Jamestown and Arlington Cemetary

We got up and packed our "gear" to check out and be away on the last leg of our journey. We decided to drive down to the Jamestown Settlement before heading north again. After 3 days of walking all day, we opted for the drive thru tour of the island that the original settlement was founded on. As always, the history of our Country amazed me. The trials and tribulations that the early settlers went thru to found our Nation were truly amazing. The melding of cultures and the many things learned by all is what made our Nation the "melting pot" that it became. We saw so many things. The Island itself has pretty much gone back to nature - but we were able to see the swamps and bogs that were so instrumental in moving the settlement more inland. There are spots that trees are growing straight out of the standing water!!

After taking the long route around the island, we took the "scenic route" back inland. We drove thru about 40 miles of back roads to see the plantation homes of yesteryear. I was amazed at how small many of these homes actually were. Of course, they were closed to the public - the "season" hasn't started yet. But I got to see the outside of them. We did take pictures of the signs that gave the history to them - and that was in itself interesting to me.

After finishing our second "tour" of the day - we headed back to the Rappanahock to cross over to the Potomic back into Maryland. Then we headed west again as we decided we had time to do a quick view of the Arlington National Cemetary. We went on a mini tour there also. I was at the Cemetary during my 9th grade school year - so it has been awhile for me. I was amazed to learn that Keith never visited it - even when he worked right there at the Pentegon!! We had to wait for the tour to start as the Japanese Minister of Defence was touring and it was closed to the public until he was out of the area. It was worth waiting for. It was a very moving tour - including the Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the gravesites of the Kennedy's - both President and Robert Kennedy's sites, the Monument in Memory of the Space Shuttle crash, and many many many others. If you are ever able to get there - it is certainly a very moving place to visit. In one spot of the tour - you see graves - as far as the eye can see - in any direction. This is the price that our Brave Men and Women have paid for our Freedom. The same freedom we take so for granted!!

After that, we toured on down to the Monument "Park" and saw the Jefferson Monument, the Vietnam Wall, Washington Monument and so many more of those that I couldn't even begin to name them all. It too shows the great people and great works that are so part of our heritage. The AMERICAN Heritage. We have that whether our forefathers came from Japan, Korea, Ireland, China, Africa, England, France, or anywhere else. Maybe we should be dwelling on our Freedoms instead of chafing on the unfairness that we seem to want to waller in~~

After again putting miles on our feet, we headed closer to the airport. Driving thru Washington DC I was able to get a pretty good picture of the renovated "row houses" in the downtown area. They were renovated some years ago (but since I was there last) and are actually in a pretty seedy part of town - but hey are still really awesome looking. These aren't the best ones I was - just the only ones I got pictures of.

We then headed over towards the airport. We had the only poor experience of our entire trip. We got a lousy, smelly, dirty room. And by the time Keith went back up to complain, they were full. He left a scathing comment card - and we actually got a follow up phone call, an apology, and our room charges reversed. The carpet was so sticky and dirty that I spread bath towels out on it to walk on so I didn't have to do the floor in my bare feet. I will walk thru security at the airport barefoot - but that carpet - no.no.no!!

So this was our last day before heading back home. It was a jammed packed week - with lots of sights, lots of history, lots of laughs and a very good time.

We had a great flight back to Florida, seemed like it went by in a flash!! Stopped at the Lone Cabbage, ate stuffed crab and watched the gators floating in the marsh. Welcome home!!!!