Nam Memorial

Bev & Stan reflected in the Viet Nam Wall
 

The last memorial we saw before going to dinner was the Korean War Memorial.

Korean Memorial

 

Reflection in Korean Memorial Wall
 

“The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in Washington, D.C.'s West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. It commemorates those who served in the Korean War”.

Dinner was at the Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant.  It was a very busy place, but we got to have a room upstairs.  Salad & dinner were great, but the real hit was the Chocolate Cake.  We each got a HUGE piece, and most of us took a “doggy box” home. 

After dinner, we took a tour of Washington DC at night.  It is beautiful with all the lights.  Seeing the memorials all lit up was pretty cool.



World War II Memorial
 

 
 

We stopped at the World War II Memorial and were able to take some pictures.  Bev had been there last year during the day which was impressive, but seeing it at night was beautiful.

World War II Memorial Fountain

“The World War II Memorial is a memorial of national significance dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II. Consisting of 56 pillars and a pair of small triumphal arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, it sits on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on the former site of the Rainbow Pool at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.”

After a long day, we finally go back to the RV Park and much needed rest.

  

October 7, 2015

Today is the day that Bev has been looking forward to, since she was here last year and found it absolutely breathtaking.  Arlington National Cemetery!!!

When we got to the Visitors Center we went out to catch the trolley around the cemetery.  Unfortunately, since we were on a tight timeline, we had to pass the stop to the JFK Memorial.  We continued on to the Changing of the Guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.  The tour guide, Dan told us that the Tomb of the Unknown Viet Nam Soldier no longer had remains.  DNA has made such headway, that we should never have any more Unknown Soldiers. 

Dan also told us that there are such a limited number of guards for the Unknown Soldier.  That group has to apply for the job and has strict guidelines.  The guards have height, weight requirements as well as a very rigid schedule.  During the summer months, they still must where the wool uniform and march in the heat. 

Interesting Facts -

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Interesting facts about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Sentinels of the Third United States Infantry Regiment "Old Guard"

Q: How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

A: 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

Q: How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

A: 21 seconds, for the same reason as answer number 1.

Q: Why are his gloves wet?

A: His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

Q: Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time, and if not, why not?

A: No, he carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Q: How often are the guards changed?

A: Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Q: What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

A: For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30".

Other requirements of the Guard:

They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. They cannot swear in public FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way.

After TWO YEARS, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first SIX MONTHS of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends FIVE HOURS A DAY getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

We had to keep the on schedule, so we had to go to the Capitol for the tour appointment at 1:00.

When we got to the capitol, we were amazed to find that it was in the process of restoration.  There were tarps around much of the room and scaffolding around many of the statues.  The tour guide told us about many of the statues.  Luckily, Bev had been there last year so knew what it looked like in good repair.

After leaving the Capitol, Penny, the Wagon Master, had made arrangements for us to go to the US Marine Corps Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial Statue.  

“The United States Marine Corps War Memorial is a United States military monument sited at the back entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and next to the Netherlands Carillon, in Arlington Ridge Park, Arlington, Virginia. The memorial which was built after World War II is dedicated to all personnel of the United States Marine Corps who have died in the defense of the United States since 1775.”

Also, for those of us that had missed the JFK Memorial, on our rush through Arlington National Cemetery, were able to get to go back to visit that.  Stan went with that group.  Since Bev had seen it last year with Darin & Katie, she opted to go to the FDR Memorial.  As it turns out, she had seen that last year also, but it worked out ok, because she was able to find the book that the Tour Guide had recommended at the gift shop.  This is a book that Dan, tour guide, said was his bible for the Monuments in the area.

We all got back together and headed back to the RV Park.  Another great day.

 

October 8, 2015

Today was a day that Stan had been looking forward to.  We went to the US Naval Academy.  What an eye opener.  The “kids” we saw there were all recommended by their state representative.  The requirements were amazing.  The requirements during their time there showed the commitment of those that were accepted.  They were expected to complete the rigid courses in four years – not one quarter longer.  They could not have a car until their senior year, and needed to participate in school activities during the summer months, only going home for a few weeks.  Granted, their schooling was all paid for, but after they successfully completed classes, they have to complete an additional five years in the Navy.  We saw many of the students, and they were very dedicated, but they all had smiles for us.

If after the first two years the students drop out for any reason, they have to pay the US back for their $300,000 education.

We were able to see the dorm rooms for the midshipmen, which look quite a bit like dorms on other college campuses.  They have a shower and sink in their room, but the toilets are down the hall. That is probably a good thing, since it is one less thing that they have to keep clean and have inspected, or get demerits.

There is a beautiful chapel at the academy.  In the chapel is the crypt of John Paul Jones. 

“John Paul Jones has been hailed as one of the fathers of the United State Navy since 1775.  His leadership and influence are considered fundamental in the establishment of our Navy and in many ways played a large role in our War for independence.

Jones died in France as the French Ambassador for the United States in 1795.  On January 26, 1913, Jones’ casket was placed in an ornate sarcophagus of black and white Pyrenees marble and laid to rest in the crypt beneath the US Naval Academy Chapel in a ceremony presided over by President Theodore Roosevelt.”

Our next stop was to have lunch.  Stan & Bev were both going to try the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, until the waiter told us that the entire crab, shell included was to be eaten as a whole.  Stan changed his mind and had turkey dinner.  When he saw it he was happy for his choice.

After lunch we continued to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.  The big draw to Fort McHenry was the movie about the story of Fort McHenry and the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner”.  We did not walk out into the fort, as Stan had walked enough for today.

“Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a coastal star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay September 13–14, 1814. When the smaller Storm Flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the bombardment, was replaced with the larger Garrison Flag early on the morning of September 14, 1814, to signal American victory over the British in the Battle of Baltimore; the sight inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner," the poem that would eventually be set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" and become the national anthem of the United States.”

Back to the RV, and looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow. 

October 9, 2015

Yippee – today is a “day off”.  That means that we don’t have any tours, but there are plenty of chores to be done.

Stan was so happy to have a day to sleep in, since, normally we have been on the road by about 8:00 a.m.

Harvey & Manon Whittenburg, who have a new Four Travel coach called the Iron Horse, had an open house of their RV, so we could see all of the cool changes that they had done to their rig.  They had it special ordered for them, and it is lovely.  Stan wasn’t too interested in going over, so Joan & I went to visit.

We were able to get some chores done around the RV then went to IHop, Costco and the grocery store.  Our biggest challenge was to get it all into the freezer and refrigerator.  Since we don’t eat in much, we should not be buying more.  Most of our meals are either out or provided by the Fantasy.

Tonight, we had an ABC gathering at John & Jan’s.  It was so fun to get together, but it was cut short by a thunderstorm.  We all quickly took cover.  The appetizers were great – while they lasted.   Yum.