Bermuda's Beaches

You don’t have to travel far to find Paradise. Discover exquisite pink beaches, enchanting blue waters, old world hospitality and a vibrant culture that sways to a beat all its own. Come to the place where warm trade winds blow year round. Bermuda was an awesome cruise destination and I am looking forward to another trip there.

The Lincoln Memorial - Washington DC

Abraham Lincoln   

This titan of our national heritage grew up as a poor boy on the frontier.  Reading books by candlelight, whether after long hours at school or on the farm, proved invaluable to young Lincoln.  He later served as a store clerk, a river trader, and a “rail-splitter” used to hard physical labor.  A plain speaker for plain folks, Lincoln blended his love of the written word with a strong work ethic and pursued a legal career, then a political one from the Illinois state legislature to the U.S. Congress.  Here was a man who aspired to lead a nation.

Virginia's Capitol - Richmond VA

The Virginia State Capitol, located in Richmond, is the seat of state government in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It houses the oldest legislative body in the United States, the Virginia General Assembly. The Capitol was completed in 1788 and is over 215 years old.  In 2003, the Virginia General Assembly approved $83.1 million for the renovation, restoration and expansion of the Capitol. Work on the capitol began in 2004 and was completed on May 1, 2007 (In time for Queen Elizabeth's visit to Richmond and Jamestown.)  The image above is the Capitol’s Rotunda, with Jean-Antoine Houdon's statue of George Washington in its center.  Richmond Virginia is filled with history and adventure for all ages. 

Valle Crucis, North Carolina

The community of Valle Crucis has grown in recent years, as the valley’s scenic beauty and majestic quality continuously mesmerizes residents and draws visitors from throughout the world. Located in Watauga County, near Boone and only a few hours from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities, day and weekend getaways are possible, but most eventually return for a much longer stay.

Valle Crucis is North Carolina’s first rural historic district and the entire community is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nationally recognized historic buildings are abound in Valle Crucis, with many like The Baird House (1790), The Mast Farm Inn (1812), the Old Episcopal Mission (1842) and the Mast General Store (1883), restored to their initial splendor and still serving the area today.

The rustic countryside provides ample opportunities for recreational activities. Both residents and visitors alike can be found enjoying the amenities at the riverfront community park, with multiple children’s playgrounds, athletic fields, picnic areas, and a walking/running trail around its border. Other outdoor enthusiasts can be found hiking from the sacred ground of the old Episcopal Mission, now the Valle Crucis Conference Center, up trails to Crab Orchard Falls or along other seemingly limitless trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Riding horses through old farm fields in the valley and fishing for trout from the banks of the streams and Watauga River also provide an enjoyable glimpse at the days of old. Regardless of the choice of activity, unquestionably the best way to recap the day’s events is from a rocking chair placed outside in the crisp mountain air, with views of spectacular foliage and the quaint valley.

WInged Victory - The 1st Division Monument- Washington DC

The First Division Monument sits on a plaza in President's Park, west of the White House and south of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) at the corner of 17th Street and State Place, NW. (The EEOB was originally known as the State, War, and Navy Building and then as the Old Executive Office Building.) The monument was conceived by the Society of the First Division, the veteran's organization of the U.S. Army's First Division, to honor the valiant efforts of the soldiers who fought in World War I. Later additions to the monument commemorate the lives of First Division soldiers who fought in subsequent wars. The World War II addition on the west side was dedicated in 1957, the Vietnam War addition on the east side in 1977, and the Desert Storm plaque in 1995. Cass Gilbert was the architect of the original memorial and Daniel Chester French was the sculptor of the Victory statue. Gilbert's son, Cass Gilbert Jr., designed the World War II addition. Both the Vietnam War addition and the Desert Storm plaque were designed by the Philadelphia firm of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston, and Larson. Congressional approval was obtained to erect the First Division Monument and its later additions on federal ground. The Society of the First Division (later called the Society of the First Infantry Division) raised all the funds for the original monument and its additions. No federal money was used. Today, the monument and grounds are maintained by the National Park Service.