April 10, 2013

Howdeeee!  Oh that Minnie Pearl...what a sweetheart.
Another great day in Pennsylvania.  A great day for growing tobacco leaves in the Lancaster Amish area.

Today we took a tour of the Pennsylvania Capitol and also the National Civil War Museum which covered the history of the war from beginning to end.

The Pennsylvania Capitol building has got to be the most beautiful one that we have seen.  The outside grounds were well taken care of and the inside was very ornate with statues of well known people besides politicians.  Some of them may have even been educators, painters etc.  A lot of the upper works were finished in 23 karat gold leaf.

This is the main staircase where today, football players with great talent,  were being recognized for that talent and going on to  higher education rather than the prose (!)  For those that had been to Graceland, you could have almost mistaken these stairs for Elvis's.

The top of the rotunda is 272 feet above floor level and was really grand.

All of the main floor in the building was a pictoral history of the state done in tile.  This one happens to be of the steel industry.  Can you imagine Gov LeRage pulling up floor tiles because it might represent workers who might be unionized?

This is the Senate chamber that houses 50 senators.  Notice the ornateness of the chandeliers and the artwork in the background.  The Roll call vote is still done here the old fashioned way.  A verbal Aye or Nay.

The Majority Leaders desk made out of imported mahogany.

A stained glass window representing the Media.  Can you imagine a missing window?

The House chambers with 203 representatives.  All PC computers were alike.  They even had a couple of Pages going around opening them up and turning on the power.  Electronic votes shown on the boards on the wall.  Their name shows up in either red or green.

This is one of several 2 ton chandeliers in the house and senate chambers

The grounds outside were very colorful.  I thought I heard that they borrowed money from the education budget to pay for the flowers. (?)

These 2 stickers are for the annual exhaust emissions testing, and the right one reads "Annual Inspection Sticker".  I was wondering where it would go if you didn't have a windshield.

At the National Civil War Museum, which covered all of the Civil War, many real artifacts were kept here or on loan.   Can you guess whose stovepipe hat hatbox this might have belonged to?

The state of Maine during the war had 73,000 volunteers, which is the greatest number in proportion to all the other Northern states.  This on is of the Maine 7th Company.  Maine also was the home of 31 Generals during war.

There was also a traveling exhibit featuring Col Joshua L Chamberlain and told of his part in the battles.  There is a book titles Joshua L Chamberlain  A Life in Letters that gives his description of the accounts of the war.

I just thought I would end todays pictures with this quote.

Many of you have heard of a book called Tobacco Road...tomorrow it will be Quiltshop Road.

Good night John Boy.

April 9, 2013

Hey, hey, hey everybody.

We made the drive out of Pittsburgh with only minor traffic problems and it was smooth sailing, however I think that we were lucky.  It could have been a lot worse.  Tom thinks the golf gods were with him as he had a Tee time at Carlisle Barracks Golf Club for 2 pm.  We got there early and Alice got in some walking for a few holes.

On the road from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg we were driving thru the mountains and saw something in the woods that we haven't seen in quite a while.  No it wasn't a deer...it's the white stuff.  What's with that?  Surely all our friends in Maine haven't seen any in a while.  Right?    By the time we got to Carlisle, the temp was 85.  Tom was almost forced to take out the suntan lotion.

Tomorrow a day in the city of Harrisburg.  Hopefully a few good pics.  Yea Louisville Boys.  Boo NCAA for not letting them see the girls play.

Home in a week.  Goodnight all.

April 8, 2013

Hi everyone.  We went about 300 miles today from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh by way of Columbus where the Jack Nicholas Museum was closed and 3 quilt shops were not.  Got the priorities straight.  At the end of the day we got to have dinner with Tom's favorite golfer.  Tom also did a little planning for a trip back to Pittsburgh to see a Champions Tour Championship played nearby.  We had plenty of fun driving the nearly 30 miles through the uphill/downhill winding city roads of Pittsburgh.  If you want advice, go around. 
Tomorrow, making our way to Harrisburg PA.  Getting closer the grandchildren. 

