Two wenches and a president

We haven't seen our old RVing friend Lynne in several years. She moved from Oregon to Minnesota last year and she said if we come anywhere within a day's drive, she'd get out her RV and come meet us. Well alrighty then, that sounds like a plan. We plotted our course east to use Highway 80 and found a campground just north of Iowa City. It turned out that we would be meeting over a weekend, so I had to make reservations rather than just trusting our luck. This was a COE (Corps of Engineers) park and they are very popular local destinations for weekend travelers. The reservation system (Recreation.gov) showed about 80% of sites were open and available during the week, but I snagged the last 2 sites open for Saturday night. Lynne would be arriving sometime on Friday night, we took advantage of the firewood for sale (6 pieces for $5) and started a nice fire in the campsite's fire ring - we had marshmallows now! This took a bit of doing because we had no kindling - nothing to get a fire going. We dug in the trash for some cardboard and it finally took.

As much as we were looking forward to seeing Lynne, anticipation was even greater for her beautiful dog, Finn. We've been seeing photos of him on Facebook for several years now and couldn't wait to meet him. What a joyful pup he is. I'm so glad that Lynne has him as a companion.

Jim's long-lost brother? They have the same mustache!

Saturday morning with our coffee, we asked Lynne if she'd be interested in visiting the Herbert Hoover Presidential museum which was only about a 20-minute drive. She said, "Sure!" So, off we went. Jim and I are big fans of Presidential museums - we've been to every Official Presidential museum, and Hoover's is one of our favorites. 

We left Finn in his air-conditioned RV, unplugged our van and drove it the 20 minutes to West Branch, Iowa, and the Herbert Hoover birthplace and museum. Little did we know that it was "Hoover Days" - Aug 6-7. What a treat. The streets were blocked off and there were tents, booths, and exhibits all thru town. The first item of business was lunch. We found this great bar/restaurant called The Downunder, because it was in the basement. Very cool ambiance with the old brick, good beer and great food. 

If you scan this code you'll get a video overview of Herbert Hoover's life

After a full and very interesting afternoon, we headed back to the campground to take Finn for a walk and relax. 

Lynne has always referred to family and friends as Pirates and Wenches. I'm not sure where that came from, but it's fun. 

We settled in for a quiet evening and wanted to build a fire. We had plenty of good firewood, but still no starter pieces. Lynne had an ax and tried to split some wood into smaller pieces, but it wasn't working so great. At one point, we both bent down and started blowing on the same spot of hot coals - voila! the fire took off,

Who needs fire  starter? All it takes is two wenches to blow..

What a great weekend. I love how RVing allows us to stay connected to friends. I was reminded about why we are friends with Lynne. Not only is she beautiful, talented and accomplished, she is also crazy smart. It was so fun exploring some history with her at the Hoover museum as she added some local Iowa farmer perspectives. We had non-stop conversation well into the night. And, marshmallows over the fire were pretty good too! We Love you, girl! err I mean wench.

After she left on Sunday, we stayed on and did one of our "What Does This Button Do?" shows. Episode 217 - prepare to be offline

George Washington’s Mt. Vernon

We arrived in the D.C. area with 3 whole days to spare before the Arlington ceremony on Monday.  So we agreed to play tourist for one day and Saturday was just beautiful.  We were staying at the Elks lodge in Alexandria which is very convenient to the harbor where we saw boat tours advertised that take you to George Washington’s Mt. Vernon estate.  Perfect!  We went with the Potomac Riverboat Company.

I love going to places by boat.  I think you get the best perspective this way rather than driving to a parking lot and then walking to the attraction.  Here’s Mt. Vernon up on the hill as seen from the water.


I told you it was a beautiful day!

If you walked around long enough you were treated to a re-enactment of soldiers from Revolutionary war times.

Here’s where George and Martha are buried.

There was also a whole village of tents where crafts were being displayed and sold.  I couldn’t resist taking a picture of a George Washington lookalike though who was using a smartphone with a a credit card swiper attachment to make his sales.  I wonder what the real George would have thought?


