Ketchup, ketchup, ketchup
Perhaps this will be the longest blog in Gerlthouse history. Perhaps I'll run out of steam and cut it short. We shall see. It has been an eventful few weeks and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. At any rate, I have loads of pictures to post beginning with pictures from my Mom's visit a few weeks ago.
We started our week with a train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. We left Port Clinton, PA early in the morning and rode about 2 and a half hours to Jim Thorpe, PA. The city is named after Jim Thorpe, a famous Native American who won a gold in the Olympics in 1912. Google him. It's a very interesting story. We spent three hours in Jim Thorpe. It was a beautiful town, surrounded hills and filled with quaint little shops and a few tourist traps. While all of the other passengers were content to stay on the "beaten path", Mom and I decided to try out a little restaurant that we heard about. By the time we realized how FAR away it was, we were already committed. We walked completely to the other side of town, up hills, across highways, over bridges, through alleys, all the way chanting, "This better be delicious!" And it was. It was well worth the hike. Click below to see a few shots of our trip.
Jim Thorpe, PA
The next day we visited Amish Country. We live just north of Lancaster County. There are approximately 8,000 Older Order Amish who live here. That doesn't count all of the other types of Amish and Mennonites who live there, as well. We saw beautiful farms and horses and buggies. It was fascinating. Here are a few pictures of the things that we saw.
Amish Country
On Monday we headed to Washington, DC. We drove to Greenbelt, MD and rode the Metro in, which I highly recommend. We didn't have to mess with traffic or parking or anything. It worked out perfectly. Monday afternoon we saw the National Archives and the Sculpture Garden. We went back early to miss commuter traffic. We got an AMAZING deal on Priceline for our hotel. Our room was swanky and we got to go to a special lounge to eat. We felt so important. The next morning we headed into DC and saw Arlington Cemetery. It was incredible. The morning was a little damp and chilly and the leaves were falling. The mood was solemn. A funeral was taking place. I wonder what his story was. We saw men stop and salute. We heard the 21 Gun Salute.
Next we headed to the Washington Monument. The big kids and I went to the top while Mom and Jake stayed at the bottom. We met a family there from San Diego. They were on vacation and had learned that their neighborhood had been evacuated due to the fires. Can you imagine? Their neighbor had taken all of their photos and their dog to safety and they were just waiting for news. While we were at the top, she received a call that their home was safe! It was fun to celebrate with them.
From the Washington Monument we went to the Natural History Museum and then to the Air and Space Museum. Both museums were wonderful! While walking to the Air and Space Museum we got an incredible surprise! STEVE ABLE!!!! He is a friend of ours from college. He and his wife and son live about 15 minutes from DC. He found out we were in town and came to find us! We had such a great time. He took Max to see all of his favorite exhibits in the A&S Museum. Max had the time of his life. While they studied the planets, Mom, Anna Kate and I went to the American Treasuries exhibit. I think it was my favorite part of the trip. They have treasures of all sorts from American History, from Abraham Lincolns' top hat (the one he was wearing the night he was assasinated) all the way to Seinfeld's Puffy shirt. It was strange to have such things all grouped into one room. We saw the Ruby Slippers (AK's favorite) and Lewis and Clark's compass. George Washington's suit and the Fireside Chat microphone. John Phillip Sousa's baton and Mary Todd Lincoln's dress. Mr. Roger's sweater and Irving Berlin's piano. It was wild.
We wished for two more weeks to explore, but we still wouldn't have seen everything we wanted to see. Again, click below to see pictures.
Washington DC
More news to come, but I must get to work now. I am going on a RETREAT today!!! I am meeting Jamie in Wheeling, West Virginia for the weekend. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. So there's lots to get done before I leave. I've never left the kids for this long. And I've never been away from Jake. I'm a little anxious about that. I leave this afternoon and will be back Monday morning. I love my husband.
