Wednesday, June 8

Old Town, Alexandria, VA

After leaving Arlington National Cemetery, we headed for Old Town, Alexandria,VA. Upon arrival we had one hour to visit shops and look around. There was a town square where a group of students were surrounding a gentleman dressed in period costume. We sat near to listen, and he was explaining how the town square was where they hung people. However, the citizens did not like to see the gallows sitting there all week. So arches were created in a building on one side to accommodate the hangings but keeping the square attractive when not in use. Interesting information. I was tempted to follow the group around until time for dinner. Since it was a group of teenagers, I decided I might be recognized as not being as youthful and part of the group!

Alexandria was created to meet the needs for shipping in the area. The land was originally purchased by John Alexander and surveyed by John West with help from his, then 17 year old, apprentice George Washington. From Tobacco Warehouses to Torpedo Factories (WWI and WWII) Alexandria has a rich history and a claim to helping shape our history!

We ended our evening at a great place called Gadsby's. We were seated at old tables with pewter plates and the ambiance of a colonial gathering. Our waiter was dressed in period costume which just added to the excitement of eating there.  By the way, the eggplant lasagna was delicious! Now the end to a great day of our amazing race to see all we can in 8 days!

Wednesday, June 8

Arlington National Cemetery

We are finally getting to Washington D.C.! Our first stop here is Arlington National Cemetery. It is a truly humbling place. Seeing the headstones makes you stop and think about the freedoms we have and how we take it for granted. Those freedoms cost us . . . much more than some realize. Lots of the teachers on the bus have stories of grandparents, parents, relatives, and friends who were in the military. Hearing some of the stories and the passion these teachers have for keeping history alive is inspiring!

We were headed for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to try to catch the changing of the guards, but the heat and all of the walking earlier had caught up with me! Instead we visited the tomb of John F. Kennedy. The eternal flame was requested by Mrs. Kennedy, similar to the one in Paris for the French Unknown Soldier. The gravesite inscription is his inaugural address. As you enter the area there is a sign asking you to observe in silence and with respect.

Though we did not make it to the changing of the guards, I did get to watch it live from the main entrance. It is streamed in there on a large screen for anyone to watch.  The ceremony was pretty interesting and very solemn to say the least.  

Tuesday, June 7

From Antietam to Clara Barton

What a ride that was!! Due to our enthusiastic guide at Antietam and the fact that he had an audience who asked questions and really enjoyed the information he was sharing, we left there late. Not too much of a problem, being a little late with a group of 40+ is not all that bad. But to make matters worse, our bus struggled up and down some of those roads getting to Antietam, so we were going to have to take a route that was longer but smoother - good thing! The bus got worse as we went along our way. Suddenly we found ourselves going about 20 miles an hour (felt like 5mph) on major highways. We laughed about the eighteen wheelers passing us, and hoped there was not going to be an occasion where bicyclers might be able to go around us!

Roscoe 

The driver we had the first day was assigned somewhere else the next. So on our second day we had a new bus and driver. The bus was not so good, but the driver is great! Meet Roscoe! He has had a very hard life, but has a strong faith. His wife and grandchild were both murdered about 7 years ago, and it is still an unsolved mystery. That is just one of many trials the man has dealt with and he shows up with a smile and good morning - not as if he has to but as if he really means it!

Back to the bus, to make matters even more sad, the AC on the bus only had air blowing out of about half of our vents. Needless to say, when we arrived at the Irish Inn in Glen Echo, MD, we were very appreciative of the cool dining experience, great food, and even our waiter who spoke with an Irish accent.

We were so late only about half of the group got to venture on to Clara Barton's house!\

Randi with her hoodie on!

P. S. Roscoe showed up the next day with a well running bus and lots of cold air blowing! Needless to say no one has complained to him about being cold, everyone is covered up with t-shirts, blankets, and someone sitting close to me is even using their backpack to shield the cold air. Me? I am loving it!! The weather is so hot that when we get back on the bus it is a pleasure!

Wednesday, June 8

Clara Barton House

Stained glass windows in front of Clara Barton's house 

Clara Barton was actually a shy child growing up, but also really stubborn, when she wanted something she made things happen to get it. Hard to believe, after hearing all she did. She was born on Christmas day and actually grew up to be a teacher. At the time, students paid a fee, and a teacher was compensated by the number of students in her classroom. Clara did not like this because there were children who could not afford to pay for school.. So she tried to convince the town of Bordentown, NJ to open a public school, but they did not really jump on the idea immediately - that is until Clara said she would teach for free. When this school actually opened, she ended up with so many students that the town decided to build a new building and hire more teachers. When they hired a man as principal to oversee things, Clara quit. She said she was not going to do a man's job and not get paid the same salary. After all, she started the school, and knew more about it than the man they hired.

She then began working in DC as a recording clerk for the US Patent Office. She was paid the same as the men which resulted in her being spit on as she walked past some of them on the way to her desk.