The museum was great.  Probably the closest thing to a Presidential museum that exists for George Washington.  I think we can add it to our list of Presidential Libraries visited! I wonder if it is because his time was long before any of us can remember … or was George really as dedicated, honest, smart, and humble as they say?  One of his greatest achievements is stepping down from the presidency when everyone was more than happy to re-elect him again.  He believed in term limits!
Back in the boat and back to Alexandria at the end of the day.

Presidents in Texas

We are huge fans of Presidential museums.  We have made it a point to stop at them all over the country, and have managed to visit all 12 official Presidential museums.  See this past post for a list. There are also a few presidential historic sites we’ve visited that are not part of the official system of Libraries … Teddy Roosevelt Nat’l Park in N Dakota, Lincoln museum in Illinois, Whitehouse museum in Washington, D.C.  Whenever I write a blog post about any of these, I add a label for Presidential Libraries.  Clicking on that link will show all of those posts together.

The 13th official Presidential Museum

So, when we learned that the 13th official library had just opened, and it was on our route, we had to visit the George W Bush Presidential Museum in Dallas.  This is our third Presidential museum in Texas – Lyndon Johnson in Austin, George H.W. Bush in college station and now George W in Dallas!

George W Bush Presidential Library and Museum

It was very strange to see ‘History’ displayed on events we have lived through – recently – and have our own recollections and opinions. 

A centerpiece of the Bush library was this twisted steel remnant of the World Trade Center from 9-11

I usually really like seeing history summarized.  My brain is too full as it is and can’t hold much more, so just give me the soundbites!  But, when you see the decision to invade Iraq simplified to 3 choices (1.another UN resolution, 2.Lead an invasion 3.Do nothing) you know that history isn’t that simple, there was so much more going on.  More than anything, this experience makes me question everything I’ve learned about history – the facts are always as seen thru the eyes of the presenter, and the presenter with the biggest stage wins. 

This Iraq scenario was one of the presentations in the ‘Decision Points Theatre.’ I loved the technology in the presentation, there were at least a dozen stations where the audience gets to vote on the decision, and the results are displayed on the big screen.  Then President Bush appears on the screen and explains his decision.

George W Bush tells the audience about the decision he made

In addition to a Presidential record, we have come to expect these libraries to present a slice of life in America during that president’s term.  Although it was appropriate that the terror attacks of 9/11 were portrayed as the dominant events of his term, I was disappointed that I didn’t see any presentations of the technology that emerged during this time.  Yes, we’re geeks, but I think everyone can agree that GPS, smartphones, and growing access to Internet has changed our world during these years as much or more than those terror attacks, and I think they deserve a place in the museum.

It was odd to come away from a Presidential Library visit with more negative feelings than positive.  Although it’s true that we were not fans of George W Bush, we are ardent fans of Presidential museums, it is one of our very favorite things to do on the road.  This one just felt more like a commercial for the man than a museum of his life and times.  Maybe the other ones were too and I just didn’t notice?

Lots of people had their picture taken with Bush and Bush Sr.

North Dakota on the Map – Bully!

We were actually in North Dakota in 2005, but we flew here – so that doesn’t count!  This state has been the one gaping hole in our map for a couple years now, so we made a point to route our travels this way so we could finish the map.

 

Whenever we spoke to fellow RVers about the missing N Dakota, we normally got sympathy and the acknowledgement that ‘there’s nothing there!.’  We were beginning to wonder if N Dakota actually existed, there were so many fellow RVers who had been everywhere BUT here.  Then we started to hear, “Oh – except for Roosevelt Nat’l Park, that’s awesome.”  So, we planned a stay at Roosevelt Nat’l Park and made reservations (got the last spot!) at Medora Campground. 

We pulled in about 3 pm and took a look at the posters on the wall of the office and noticed ‘Bully!’ a one-man play about Theodore Roosevelt.  It only plays on Friday and Monday at 4 pm.  This was Friday – let’s go!  We parked, plugged in and took off, and we’re so glad we did.  It was a wonderful performance that really brought the man to life with all his energy, intelligence, and caring.  Jim has often been mistaken for TR – so I couldn’t resist taking his picture with the man himself – actually the actor

How full-of-life that man was.  Makes me want to read a book about Teddy Roosevelt.  I’ll have to search on the Kindle and see what I can find. 

Next we took the drive thru the park … a 36 mile scenic drive with several opportunities for walks and overlooks.

