Spring 1993 -- Washington DC and six eastern states

Spring 1993, Bev and her mom Marguerite took a trip to Washington, DC. They flew into Washington-Dulles Airport, then took a bus ride to Washington-National and caught the shuttle to the Crystal City Holiday Inn where they would be staying.

After getting settled at the hotel, they acquired a Metro (subway) map and purchased a tourist pass. Their first trip on the subway was at Arlington National Cemetery. The Cemetery was established in 1864 on the confiscated estate of Robert E Lee. The impressive sight has seemingly endless rows of simple white headstones; no matter which direction you look, they are lined up in straight rows. A tourmobile provided a tour of the cemetery. One of the areas most populated with visitors is the grave of President John F Kennedy. The grave is marked with an eternal flame and excerpts from his inaugural address. His brother Robert F Kennedy’s grave is next to his. Both died as victims of an assassin’s bullet.

Other gravesites along the route included: a memorial to the crew of the space shuttle Challenger, the Mast of the USS Maine (which was sunk in Cuba in 1898), memorial to Desert Storm, grave of Audie Murphy (most decorated WWII soldier), and grave of William Howard Taft. The tour passed the Memorial Amphitheater; an elliptical white marble structure used for Memorial Day services and other ceremonies. This forms the backdrop for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The tourmobile stopped so everyone could watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb. The marble of the tomb came from Colorado and is one of the largest blocks ever quarried. Underneath the tomb is the body of an unknown soldier that was brought back from France after World War I. Remains of other unknown military have been interred in marked crypts at the head of the tomb recognizing those that died in World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam War.

The Arlington House is now a memorial to Robert E Lee. The home was originally owned by George Washington Parke Custis, grandson of Martha Washington. Here is where Robert E courted, married and resided with Mary Ann Randolph Custis. Lee resigned his commission with the US Army, and chose to join forces to defend his native state. During the Civil War, the house was occupied by Union troops and many soldiers were buried on the property. Although originally confiscated by the US Army, the courts ruled that the property was owned by Lee and ownership was returned to him. Because of the history and the many graves, he sold the property to the US Government.  Tours are offered of the house.

The second day, they again took the subway to the Arlington exit, and then crossed the Arlington Memorial Bridge into Washington, DC. Lincoln Memorial is the first monument after crossing the Potomac River. This stately marble structure was designed by Henry Bacon. The 36 columns, one for each state in existence in Lincoln’s time, symbolize the Union. Dominating the interior is the colossal seated statue of Lincoln by Daniel Chester French. Next to the statue, the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address are carved on the walls of the memorial. Looking out from the statue one looks across the vast Reflecting Pool shimmering with the images of the Washington Monument and Capitol building two miles away.

From here they ventured towards the Washington Monument, with a stop at the Vietnam Memorial. This memorial honors the men and women who served in the US Armed Forces in Vietnam. Its polished black V-shaped granite walls are inscribed with the names of the dead listed chronologically by date of casualty; the names of the missing are also listed. Nearby is a life-size statue of three servicemen. While visiting, one can see family members and friends making etching of names of lost loved ones represented on the wall.

An elegant swath of green anchored at one end by the Lincoln Memorial and at the other end the Capitol, the Mall is the focus of many of the city’s events and celebrations. The grounds of the Washington Monument divide the Mall into two distinct parts. Along with the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial are Constitution Gardens and the Reflecting Pool make up the western side of the mall.

On a knoll stands the 555-foot marble obelisk known as the Washington Monument. The monument is surrounded by 50 American flags. From here, Bev and Marguerite detoured from the Mall and headed to the Ford Theatre.


The Ford Theatre was where Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth while the President was attending a performance. The theatre has been restored to its 1860s appearance. Across from the Theatre is the Peterson House, where Lincoln was carried after being shot; and he died there the next day. 

As a living tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s love of the performing arts, Ford’s Theatre produces musicals and plays that embody family values, underscore multiculturalism and illuminate the eclectic character of American life. Ford’s Theatre Society is under sole contract with the Department of the Interior to produce live entertainment on this historic stage. Bev and Marguerite saw the musical “Five Guys Named Moe”. Before catching the subway back to their motel, they stopped in at the Hard Rock Café next door for dinner.