Most notably, Clara Barton is known as "The Angel of the Battlefield". Having no training, she volunteered to help when the 6th Massachussetts was attacked by a mob in Baltimore. In helping, she realized that many of the deaths that occured on the battlefields were simply for lack of supplies. It  was then she began collecting supplies, sending them out and even going to the battlefields herself. She became someone that both sides, Union and Confederate soldiers, trusted.

The house was actually given to her by two brothers who were developing the area and wanted someone of notoriety to live there so to attract others from DC to the area. It is located in Glen Echo, MD. The house was too far from DC at first for Clara to live there, so she used it as warehouse space to store supplies for the   American Red Cross which she had founded. Eventually with new rails put in the trip was shortened to an acceptable travel time and she moved into the house making it also the Red Cross Headquarters.

The house is exceptional in that the three stories contains 30 rooms and 50 closets.  A woman's dream to have so many closets! There was not one bit of wasted space in this house. Every wall had doors that blended into the decor with storage behind it. Click here for the floor plans. Whole rooms were used for storing furniture and various items. One point of interest were the ceilings. The material used to make bandages, white muslin, was used for everything from covering her ceilings to making rope like hangers for lanterns. Clara Barton would have been today what we call a "no-nonsense" type of lady. She knew what she wanted and was gutsy enough to get it!

Wednesday, June 8

Antietam Battlefield

Our day was a very full day, and I had been warned by the veteran teachers to bring a water bottle because we do a lot of walking. We left the hotel at 7:15 in Fredrick, MD and proceeded to Sharpsburg, MD where the Antietem Battlefield is located. Antietam was part of the Maryland Campaign of 1862 during the Civil War.  It is known as the "Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History".  We had a very good tour guide named Bill who really knew the information, and relayed it in a way we could understand. You know teachers sometimes like to analyze everything said, over ponder it, and try to give new meaning to it, but Bill stated it plain and simple. For example, he said things like "Robert E. Lee looked like everyone's sweet grandpa, but he was really more like a riverboat gambler" and "Leading the Union Army was like herding cats!". We could all relate to that as it is probably much like leading excited children. So, we very quickly claimed him as one of us and began the tour.

Monument in honor of Texas
Soldiers who died at Antietam

Bill took us to the Battlefield, which took place near Dunker Church. Interestingly, the church got its name because it believed in "dunkin' folks".  At the battlefield, the guide described in great detail the battle strategies and  interesting information about the men in charge and the soldiers. Knowing we were from Texas, Bill made sure to show us  the spot where the Texas Troops were killed, and the monument our great state erected in honor of these men
Each state has a monument that represents those who fought.  After hearing about the Cornfield Battle, we then went to "Bloody Lane", yes there is a reason it is called that! It is located on the other side of a small rise just past the cornfield where the earlier battle had taken place. It was like a trench that had been created between crop fields by wagons. What looked to be a great strategic place to hide and attack turned into a huge rut for bodies. This was the first real battle on Northern territory, and had the most casualties of any war in America.  It was enough of a victory for the Union to prompt Abraham Lincoln to proclaim his Emmancipation Proclamation.

Time to load the bus and head to our next stop! An Irish Inn for lunch and then Clara Barton's house.

Tuesday, June 7

Harper's Ferry

Harper’s Ferry looked like a calm, quaint little town sitting on the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. During some pervious time periods in its history, I feel sure it was! We arrived there and were allowed to explore! As we walk towards the town, we see students everywhere. These are students from all over the U.S. at a one day leadership training. The were learning about life as a soldier. I personally wanted to join their group. They looked like they were having fun!

The actual Ferry dock was across the Shenandoah River, but no fear, we could walk across a footbridge.

So What's the Big Deal?

 It is here that the three states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia all meet. As someone stated, "We drove through three states in all of ten minutes. You can't get across town that fast in Texas!"

Harper's Ferry has been the site for several famous for happenings:

• Lewis and Clark Expedition departed from here
• John Brown's Raid
• 1862 Battle of  Harper's Ferry
• The Niagara Movement

After exploring the town and the ferry site, we found some really awesome smoothies to combat the heat with and a nice patio to cool off at before we left for our next destination! Charles Town, WV was our next stop. We saw the courthouse where John Brown was tried. Then we headed for the hotel. It was a pretty quiet ride  since most of the teachers had been up anywhere from 2 - 3 am! After freshening up we headed to dinner at the Dutch's Daughter Restaurant. It was an amazing meal with great company. 

  Well, I will post more soon! Having trouble with the photos, so not sure just how many I will get on here!

Tuesday, June 7

Ready or Not, here we come!
And . . . we are off!! Today, has been a great day! Upon reaching the airport there were, what appeared to be, a lot of groups. By the time we all got through we were pushing it to get to the terminal. It was feeling more like an amazing race episode every time we turned around. The flight to Baltimore, Maryland was fine with the exception of the landing which was a bit rough!!! We met our bus driver, "Bob", and began our trip to Harper's Ferry. We were served fine dining on the bus: boxed lunches from Panera Bread. I told you we stop for very little!

More to come . . . . can hardly hold my eyes open!