 

 

We also saw some wildlife.  Both small …

and LARGE …

So, this morning, we could put North Dakota on the map.  You must sleep in a state before it can legally be claimed on your travel map!  I figure that Jim did all the driving so I let him have the honors.

Now what?  Are we done?  Or do we just start all over again?  Oh yes, I know Alaska still needs to be done.  We don’t have any plans for RVing there any time soon.  We are going to take the Alaska cruise this Fall.  That will probably be enough for us.  I lived in Alaska as a kid.  My family drove the Alcan highway 5 times.  It is extraordinarily wild and beautiful … but I don’t have a burning desire to RV there.  I *would* like to recreate my family’s RV trip thru Mexico and Guatemala.

There is NO WAY we’re done.  I feel like we’re just getting started.  I see so many places on the map that we are going by and I’d like to stay a while.  I have a count somewhere – but I think we’re only about halfway thru the National Parks.  And, then there are the rails to trails bike rides, and the kayaking places, and the observatories, and the wineries, and the fish hatcheries, and the …

Eisenhower Presidential Museum, Abilene, Kansas

Through dedicated hard work and constant planning, we have now completed our visits of all 12 official Presidential Libraries – plus Lincoln’s for a Baker’s dozen!  See list at the bottom of this post.

Actually it was pure luck and serendipity, that led us to the Eisenhower Presidential Museum yesterday :-).  Our original plan was to travel highway 80 thru Nebraska on our way to Oregon, but as we perused the map on our first day headed west from Louisville, we noticed that it would be just as easy to stay on 70 to Denver, then jog north to pick up 80 in Wyoming.  That way we could visit our friends, Diane and Andy, in Golden!  Our Streets and Trips trip planning software indicated a second night’s stop near Abilene, Kansas and Lo and Behold we saw billboards advertising the Eisenhower museum.  Can anyone deny that ours is a charmed life?!

The RVer’s President?

Eisenhower is primarily known as the General who won the war in Europe – being the Supreme commander of allied forces in Europe during WWII, but he was equally skilled at ‘Winning the Peace.’  He governed over a very prosperous time in the United States: 1953-61, and he was responsible for building the Interstate Highway system as we know it the Eisenhower Interstate System!  We could not be traveling as we are if those Interstates weren’t here!  He also revitalized the National Park Service with a 10 year plan called ‘Mission 66.’  And, last but not least, Alaska became a state during his watch.  Here’s a page that lists all the major events of the Eisenhower years.  ‘Ike’ is generally accepted as one of our top 10 American Presidents.  Did you know that our Presidents are ranked?

We love history and biography.  We also love these United States.   There’s just nothing that puts that all together like our Presidential Libraries. Yes, we could watch documentaries on the History channel, but there’s just something about walking the same ground as the President walked, and being surrounded by the actual memorabilia of the time that brings the information to life.

And, sometimes Larger than Life!

There were some pretty impressive murals inside too:

If any of you are WWII buffs, you may already know about the ‘Mulberry Harbors’ built at Normandy to facilitate the invasion.  This was the first time I had learned of these ‘Miracle Harbors.’  What a story!  There was no way to put troops on land without a port, and there was no way the Germans were going to allow any existing port to be taken – so the Allied forces built their own!  After manufacturing all the parts elsewhere, they were towed to Normandy and assembled in a two-week period so that jeeps, tanks, landing craft, personnel and supplies could go ashore.  If you’re at all interested, click the link above to read the story and see pictures.  Given that I’ve seen a 2 block stretch of city street take 3 months to expand and resurface, it truly is a miracle that breakwaters, docks, and floating roads became a reality in two weeks!
There  was so much more!  Actually, now that we’ve visited all the Libraries – I’d be more than happy to go back to each one again!  Here’s the list of all the Presidential museums we’ve visited.  The links take you to our blog post from the day.  If you know of anyone else who might be interested, there is a set of icons at the bottom of the post that you can use to share this via Facebook, Twitter, or just old-fashioned email!

