Tuesday, July 5, 2016
We left Edinburg, Virginia this morning. Our next stop is Newark, Delaware where we will be visiting family for a couple of weeks. The heat continues to follow us. The weather had been pleasant until today. Yes, you guessed it, today it's hot!! Ah well...
Ron found a great state park, Lums State Park, here in Newark. This will be our home until the 19th. It's a beautiful state park with large lots, paved pads and full hook-ups. Trails to walk as well. We highly recommend this park if you are ever in the area...
When we weren't hanging out with my brother and his family, we were hiking at Ashland Nature Center. This nature center which serves as the headquarters for the Delaware Nature Society, is only a couple of miles from my brothers home in Hockessin. There are 130 acres of woods, fields and marsh to explore...
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| and we're off |
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| whew! made it to the top of the hill. time to rest! my brother, John, sister-in-law, Marie and Max! |
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| the view was amazing |
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| our nephew, David |
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| checking on Coop. the humidity was high and he was hot! |
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Max & Coop were way out front, leading the way. they're heading to the creek
to cool off |
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needless to say they found the creek! they spent some time
cooling off |
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| off we go after another break |
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Marie has worked very hard to make their backyard a wildlife
habitat! she did it! her backyard is now a Certified Wildlife Habitat!! |
Another of our favorite places to walk was Longwood Gardens.
Longwood Gardens is located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. This horticulture garden was created by Pierre duPoint in the 19th century. It consists of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows. Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of these gardens...
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| Ron with my brother John, sister-in-law Marie, & nephew David |
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| Marie & David |
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| David taking a break |
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| Ron & David |
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| nice looking family! |
Last, but not least, we made a visit to Valley Forge. Valley Forge was the military camp, located 18 miles north of Philadelphia, where the American Continental Army spent the winter of 1777-78 during the American Revolutionary War. We were amazed at how big the encampment was; we'd always thought that it was fairly small. Boy, were we mistaken!
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| layout of the camp |
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| beautiful views |
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| reproductions of their housing |
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| a peek inside one of the cabins |
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| George Washington's headquarters |
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| a look inside |
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the National Memorial Arch. authorized by Congress in 1910 as a tribute to George
Washington and his army. |
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| the ceiling of the arch |
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innerline defense. the low mound in front is part of the original earthworks of the
fortified encampment of Valley Forge. |
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| Washington Memorial Chapel |
Tuesday, July 19.
It's always so difficult to say goodbye. We've had so much fun, along with lots of relaxation, with my brother and his family. However, today is the day we leave. We will spend the rest of our summer into early fall visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa and northern Texas. We plan to arrive "home" at Johnson Creek RV on November 1st.
Til next time,
Dawn, Ron and Coop
