TravelStream™ news feed for member ramblinggal on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/ramblinggal en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:41:08 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/13/1212847200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/13/1212847200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/13/1212847200/tpod.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:41:08 -0500 Weekend in Williamsburg, VA

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Williamsburg, Virginia, United States

Bruton Parish was formed in1674 by merging earlier parishes in Williamsburg, Virginia, dating to 1633. It was named for an English Parish on the River Brue in Somerset, where it's founding fathers, Governor Sir William Berkeley, and Secretary of Virginia, Thomas Ludwell.In colonial times, church and state were united in Virginia. All office holders were obliged by law to attend church regularly. Yet, Virginia Anglicans (Episcopalians) led in the disestablishment of the church.Bruton Parish and Williamsburg settled into a gradual decline following the revolution. In 1840, the colonial plan of the interior was reversed so one faced west toward the altar.Bruton's age old cruciform plan was not usual in Virginia colonial churches. It arose here less from religious symbolism than from a desire to accommodate college and government personnel during special times. The church is symmetrical; chancel and the nave are equal. The use of arched doors and both round and arched windows is typical of the period. The church tower, topped by a beige wooden steeple, was added in 1769; during the Revolution its bell served as the local "liberty bell", rung to summon people for announcements. And the spire is unusual-a distinction reserved for the colony's capital. The white pews, tall and boxed in, are characteristic of the stark graceful Colonial Ecclesiastical Architecture of the region. The stone baptismal font is believed to have come from an older Jamestown church. During its restoration in 1995-1997, forty-two graves were identified within the church and its graveyard. The more prominent graves are marked by stones in the floor of the church, and many more eighteenth century gravestones may be found in the church yard. Since all the early stones were imported from England, many of the graves which entirely fill the grounds are unmarked.Today Bruton Parish has the largest congragation in its history. It's twenty-four hundred members, college students and Williamsburg's visitors usually fill the church's 500 seats for the various services held on Sundays and Holy Days.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/13/1212760800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/13/1212760800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/13/1212760800/tpod.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:26:26 -0500 Weekend in Williamsburg, VA

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Williamsburg, Virginia, United States

It truly is an awesome experience. Virginia in the 18th-century is what Colonial Williamsburg takes you back to. It's almost like stepping into a time machine. Williamsburg, Virginia, is located on Interstate 64, 150 miles south of Washington D.C., 50 miles east of Richmond, and 50 miles west of Norfolk. In the middle of the city of Williamsburg lies Colonial Williamsburg, a trip back in time. Life there truly appears as it did back then. There is a 173-acre Historic area of life on the eve of the American Revolution. There is the mile long "main street", Duke of Gloucester street, and tunneling below is the Colonial Parkway, which connects Colonial Williamsburg to nearby Yorktown and Jamestown. Each day at Colonial Williamsburg brings a variety of activities and programs you can participate in. They have a rotating schedule for the regular programs, but as the seasons change their special programs change too. Each year at special times they also have re-enactments of important colonial history moments. Mid-February they have a celebration of George Washington. Of the first five American Presidents, four were Virginians. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were two. Programs historical re-enactments, and lectures during Presidents Weekend celebrate our early leaders. George Washington's birthday is February twenty-second. The activities that weekend include George Washington's traditional review of the troops. Mid-June is Brothers in Arms: The African-American Military Experience. From the Revolutionary War to World War II African-American men representing soldiers take up temporary residence at Carter's Grove to demonstrate military techniques, discuss life in military camps, and re-enact hard fought historic battles. Late-June Under the Redcoat: Lord Cornwallis Occupies Williamsburg. Prior to the battle of Yorktown, 1781, British soldiers occupy the city by imposing martial law. At Market Square more than 200 military re-enactors camp, setup military checkpoints, patrol the city, and conduct courts martial. Make sure you know the password if your wandering the city at night. Fourth of July Independence Day - They begin the day with Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps salute to the 13 colonies. The Declaration of Independence is read from the Courthouse steps at noon. The Governor's Palace has a garden party at evening with entertainment and Virginia delicacies. The 4th ends with a salute on Palace Green and of course fireworks. Mid-July A Town Unchained: The Continental Army Encamps at Williamsburg. In 1781 under command of the Marquis de Lafayette Continental troops march into the city, prior to the battle of Yorktown, to relieve it's citizens of British Martial law. Lafayette's arrival is converged on by more than 200 re-enactors. In Early-September A Call to Arms and Action: A Muster of Troops and the first Virginia Convention. British and American colonies relations worsened and delegates were elected to a new American government. Groups of armed citizens organized in response to the Boston Tea Party. 18th-century diversions and a horse race are part of the weekend's re-enactments. This is such a short description of Colonial Williamsburg and all it has to offer. It is truly a wonderful and amazing experience, and an excellent history lesson of how our country was founded, all in one. If you have seen Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" movie this place is the real thing, where it all actually took place. And the movie, which I loved, does not do justice to the real experience of seeing and being a part of the true history. I highly recommend you visit this awesome place and piece of American history if you ever get a chance.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/12/1230649200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/12/1230649200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/12/1230649200/tpod.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:05:40 -0500 The Jackson Burial Plot.

