Travel

4 Jan 2016 – New Years in Baltimore, MD

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Happy New Year!  We decided to celebrate the New Year in Baltimore, MD.   There’s so much to do in the area.  We decided to go to the Medieval Times.  Our first time going was a couple of years ago.  At the time, my Mom didn’t want to go to Medieval Times because she was “winning” at the Maryland Live Casino.  Anyway, this past weekend we all went and we enjoyed it!

The Dinner and Tournament shows start at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.  We chose 4:30 pm.  Everything is first come first serve to include seating.  We decided to splurge and get the VIP Royalty package since we got such a good deal on the prices.   See specials here.

We were royal guests of the King at the Tournament of the Knights.  Doors opened 75 min prior to the show.  There was a four course feast with either chicken or vegetarian.   During the medieval times, there was no silverware so we ate with our hands.  The meal starts with tomato bisque soup in a bowl with a handle you use for drinking.  Next we got warm bread, a half roasted chicken (a little salty, but the most tender, juicy and flavorful chicken I have ever had in my life!), herb-roasted potatoes, half corn on the cob, and a pastry of the castle.  We were all disappointed with the pastry.  In the past, it was an apple turnover, but they served us a toll house chocolate chip cookie.  😪

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1 Nov 2015 – Buffalo Botanical Gardens

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One of my favorite places to go is the Botanical Gardens in Buffalo, NY.  I know this sounds crazy, but the place is really popping with exotic plants, waterfalls, and some of the best scenery around town!  My Sister in Law takes us for a visit every time we go to Buffalo, and I look forward to it!  Generally, the gardens feature selected displays, contests and seasonal plants and activities.

In this post, I am sharing some of my favorites photos from my visits.  Let me know what you think.  I know there are some nature lovers out there!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

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Between The Dashes

29 Oct 2015 – Restoration of Historic Barnes House at Montclair Community Library

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On 29 Oct 2015, the Montclair Community Library in Prince William County held a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The community has waited for this library to be completed since the early 1990s!  Following is a picture of the new library.

 

Montclair Public Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - 29 Oct 2015

Montclair Public Library Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – 29 Oct 2015

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26 Oct 2015 – Alexandria, VA – Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery Memorial

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As you know, I live near Washington D.C. which is full of history!  I recently discovered a historic site in my local area that I think is worth a post, the Contrabands and Freedman Cemetery Memorial in Alexandria, VA.

During the Civil War, there were many slaves that fled to Alexandria for freedom and a better way of life.  There were so many freedmen (called contrabands) moving to this area because of the Union occupation, that it created a refugee crisis.  Many arrived destitute, in ill-health, and hungry.  Initially, the government placed the contraband in barracks, but disease ran rampant and many died.

In 1864, after hundreds had perished, the Superintendent of Contrabands ordered that a property on the southern edge of town, across from the Catholic cemetery, be confiscated for use as a cemetery.  

In the first year, burials included those of black soldiers, but African-American troops recuperating in Alexandria’s hospitals demanded that blacks be given the honor of burial in the Soldiers’ Cemetery, now Alexandria National Cemetery. The soldiers’ graves were disinterred and moved to the military cemetery in January 1865.  The last burial in Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery took place in January 1869.  (Source:  Contrabands and Freedmen Memorial)

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30 Aug 2015 – Las Vegas, Baby!

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Las Vegas is one of our favorite places to vacation!  We have stayed at the Luxor, Caesar’s Palace, and the Stratosphere.  You would be surprised that our favorite place to stay was the Stratosphere!  When you think about it, you don’t spend a lot of time at the hotel.  You must get out on the strip and enjoy the town!

Concerts, food, skydiving, shopping, casinos, the canal shops at the Venetian, the Eiffel Tower, the Luxor Museum – so little time, but so much to do!  We have to go back because we did not tour the Grand Canyon or the Hoover Damn.

 

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Jasmine and Deb in front of Caesar’s Palace

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