First stop the next morning was the National Air and Space Museum. This is part of The Smithsonian Institution. A well-to-do British scientist, James Smithson willed his entire fortune of a half million dollars to a country he had never set foot in, “to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution an Establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge…” In 1846, when Congress settled the debate as to whether to accept this gift, they agreed to establish a natural history museum and research center of sorts. Today the Smithsonian’s vast collection chronicles nearly every facet of human endeavor from the masterful to the mundane.

The National Air and Space Museum was established in 1976. The Museum offers 22 exhibition galleries, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater, flight simulators, a three-level Museum shop, and a food-court-style restaurant. Exhibits include the Wright brothers’ 1903 Flyer, Lindbergh’s Spirit of St Louis, plane flown by Amelia Earhart, the Apollo 11 command module, and John Glenn’s spacecraft Friendship Seven. Visitors can walk through the Skylab Orbital Workshop to experience what life in orbit is like for the American Astronauts, as well as stand in the control room of an aircraft carrier and watch planes taking off and landing on the massive ship.

After leaving the museum, Bev and Marguerite walked down Pennsylvania Avenue; known as “America’s Main Street,” the boulevard links the US Capitol with the White House. Here they passed the Fireman Insurance building, the IRS and a monument to Franklin D Roosevelt. There was an Oriental Festival going on and they stopped to watch some of the performances.

Their next stop was the US Navy Memorial. Rendered in granite, bronze, space and water, the memorial is a tribute to Navy people – and a living memorial for the enrichment and enjoyment of everyone. The Visitors Center uses the media of glass, electronics and film to celebrate the heritage and history of Navy personnel – and their time-honored traditions at sea.

Construction began in December 1985, and the Memorial was dedicated two years later on October 13, 1987, the 212th birthday of the United States Navy. "The Navy Memorial is new," said Admiral Thompson, "but it is rich in tradition and heritage that parallel the history of the Navy and the history of the United States."

The Navy Memorial includes both a commemorative public plaza and a Naval Heritage Center. The plaza is a round ceremonial amphitheater paved in granite to form a 100-foot diameter of the world. Surrounding the deck of the plaza are fountains, pools, flagpole masts, and sculptural panels depicting historic achievements of the sea services.

Two statues stand on the plaza. On the edge of the plaza is the symbolic statue of the "Lone Sailor" which represents all people who ever served, are serving now, or who are yet to serve in the Navy and other sea services. Greeting visitors as they enter the visitor center is another statue by Stanley Bleifeld is the "Homecoming", which depicts the joyous reunion of a sailor, wife and child. Inside the visitor center, Bev and Marguerite enjoyed the Discovery Channel’s movie, “The Sea.”

The next leg of the journey took Bev and Marguerite back to the Smithsonian to visit the National Museum of American History. Opened in 1910, the green-domed museum on the National Mall was among the first Smithsonian buildings constructed exclusively to house the national collections and research facilities. Historic objects on exhibit include reproductions of George Washington’s false teeth; famous first ladies’ gowns; Edison’s first light bulb, Bell’s telephone and the first flag. Other eras are represented with campaign memorabilia and props from many of the popular movies and television shows. The museum also has an exhibit displaying the many items that have been left by family and friends when they visited to Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

They returned to the hotel for a rest, and then that evening Bev and Marguerite took the ‘Washington DC by Twilight Tour.’ This gave them the opportunity to visit some of the monuments that were not in walking distance, and to see the lights of Washington DC. The drive took them alongside the Mall giving them the chance to see the lights of the Capitol and the White House. Their first stop at the Lincoln Memorial gave them a nighttime view of the monument and a look at the two-mile distance to the Capitol. The second stop was the Jefferson Memorial.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, is America's foremost memorial to our third president. As an original adaptation of Neo-classical architecture, it is a key landmark in the monumental core of Washington, DC The circular, colonnaded structure in the classic style was introduced to this country by Thomas Jefferson. Architect John Russell Pope used Jefferson's own architectural tastes in the design of the Memorial. His intention was to synthesize Jefferson's contribution as a statesman, architect, President, drafter of the Declaration of Independence, adviser of the Constitution and founder of the University of Virginia.


