June 2012, A Pirate Adventure In Annapolis, MD

Another trip from Takoma Park, MD was a Pirate Adventure in Annapolis, MD. On this trip, all of the grandchildren present went along with their respective mothers plus Nana and Cheez!

Pirate Adventures, Annapolis, MD; a mighty fun place to be!

All good fierce piirrrates have their faces painted, that be what makes 'em fierce Matey!

Although it appears this matey perhaps thinks she has been conned, mayhap a tad unsure about these hi-jinks!

This old salt has an anchor on his arm. Wouldn't that anchor take him down into "Davy Jones Locker" if the ship sinks? Me thinks it be 'ard to swim with an anchor on your arm!

She's still thinking it over, but it's beginning to look OK, all the rest of them appear to be getting their face painted.

Delainey tests her eye patch while her brother tests his sword.

Here I think, they wanted some sneers and snarls, Delainey is fully capable of sneers and snarls but she doesn't like to waste them. Her brother on the other hand, is doing his nautical best!

Delainey believes you can't pay attention with an eye patch down when directions are being given. Skylar however, looks like a one eyed cyclops piirrrate!

Here be the Pirate ship, ready to go to sea for a day of adventure and plunder!

On board awaiting orders!

The US Naval Academy in the distance across the pond.

 

Heading towards pirate destiny, the first mate is giving orders to all the pirate deck apes!

Good pirates like to set with the Momma Lion occasionally when the excitement level rises.

Here we be breaking out the Piirrraaaatttee Flag mateys! Showing our true colors.

Here we be repelling boarders from the small boat for'ard on the starboard side.

All cannons are firing a massive broadside!

The repel boarders drill seems to be working, he is receiving lots of incoming water.

Now the same drill with our "boarder" on the port side to make sure the entire crew gets to fire all of the water cannons.

Closer, closer all cannons firing!

Foiled again! I bet he never does get aboard this well armed and well crewed ship!

The Treasure Chest has been located and is being retrieved from the water!

Another mate checks with his Mom Bodyguard to make sure he is not having "to much" fun!

Sharing in the plunder plucked from the deep!

Neither one of the youngest are still sure about this, so the best we we get is an almost smile for the ship's photographer.

 

A rousing cheer at the end of a successful Piiirrraaatte voyage, Way to go Mates!

June 2012, A Day In Washington, DC

June in Washington, DC. One daughter and family lives in Takoma Park, MD. Another daughter and her family lives in Ft Rucker, AL. Two states, two school systems; one is out the other still in session. So while two grandsons attended school in MD, the rest of us went into DC. Years ago, while stationed in Bainbridge, MD I used to hit the pubs in DC. But during this trip, I basically had no idea where i was. We went in by rail and left the same way. I got on and off when my daughter Marcy said "Get!"

My blushing bride, the Nana, daughter Jac and her son, Ise.

Sitting on the edge of a reflecting pool; Nana, Marcy, Jac, in the back and Ise, Skylar and Delainey in the front.

A close-up of the previous picture.

Nana and Cheez!

A Triceratops in the bushes!

The Washington Monument!

Not everyone was completely satisfied. The day was hot but you can see the family in the background as they support Delainey.

Nana!

Now the entire group is starting to look a little bedraggled. But that is how it is in DC!

Another of Nana and Cheez. I have to throw an occasional picture of me in so folks will know I was there!.

Nana and Cheez somewhere in Washington, DC.

Skylar, Delainey and Isaac, hamming it up in Washington, DC.

 

Nana and Ise sitting on the reflecting pool.

This is from the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial. The memorial fills a small park and there are a lot of names engraved on the walls. To many!

June 2012, Mount Vernon, VA

You will notice that I am way behind in posting these summer blogs, it is now near the end of September.

During the month of June, while visiting family in Takoma Park, MD we visited George Washington's home, Mount Vernon.

 

The Nana with grandson, Ise at the entrance to Mount Vernon.

 

Daughter Jac with her son, Ise on one of the walkways near the front entrance.

 

An ox, something seldom seen today!

The backside of Mount Vernon, while this is the most common view the front faces the river on the other side.

A close-up view.

A coach of the type George Washington would have used.

 

Mother and son posing.

A layout of George Washington's multiple farms.

George Washington's shed for separating wheat from chaff. The wheat was trampled by horses on the upper deck and the wheat grains fell onto the lower deck.

A slave cabin.

There were many other pictures but I selected these as a reminder of this adventure.