April 7, 2013

Good morning everyone.  A short drive and another state checked off.  We arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio shortly before noon and had a nice visit with a former student, and family friend Jane.  Previous to today, a  comment was made on FB about banana so Tom jokingly put in an order for a banana cream pie.  To make a long story short the surprise was on Tom.  Fresh cream was whipped up and a hefty layer was added.  To saw the least, it was delicious.  Jane is a great cook.  It you ever pass through Cincinnati, put in your order.  Tom certainly will. 

We had a good time catching up since our last visit in May although we saw the whole family last July.  It's so wonderful sharing time with people that you and your kids grew up with in the neighborhood. Even a plus when you are welcomed into the home of a former student. We had to share this pic of Jane so our kids can see how little she has changed.

Not sure of our plans for tomorrow but we do know it will be towards the east.  Getting itchy to see the kids and grandkids.

April 6, 2013

Hi everyone.
Today we visited with our niece Karen who lives in Lexington.  Along with the visit we took a tour of the Woodford Distillery in Versailles (pronounced versales), KY.

The barrels empty weigh about 110 pounds and full, about 525 pounds.

This is not just grandmas average copper tea kettle.

From the large tank on the left, the kegs are filled and sealed.  From here, they are stored for 7 years before bottled.

Almost 2 years old.

Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun.  Isn't that how the polka goes?  Gravity and rails delivers the barrels to the storage site.

Once in the storage building, a trained gorilla lifts the barrels to their storage area for the next 7 years.

A couple of belles, sitting on the porch.  Do you suppose the bourbon candies were good?

This is the opening weekend of Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington.  It is kind of unusual to see people dressed up (Jacket and Tie) on Friday and Saturdays, but that is the normal decorum for this racetrack.  When driving by the entrance to the racetrack it was kind of unusual to see a sign that read "Drive through betting".  Also they are trying something new at the racetrack, in that people can go to a site at the track and place a bet with their smartphone and a credit card.  For more,  visit  Keeneland 

Goodnight all.

April 5, 2013

At breakfast this morning there were a group of people that all had on the same red shirts.  FFE 2013. (Finley First Edition) Of course Alice had to ask.  There are a group of Show Chorus kids that will be performing at the Grand Ole Opry.  How exciting, what an opportunity for young kids.  Light the place up kids.

We are now back on Eastern time so now like the rest of you, we have an hour to catch up on.  Driving up the road today we came upon a sign that read Mammoth Caves National park.  Because the caves are dark I will leave you with a website to click on to see some good pictures.

Mammoth Caves

The entrance to the main cave.

There have been 400 miles of mapped underground caves.  Just thought I would take a picture of Alice in case that is the last time I saw her.

April 4, 2013

A full day in Nashville with a tour of the State Capitol, a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a show at the Ryman (Old Opry House).

Tennessee was the last state to ratify the 19th amendment to ensure voting for all women.

This is a photo of the card for Patsy Cline.  Plain and simple.

There might be a few people reading this blog that remember listening to one.

Elvis's  "Gold Cadillac".  Elvis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame but was NOT a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Hundreds of Gold and Platinum records from inducted artists.

"King of the Road" inductee Roger Miller.

All inductees are represented with a bronze plaque in the main hall.  Roy Rogers

Inductee Honor Hall

 Just trying hats on for size.  Don't worry, the Easter bonnet is still the preferred one.

 

Alice thought Tom should give up his golf hat for a different style. Must have been something she had with her afternoon meal that brought that on.

Larry Gatlin

Alice was enjoying the show too much.  Tom can't believe I might have married a "country" girl.

At tonight's Ryman Theater's live performance, Marty Stuart

 
Even though the day was a little cool, it was a wonderful time, besides we have heard Howdeeee one too many times.  Still our hats are off to Minnie and Roy!

