Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

We've been busy raking leaves in my part of the country, perhaps you are too. Trade in your rake and colder temperatures for fun at a Myrtle Beach Resort. Grab your golf clubs, this is a golfer's paradise. Countless courses await you. The web-page is interactive, you can plug in the type of course you like, and the times you like to play to find and reserve your tee times. I don't play golf, but hubby sure enjoys it. I'll enjoy time at the pool, and on the beach while he tries to improve his golf game.

While you and your spouse or signifcant other are staying at Myrtle Beach Resorts, take a romantic walk on the beach, sit in the hot tubs, enjoy the night life and entertainment, after consuming a meal at any number of fine dining options available. Traveling with the kids, no matter; lodging at any of the 7 Myrtle Beach Hotels is perfect for you and yours. Spend the day on the beach, or poolside, have fun at the lazy river, go fishing, plenty of family friendly activities.

Pick out the floor plan that works for. A one, two, or three bedroom condo or single hotel room; all available with easy on line search at your finger tips. And don't forget to check out the views from your balcony. Kick back and enjoy a sunrise or sunset at Myrtle Beach Resorts, you'll be glad you did. I feel a desire now to sing, "Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset...." Hum, guess I need to look up the rest of the words.

Singer Island, Palm Beach Shores, Florida

*a neat rainy morning, though it was brief and didn't ruin the day, as you can see by the sunset that evening, click on pic's to enlarge

Singer Island is named for Paris Eugene Singer, the 23rd child of Isaac Singer, the sewing machine magnate. Sub-tropical weather, and water all around. Beach vacations here are becoming quite popular. Though historically Inlet City (Palm Beach Shores in 1906) was nothing more than a location for fisherman and squatters. Fisherman dried their cotton fish nets out, because there was land there to do so.

Time passes, the rich and famous live now in West Palm Beach, just a short distance away. The land dredged out to help ships pass through the inlet helped to form Singer Island. Built for the wife of Mr. Singer to enjoy her summer home.

Beautiful landscape with the ocean on one side, and shipping inlet on the other. The Island is only a couple of blocks wide. In addition to beautiful sunrises and sunsets; walking the beach, laying out getting a tan, you can enjoy watching all the ships that come and go. Some are pleasure boats (we saw Tiger Woods boat on 2 occasions), some are freighters carrying cargo, some fishing vessels, tugs; and beautiful sailboats.

We stayed at Marriott's Ocean Pointe and I highly recommend it. Beautiful accomodations, several pools because sometimes you want the pool over the sand, children's play area's, exercise rooms, balcony's to enjoy the views, poolside bar and grill for snacks. And because the Island is so small, there are several nice restaurants within walking distance for dinner; as well places for a quick pick up lunch or dinner like subway. You can grill out in one of the many grills, you can cook in your room as the one and two bedroom facilities have full kitchens. Even the efficiency has a small kitchen area with microwave, and fridge so breakfast and lunch are easy options. We met 2 couples staying in the efficiency side (which are quite roomy), and they were so well organized they cooked out almost every night from the food in their rooms. The kitchen's are equiped with table settings, glasses etc.

Bathing beauties we weren't; but we did enjoy lounging on the beach. You can rent chairs, and umbrella's right there on the beach. The building's in the background are some of those at Ocean Pointe.

Westminster Hall & Burial Grounds, Baltimore Maryland

A Gothic style church built over a old cemetery. Because of the building over the cemetery there are catacombs. What? Tour a cemetery? This is a very historic graveyard with a large list of who's who in Baltimore history. James McHenry signer of The Declaration is buried here. Many Veterans of The War of 1812, as well as The Revolutionary War. But, the most famous probably is Edgar Allen Poe. Poe, famous for "The Raven", and "Tell-Tale Heart", along with his family take center stage.

At the age of 40, Poe died of mysterious causes. The year 1849. That's not the end of mysteries though with regard to Mr. Poe. Every year on his birthday, Jan 19th a mysterious visitors comes to his grave and leaves 3 roses and a half bottle of Cognac. No one knows who the mysterious visitor is. The 3 roses are said to be left for Poe, his wife, and his mother-in-law.

There are tours both of the graveyard and the catacombs; however when we were there everything was closed for restoration. I was sooooooooo disappointed. Halloween is a special time there, so if you're in the area and your brave enough to go....Be Ware!

Westminster Hall & Burial Grounds
509 W. Fayette Street
the corner of Greene and Fayette.

Happy Halloween

Chillicothe, Ohio

Chill uh kaw thee....say it with me. Many people don't know how to pronounce it. I love visiting Chillicothe, it's old and I like old things and places..

