Oh Say Can You See?

Never mind that a snow storm came through Sunday, dumping eight inches of snow in our backyard.

Saturday was beautiful.

We took full advantage and embarked on our first official day trip of 2014. Matt chose our destination - one that's become a family favorite - Fort McHenry.

As far as day trips go, this one almost has it all: cheap (kids under 15 are free, adults are $7); educational; has a dramatic, compelling story; provides lots of outdoor space for picnics or running around; has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore; and there's cannons. Lots of cannons (this being high up on the boys' list of features).

Neither boy tires of hearing about the Battle of Baltimore and the Star Spangled Banner. We watch the movie on every visit and they are completely engrossed.

They also enjoy making fun of me. I get something in my eye every time...

The exhibits are really well done. Lots of information, but presented with images, video, buttons and touchscreens.

Sometimes it takes a little teamwork to see it all.

Definitely our favorite part is visiting the fort itself: poking our heads into the barracks, exploring the guard house and walking between the cannons.

 

According to Matt, Fort McHenry is an HRA. That's "highly recommended adventure."

 

Which if you know Matt, you know that's high praise indeed.

Photo Friday

A couple of weeks ago I went hiking at Great Falls.  I hadn't been there since I was a child. 

I was awed by the beauty and power of the Potomac.

Stamp Collecting

I went on a solo day trip this weekend (the boys were with their dad) and made a discovery I'm anxious to share: the Passport To Your National Parks.

How did I not know about this?

The Passport program is not new.  It's been around since 1986 (the year before my family drove from California to Maryland--oh the stamps we could have collected!).

The idea? 

Step 1: buy a passport ($8.95 - available at your local national parks or online). Proceeds benefit the National Park Service.  

Step 2:  get out there and visit national parks!  Parks are listed by region in the passport.  Cancellation stations are typically located in the park's visitor center.

Not all of the 393 national parks participate in the program, but most do.  Some parks even have more than one stamp.  Example: Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo, Maryland.  There was a stamp for the site, a stamp commemorating the Passport program's 25th Anniversary and a stamp for the Clara Barton Parkway.

I wonder how long it will take the boys and I to collect all the Mid-Atlantic region stamps? Care to guess?