#93 May 2015 Washington DC

After a refreshing tour of mountains and caverns we headed towards Washington DC. The park we chose in Maryland offers Washington transit and tours directly from the park. That was a big bonus, as we did not want to drive in Washington.

We started with the “DC After Dark” Tour. A double decker bus arrived to discover Ralph and I were the only passengers from the park.

The bus picked up more passengers in Washington at Union Station where we had a peak at the Capitol Building.

We knew the dome was being restored but it was still impressive to actually see the Heart of American power.

The White House is very imposing and appears secure with military personnel and fencing around it, which should discourage intruders.

The sentries on the roof should detect anyone with ulterior motives.

The “Bike Share” program seems to work well even in the evenings.

The Washington Monument is visible from many locations.

The Lincoln Memorial is very dramatic and moving after our experiences in many Civil War museums and battlefields.

The Gettysburg Address sums up why the Western World fights for democracy. Several years ago we were in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the anniversary of the Address. A descendant of Lincoln gave the speech in the original location. That was the beginning of our understanding of the Civil War.

We saw many monuments and points of interest; however, the bus driver was new to the tour. His presentation appeared to be a memorized monologue that was difficult to follow. We were disappointed and did not receive the detailed information that usually highlights a tour.

We are not big city people and had been in big cities for a few weeks. We decided not to explore any more Washington city sights.

The Smithsonian Institution is world renowned for its museums; however, there is one location that is not well known. The “National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center” is located nearby in Virginia and only accessible by car (transit is in the planning stages). It opened in 2003 and houses the “excess” aircraft displays from the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. The Wall of Fame provides an impressive approach.

Upon entering the museum there appears to be a ghostly aircraft. It is intended to be a ghost – the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - the Stealth.

No reconnaissance aircraft in history has operated in more hostile airspace or with such complete impunity than the SR-71, the world’s fastest jet-propelled aircraft. During 24 years of active service the Blackbird accrued over 2,800 hours of flight time. In 1990 it set a speed record by flying from Los Angeles to Washington DC in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 20 seconds, averaging 2,124 mph. At the flight’s conclusion, it landed at Washington-Dulles International Airport and the airplane was turned over to the Smithsonian.

The organization of the displayed aircraft is based on time period, location and type of usage. It is very well structured. Our 80 year old tour guide was a military and commercial pilot and now volunteers his incredible wealth of knowledge to the public. He seemed to know the history of every piece of equipment on display. Our 90 minute tour lasted 3 hours and we loved every minute. He brought to life the story of the aircraft, often from personal experience.

In 1976 when the Concorde went into service it was the epitome of commercial aviation’s achievements. For over 25 years it flew thousands of passengers across the Atlantic in less than four hours, twice as fast as a conventional jetliner. However, its high operating costs resulted in very high fares, which few people could afford. In 2003, upon completion of its final flight, Air France donated this Concorde to the Smithsonian.

This view of the Concorde shows a few of the other aircraft displayed up, down and sideways.

Looking upward, the ceiling shows man's determination to fly.

Near the end of World War II some 5,000 Japanese pilots died making kamikaze attacks. The Ohka was designed to allow a pilot with minimal training to drop from a navy bomber at high altitude. At high speed he would guide his aircraft, with its warhead, into an Allied warship.

With its own hangar, the Space Shuttle Discovery is a highlight. The Space Shuttle program dramatically raised awareness of space and its possibilities.

This Shuttle shows the wear and tear from being in space much like the Independence at Houston Space Center (post #66) and Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center (post #79).

The Restoration Hangar is littered with current projects and many others waiting for funding.

Each time we visit an aircraft or space museum we are once again reminded of the aviation achievements from the Wright Brothers to the Space Shuttle and beyond in just over a century. This museum is well worth the drive.

#92 Apr 2015 Fresh Mountain Air and Bonus Caverns

Since eastern Texas we had traveled along coastal areas. It was time for mountains. Since Ralph and I met, other than eight years, we have lived in the mountains or within sight of them. We love the ocean but also need clear mountain air.

In western Virginia, Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park provides fresh air, a mountain road and an endless view.

In 1929 there were more than 21 million automobiles in the United States. After meeting many geological and financial challenges Skyline Drive was completed in 1935. It was designed for leisurely drives and picnics in the cool mountain air.

That goal has been maintained. The speed limit is 35 mph and there are 75 viewpoints along the 105 mile Scenic Byway.

The Drive runs along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At the north entrance, spring was well underway with wildflowers and trees bursting with buds and blossoms.

To the east and west the mountains gently undulate into the distance.