The drive then took them to the Iwo Jima Statue, which is a tribute to the Marine Corps. This 78-foot statue is the largest sculpture cast in bronze. Completed in 1954 by Felix W DeWeldon, it depicts the raising of the US flag on Mt. Sunbachni, Iwo Jima during World War II.

On their way to the Kennedy Center they drove by the Watergate building. The Kennedy Center, located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is America’s living memorial to President Kennedy as well as the nation’s busiest arts facility.

"I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we too, will be remembered not for our victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit." -President John F. Kennedy Two months after President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, Congress designated the National Cultural Center (designed by Edward Durell Stone) as a "living memorial" to Kennedy. The Center, which opened on September 8, 1971, continues its efforts to fulfill President Kennedy's vision by producing and presenting an unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, world, and folk music, and multi-media performances for all ages. A 7-foot-high bust of John F Kennedy graces the Grand Foyer.

The following morning Bev and Marguerite took the subway back to the Mall. This time they had tickets to see the White House. The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. The White House, one of the most recognizable buildings in Washington, DC, was designed by James Hoban, an Irish-born and-trained architect who won a competition organized by President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson in 1792. Although President Washington oversaw construction, he never lived in the house. President John Adams, elected in 1796 as the second President, was the first resident of the White House.

Five of the 132 rooms were open to the public: the East Room (although first used by Abigail Adams as a laundry area, this room has been used for multi-purposes), the Green Room (serves primarily as a state parlor and has long been a favorite of Presidents and their families due to its intimate scale and distinctive décor), the Blue Room (the customary place for presidents to formally receive guests), the Red Room (although used by all Presidential families, Dolly Madison used it for socializing between political parties and Eleanor Roosevelt held the first press conference for women reporters here) , and the State Diningroom.

The last tour included a visit to the US Capitol. The Capitol contains about 450 rooms. The two wings, constructed of marble, contain the Senate (with its famous reception room) and House (the largest legislative chamber in the world) chambers. The central part of the building includes the Rotunda (the ceiling was painted by Constantino Brumidi), Statuary Hall (which holds two statues from each state) and the original Supreme Court and Senate chambers. A 19-1/2-foot-high bronze statue of Freedom surmounts the dome. The cornerstone was laid by President Washington on September 18, 1793.

It was now time to leave Washington, DC. Bev and Marguerite checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to National Airport. Here they rented a car for the remainder of the trip. (http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/wash/sitelist.htm)

First stop was Mount Vernon, VA. The former home of George Washington is located on the Potomac River 16 miles south of the capital. The area was purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association in 1858; and since, has been expertly restored with many of the furniture pieces originally purchased by the Washingtons. George Washington died in his own bedroom at Mount Vernon in 1799. In his will, he directed that he be buried on his beloved estate.

Bev and Marguerite then headed north towards Gettysburg, PA. During this leg of the trip, they learned that communication was important between the driver and navigator. Because highway exit signs were marked with directions, it was important to know the highway number and direction traveled. When entering the Capital Beltway to circle around Washington, DC giving a direction of ‘turn left instead of right’ lead to taking the full circle around the city before heading northwest.

On the way to Gettysburg, they took a detour into West Virginia to see Harper’s Ferry. There were two important reasons for doing this. One, it was a national park and had historic significance; and, two, it gave both Bev and Marguerite the opportunity to say that they had been in West Virginia.

Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park is at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. These rivers separate the states of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The federal arsenal and armory here were built in 1796 and manufactured many of the muskets and rifles used in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. These buildings were the target of John Brown’s notorious raid of October, 1859. The intent had been to arm the slaves from the government stores. The arsenal was destroyed when the federal garrison abandoned the town before being taken over by a force of Virginians. 

From Harper’s Ferry they entered Pennsylvania. They would be staying at the Quality Inn in Gettysburg for the next two nights so they could enjoy the sights in the area. The motel was next door to the Gettysburg Headquarters of General Robert E Lee. After having dinner at the General Lee’s Family Restaurant next door, Bev and Marguerite visited the museum.

