Vosslings Adventure Book: Day 19

Showing posts with label Day 19. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Vosslings Adventure Part 2- Day 19

Day 19

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 Washington DC!

Today we had to wait until 11am to do any sight seeing because we had to pack up the RV and move over TWO spots. Ridiculous I know but someone had reserved that spot so we had to wait until the other guy checked out first. After that was done, we grabbed the train from College Park, Maryland, straight to the Pentagon. When we emerged from the subway, it was a blistering 97 degrees outside. We walked around the Pentagon over to the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. We only had to walk half mile but we were dripping with sweat and the heat radiated up your legs. I wished I could take a few photos of the Pentagon but it was strictly prohibited. The Memorial was a piece of art. Stunning sculptures with moving water under each name of those who perished in the Pentagon and on the plane on 9/11. The rows are in order from date of birth. The youngest person that died that day was born in 1998. She was as old as our daughter. Very sad moment.

When we were done, we couldn't find a way to get to the Arlington Cemetery which we could see from where we were standing at the Pentagon. No train takes you from the Pentagon to Arlington Cemetery and the trains were very delayed today anyway. Josh asked the Guard and he said we could get to it real quick if we walk. It's only TWO miles that way! Are you kidding me... Guess what, we walked a 2 mile stretch of highway outside of the Pentagon. I think we are crazy. The kids were troopers. We were soaked by the time we arrived at the gates. Fortunately, we weren't the only ones. Inside the building people were all hot and sticky after walking Arlington Cemetery. We grabbed some A/C and water and took a few minutes before walking around the Cemetery. As we were heading out the back door, we saw a trolly giving tours. OH YA BABY! Josh was all over that! We grabbed tickets for a guided tour of the beautiful Arlington Cemetery.

The tour of the cemetery was very informative. It was heartbreaking. The history and honor is grand here. These lives are celebrated and honored like no other place I know. The property where loved ones are laid to rest is a stunning hillside. We saw people resting at the stone of a loved one and some just trying to locate a particular stone. We went to the grave of the Unknown Soldiers which was guard kept. Across the Stone reads "Here rests in honored glory, an American Soldier known only but to GOD" We had perfect timing arriving at the Amphitheater to see the guards change. It was quite the event. Very formal changing of the guards. It was very memorable.

9/11 Pentagon Memorial

It's hard to see but on the bottom, it says September 11, 2001 9:37am.

Memorial is a piece of art

across the front of each wave is the persons name that perished that day.

Our 2 mile walk along the highway from the Pentagon to Arlington Cemetery

Fountain outside the gate at Arlington Cemetery

Precious stones

raw footage

The kids outside the Amphitheater

Inside the Amphitheater

Guard Change

Guard Change procedure

The kids in front of Unknown Soldier memorial

The Soldiers taking down the flag at 5pm

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Canyon Lake

6/26/15
Day 19

Today was one of the most adventurous days that I had so far! After dropping Tyson off at daycare, we all went to a paddle board rental store. We rented life jackets, boards, and paddles for all eight of us. We drove out into the mountains of Arizona, there wasn't a single patch of water in sight, not even a little puddle. Once we got past all the dirt and cacti into the opening of the canyon, it was all beautiful lake. Following our train of sunscreening, we all hopped on our boards in the water. The greatest thing about paddle boarding is that really anyone can do it. You can sit, kneel, or stand on them, most of us stood for a while, but mom mainly sat because she didn't want to fall in. Parker was the only one to fall in a few times, but he got right back up and kept on going. After our first ride we ate lunch and then went back out to paddle over to the cliffs. Once we inspected the water to make sure it was deep enough, we climbed cliffs and jumped into the water (cliff jumping). It was so fun! kinda scary as we dared to climb higher, but definitely a great time. We all wanted to stay, but there was a little Tyson waiting to get picked up from daycare, so we packed up. All of us were worn out, some of the little boys even fell asleep on the car ride home. We ended the night watching the family movie Brother Bear.

Day 19 NO SNOW

Day 19

NO SNOW

June 26, 2015

Today we ventured off to Canyon Lake in Arizona, a reservoir of the Salt Lake formed by Mormon Flat Dam. My sister, Stephanie, took us to a local business called No Snow Paddle Boards, where we rented Paddle Boards and equipment for our day trip. We have never been paddle boarding before so everyone was pretty excited to go. I wasn't sure how the little boys would do, that was my biggest concern. I don't care for swimming in lakes but that has never stopped me from having a good time!

After we packed up our boards, we headed out to Canyon Lake for the day which was recommended by the No Snow Owner. We had about a half hour drive twisting and turning through the canyon. The view was amazing. It was a beautiful scenic drive through the cacti covered deep canyon. I was thinking to myself, where in this giant canyon are we going to find water! Sure enough, just around one of the bends was a beautiful recreation lake. The lake was calm and not crowded, a perfect spot to learn to paddle board.

When we arrived we searched for a good spot to enter the water. We then unloaded and tied the boards off into the water. After everyone got covered in sunscreen, the little boys were first to hop aboard. The water was very still and we had much of the lake to ourselves. We made our way around the narrow part of the lake where Chandler spotted some people cliff jumping into the water from more than 20 feet up. He yelled to me, "I want to do that!" Colin impressed me, he was quick to be on his feet on his paddle board. He didn't waste any time and learned on his own how to use a paddle. Charlie was loving his paddle board and even enjoyed swimming. My nephew, Parker, was a champ! This wasn't his first time so he was able to give the boys some pointers. They watched watched intently and quickly got the hang of it. Carmen really enjoyed paddle boarding, it came so easily for her. She did her own thing but also was so helpful with the little ones when they got tired and needed to be towed around. Josh and Charlie buddied up to start off. He wanted to make sure Charlie could get the hang of things. He did ride standing, sitting and kneeling. I think he enjoyed the atmosphere and relaxing cruise around the lake. I really loved being on the water. I didn't get in the water but kneeled and sat on my board as I made my way around the lake.

The water got a bit choppy as we made our way to shore for lunch. The little boys needed some help getting to shore. After lunch we decided to let them do some cliff jumping. The small cliffs were perfect for the little boys to feel adventurous. They really loved cliff jumping. Chandler and Carmen jumped off 15+ foot cliffs. Screaming was heard around the lake! Stephanie even took her turn on the big cliff. After she jumped she felt it was safe for the little boys so she helped each kid to the top more than 15 feet up and they jumped into the water with no fear! It was the highlight of the day! GREAT MEMORIES WERE MADE HERE TODAY!

As 2pm quickly approached, we packed it up and headed out. As we were pulling out of the parking lot, I spotted a group of what looked like college kids jumping off of the side of a canyon. They had to have been about 40 feet up the side of the canyon wall. I was impressed and scared at the same time, couldn't help but watch! Today was a GREAT day!!