Civil War Battlefields

General Stonewall Jackson

It is our first full summer here and now we will have experienced all four seasons on the east coast. Although it is humid, it is a welcome relief to escape another scorching Arizona summer.

We got notification just last week that Tom's active duty tour will be extended and we will be here until end of January 2012. Time is of the essence now and I am determined to see as much of the area as possible and not to squander our precious time.

In my last blog, I had written about our fun vacation with my sister Mary Beth and brother-in-law Bob. They were excellent house guests, but they did have one flaw- the inability to keep an aerobed inflated for an entire night.  Inevitable, we would hear the motor powering up again to re-inflate the bed as the Thouvenels found themselves on the floor once again. I don't recall what night they were victorious in a good night's sleep- but it may have been the night before our trip to Gettysburg PA.

Brother Bob requested this trip and I am so glad he did. The 150 year commemoration of the beginning of the Civil War is this year and the battlefields have many special events to mark the event.
http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm

Gettysburg is only about 90 miles from where we live and it was doable in a one day trip. The Pennsylvania countryside is so green and beautiful.  Now I know why my friends' Carol,  Linda and Sue love it there.

The town of Gettysburg has a small town flavor and it is chock full of small museums, restaurants and antique stores. It would be a fun place to spend a leisurely weekend. The east coast seems particularly interested in ghosts and I think it is because of the enormous numbers of  civil war casualties that may or may not have made it to an appropriate resting place due to the vast numbers.

We visited the Gettysburg National Military Park first, The building is fairly new and just beautiful. The exhibits are superb and a highlight was the cyclorama 360 degree visual and auditory reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg which took place July 1-3 1863. 
It must have been a special Boy Scout event day as the place was swarming with well-behaved (of course) Boy Scouts touring the museum. 

We had made reservations on line to take a guided bus tour of the battlefields and it was well worth it. Our tour guide was really good and  so knowledgeable.   www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com


 The bus made several stops and we disembarked and she described the events of each day of the battle. The battlefield is managed by the National Park Service and  it has been restored to it's natural state. You can actually see the vistas where the soldiers marched in and what tactical positions each side took and why-fascinating.


Apparently in the 50's subdivisions were built on the battleground property and the houses have since been cleared out with the exception of one lone hold out who refuses to budge.  I also didn't know that President Eisenhower and his wife Mamie had a getaway PA farm in Gettysburg. www.nps.gov/eise/

The names of Little Round Top , McPherson's Ridge and Cemetery Hill  ran through my mind on the trip home.  I would certainly recommend a trip to Gettysburg if you are ever in the area- a very memorable experience.





We spent one day of Memorial Day weekend at the Manassas National Battlefield  Park, site of the first and second battle of Manassas (aka Bull Run).  It is less than an hours drive from our place and it makes me feel so lucky to have history practically in my own backyard (if I had one).

In both Gettysburg and Bull Run there were one civilian fatality each. At Gettysburg, an unfortunate woman was killed in her own kitchen when a stray sniper bullet found her. See, I told you it was dangerous to spend too much time in the kitchen!  In Manassas, an elderly woman refused to be evacuated from her sick bed in her home even though the battle was actually raging on and around her farm. A cannonball destroyed her home and consequently she lost her life.  I think how scary it must have been for the citizens  of these communities to be right in the thick of things. 


The Henry Hill Visitor Center was our first stop- very nice and low key. A contrast to the more updated and slick Gettysburg visitor center. www.nps.gov/mana
The first battle took place in July 1861 and the second in August 1862.  I think how hard it must have been to be in battle in the first place and then to wear wool uniforms in the heat of summer. Especially sad when you see the pictures of so many young men whose lives were cut short.

  We also drove to The Brawner farm Interpretive Center and The Old Stone House.  It was a very hot day and the crowds were sparse. We took a 30 minute walking tour from an earnest volunteer rookie who did a good job. We all postured around the nearest shade tree and enjoyed the beautiful vistas.  The only distraction were two brother who I would guess were 3 and 5 years old. Who could blame them for fussing at something they couldn't possibly understand and to stand and walk in the heat! 

We concluded the day with a dinner at The Cracker Barrel restaurant.  It seemed we were in  the South and not a stone's throw from a busy urban area. I had Southern fried chicken and greens-delicious. 


There are more battlefields to see and we hope to get to Fredricksburg sometime soon. I am having my usual struggles with captioning my photos- but hope you enjoy them nonetheless.

Yankees!

This year commemorates the start of the Civil War 150 years ago.  The area is rich in history and we have become interested in learning more about this terrible time in our nation's history.  I was never very interested in Civil War History as it seemed so far away in time and distance from my life.

