Blue Ridge Parkway

America's Favorite Drive

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other: a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. The Parkway meanders for 469 miles, protecting a diversity of plants and animals, and providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.

Sept 6, 2012
We have just begun to take this parkway in with a 20 mile drive up to Waterrock Knob. The short drive up to Waterrock Knob was just enough to tell us we want to drive the whole Parkway. 

NPS webpage

Our 78th NPS unit




 

Dayton Aviation NHP

What Dreams We Have and How They Fly 

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park was established to honor the lives and achievements of poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Through perseverance and dedication Orville, Wilbur and Paul were able to overcome obstacles in their lives and leave their respective marks on history. Start your visit at one of our locations today. 

Aug 28 - 30 2012

 
As Paul Harvey always said, " now for the rest of the story ". This put all the pieces together for the complete story of the Wright Brothers. You will learn that Kitty Hawk NC was only the first chapter in the story of powered flight and much work remained to reach their dream of practical powered flight. We took several of the different sites in this unit. We first spent time at the Wright Dunbar Interruptive center. The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center is one of two visitor centers operated by the park in Dayton, Ohio. This center is located just west of downtown Dayton and tells the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright and the African American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar. This helped us understand the whole story of the lives of Orville and Wilbur Wright. We also learned about the life of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. We then went over to the Dunbar house and did the house tour. After a lunch at a local sandwich shop, we then went out to the Huffman Prairie site and the visitor center there after that we wrapped up this day. Day two found us at the Carillon Historical Park. This is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History. Visitors can enjoy and learn about the history of Dayton, Ohio and view the world's first practical airplane, the 1905 Wright Flyer III. There is so much to do and take in at Dayton and we also spent two days exploring the National Museum of the Air Force. In total we spent four days here and there is so much more to see and we will put this on our return list.

NPS webpage

Our 77th NPS Unit

The Paul Laurence Home

The original Wright Flyer III

Cuyahoga Valley NP

A River Renewed

Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discovery for visitors. The winding Cuyahoga River gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. Walk or ride the Towpath Trail to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Aug 26, 2012
This one will go on the list for a return visit. We had a great hike with dog's but only saw a small portion of the park.

NPS webpage

Our 76th NPS Unit and 12th National Park

James A. Garfield NHS

What's a Porch For?

A front porch can serve many purposes. For some, it is a place to enjoy the breeze on a warm summer night. For others, a perch from which to keep eyes on what's happening in their neighborhood. In 1880, James Garfield used his front porch as a platform to greet thousands of well-wishers during his presidential campaign. Today, the porch serves as a gateway to the story of the Garfield family.

Aug 24, 2012
The home of James Garfield. We had a great tour of the House and learned much about the life and death of James Garfield.

NPS webpage

Our 75th NPS Unit

                      

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural NHS

An Unexpected Inauguration that Changed the Nation

As president, Theodore Roosevelt created protections for ordinary citizens, began regulation of big business, and made the US a major force in international affairs. Yet one of the most important presidencies in America's history nearly didn't happen. See the place where a brief, emotional, and improvised ceremony in Buffalo, NY brought TR into office and forever altered the nation.

Aug 18, 2012

This was the house that Theodore Roosevelt took the oath of office after the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901. Our tour guild did a great tour, and we enjoyed the way he presented the tour reliving all the events of the day as if we were there. 

NPS Website

Our 74th NPS Unit

Acadia NP

Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 3.5 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Visitors enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.

Aug 7 - 10 2012
This was a revisit for us. We spent a day at the park in 1996. If you have ever been to Acadia, you know that this park has a lot to offer, and a day just is not enough. This visits we spent 5 days exploring and hiking a few of the trails. We still have a few of the remote sites to see so we will be headed back to make it to the remote areas.

Oct 12, 1996

Took in many of the sites in the park but much more to see so will have to make a return trip. 

NPS webpage

Our 40th NPS Unit and 6th National Park

 

Gateway NRA

Gateway National Recreation Area:  Many Places, One Park

Gateway is a large diverse urban park with 27,000 acres spanning Sandy Hook in N.J. and Jamaica Bay and Staten Island in N.Y. It offers green spaces, beaches, wildlife and outdoor recreation, all alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes. It is the 4th most visited National Park Service unit with more than 9.2 million annual visitors. Gateway can be reached by car, ferry, bus or train.

June 25, 2012
This was a park we missed while we were stationed up here. We got to spend a day touring Sandy Hook and the New Jersey side of the park. We got an understanding of the history of this old coastal defense base. There are many more subunits to see on the New York Side, so we will be doing a return visit to those units.

NPS webpage

Our 73rd NPS Unit

Ft Raleigh NHS

England's First Home in the New World

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England's first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590.
This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.

May 26, 2012

Spent some time here during our day on the Outer banks. This is a little-known park but worth the time to stop and learn about one of the first colonies in the United States. 

NPS webpage

Our 71st NPS Unit

Cape Hatteras NS

A place to engage your senses

The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!

May 26, 2012

Spent a great day seeing some of our local parks. The dogs got to enjoy a nice walk on the beach and even ventured out to the surf. 

NPS webpage

Our 70th NPS Unit