April 3, 2013

Good morning everyone.
Looking forward to driving up and down hills and around curves. After driving in the Florida flatlands, this will be a welcome change. Thank goodness for hills...now I can see things in the distance and where I am going.  Went to the Grand Ole Opry for a backstage tour...not because we are country fans, but because we like history.  We arrived in Nashville and stopped at the visitors center.  Later we tried to extend our room to Friday night...No chance.  You would have thought that Elton John was coming to town.

 Roy and Minnie at the Ryman Hall

 A lost art still happening here.  Still many boots to shine

 

 Where is my good friend John B when he wants to buy a pair of boots?

 Coming up soon at the Grand Ole Opry...but not tonight.

 Took the opportunity for a photo.  Cameras being passed around several times

 The $1.98 tag was lost in the flood in 2010 but otherwise still in good shape

 We got to hear Jeannie Seely tonight at the Nashville Nightlife theater.  Will also see her tomorrow at the Ryman.

Tomorrow the walking tour of the city.

April 2, 2013

In planning today's activities, Alice, who does the primary tour book reading said  the quilt and fabric shop and the space museum.  Tom said in that order, is that the way it is?  Alice...well ya.   Now for the older married men, you know by now that this is an example of a battle not to pick.  For you younger guys, let this be a simple lesson to you.  Other choices may be more difficult like...go shopping first and then ice fishing.

Anyway after the quilt shop we headed to the Space museum.  Huntsville was the city where Dr Von Braun developed the space program.  Huntsville Rocket Museum 

The Space and Rocket Center is near the Marshall Space Flight Center, which is where NASA first established its operations.

 This original Pathfinder shuttle

Tom getting strapped into the "Space Shot" ride.  There were many hands on activities for kids of all ages.  This ride was 140 ft straight up in 2.5 seconds with 4 G's of launch...and then 2-3 seconds of weightlessness which really felt strange when you couldn't feel the seat underneath you.

A few brief moments at the top.

 This was the Apollo 16 capsule that went to the moon and brought back 208 pounds of rocks.  Talk about government spending...

 Among many other exhibits were many types of rocket engines and many displays relating to Dr. Werner Von Braun.  If you are ever near....especially with kids that are 48" tall, be sure to stop by. 

Some of the simulators are listed here.  Museum attractions 

Before we left the German restaurant featured in the AAA book, tom said that he would like a boxed dessert with chocolate... that could be described as sinful.   BIG mistake.  Not really.

Tomorrow...on the road to Nashville.

April 1, 2013

Leaving Montgomery this morning.  computer packed...check,  wallet/purse...check, everything else in suitcase...check, add ice to cooler...check,  clean dishes...check,  teeth brushed...check,  check refrigerator...1/2 pint of butter pecan ice cream still in freezer....there we were pondering what to do with it at 8:30 a.m.

Heading down the road on April 1st Wayne had predicted that there would lots of RV's headed back home...sure enough, they were from Michigan and Indiana mostly.

As we were riding North, Alice commented on the fact that Brenda Ferguson usually sends her an e-mail on April 1st with a kindergarten April Fools joke and she hadn't gotten one yet.  Sure enough as we were nearing Huntsville....Mr.s Kus, your shoes are untied.  Thanks Brenda.

Birmingham is a city that expanded greatly because of the rich deposits of iron ore and steel manufacturing.  Sometimes we don't really appreciate what the industry has done for us.

Birmingham is home to the world's largest cast iron statue.  It depicts the mythical god  of the fire and forge...Vulcan .  He was originally created for the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis.  He is 56 feet tall and weighs about 100,000 pounds.  I know at least one of my daughters would think the naked buttocks were
funny.  A novelty song "Moon over Homewood" refers to the fact that the statue "Moons" the neighbors.

 W hope all the teachers out there enjoyed April Fools day.  Did Tom ever mention that once he found his teaching desk 3 doors North down the hall?