I got an idea of the continuing relevance and strong feelings and traditions the summer before last, when Tom and I went to Branson Missouri during the 4th  of July weekend.  We decided to go to the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede Dinner Theatre http://www.dixiestampede.com/

It was so much fun, but we were shocked to learn that we would choose whether to be Yankees or Confederates and be seated on opposites sides of the arena-huh!? There were feats of skills between the two "teams" and we cheered on the Yankee side of course.  I thought the Civil War was so long ago that it was not so relevant anymore- wrong.  In retrospect, I think it is important to remember this time and be proud of the people who fought and worked so hard for needed change.

Well, my sister Mary Beth and husband Bob came for a visit in May to celebrate her 60th birthday- imagine that.  We are all Yankees, the Thouvenels and the Drydens- born and bred in the Pacific Northwest.  My brother in law is a retired high school history teacher and my sister a voracious reader and also a retired teacher and principal. Both are very much interested in American History.

Mary Beth is four years older than I am and we have a special bond (as I do with all three of my sisters for the different reasons and seasons they have influenced my life).  We socialized a lot together back in the 70's and 80's in Portland with our first spouses.  We know each other pretty well, I would say.  Because she is four years older, I missed out on riding on her coattails of popularity at Redmond High School- how unfair! 

The anticipation of having more visitors was exciting- the weather was just starting to improve and  I was looking forward to my first Spring here.  I worked feverishly on the planned itinerary to make sure it would be a memorable visit.  The highlight of the trip was to be a trip to NPR (National Public Radio)studios in D C- well as my son-in law would say: Fail!!


The first day here we went to The Old Ebbit Grill for dinner, a walk to the White House and a moonlight trip to The Lincoln Memorial. I never get tired of the sight of the Lincoln Memorial- so awe inspiring. 

The next day was our trip to Arlington Cemetery. The weather was nice and we enjoyed the Lee House which I love to see when we make trips into DC. I have come to love General Lee- he has the dearest, saddest eyes and he was conflicted about slavery.  He is revered here and it has been fun getting to know more about him.

The next day was MB's birthday and we had an awesome day planned. Okay, I screwed up the plans for NPR and the much anticipated tour.  Somehow I cannot seem to get the concept that  National Public Radio and my local NPR affiliate are not one and the same.......I hauled these two poor Yankee visitors from the beaver state almost to the end of the red line train after the "helper" at the Metro station didn't know where or what NPR was .  It turned out we were really close, but then took a ridiculous detour to WMAU and were politely informed that we were in the wrong place- they were trying not to laugh at us but it was surely embarrassing.....sorry about that Mary Beth.  I vow to get there one day and will probably have to drag Tom there in your place. 

The rest of the day went smoothly except for putting up with the insufferable Metro workers who Mary Beth says must have some sort of seasonal affective disorder from being in dark cavernous spaces most of the day.  She thinks better lighting would make them less cranky.....

We took a quick tour of the museum at Ford's Theatre before heading out for day one of our Tourmobile tour of the Orange and Green lines. We lucked out and had great drivers/tour guides.  We made a stop at the National Cathedral -beautiful and chock full of school groups.

We ran to In style Nails when we returned home and got french pedicures-awesome and our feet were killing us by the way. 

We ended the big birthday day at LaPorta's Restaurant-delicious! http://www.laportas.net/


The next day was drizzly and grey and the tourists seemed to be growing exponentially along the mall.
We attempted to take a tour of The Capitol Building .  It began to rain and then pour on us- an omen I think.  A pleasant intern was posted outside by the screening area handing our red umbrellas to borrow while waiting. The screening process is stringent and MB had to chuck her empty water bottle.  I was delayed getting in  as the European tourists in front of me had nail scissors in their bag-sigh...I felt and looked like a drowned rat and after seeing the hoards of middle school kids waiting for their tour- we decided to peruse the  museum displays and forgo the tour. 

We went to The Library of Congress, The Air and Space Museum and The National Museum of the American Indian.  We had a tasty lunch at the Mitsitam restaurant at the museum.  I have one more Groupon- so Tom and I will soon be returning for another delicious meal- a not to be missed experience.

We especially enjoyed the collection of Civil War photos at the Library of Congress. The pictures were heartbreaking to see so many young, innocent soldiers and their families fighting in that terrible war.

No trip to our neck of the woods would be complete without a visit to my favorite- Mount Vernon!  The weather was great and we enjoyed the day.

That night, we went to Eamon's Restaurant http://eamonnsdublinchipper.com/ in Old Town Alexandria- this was on Bob's wish list and since he was such a good sport we tried it out. The fish and chips were very good and we should have stopped there. We decided to try out a dessert sampler of a deep fried Mars bars and dough balls. How to describe the effect on the digestive tracts of four 50 plus Yankees.... Oh my, the fried delights sunk down in our stomachs and we were queasy from the overload of grease and sugar. It was worth it though and now I can cross  deep fried candy bars off my bucket list  : )

Our last day in DC was spent at The National museums of Natural and American History. The grand finale was a matinee of Liberty Smith at the Ford's theatre.  A delightful treat- thanks Mary and Bob!

