Our Traveling Lifestyle: NORTHERN VIRGINIA, August 1

On August 1st we reported for our one month camp host position at Lake Fairfax County Park. From this park it is an easy drive to Amy and Adam’s home in Oakton. So we now would have a free spot with all the amenities while visiting with them. The park was heavily used by locals on the weekends; especially the Water Mine and the group- reserved picnic sites at the front of the park. A mile back at the campground it was quieter. Our job required us to be “on duty” at our site from 8 to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday nights and to clean the camp bathhouse/restroom on Tuesday thru Thursday, which rarely took us an hour to do. Samantha thought it very funny when she first heard Mike say, “ It was time to go on duty”. Evidently she associated “duty” with what their dog, Toby, went outside to do. Sam would delight in asking Donna (Grandee) to ask Grando if he was on duty so she could hear him say the “duty” word.

Getting ready for an evening fire at Lake Fairfax

The campground offered Samantha lots of things to do when visiting or over-nighting with us. She liked to walk and visit the other camp sites, especially those with kids and tents. She got herself invited to go inside and jump on inflatable beds and play flashlight tag. She was disappointed when her new friends were not there the next time she came. Mike even got his bathing suit on to swim ‘The River” on some hot sultry days when we took Samantha to the Water Mine. It was a treat to sit in the cool water under a shade umbrella watching Samantha playing and experimenting sliding on her back, bottom and stomach into the water. The water park offered her and us more things to do than just swimming.

We had lots of time off to explore. Driving to Dover, Delaware, we crossed the Chesapeake Bay at Annapolis over a long bridge, getting a glimpse of all the boating that goes on there. We of course had to stop to get some crab cakes. Delaware is a small state and the part we drove through was mostly farm field with little population. We were surprised at all the tours and talks offered at Dover’s Heritage Park and its resemblance to
parts of Boston and Philadelphia. Dover is not someplace one hears much about.

We were about to learn much about Delaware’s role in the founding of our country not learned in our schoolbooks in the very thorough tours given in both the new and old State Houses. In 1682 Delaware came under William Penn’s providence when King Charles II gave it to Pennsylvania in order to give Penn‘s colony land access to the ocean. In 1776 Delaware declared itself free from British rule and established a state government separate from Pennsylvania.It was here in Dover at the Golden Fleece Tavern that Delaware delegates were the first to sign and ratify unanimously the United States Constitution, thus earning Delaware the moniker, “The First State”. One of the Bicentennial murals in the Legislative Hall ( as the new State House is called) depicted what we thought to be Paul Revere‘s ride. “Everybody in Delaware knows Caesar Rodney’s name and fame”, chided the docent at our mistake. In 1776 Caesar Rodney rode to Philadelphia to break a tie vote on Independence. We also were informed that the chicken seen atop the steeple of the Old State House is no ordinary chicken but is a Blue Hen and acts as a memorial to the courageous Delaware regiments in the Continental Army. The men became known as the “Blue Hens’ Chicks” after the bluish brave fighting cocks that they often carried with them for amusement during lulls in battle.

The OLD STATE HOUSE on DOVER GREEN

On another day trip to Annapolis we spent most of our time at the Naval Academy as the Maryland State House was under renovation and one could only see posters of what was or will be seen someday. We saw the state flag everywhere after being told its history and some tall tales by the State House docent.

Maryland's State Flag

Maryland's State House

Annapolis has trolleys and other vehicles to take you where you want to go. We parked at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium to avoid finding parking in the crowded historic and marina areas downtown. Annapolis attracts many visitors as it offers lots of shops, restaurants and historic places all in a beautiful setting. The Academy tour we took was focused on explaining how and where the Academy’s mission of developing the midshipmen morally, mentally and physically is accomplished. Of course they pointed out all the famous people who were graduates of the Academy. The fact that all 4,400 midshipmen are housed in one gigantic dorm was impressive.

Bancroft Hall
We also learned interesting lore and traditions at the Academy; how Bill, the goat became the Mascot and how the Tecumseh statue often appears in different disguises.

Donna and Amy went to the Washington National Cathedral for a gargoyle tour given by a friend of Amy and Adam. The gargoyles were added sometime during the 83 years it took for the Cathedral to be built as a way of raising money. Donors were allowed to choose the design of their gargoyle so there are many unusual and whimsical ones with interesting stories for their design; Darth Vader being the best known and looked-for. One has to use binoculars to see their details on the upper facade, as gargoyles are actually used as downspouts to protect the stone walls from water damage. the lecture with photos prior to touring outside was essential. The cathedral offers a variety of free self-guided tours for those who admire gothic architecture, impressive stone carvings, stained glass windows and medieval gardens. It attracted many local families looking for a place to go on a not-so-nice weather Sunday.

Very fanciful decorations - gargoyles too high to photograph

Creation of Humankind - one of the 3 carved creation -tympana over the 3 massive cathedral doors
Our visit ended with Samantha’s 4th birthday. Adam arranged the fun party with Sam’s friends at Tumbles, a children’s gym. The kids enjoyed all the games and activities presented, especially experiencing “flying” on a zip line as a finale.

Pizza Time

I have to blow all these out?
The Birthday girl gets to fly first

We had a family party on Sam’s real birthday, September 2nd. Sam decided four candles was not enough to fill her Wishasaurus (The little Princess cake was not made for candles). It was hard to convince her just to open her presents and not play with them, so opening took awhile. Then, it was time to say our good byes.