Did you know the World’s Largest Slinky used to be displayed in Richmond, Virginia? Alas, it has moved to Pennsylvania. While I was initially quite disappointed to be missing the giant slinky, I ended up discovering something even more amazing on my afternoon tour of Richmond. There are a plethora of interesting outdoor activities and…
What is it about President Abe Lincoln that fascinates so many people? Why are so many locations and events in his life commemorated in historic sites still today? Perhaps it is his rise from poverty in his younger years to a man of such great character who became President. As an Illinois native I have…
Weary Willie and Freddie the Freeloader are just two of many famous happy hobo and sad tramp clowns. Both Willie and Freddy are hobo clowns but with opposite personalities. Weary Willie is a sad, down in the dumps tramp clown and Freddy is an optimistic, happy hobo clown. What’s the difference between a hobo and a…
What was it like for the Pilgrims who came across the ocean on the Mayflower? It’s impossible to know for sure since no one who was there is still around to answer our questions and tell us about it. But wondering what it must have been like is something I often do. What was it…
The White House is a six-story, 55,000 square foot house located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washinton, DC. The house has 132 rooms and 35 bathrooms, 412 doors, 147 windows, twenty-eight fireplaces, eight staircases, three elevators, five full-time chefs, a tennis court, a (single-lane) bowling alley, a movie theater (officially called the White House Family Theater), a…
Becki at A Book Lover’s Adventures has been running a series on her blog this year called Hometown Tourist. She was kind enough to accept my submission to feature Arroyo Grande, CA. We only lived there for three short years but it found a place in all our hearts and in many ways feels like…
This summer saw us hit the road in our trusty minivan (it’s the same one we started with back in 2006!) for Big Trip Lucky 13. Here’s a quick rundown of the points of interest along the way. As I get any corresponding posts written for various locations, a link will be added to this…
In honor of Helen Keller’s birthday, June 27, I have written this post about my 2010 visit to her birthplace, Ivy Green. I’ve always been a reader. One book I read as a child that has had a lasting impact was a Helen Keller biography. I’m not sure if it’s because I also had…
I recently stopped at our local history museum, the Freeman House, to buy a Remembrance Poppy badge. While I was at the museum, I also took some time to look through the museum exhibits. How crazy is that – I took myself on a mid-week, mid-afternoon field trip to the museum, all by myself! I…
A visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps Washington, DC is known for its many monuments and the Smithsonian museums. A short (or long depending on traffic!) drive south on I-95 will bring you to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. In my opinion, it is worth the drive. The…
We live about 15 miles from Manassas National Battlefield Park and have been there several times over the past 17 years. My most recent visit was in March. I took a few pictures to share with you. (I should mention that Felisa asked me why I was taking so many pictures when I had already…
Carrots are full of Vitamin A and beta carotene which are good for your eye health. This is a fact. The superpowers of carrots though have become exaggerated over time. They help maintain healthy eyes but cannot resolve vision problems. If you are near-sighted, no amount of carrots will change that. Why then do we…