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Pepper Pike, Ohio, United States

Today was another meeting of the Mantua Cemetery Walkers and boy did we visit an incredibly odd cemetery. The Jackson Burial Plot in Pepper Pike, Ohio. Raw Jackson, an English Settler, deeded this land as a family cemetery after immigrating to Ohio in 1835. The local merchants' association maintains the Jackson family burial plot, and it is beautifully landscaped in the spring and summer.There is a dedication plaque on a large boulder that has the names of family members inscribed on it. There are also individual stones for Raw Jackson (d. 1859), Jane L. Jackson, his wife (d. 1861), their son, Lansdale (d. 1887), and their daughter (d. 1906).In 1956 Harry G. Jackson, a fifth generation descendent, was operating a wholesale meat outlet on part of the original property (bought in 1835 for $12. an acre). The ninety-four acres Raw Jackson purchased were valued at $284. With taxes of $1.84. As recently as 1965, a barn built by Raw Jackson in 1845 still stood on the Chagrin Boulevard Property.Also, until the Regal theaters in Middleburg Heights were built, this was the only cemetery in Ohio with a shopping center built around it.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/11/1229612400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/11/1229612400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/11/1229612400/tpod.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:46:42 -0500 Aurora Center Cemetery: A History of the Dead

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Aurora, Ohio, United States

Today was the perfect day for a meeting of the Mantua Cemetery Walkers. It was brisk, cloudy and slightly overcast, but not too cold for a walk around the gravestones and to learn a little about the history of Aurora Ohio. The original land for the Aurora Center Cemetery was deeded May 5, 1813, from Samuel H. Ferguson to Aurora Township. I have noticed several tombstones predate this date but they may have been removed from other cemeteries and placed here once the cemetery was established in 1813. Another 1-½ acres were added in 1878/1879 and eleven Revolutionary War veterans are buried here.Some notable people from Aurora are:Samuel Taylor (1768-1813) was a drummer boy in the Revolutionary War and George Washington signed his discharge papers.Dr. John Hatch who served in the War of 1812, and died in 1842 at age fifth-three of "apoplexy occasioned by the fracture of his thigh being thrown from his cutter" (horse).Paul H. Pearson (1910-1927) who died after being hit on the head by a golf club. The child's father Rev. David Pearson explained that a friend accidentally hit Paul, and though x-rays taken at the hospital revealed no fracture, Paul did not recover.Judge Samuel Forward and his wife arrived in Aurora in 1803 from Connecticut with their seven children. Four years later the judge was appointed overseer of the poor because of his "strongly sympathetic nature and old fashioned community heart".Samuel (d. 1813) and Hannah (d. 1822) Baldwin. Samuel served in the Revolutionary War and Hannah is credited with introducing roses to Aurora. While visiting Cleveland she was given a sprig of roses to use as a whip. Arriving in Aurora she stuck them in the ground and they grew into the most beautiful and fragrant flowers the township ever saw.Alanson Baldwin (1799-1859) was killed by his nephew Merchant Price after he reprimanded him for excessive drinking. Merchant lived in his uncle's home, and after being told that he had to give up alcohol or live elsewhere, the inebriated Merchant found a shoe-knife in a nearby shop and thrust it at his uncle's abdomen. Merchant was tried, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison.Toward the back of the cemetery are the baby section and the veterans' section. There is also a large black stone with a sundial on it. This is the bicentennial sundial and time capsule from 1999.The Aurora Center Cemetery is a medium size cemetery, not totally flat but easy to walk through. It encompasses ten acres and so far there are 2,628 burials with Rhoda Cochran being the oldest-1806.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/10/1215095400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/10/1215095400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/10/1215095400/tpod.html Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:44:08 -0500 Coral Castle: Homage to Love or Egyptian Magic