I traveled to Chillicothe the other day with my Dad to tend to some business still related to my Mother's death. We took care of some cemetery arrangements.

While there we again visited The historic and haunted Cross Key's Tavern(did you miss reading it when I posted, check it out now then) for lunch. Across the street from the tavern is the courthouse. It's a beautiful building, as old small town courthouses tend to be. With a neat clock in the tower seen for a good distance away.
Chillicothe was named from Shawnee, Chalahgawtha meaning principal town. The town was plotted by Nathaniel Massie. It was the first and third capital of the state. It's the county seat, and is the largest city in the Ross County.
In ancient times, the Hopewell Indians inhabited the land. More recently, it was home to The Shawnee tribe. Chillicothe was the state's capital as it came into the union; from 1803-1810. For a brief year, the capital was moved to Zanesville; but in 1812 returned to Chillicothe. In 1816 the capital was moved to a more central location; Columbus.

Chillicothe has a very rich and interesting history. A large and active underground Railroad area with many strong abolitionist in the area. It was home to a large Free Black Population as well. Famous people like Lucy Ware Webb, wife of President Hayes was born there. Camp Sherman with a huge history of it's own was in Chillicothe. Early pictures of Chillicothe show how important it was during the canal days. Then there's the haunted history of the famous Majestic Theatre, the hiking, fishing, the infamous fire.......but wait; those stories are for another time.

I encourage you all to take a day trip, travel to Chillicothe and enjoy yourselves. Tell em, Sandy sent ya.

Antietam National Park, Maryland

There is much to see and do while exploring and learning at Antietam National Park in Maryland. You can tour by car, by walking, on your own or in groups. $4.00 per person, $6.00 per family, $20.00 annual pass is a small fee to pay for those that gave so much. Can you see and learn it all in day, NO! Is it worth going multiple times? YES!

The actual address of the park is Sharpesburg, MD; just 10 miles from Hagerstown and 70 miles from Washington D.C. Think how nervous we would be today if a battle took place just 70 miles from our Nations Capital.

 

 This is farm country, rolling hills green fertile farm land.  This picture gives you a feel for what it must have been like to have a battle going on in your back yard, in your cornfield.  And the importance of the lay of the land, maintaining control over the high ground.  Hold the high ground at all costs.

These are trenches.  Picture yourself over the wall on the right picking off men easily as they attempt to move up the hill through the only available opening.  This path holds no protection from enemy fire or means of escape.

This is one of less than 10 individual memorials in the park.  This memorial is that of President William McKinley.  Not a name you might associate with The Civil War.  He was but 18 years old when war broke out.  He quit his job as postal clerk in Poland, Ohio and enlisted as a Private in Co. E. of the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Before the close of his first year in the military, he was promoted to Commissary Sgt.  It was in this post he made a name for himself that fateful day in Antietam.  His fellow Ohioans had been under fire for quite some time, and he knew his fellow Buckeye's were in need of nourishment.  Against all odds and under fire he proceeded to personally deliver hot food and drink to the men.  His first team of oxen were killed, but he continued on.  His bravery and service to these men didn't go unnoticed.  He was then promoted to 2nd Lt.; and by the close of the war had been promoted to Major.  Thirty years after the bloodiest one day battle in American history, (23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, and or missing after 12 hours of battle); he became our President.  He served his country as a 14 year member of Congress, twice elected as Governor of the State of Ohio, and twice elected as our President.  He was assassinated in Buffalo, New York by anarchist Leon Czolosz at the Pan-Am Exposition.  This memorial is beautiful.  Look at the details.  I took several closer shots.

The two faces are of Pvt. and President McKinley.  William McKinley was born Jan. 29, 1848 and died on Sept. 14, 1901.  He was not the only famous Ohioan who served in the 23rd O.V.I, President James A. Garfield did as well.  Sadly, President Garfield was also assassinated in office.  This though is another story; there are many that can be told from a visit to Antietam National Park in Maryland.  I highly recommend this tour for people of all ages.  Children will love to run through the fields, even if they're too young to understand what happened here.  It's beautiful with many opportunities for photo's.  The cannons and the memorials are in abundance.  Some for The Confederacy, some for The Union; some state specific, some for specific companies; and a few for individuals such as President William McKinley.