We started our week with a train ride on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. We left Port Clinton, PA early in the morning and rode about 2 and a half hours to Jim Thorpe, PA. The city is named after Jim Thorpe, a famous Native American who won a gold in the Olympics in 1912. Google him. It's a very interesting story. We spent three hours in Jim Thorpe. It was a beautiful town, surrounded hills and filled with quaint little shops and a few tourist traps. While all of the other passengers were content to stay on the "beaten path", Mom and I decided to try out a little restaurant that we heard about. By the time we realized how FAR away it was, we were already committed. We walked completely to the other side of town, up hills, across highways, over bridges, through alleys, all the way chanting, "This better be delicious!" And it was. It was well worth the hike. Click below to see a few shots of our trip.
The next day we visited Amish Country. We live just north of Lancaster County. There are approximately 8,000 Older Order Amish who live here. That doesn't count all of the other types of Amish and Mennonites who live there, as well. We saw beautiful farms and horses and buggies. It was fascinating. Here are a few pictures of the things that we saw.
On Monday we headed to Washington, DC. We drove to Greenbelt, MD and rode the Metro in, which I highly recommend. We didn't have to mess with traffic or parking or anything. It worked out perfectly. Monday afternoon we saw the National Archives and the Sculpture Garden. We went back early to miss commuter traffic. We got an AMAZING deal on Priceline for our hotel. Our room was swanky and we got to go to a special lounge to eat. We felt so important. The next morning we headed into DC and saw Arlington Cemetery. It was incredible. The morning was a little damp and chilly and the leaves were falling. The mood was solemn. A funeral was taking place. I wonder what his story was. We saw men stop and salute. We heard the 21 Gun Salute.
Next we headed to the Washington Monument. The big kids and I went to the top while Mom and Jake stayed at the bottom. We met a family there from San Diego. They were on vacation and had learned that their neighborhood had been evacuated due to the fires. Can you imagine? Their neighbor had taken all of their photos and their dog to safety and they were just waiting for news. While we were at the top, she received a call that their home was safe! It was fun to celebrate with them.
From the Washington Monument we went to the Natural History Museum and then to the Air and Space Museum. Both museums were wonderful! While walking to the Air and Space Museum we got an incredible surprise! STEVE ABLE!!!! He is a friend of ours from college. He and his wife and son live about 15 minutes from DC. He found out we were in town and came to find us! We had such a great time. He took Max to see all of his favorite exhibits in the A&S Museum. Max had the time of his life. While they studied the planets, Mom, Anna Kate and I went to the American Treasuries exhibit. I think it was my favorite part of the trip. They have treasures of all sorts from American History, from Abraham Lincolns' top hat (the one he was wearing the night he was assasinated) all the way to Seinfeld's Puffy shirt. It was strange to have such things all grouped into one room. We saw the Ruby Slippers (AK's favorite) and Lewis and Clark's compass. George Washington's suit and the Fireside Chat microphone. John Phillip Sousa's baton and Mary Todd Lincoln's dress. Mr. Roger's sweater and Irving Berlin's piano. It was wild.
We wished for two more weeks to explore, but we still wouldn't have seen everything we wanted to see. Again, click below to see pictures.
More news to come, but I must get to work now. I am going on a RETREAT today!!! I am meeting Jamie in Wheeling, West Virginia for the weekend. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. So there's lots to get done before I leave. I've never left the kids for this long. And I've never been away from Jake. I'm a little anxious about that. I leave this afternoon and will be back Monday morning. I love my husband.
posted by Erin at 8:04 AM
4 Comments:
We also just got back from visiting the Amish country . . . it was fun. I posted some pics over at my blog. Thanks for sharing all your adventures with us.
My heart is full from savouring all the great pictures today! In less that five days now we get to see you five in person! Love you! Granna and Papa
Sounds like so much fun - and so educational all in one! Good for you going on a retreat! You're such a great mom and wife - you definitely deserve a time to refresh! And the kids will be so happy to see you when you get back too!!
Erin--Hope you and Jamie had a wonderful weekend! I am loving all your beautiful pictures!
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