The farm designated as the Eisenhower National Historic Site is located here. This became first priority when setting out to tour the next day. This place is said to be the only place that President and Mrs. Dwight D Eisenhower ever called home. Although being assigned to Camp Colt and lived at Gettysburg College in 1918; it was not until 1950, looking forward to retirement, they purchased then the Allen Redding farm adjoining Gettysburg National Military Park. Since that time, it has grown into the 230-acre country estate of the 34th president of the United States. While in Office, it was used as a retreat away from the White House. After retirement, President Eisenhower joined with other farms and produced wheat, corn and hay. The farm was also home to a dairy herd and later prizewinning purebred Angus cattle. While walking around the farm, Marguerite noticed the Magnolia Tulip Tree; and, said this reminded her of her childhood when visiting relatives in Iowa.

On their way to the Gettysburg National Military Park, they passed the house where Abraham Lincoln had written the Gettysburg Address in November, 1863. The National Military Park is located directly outside the city limits. The Park provides an auto tour of the events that took place on those famous 3 days in July, 1863.

The Gettysburg Address was given at the National Cemetery’s dedication. The three-day casualty count was: 23,000 for the Union and 27,000 for the Confederate army. Gettysburg was the first of 83 cemeteries dedicated exclusively to the burial of soldiers. A semi-circular plan for the arrangement of the graves was adopted. The ground allotted to each State converges upon a central point. The size of each plot was determined by the number of graves belonging to each state. Many of the bodies were shipped home to their native states. The bodies were placed side-by-side in parallel trenches with a grass path between the rows of graves. The outer section is lettered A, and so on in alphabetical order. A person standing in the center of the semi-circle and facing the circumference reads the names from left to right. The bodies are laid with the heads towards the center; and the headstones are uniform in size and contain the name, regiment and company of each solider based on information available. Because the lower states had separated from the Union, the Confederate bodies were not officially buried here at Gettysburg.

One should not leave Gettysburg without stopping at the National Civil War Wax Museum. The entire story of the Civil War Era and the Battle of Gettysburg is presented with remarkable realism. In the Battle Room, life-size action figures re-create Pickett’s Charge. One can hear and see the animated figure of President Lincoln presenting his Gettysburg Address at the National Cemetery. It brings to life the activities that took place during those 3 days of July, 1863.

The museum also has a Hall of Presidents and Hall of First Ladies. There is a complete representation of all the Presidents (each telling his story of America as he knew it) and there are 42 authentic reproductions of the First Ladies’ gowns.

After leaving Gettysburg, Bev and Marguerite traveled through Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The rich farmland was settled in the Colonial years by several religious groups, primarily of German descent, seeking freedom of worship. The Pennsylvania Dutch of today retain the convictions and customs of their ancestors. These beliefs are reflected in their dress, their work and the ways in which they spend their leisure time. Simplicity is the keynote, but each sect (Amish, Mennonite or Brethren faiths) manifests it differently.

After touring an Amish Village, Bev and Marguerite stopped at the Good ‘n Plenty Restaurant. This was owned by the Amish and the meals were served family style. The food served was all grown on their land. After dinner, Bev and Marguerite headed to Pottstown, PA where they would spend the night at the Ramada Inn.

Today Bev and Marguerite will be visiting Valley Forge National Historic Park. This was the site of the 6-month winter encampment by the Continental Army. From December 19, 1777 to June 19, 1778, General George Washington and 12,000 soldiers kept the British Army bottled up in Philadelphia. Although 2,000 died from conditions while staying here for the winter; the troops left here reorganized. Baron von Steuben developed a uniform system of drill and the Continental Army left a well trained, efficient force. Although Valley Forge was the 3rd of eight encampments during the Revolutionary War, it is best known because of the birth of the Continental Army.
From Valley Forge, Bev and Marguerite headed to Philadelphia. Because they had reservations in Atlantic City for that evening, they were not able to spend a lot of time in Philadelphia. They did, however, tour some of the Independence National Historic Park.  Here is where so much of the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Federal-period heritage is preserved.

