Visited Nokomis, Tampa, & Sarasota Florida this past November for our Nephew's wedding to Pri.  What a great opportunity to be a part of this important family event.  Also great to experience
Florida for the first time during November.  Flew out of Columbus on Southwest- 2 round trip tickets for around 600.00- Rented a car at enterprise for 260.00 for 4 days.  Most of our time was spent helping to set up-attend- and tear down for the wedding, but had lots of time to enjoy the ocean on Longboat Island.

 These ocean scenes were new to us- warn temperatures for November coming after the Gulf waters had already cooled resulting in a heavy fog- something neither of us had seen before on the beach.

 Got my usual Grouper Sandwich at the Old Salty Dog after we tore down the wedding and was headed back through Sarasota to Nokomis and the family home.

 We hate to fly, but this trip on Southwest as surprisingly nice using preferred seating. only 1;50 minutes each way- Columbus, Ohio to Tampa Florida

Soldiers Quarters

Spent several hours with Peg on Sweetest Day visiting a quiet hidden away nature preserve in Champaign County Ohio called Davey Woods.  Two nature trails are carved out through this wooded and rugged terrain.  One trail is .6 miles the other 1.4 miles both connect and the longer one being an extension of the shorter. We had a great time experiencing the color and peacefulness of the preserve. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Birthday present from Peg that shows all the places in the U.S. we have yet to see and enjoy and the many places we have visited and want to return.  A wonderful display and constant reminder of where we've been and where we want to go!!

Our visit to Valley Forge was at the same time as our stay with family in Philadelphia, but with Valley Forge having such a major impression on me I decided to give it its own page.  From arrival to the location of Washington's headquarters during the winter of 1777-78 to viewing some of his guard's quarters (who by the way Washington was very particular about- and thus gave us the standard appearance found in those who now guard our Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)  to defense redoubts, artillery base, reconstructed soldier quarters, training fields, and military leaders this was a truly enlightening experience that I would recommend to all.  Drive and walk virtually the entire camp and gain a very full understanding our the Continental Army's experience as they kept an eye on General Howe in our captured capital city of Philadelphia. 

I encourage you to visit the Valley Forge Page for pictures of our experience!! Hope you enjoy

Declaration House

My Fotobabble

Our coming plans include a trip to Nokomis, Florida and a Big 21 day tour of Oregon Trail, Jackson Hole-Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Four Corners, Durango, Colorado Springs and many stops in-between

     My wife and I recently had the opportunity to visit Old City Philadelphia with our children who live and work on the city's mainline about 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia.  They proved to be the perfect tour guides to help us maneuver to the many historic sites we have longed desired to visit.  The sites within Philadelphia in particular were dear to me as I taught history for 30 years and just standing near Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were created was an  absolutely awe-inspiring for me. The Liberty Bell, remnants of the first "White House", Carpenters Hall-meeting of the First Continental Congress, The Betsy Ross House, Declaration House- where Thomas Jefferson penned the first version of the Declaration of Independence, to name a few.