1. Gerald Ford (BB - Before-Blog)
2. Richard Nixon
3. Ronald Reagan
4. Jimmy Carter
5. Bill Clinton
6. Lyndon Johnson
7. George Bush (Sr.)
8. Harry Truman
9. Herbert Hoover
10. Abraham Lincoln
11. John F. Kennedy
12. Franklin Roosevelt
13. Dwight Eisenhower

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Gorgeous Day in Washington DC

Actually, we had 2 gorgeous days in Washington DC.  Then we hung out at the RV park (Cherry Hill) for a third – got laundry done, answered some email, etc.

 

Since it was so nice, we didn’t spend much time inside the many museums.  We briefly toured the Spy Museum (fun) – but spent most of our time outside.  We walked quite a bit, and then signed up for the hop-on, hop-off double decker tour bus.  We liked that a lot.  $35 – let you ride as much as you wanted for 2 days.  And, their speaker system worked well, so you could hear the commentary everywhere you go.

 

We took so many pictures, I can’t decide what to post here, so I’ll just give you the whole slideshow from our Picasa Web Albums.

Hyde Park to LBI

By Jim

 

Chris and I both enjoy dabbling in American History.  Visiting presidential libraries and museums is a wonderful way to learn more about a particular time slice of this wonderful country.

Franklin Roosevelt was president during two major world crises.  He came into office at the beginning of the Great Depression.  Europe and Asia were on the brink of World War II.  Presidential powers were used to great effect throughout his time in office.  Roosevelt was elected four times.  He was confined to a wheel chair, a victim of Polio.  Franklin died before the war ended.

He was born into affluence, but became a champion of the common population.  His wife, Eleanor, was a prolific writer and proponent of feminist causes.  Lots of interesting stories.

There is much more to see in Hyde Park.  We just got a taste – and a reason to return.

 

Long Beach Island New Jersey

When people ask me where I grew up, I usually tell them I never did!

LBI is where I spent all of my high school years.  It is truly a special place.  Many of my friends and family are still in the area.

Hurricane Bill was stirring up the surf.  The waves were coming up to the dune line and the lifeguards had to move their chairs to higher ground.  Here they are bringing the chair back down to the beach.

We went out for a paddle on the bay.  And then a short swim.  Odie was the first to get wet.  Refreshing!

 

Sunsets are often spectacular over the bay.

Thanks to my long time friend and dive buddy, Jimmy L. for allowing us to stay with him on LBI.  And Happy Birthday!

Boston and JFK Library

I feel like a broken record, but – it just doesn’t get any better than this! 

 

Our home is parked in Winter Island City park in Salem, and the ferry dock is, at most, a mile away.  We took the ferry to Boston – about an hour ride.  ahh, smell that salt air!  And the cool breeze was welcome on this hot summer day.  Here’s the route we took from Salem to Boston.

 

 

The weather was setting record highs (95 degrees I heard) – so it was an especially good way to travel today – nice and cool.

 

 

 

 

 

What a great way to come in to Boston!

 

 

After the boat ride, we took the subway, then a shuttle bus to get to the JFK Library.  I felt like a real country bumpkin in the big city trying to figure it all out!  We didn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes for either subway or bus … really quite nice.

 

 

 

 

This was our 10th Presidential Library in our travels (you can click on the category “Presidential libraries” in the right sidebar to see all of them) and, I think it was the most inspiring yet. 

 

 

The architect is the same – I.M. Pei – as for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Louvre.  You can see it in the ‘Pavilion’ with the stories-high glass:

 

 

Kennedy was elected on my 8th birthday and, especially with his assassination 3 years later, is the first president in my memory.  I remember learning to get under our desks during bomb alerts in my Alaska elementary school.  So, watching the video about the Cuban Missile crisis was especially poignant.

 

He was our first real TV president, and there were lots of clips to watch.  We spent a little over 3 hours there and, as I say at every Presidential library, I could have stayed much longer.  Both Jim and I just love history.  Reviewing American history gives you perspective on current affairs.

The more things change, the more they stay the same!

 

Here’s the map of Nixon (red) and Kennedy (blue) votes from the 1960 election.

 

After the museum, we reversed our course and took the bus and the subway again, but we also walked several blocks of the ‘Freedom Trail’ in the heart of Boston.

 

 

 

 

 

When we got back to the docks, our chariot was waiting to ferry us back to Salem.  Glorious day!

 

 

 

 

 

For more pictures, go to our Picasa Web album.