The walk from the parking area brought them through the William Penn Welcome Park. From here they passed the Philadelphia Exchange, the Second Bank of the US, Independence Square, and Liberty Hall. This brought them to Independence Hall.

The United States was born in Independence Hall on July 4, 1776, with the adoption of the Declaration in Independence. Within the Assembly Room are the inkstand used in signing the Declaration and the “rising sun” chair occupied by Washington during the drafting of the Constitution. Across the hall from the Assembly Room is the restored Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber. The Governors Council Chamber, Long Room and Committee Room can be found upstairs.

The next stop was Congress Hall. This is where the House of Representatives and Senate met during the time the capital was located here. House of Representatives chamber is located on the first floor; the second floor contains the more elaborate Senate chamber and various committee rooms. Portraits of Napoleon and Marie Antoinette (gifts from France) adorn the walls. The hall was also the setting for the inaugurations of George Washington and John Adams.

Continuing their journey through the historic area, Bev and Marguerite’s next stop was at the Liberty Bell Pavilion. The Liberty Bell had been moved from Independence Hall to this glass structure in January, 1976. Although the area was more spacious, it was difficult to get a closer look at the Bell because the Park Service was giving a tour to school children.

Franklin Court is the housing complex that Benjamin Franklin lived in while serving in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was also in this same area that Franklin held his first job, met his future wife and closest friend when he first arrived in Philadelphia from Boston. The B Free Franklin Post Office and Museum commemorates Franklin’s 1775 appointment as first postmaster general. This is the only post office operated by the US Postal Service that does not fly an American flag. It is named after Franklin’s unique signature-cancellation; it is assumed that his use of ‘Free’ as part of his signature referred to America’s struggle for freedom. The museum contained portraits, displays and miniature reenactments of the time.

Before leaving Independence Park, Bev and Marguerite stopped at the City Tavern for lunch and a drink. When John Adams arrived in Philadelphia in August of 1774, to attend the First Continental Congress, he was greeted by leading citizens and immediately taken to the tavern he would call "the most genteel tavern in America." The tavern Adams referred to, City Tavern, was not yet a year old and was already caught in momentous events. A few months earlier, Paul Revere had ridden up to the Tavern with the news of the closing of the port of Boston by the British Government. Now, some of the most influential men in the colonies gathered in Philadelphia to decide a common response to this and other "intolerable acts." For the next decade, City Tavern would be a familiar sight to the leading figures of the American Revolution.

Philadelphia shares the Delaware River with Camden, NJ, so after crossing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Bev and Marguerite were in New Jersey. Their destination was Atlantic City. They placed their belongings in the Quality Inn, and then headed for the Boardwalk to enjoy the sights and test their ‘lady luck.’

In 1853, the first commercial hotel, The Belloe House, located at Massachusetts and Atlantic Avenue, was built. The city was incorporated in 1854, the same year in which the Camden and Atlantic Railroad train service began. By 1874, the railroad brought in over 500,000. The first boardwalk was built in 1870, along a portion of the beach to help hotel owners keep sand out of their lobbies. (As a footnote: the boardwalk in 2010 is approximately 5.75 miles long – being the world’s longest boardwalk.) Ocean Pier was built in Atlantic City in 1882. Other famous piers included the Steel Pier, opened in 1898, and which once billed itself as "The Showplace of the Nation." It now finds itself opposite Trump Taj Mahal and is used as an amusement pier. Because of its length, Bev and Marguerite took advantage of the pedi-carts that traveled up and down the boardwalk.

The first official road from the mainland to the island was completed in 1870, after 17 years of construction. The road, which ran from Pleasantville, had a $.30 toll. Living in the west, Bev and Marguerite were not expecting the multiple toll booths that populated this area. They learned to carry change in the car’s ashtray for the remainder of the trip.

Gambling was legalized in 1976 and the first legal casino was opened in May, 1978. Others were soon added to the Boardwalk and in the marina district bringing the count to eleven. Trump Taj Mahal which dominated the skyline was not built until 1990. As noted the introduction of gambling did not, however, quickly eliminate many of the urban problems that plaqued the city. Many have argued that it only served to magnify those problems, as evidenced in the stark contrast between tourism-intensive areas and the adjacent impoverished working-class neighborhoods. Bev and Marguerite noticed the sharp contrast when leaving the boardwalk to return to their hotel.