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Homestead, Florida, United States

<img alt="Coral Castle. Homestead, Florida." src="http://www.igougo.com/photos/journal/thum/2b331e86773942f9a770e452d1b4d36e.jpg"> Today my husband and I took a drive down to Homestead, Florida. Home of the magnificent and mysterious Coral Castle. The history of this awesome tourist attraction is sad, yet wonderful, because without this story of lost love we would not have this magnificent monument to true love. The legend is as a 26-year-old in Latvia, Ed Leedskalnin, was jilted on the eve of his wedding to his 16-year-old sweetheart. She claimed that he was too old and poor to marry. Poor broken hearted Ed moved to the US worked in Washington as a logger until tuberculosis forced him to a warmer climate. While wandering South Florida Ed decided to settle in. He bought a rocky acre, and soon mystery surrounded the 5-foot, 100-pound man who read books on magnetic currents and cosmic forces by day, and by night carved huge blocks of coral from his land.How did he do it? He claims he discovered principles of magnetism used by the Egyptians to construct the pyramids. He also wrote a small book called "Magnetic Current" to explain his theories.He used no heavy machinery or any human help in carving and constructing his home, according to sworn affidavits dated 1955 from people who knew him. He managed to carve out giant blocks of coral weighing up to 56,000 pounds and position them into what he named Rock Gate. In 1923 he opened his home to the public and charged people $.10 for a tour of his castle and courtyard hidden behind an eight foot wall of coral blocks. Even more amazing, the neighborhood became too dangerous for Ed to live in so he moved his home piece by piece to its present location in Homestead, 10 miles away, near the site of the new U.S. 1 to attract more tourists.Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, Coral Castle draws about 65,000 visitors a year.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/9/1028065740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/9/1028065740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/9/1028065740/tpod.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:50:53 -0400 Rachel's B-Day Adventure-an African Wildlife Park, a beautiful lighthouse, a mysterious hill and an old haunted house.

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Port Clinton, Ohio, United States

Today we are heading out on our daughter Rachel's 16th B-Day adventure.&nbsp; She has requested to go to The African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio, The Marblehead Lighthouse, Mystery Hill, and reputed haunted house The Old Stone House on the Lake Marblehead.&nbsp;The African Wildlife Park, Port Clinton, Ohio.&nbsp;The African Wildlife Park in Port Clinton is a truly awesome and fun park to visit.&nbsp; It is a free-range, drive-through wildlife park that makes a visitor feel as if they are on a safari, rolling across the Serengeti in a Land Rover while lions roar and monkeys chatter.&nbsp; Then the reality sinks in, you are trapped in a minivan traffic jam while a pooping wildebeest blocks the road kind of ruins the effect.&nbsp;The Park is actually only a quarter African and is divided into four zones, North America, South America, Africa and Asia.&nbsp; Each area is filled with a collection of indigenous, tame critters are separated from the other continents by a sturdy fence.&nbsp; To move from one zone to the next you drive your vehicle into a double-gated car pen.&nbsp; Once you are securely trapped between continents you are free to feed the animals.&nbsp;
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/9/1028124000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/9/1028124000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/9/1028124000/tpod.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:38:23 -0400 Rachel's B-Day Adventure-an African Wildlife Park, a beautiful lighthouse, a mysterious hill and an old haunted house.

