The Battle of the Crater was a battle of the Civil War, part of the Siege of Petersburg and the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, fought between June 1864 and march 1865. Petersburg was an important goal for both armies: four railroad lines met there before continuing on to Richmond, and most of the Confederate Army’s supplies funneled […]
Winter Hike in Catoctin Mountain National Park
Catoctin Mountain Park, located in north-central Maryland, is part of the forested Catoctin Mountain ridge−range that forms the northeastern rampart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the Appalachian Mountains System. Despite the federal government shutdown, the sunny, 50-degree day was too nice — especially in January — not to go hiking. This national park has […]
First State Heritage Park
The First State Heritage Park at Dover is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the historic city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. First State Heritage Park includes the Biggs Museum, the John Bell House, the Johnson Victrola Museum, Legislative Hall, the Old State House, […]
Fabulous Fort Ligonier
Fort Ligonier is a French and Indian War-era British fortification that served as a staging area and a post of passage for fortifications further west, such as Fort Pitt. Native American and French forces attacked the fort just once during the French and Indian War. In the Battle of Fort Ligonier, also known as the […]
Picnicking on Bickle Knob
We stumbled across Bear Heaven Recreation Area on one of our ramblings in West Virginia. We had gotten into the habit of just driving down a forest service road, or turning down a random rural road just to see where it would take us. Somehow, we ended up northeast of Elkins on a dirt road […]
Williamsburg’s Christmas Wreaths
Colonial Williamsburg’s Christmas wreaths are famous, evoking the spirit of simpler times, colonial American can-do spirit, and a nostalgic and idealized view of Christmas that focuses less on plastic Santa Claus light-up figures and more on family traditions. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in December specifically to enjoy the Christmas decorations and wreaths. I recall […]
Newport News’ Celebration of Lights
Celebration in Lights is a two mile drive through holiday light displays in Newport News Park, featuring some creative and well done lights arrangements. Celebration in Lights, Virginia’s first drive-through holiday light event, opens for its 26th season. Newport News Park is transformed by over a million individual lights, creating animated holiday and fanciful scenes. […]
12 Days of Daytrips for Winter Break
The kids are home for winter break and are starting to get bored! What do you do? Here are some fun, inexpensive ideas for great memory-making daytrip destinations in the mid-Atlantic region. Inspire your kids over the winter break! Have you ever wondered how the food you eat — a potato chip, for example — goes […]
Christmas Magic in York, PA!
Christmas Magic celebrates its 35th year this holiday season in York County’s Rocky Ridge Park. The event is a walking trail (ADA approved) that meanders along a wooded hilltop through nearly 600,000 twinkling LED lights and animated scenes. It’s a kid’s delight! The half-mile trail sits among a mature oak forest nestled on a quiet […]
Vroom, Vroom! Harley-Davidson Factory Tour
Even if you’re not into motorcycles, taking a factory tour of the Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations Factory in York, PA is fascinating. If you’re into motorcycles, and especially if you’re into Harley-Davidsons, then even better. This is also a great tour for your teen-aged children. I’ve always enjoyed factory tours, which demystify the world around us. […]
William C Goodridge Freedom Center’s Festival of Trees
The William C. Goodridge Freedom Center and Museum explore the dichotomy of a man whose public success built a five-story commercial building right in the center of York, but whose most important legacy was built in the shadows. The Freedom Center is worth visiting to learn Goodridge’s story: born into enslavement in Baltimore in 1806, […]
Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights
During the day, at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, in Vienna, VA, you can explore 95 acres of ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. As you meander along the walking trails, you can discover local flora and fauna among lakes, meadows, and forests. Take in majestic views of the Piedmont hills, explore the Korean Bell Garden […]
Color on Carroll Creek on Frederick’s Frosty Friday
Every year, a wintery flotilla sails through the solstice on Frederick’s Carroll Creek. This year, nine boats, ranging from a viking boat to other brightly lit ketches, yawls, and even a three mast schooner silent sail along the creek, raising money for five charities through your votes! Whether by daylight or at night, the boats […]
Martin’s Potato Chips Factory Tour
Have you ever wondered how the food you eat — a potato chip, for example — goes from being a potato to a chip? You can find out on the Martin’s Snacks Factory Tour. For children and adults alike, factory tours demystifies the manufacturing process. During the tour, you get to see the start-to-finish process […]
Boutique Winery at Halbrendt Vineyard and Winery
Halbrendt’s Vineyard and Winery is a small family owned winery in Orrtanna, PA (west of Gettysburg) specializing in artisan wines from estate and locally grown fruit. The winery offers varietal wines and blends made from Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Cayuga White, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay and local fruit. Sometimes the winery hosts plein air painting in its […]