Traveling with Flat Stanley in Illinois and Indiana

click picture to enlarge and see detail

Do you know Flat Stanley?  Has your child or grandchild done a Flat Stanley project at school?  It's fun, it's educational.  A co-worker's nephew is doing a Flat Stanley project and so we're doing what we can to add to his project.  I took my Flat Stanley tailgating last wkend; but due to the old camera only working some of the time.  The pictures I thought I had....weren't there.  Errrrrrrrrr, I so need a new camera.  My regular camera broke while on vacation a couple of weeks ago, thus I've been trying to use the old one.  Very frustrating.  So, while Flat Stanley was appropriately colored to be Buckeye for tailgating, those pictures are non existent.

He also traveled with hubby and I last wkend to St. Louis with a car load of stuff for our daughter.  On the way back we made a couple of stops and Flat Stanley got his picture taken in Indiana, and in Illinois.  These 2 pictures with The Bison and TeePee were taken in Illinois on US Route 70 exit 76.  This is a fun stop for all.  The kids will love the TeePee and The Bison, parents will love the very unique gift shop; and furry friends have some room to roam and stretch their legs.  It's not the first time we've stopped here; nor will it be the last.

Here's Stanley in Indiana, again on US Route 70.  He got his picture taken by a nice memorial to our men and women in service.  The Blue Star Highways were started as a way to honor our military after the close of World War II, by ladies garden clubs all across the country.

If you'd like to join in on the project it would be great.  You can color your own Flat Stanley and take him places, photograph it and email it to me.  Or...you could take my Flat Stanley, print it and go visiting.  It's a geography lesson primarily for this particular group of kids; but the kids learn so many other things as well.  I like to add some history info, they can find locations on the map etc.  It started out as a way to get kids to write letters, to journal; but there are many possibilities.  Let me know if you're interested.  Here's a link if you'd like to color your own Flat Stanley

Florida Sunshine in Palm Beach

This is the sunrise I enjoyed this am while drinking my coffee and sitting on my balcony.

The suitcase is out and about, therefore I won't be dropping on my fellow EntreCarder's.  My posts will be limited in terms of pictures using different computer and I don't really good photo software at the moment.  Please bare with me, folks.  Will post more on return.

If you've voted for me, THANK YOU, if you haven't yet you still have a few days, please and thanks.  Click on the badge at the top of my blog.

Do you love Southwest Airliines as much as I do?  We always have good service, with friendly nice hostesses.  Even though we were delayed twice yesterday on our quest to get to the Florida Sunshine, everyone made the best of it.  Our captain mingled about the cabin talking with people, the hostess sang two funny songs and really entertained people.  Thanks to them, no one got irritated and that made the trip so much more plesant than it might have been with the delay. 

Did you know pets, small dogs in small carriers are now permitted on Southwest?  I didn't, but spotted two yesterday at 2 different airports.  No time right now to do research and give you the details, but rest assured for my friends with furry friends I will do a follow up post.

Budweiser Brewery, St. Louis, Missouri

We toured The Budweiser Brewery when we traveled to St. Louis. It was still an American owned, family owned company at the time. Sad to know after all the traditional things we saw it no longer fits that category. The plant is spotless, the guided tours are interesting and educational. I particularly enjoyed the historic buildings, and pictures of the original family members.

The building that served as the school for family and workers is still in use, occupied as office space now.

This is a good tourist item for a rainy day and general travel throughout St. Louis.

At the end of the tour you do have options of tasting. I'm not a beer drinker; but my husband and daughter enjoyed that part. I'm a wine drinker. Didn't want to give the wrong idea here. There's pop for the kids too, so no one is left out.

Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri

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This statue was the symbol of the city, until replaced with The famous Arch. Apothesis King Louis IX of France resides in Forest Park.

Forest Park:
City owned
Opened to the public in 1876
One of the largest parks in the country
500 acres larger than Central Park in New York (1,293 acres)
Location of The 1904 Worlds Fair
Historic Buildings
Golf...3 courses
Beautiful landscape
Trails for walking, biking, roller blading
Zoo
Art Museum
History Museum (Missouri Historical Society)
Birding paradise
Muny for opera, Shakespeare and more
Science Center
Ice skating rink (largest outdoor rink in the midwest)
fishing, boating, picnicing

No wonder 12 million people visit this fantastic park every year. My post is a bit unusual above, just listing some of things one can do or find to enjoy while visiting Forest Park. Winter, Spring, Summer, or fall....day or night or both. You really must tour this park, and really once is not enough.

I've lost, from computer to computer I think some of the many pictures I took on various trips there. Here though are a few I took at night. I highly encourage everyone, people of all ages, people with or without pets....come romp and enjoy!