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Marblehead, Ohio, United States

Day two of our B-Day adventure was spent in Marblehead, Ohio&nbsp;The Marblehead Lighthouse, Marblehead, Ohio.&nbsp;Marblehead Lighthouse is the oldest, continuously operational lighthouse on the Great Lakes. It has been featured on a U.S. postage stamp, has appeared on the license plates of Ohio's drivers, and was recently added to the Ohio State Parks system. Found on the northernmost tip of the Marblehead Peninsula, this popular lighthouse's history began in 1819 when the fifteenth U.S. Congress decided that the area was too dangerous to be navigated without some sort of beacon. The sum of $5,000 was allocated for the construction of a light tower at the entrance to Sandusky Bay at Bay Point, Ohio, hoping that the lighthouse would help vessels travel safely through Lake Erie's nor'easters and the clusters of small islands on the southernmost coast of the lake.&nbsp;Mystery Hill, Marble Head, Ohio&nbsp;&nbsp;Mystery Hill is a must see tourist trap and has some very unique features of its own.&nbsp; Visitors can witness water running up hill, a pendulum that will only swing to the south, and a ball that rolls up hill and will not roll back down.&nbsp; At the vortex of the hill visitors sense of balance may be pushed to the limit as most people will seemingly change height right before ones eyes.&nbsp; The park also offers a girt shop, picnic tables in the woods, and water balloon cages to provide an escape from the heat.&nbsp;The Old Stone House, Marblehead Ohio.&nbsp;The Old Stone House in Marblehead, Ohio is a reputed haunted house and is now a bed and breakfast.&nbsp; Room 11 is suppose to be haunted by a little girl who fell out of the window and fell three floors to her death.&nbsp; Many people who have stayed there claim they have heard flushing toilets on the third floor, also a television on this same floor is usually turned down after the volume is turned up.&nbsp; If you look at my pictures of room eleven you will see orbs in the room.&nbsp; These are the very same orbs shown in pictures in "Ghost Hunter's Guide to Haunted Ohio by Chris Woodyard" and we were lucky enough to catch them on film for our private photos.&nbsp;It was an awesome B-Day adventure for our daughter and a great time was had by all.&nbsp; And it just goes to show you there are great adventures to have in Ohio.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/niagra-2002/1020524400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/niagra-2002/1020524400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/niagra-2002/1020524400/tpod.html Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:10:52 -0500 Niagra Falls and Ten Thousand Buddhas all in one day.

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Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada

We woke up one morning and having nothing to do, we decided to drive to Niagra Falls. As usual it was a great trip, but this is our first trip with no kids. Thank the Lord they are grownup (they think) . Finally we can do what we want-when we want, so Niagra Falls here we come. We visited the usual spots and some new spots. We took a ride on the Maid of the Mist and got soaked to the bone, we descended to the base of Horseshoe Falls and took a journey behind the falls,drove down the river parkway, took a ride on the Spanish Aero Car, saw the giant floral clock, went to the House of Frankenstein and went to the World Peace Ten Thousand Buddhas Sarira Stupa Temple. The Temple opened in 1996, and has a six ton grand bell of world peace and a collection of buddhist paintings and over ten thousand statues of buddhas and bodhisattvas. It was a very, very, beautiful temple.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/puerto_rico_07/1194969660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/puerto_rico_07/1194969660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/puerto_rico_07/1194969660/tpod.html Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:04:12 -0500 Puerto Rico, island of many adventures, and even more beautiful sites.

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Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Sad to say this is the end of this travelogue.&nbsp; My computer crashed and I lost all of my pictures from Puerto Rico, I never burned them to a disc so they are gone for good.&nbsp; Hope you enjoy the beginning of this travelogue and have a great day.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/puerto_rico_07/1191684600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/puerto_rico_07/1191684600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ramblinggal/puerto_rico_07/1191684600/tpod.html Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:48:44 -0400 Puerto Rico, island of many adventures, and even more beautiful sites.

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Ponce, Puerto Rico

Today we left our hotel for Ponce and it is hot and humid as usual.&nbsp; The historic canter of Ponce is full of charm and beautiful architecture, and it is referred to as "The Pearl of the South".&nbsp; The historic district has seen some major renovation in the 1990's.&nbsp; Yet, there are many abandoned buildings and Ponce appears to be severely weather worn.&nbsp; Whether it is from the constant poundings of tropical storms or just plain old neglect we will never know.&nbsp;Also The Ponce Hilton Resort and Casino is the most deluxe accommodations in Ponce.&nbsp; The Hotel is seaside but due to the rocky shore there is no beach, but the deluxe resort setting and casino well make up for it.
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