The last day of the visit was spent in Gettysburg PA. I will write about that in a separate blog as this one is getting rather long and I want to include lots of pictures.

We had a great visit and enjoyed the good company, delicious meals and the fun of exploring here in DC Metro.

April Showers

April showers do bring May flowers among other things: unexpected visitors, another holiday in Virginia and a new volunteer experience. 

Rain...we get a lot of rain here it seems. It is probably more normal than not, but after living nearly 20 years in Arizona, the rain seems a bit persistent and excessive! It is becoming more beautiful here everyday with the lovely azaleas and dogwoods in bloom.  The humidity is low right now and we are enjoying the more temperate days while we can. 

My son Ryan, daughter in law Amanda and sweet Grandson moved to Houston Texas and are getting settled in their new home . I hope to make a quick trip there in the near future. 

Easter was spent at Mount Vernon with our friends Kari and JR. The day was pleasant, the food good and the company great. I did feel a little homesick that day and missed my family and  familiar church in Mesa.





The squirrel(s) were out in force on Easter Sunday!

Kari and JR


My brother in law Robert made an unexpected trip to Maryland to visit his folks after his Dad had surgery to repair his broken hip. He arrived the sane evening as Tom's brother Len arrived in town for a business trip.  We all had dinner together in Bethesda that night and enjoyed a great meal.  Wow, it seems I comment on food frequently, but we have really enjoyed some great restaurants here and it is fun to collect Groupons to use at new places.  A week later we met Robert in Georgetown for dinner at The Guards .  I am so glad Tom is skilled at parallel parking as it is a skill you must have here!  I haven't had to parallel park since moving to Mesa- plenty of wide open spaces there to accommodate the gas hogging trucks and SUVs!  Finding and paying for parking is a nuisance, but a reality here.  Robert took us to the Old Stone House, from pre-revolutionary days and within walking distance of the restaurant,

Tom and Bro in law Robert

We tried to get a cupcake at Georgetown Cupcakes- aka DC Cupcakes, but they had just closed and believe it or not there was a police officer supervising the closing of the store, that is how big a crowd it draws.

My eyes are closed and my shirt is buttoned unevenly- perhaps due to the vodka tonic I enjoyed at The Guards!

We settled for frozen yogurt and said goodbye- we will be seeing more of Robert in the near future as he sees to the transition of his Dad from extended care rehab back to home.  We will be making some sightseeing trips together and he is an expert guide as he has lived in the area previously.   



I found an opportunity to utilize my massage therapy skills shortly after the new year began.  I will be giving chair massage to returning vets from Iraq and Afghanistan at The Mologne House on the Walter Reed campus. The Mologne house is a transition house where the soldiers continue to get rehab after being released from acute care at Walter Reed hospital. After an application process, background check and the purchase of new malpractice insurance and a new chair I was ready to go.  The volunteers give chair massage to family and soldiers alike. It was a great experience and I am gratified to be of service to those who have sacrificed and served our country. The organization I am working under is CAUSE- please see the following link:
http://cause-usa.org/main/index.cfm

Tom and I made two April trips downtown to the Library of Congress-http://www.loc.gov/index.html
we enjoyed a concert of Pershings own Army Band and will be returning to see the new Civil War pictorial exhibit  in the near future.  We also visited the National Aquarium, but I wouldn't recommend it as a must see.

We were scheduled to attend an Army Strong marriage weekend in Virginia Beach on the last weekend in April, but it was cancelled at the last minute. Due to a lack of interest?!  Well, I was interested and thought it would make for an entertaining blog. We decided to make the best of the situation and treated ourselves to sushi, a movie and and yoga class and a trip to The Pentagon Mall. Would you believe that we got scolded for taking pictures at the mall?  Unbelievable, since you can freely take pictures of most things on the capital mall....including the White House exterior.

The weekend ended with a rousing church service at our new big box church and for the first time ever, I actually raised my hand up during a praise song!  Me, a reserved Lutheran- ha ha.   The pastor is so enthusiastic and sincere, you can't help but get enthused too!  My Mom celebrated her 85th birthday and was feted at her local Lutheran church with a surprise coffee hour reception  that two of my sisters  put together.  Happy Birthday Mom- I was with you there in spirit- love you!

Mom and Dad with their favorite!


Well, the news these days is food for thought as we are living right in the middle of the breaking news and increased security. In a way it makes me want to run back to Arizona, but that is a silly notion.  It probably will be safer here than most places and it comes with the territory of having this chance to experience our year in DC Metro.