Milton ....

Springridge Farm ....



OK, so it's a pick-your-own touristy type farm you know - wagon rides - gift shops - cafe, etc, etc.

It's only twenty minutes up the road from us, so it's not too far to go.
This shot may a bit fuzzy, but I was being bounced all over the map from being on a unsprung wagon on a rocky road. Thanks to Canon's image stabilisation for this result.

For anyone in the Toronto area who fancy going there, here's the link ....

http://www.springridgefarm.com/main2.cfm?id=4426AD5F-B6A7-8AA0-663E0DC2036B38E3

Milton ....

Hilton Falls ....

The lip of the falls is just behind Dylan, that's why the leash is taught!

Dylan doing what he loves best, rock digging.

The waterfall at Hilton isn't huge (10 metres high) but the surrounding area and diversified trails make it a very popular spot. 

There was a water mill built there by the Hilton family years ago (hence the park's name), and its remains can still be seen at the base of the falls. 

The link takes you to an "Every Trail" slideshow of the falls and the area around it in winter. It's well worth the time for a look .....

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=136611

The next link is snowshoeing slide show of the same area ....

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=130312 

Kudos to "Boothash" for the trip-shows. Here's a link to his other local trips (some on water) ....

http://www.everytrail.com/profile.php?user_id=18140

Washington DC ....

And finally .....

One of the wall lamps in the Capitol Rotunda. I hope they are never extinguished ....

Very interesting historical and architectural information of the Capitol building can be found here ....
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/architecture/index.cfm

Washington DC ....

Library of Congress ....



They don't make 'em like this anymore!!
Wow, what a building - wonderful ....

To learn about its history and construction, click on ....

http://www.loc.gov/about/history.html

Washington DC ....

The United States Botanic Garden ....



Of course, if it wasn't hot and humid enough already outside, they add to it inside!

Still - it was a good place to visit. It makes me appreciate my dandelions a bit more ....

Washington DC ....

The National Museum of the American Indian ....





A remarkable museum in an amazing building. For more photos click on the link below, and scroll to the bottom of the page ....

http://www.nmai.si.edu/subpage.cfm?subpage=visitor&second=dc&third=landscape

Washington DC ....

George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon ....



The top pic is of George Washington's house at Mount Vernon. A never ending line of visitors snake through it all day long.
We were in that line going from one plexiglas-screened-off-room to the next. Everyone was Oooh and Aaah and agog with the wonderful sights of America's history!! 

Going up the beautiful original staircase with the rest of the crowd, I realised that the great George himself must have held the same handrail that I was now holding, so I asked a nearby guide if Washington had in fact used this route - to which the reply was "Most certainly - yes".

Everyone stopped and was now in awe of the handrail, almost afraid to touch it, let alone use it for support  :-)) 

To see history was obviously something - to touch it, and actually hold it was something else entirely!!

Here's a link to Mount Vernon's very comprehensive website ....

http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/explore_mv/index.cfm/ss/27/

The next pic is of his farm on the estate.
The larger building in the centre background is the sixteen sided treading barn.
He designed and built it for more efficient grain threshing.
The interesting story of its necessity and development can be found here ....

http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/explore_mv/index.cfm/sss/76/

PS. The zig-zag cedar fencing is as was used at the time, and is freestanding. Therefore it can be placed anywhere, and to make an enclosure of any size. No gates were needed. Clever eh??

Washington DC ....

George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill ....
The first "automated " mill in America ....

It was a change to get out the hustle of Washington centre for a day, and to come here to GW's gristmill and distillery near Mount Vernon.
We were the only two visitors there, so we had the costumed guides all to ourselves!!

For history and info on the mill and distillery, follow this link ....

http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/explore_mv/index.cfm/ss/32/

I'll put some more shots of the main estate on the next post ....

Washington DC ....

National Museum of American History ....
Transportation Section ....





 

With prosperity comes mobility. Lastly - a car purchase.

This museum fascinated us. All the exhibits really are first class.

For more details go to .....

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/subject_detail.cfm?key=32&colkey=31

Washington DC ....

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown ....

Take a look at Sangtru's HDR treatment of the above pic at this link ....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sangtru/4849069765/



A gem of a place to find in Washington, but it might be better with a bit more water :-)
I think it was drained for maintenance purposes.
For more information on the history, and many more photos of this canal, follow this link ..... 

http://bikewashington.org/canal/canal_a.php

Washington DC ....

The Old Stone House, Georgetown, Washington ....

This house is located in the Georgetown district of Washington. It's so easy to pass it by unnoticed, because to go into its garden, and then tour the house itself is like going back in time.

Built around 1764, its history is quite something. I won't even try to relay it here.

If you would like to read about it, then please click on this link .....

http://tourofdc.org/tours/OldStoneHouse/

Washington DC ....

Just had to see this place - The White House ....

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue ....

Taken from Lafayette Square, instead of the usual "Ellipse" view. I think this side is more interesting. Certainly you can get closer to the building, and Lafayette Sqaure - being on slightly higher ground - gives you a better shot over those awful black railings.

Go to this link for more info on the building itself - nothing political I promise.....

http://www.aviewoncities.com/washington/whitehouse.htm

Washington DC ....

Arlington National Cemetery .....
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/index.htm

Taken from Arlington looking towards the centre of Washington ....

Taken from inside Arlington House, looking at the slave quarters .....
http://www.nps.gov/archive/arho/tour/home.html

Wreath laying by school children at the Tomb of the Unknowns .....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns

Looking from the Mausoleum steps towards Washington .....
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/tombofun.htm

Washington DC ....

Smithsonain National Air and Space Museum ....
http://www.nasm.si.edu/

I just liked the look of the angles, forms and lighting for the above pic. I haven't got a clue what the planes are!!

 

Before and After ....
In 1929 Charles Lindbergh flew this plane, a Ryan NYP called the Spirit of St Louis, across the Atlantic. He sure did start something ....

In 1969 the Apollo 11 lunar mission carried Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin,and Micheal Collins. It culminated in the first footsteps on the moon ....

Washington DC ....

National Gallery of Art. Washington - http://www.nga.gov/

Not being an arty type of person, I was more impressed with the building as opposed to its contents - as beautiful as they no doubt are ....

Under the dome of the gallery - "Rotunda" to be exact ....

Washington DC ....

Union Station. Washington DC ....

http://www.unionstationdc.com/

One of my favourite places. I thought it elegant, traditional and yet modern at the same time. It is also supremely functional, as I hope comes across here ....

I'm trying out Blogger's new posting page. I haven't quite figured the text alignment yet. I would like to place text under each shot, but haven't found a way to do it so far. For the future I guess .....