Danie Boone, St. Charles County, Missouri

“Daniel Boone was a man. Yes a big man.

With an eye like and eagle and as tall as a mountain was he."

Those words probably sound familiar to you, provided you're about my age. Taken from a song written about the legendary Daniel Boone for a television show starring Fess Parker. Growing up Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett were my heroes. Today's children don't really have such heroes. I even had a coonskin cap I loved to wear. Not knowing then, as I do know that Daniel Boone never wore a coonskin cap. Boy was my bubble burst.
**click on picture to enlarge and to read captions

Daniel Boone most generally associated with Kentucky, fighting Indians, founding Boonesborough, and blazing the Wilderness Road through The Cumberland Cap spent his elder years in Missouri. St. Charles County. He moved there prior to Missouri becoming a part of The United States ( in 1804) . The territory was still Spanish Louisiana at the time. He left Kentucky frustrated after losing his legal battles and his land claims. The Spanish Governor gave him land and title in Missouri.

He was a Militia Officer in The American Revolution, a surveyor, merchant, and land speculator. Much of what is known about the man comes for folklore, some of it true some of it fabricated. He was captured by and adopted by The Shawnee Indians in 1778, but escaped and continued his fight against them. Perhaps it was during his stay with The Shawnee that he perfected his hunting skills for which is was famous?

He died at his home there in Missouri, was buried there without a marker with his wife Rebecca. The graves remained unmarked from his death in 1820 until 1830. Kentucky ultimately claimed he belonged back in Kentucky and exhumed the body in 1845-reburial took place in Frankfort, Kentucky were a memorial still stands. However, Missourians knew there had been an error made when the marker was placed in 1830, knew Kentuckians hadn't gotten Daniel Boone; and said nothing. At least that's what's been documented by friends and of family of Daniel Boone. Both states claiming a right to have his body, both claiming he belonged there. Then in 1983 a forensic anthropologist examined the remains in Kentucky and claimed the skull matched that of a black women. It is believed this was one of the slaves who had been buried in the family cemetery in Missouri. The conclusion being Daniel and his wife Rebecca are still buried together in their home in Missouri.

You can tour the entire village there in Missouri, St. Charles County and I highly recommend you do. The drive is beautiful, soft rolling hills as you make your way from St. Louis for an easy day trip. A wonderful gift shop so you can purchase a souvenir of your day exists. Picnic under the shade of tree, and take the guided tour it's very well done and quite educational.

**Some lesser known facts about Daniel Boone

• He was a Quaker, but due to his father being ousted by the church never again attended a service
• He was given his first rifle at the age of 12
• He never wore a coonskin cap
• He was elected to The Virginia General Assembly
• Two of his sibblings married non-Quakers, which is why his father was ousted when he stood up for them. One was a brother of Daniel's, and one a sister who not only married a non-Quaker, but was in the family way at the time she married.

You can purchase a ticket to tour either the home or the village or do a joint tour and see both. Boonefield Village is open all year long with special events throughout the year. Located at 1868 Highway F, Defiance, Missouri. Don't miss it.

St. Charles, Missouri

St. Charles, Missouri (Saint Charles, Missouri), you'll find it listed both ways. A beautiful little quaint village. Old shops to cruise, cafe's to enjoy a fabulous glass of local wine. Art, antiques and more. Peaceful little sleepy little village along the river.

St. Charles was founded in 1769 by Louis Blanchette, a French Canadian Fur Trader, The Rendezvous and jumping off point for The Lewis and Clark Expedition, first Capital of the State of Missouri in 1826, and home of Daniel Boone one of the first settlers who built a home in the area. It is the oldest settlement in northern Missouri and the third oldest in the state. Originally named for St. Charles Borromeo, Arch Bishop of Milan Italy. There is much history here to explore and enjoy. There were the French Fur Trappers, the Native Americans, an influx of German immigration in 1830, as well as Spanish influence in this beautiful little village.

San Carlos Borromeo was the name of the 2nd church built in the area. A beautiful statue of San Carlos Borromeo, Patron Saint of Learning sits on a hill over looking the village.

This plaques documents The mission given by President Thomas Jefferson to Lewis and Clark with a quote from Thomas Jefferson and a journal entry from William Clark.

We spent a very enjoyable day here and I look forward to a return visit. A short car ride from St. Louis, it's easy to make a day trip. Though it might be fun to lodge there next time in one of the historic bed and breakfast locations.

**Will explore Daniel Boone's house in Defiance in a few days, don't miss it.
***Still have a couple of weeks to vote, I do truly appreciate your voting for my blog.