In the near distance three centuries of tilling and grazing have removed the original hardwood forest. Good soils have eroded away, but what remains is among the most intensely used earth in the United States.

As we reached higher elevations the view was starker.

However, dandelions seem to ignore the weather once they get started.

When we came out from lunch at Mile 42 the fog had caught up with us. Just after we started back a deer casually sauntered across the road, looking neither left or right.

Skyline Drive was refreshing and a dramatic change of scenery.

We stayed at a park in Front Royal and as usual checked out the local visitor information centre. There is always more to see than we expect but this time we hit the jackpot in nearby Luray.

In 1878 Luray Caverns were called the “discovery of the century”.

National Geographic called the Caverns a “fairyland in stone”.

The highlight of the Caverns is the world’s largest musical instrument, the Great Stalacpipe Organ.

It was designed and implemented by Leland W. Sprinkle in 1956. A custom console controls the tapping of solenoid-actuated rubber mallets on ancient stalactites. The varying sizes produce musical tones.

From the discovery of the Caverns, the favorable attributes of the formations for creating musical tones were well known. The music is eerily beautiful in the otherwise silent cavern.

Look carefully at the following photos of Mirror Lake. Where does the water begin?

The variety of colours of the stalactites (tight to the roof) and stalagmites (might grow up to the roof) is endless.

Yes, the following formation is so sheer that light shines though the Bacon Formation.

We have now visited Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and Luray Caverns in Virginia. They are both overwhelmingly immense and dramatic, however, the presentation to the public is very different.

Luray Caverns are privately owned and have adjacent tourist attractions included with admission. Access to the Caverns is by guided tour only. The caverns are too large for a voice to be heard easily by the entire tour group. The tour information is not comprehensive and points are often repeated. The total venue feels commercial.

Carlsbad Caverns are in a National Park and treated with respect for a wonder of nature. Tours are self guided with lots of signage to explain the formations. This allows each visitor to absorb one of God’s marvelous creations at his or her own pace.

#91 Apr 2015 World Peace - Is It Possible?

As Canadians we have not experienced a global war on our soil. We have gone to battle for democracy in other countries and ultimately to preserve democracy in Canada. Now in 2015 the battle is coming closer but often still feels like the war is not ours.

We had a general understanding about the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War. As we traveled up the east coast of the US we encountered many battlefields, forts and museums conveying local events. Many locations had significant history in both wars.

In St. Augustine, Florida we explored Castillo de San Marcos. Construction of the fort began in 1672 and the fort was in continuous military possession for 251 years until it was deactivated in 1933. It was the scene of hard fought battles during several wars.

Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island is just west of the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

In 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh sponsored England’s first sustained exploration and settlement of the coast of North America. England wanted to plant its flag in the soil of the New World to reap its treasures, by whatever means. Efforts to find the perfect spot (fertile, defensible, friendly) brought settlers to Roanoke Island. This was the site of the Lost Colonists whose fate has never been discovered.

The earthworks of the first fort have been reconstructed.

During the Civil War, Union forces took the island. Word spread among runaway enslaved persons that on “Roanoke Island you will find safe haven”. The army established a Freedman’s Colony to prepare the liberated slaves for life after the war.

Petersburg, Virginia was the site of a pivotal battle near the end of the Civil War. A video at The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier brings the daily struggles and hardships of the common soldier to life.

My thoughts and heart are with you at home, but my duty lies here with cause and comrade.

In Britain King George III ruled the British Empire as he saw fit. Never having visited most of his empire his laws were based on information from various officials, many who had little or no experience or understanding of the territories involved.

Thirteen American Colonies felt they were being restricted and taxed unfairly. European immigrants to the New World encountered challenges and freedoms that were unheard of in their home countries. Britain ruled the colonies as if they were in old Europe which had been settled for centuries.

Slavery, the most absolute form of involuntary servitude, has been an institution throughout the world since at least 4,000 B.C.

Nearly 10 million Africans were brought to the New World as slaves during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Some were treated with apparent kindness.

Many with cruelty.

Whatever the treatment from their masters, slaves had no freedom of choice.

Based on a true story, "Twelve Years a Slave" is a powerful depiction of slavery - whether born into slavery or shanghaied into slavery.

Ralph and I now have a better understanding of what happened during The American War of Independence and Civil War. Now "war" is more real for us and has generated more questions than answers.

Throughout history man has started wars for many different causes - religious beliefs, ownership of people/property, where and how to live, and many more reasons.

Whatever the justification for the actions of war, it is individual people who bear the consequences of those actions.

What would world peace look like?