In order to add another state to the list that both had visited, Bev and Marguerite opted to take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry across the Delaware Bay. From here they traveled along the coastline and entered the state of Maryland. They continued along the coastline and then crossed into Virginia.

Their next adventure took them across the Cheapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel to Virginia Beach. Known as one of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a man-made phenomena surrounded by the natural beauty and an important east coast travel convenience. Crossing over and under open waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Bridge-Tunnel provides a direct link between southeastern Virginia and the eastern coasts of Maryland and Delaware. The 23-mile-long crossing was completed in 1964. It gave Bev and Marguerite an eerie feeling entering one of the tunnels knowing that a large navel vessel was passing overhead.

Arriving in Virginia Beach they stopped for a crab lunch. Then it was on to the Jamestown Settlement before arriving at their hotel in Williamsburg. Jamestown Island commemorates the first English colony founded in 1607 on the land destined to become the United States. This was 13 years prior to the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth. Jamestown served as the capital of Virginia throughout the 17th century and saw the establishment of the language, customs, laws and government practiced in our nation today. Later when disease and starvation caused the majority of the inhabitants to die, its reputation caused settlers to seek residence in Williamsburg. The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery – re-creations of three ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607 – are moored at Jamestown Settlement’s pier for visitors to explore.

Bev and Marguerite made camp at the Captain John Smith Motor Lodge during their stay in Williamsburg. Their first visit in Williamsburg took them away from their historic quest and gave them an adventure at Busch Gardens. After entering the park, they took the Aeronaut Skyride which took them over the tops of the European setting that the park provided. Countries represented were England, France, Germany, Italy and Scotland. Each area offered their own unique presentation – food, entertainment, shopping and rides. Walking through these areas was reminiscent of the trip they had taken together in 1984. One of the rides was the Ole Woodcutter log ride in France. Shows included the Magic Lantern Theater in England, French-Canadian country music, and a Bird Revue. One could not leave the area without taking a monorail ride to the brewery for a quick self-guided tour and a sampling of their brew.

After their Busch Gardens adventure, they met Elise, Marguerite’s cousin Harold Lindbloom’s daughter, for dinner at the Backfin Seafood Restaurant. From here Alyse took them back on their historic quest and for an evening performance at Colonial Williamsburg. Williamsburg began as Middle Plantation, an outpost of Jamestown, in 1633. It was strategically built on the highest point between the James and York rivers. When the capital of the colony was removed from Jamestown in 1699, Middle Plantation was renamed Williamsburg in honor of King William III. It was the seat of government and social and cultural center until 1780 when Governor Thomas Jefferson relocated the capital to Richmond.

Within this historic area are 88 buildings that have survived. These have been restored and others rebuilt to give a full compliment to the 18th-century appearance. These include stately public buildings and a variety of Colonial homes, shops, taverns and gardens. Interpreters are dressed in 18th-century attire and presentations are given at the Capitol and in the Play Booth Theater. Tonight Thomas Jefferson would be giving a performance within the capitol building.

The following day, Bev and Marguerite returned to Colonial Williamsburg. On its boundary is the William and Mary College. Founded in 1693, it is the second oldest (Harvard being first) college in the United States. Presidents Jefferson, Monroe and Tyler are among its residents. The streets were adorned with various businesses – Silversmith, Blacksmith, Milliner, Apothecary, Bakery and Wigmaker – and various taverns. Among the other buildings were the Capitol, Courthouse, Bruton Parish Church, and Governor’s Palace. http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/

Bev’s cousin Scott had taken an early retirement, and he and his wife Patsy had purchased a sailboat for their next adventure. They had rafted the Grand Canyon and participated in many boat races in the Colorado/Nebraska waters. They felt it was time to move up to a larger boat and set sail in the ocean. They were tending to their sailboat in dry dock in Annapolis, Maryland, so Bev and Marguerite decided to pay them a visit before heading back to Colorado.  They stayed on the boat that night; and, since they were in dry dock it meant climbing up and down the ladder whenever one needed to use the facilities.