National Cathedral

On our way to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms (see below) we stopped by the National Cathedral, the 6th largest in the world and larger than any in France. It was amazing architeture, perfect for a group of overworked engineers to really get excited about.

Cherry Blossoms

It was fun to go to DC while Jess and the kids were here visiting, but we were too early too see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. I had to make a quick trip back down to see the blossoms at their best the following week. It was crowded, but the blossoms were absolutely amazing.

Cherry Trees lining the edge of Tidal Basin with the Washington Monumnet in the background.

The walkways were like tunnels made of cherry blossoms (very crowded tunnels full of people).

I even got a picture with me in it!

Spring Break

Our Super-Fun Spring Break trip to Baltimore, Maryland.

Philadelphia, PA

We had a fun and crazy day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (crazy because I ending up getting a parking ticket - I was driving Shane's work truck. Luckily I went to the ticket office and someone had pitty on my cute kids and dropped the ticket). We toured Independence Hall, went to the Betsy Ross House, walked through Christ's Church and saw the Liberty Bell.

Independence Hall

Jared and Serenity with Betsy Ross.

Benjamin Franklin's Grave

Fort McHenry - Baltimore, Maryland

During the War of 1812 Fort McHenry was attacked by the British navy. It was this bombardment that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "the Star Spangled Banner".

Hampton House - Townson, Maryland

When it was built in 1789 it was the largest house in the United States. (Larger than Mount Vernon and even larger than the President's white house)

Washington D.C. and Cherry Blossoms

There are hundreds of Cherry trees in Washington D.C. especially around the Jefferson Memorial. There is an annual Cherry Tree Festival there every year. This year's festival is April 1-12.

Shane & Jessica in front of the Washington Monument

Roosevelt Memorial

Natural History Museum

Jared couldn't wait to see the Rock & Minerals again (he is our gem collector).

National Air & Space Museum

Our two favorite planes at the museum were the "Wright Brothers flyer" and the "Spirit of St. Louis".

Dutch Pennsylvania (Lancaster county, PA)

We spent a day in Amish country taking a scenic drive across covered bridges (most built around 1850).

I loved looking out the windows in the center of the bridges, it was like looking at a painting.

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery in Lititz, Pennsylvania

Julius Sturgis started the first pretzel bakery in the U.S. back in the late 1700s. We bought pretzels straight out of the oven. They were super soft and yummy!

Chesapeake Bay
There are some great parks on the Chesapeake Bay. Here we are on the fishing pier at Fort Smallwood Park, just south of Baltimore, Maryland.
Jared and Serenity had fun collecting sea glass.

Serenity's sea glass (and rocks).

Shane & Jess

We also went to Down's Memorial Park (another park on the Chesapeake Bay). This was sunset, I thought it would be a little more colorful, but it was still great, not quite as good as a California Sunset.

Aaahhh...the love birds!

Jared "wind" surfing