I have always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC and so I was thrilled when I found out we would be here for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Although it is still chilly and there are huge amounts of tourists, Ben and I took some time this week to walk down to the Tidal Basin. Verdict? It is a beautiful sight and just as breathtaking as everyone says.
Ben's professor planned another excursion for all the students last week to go to Philadelphia and stay at Valley Forge. Now I'll start out by saying that the trip was great, but the confession I have to make is that Ben and I are getting "touristed out". I can illustrate this principle with another example.
When I was a teenager my mom and dad packed us up and took us to Nauvoo. At the beginning of the trip we loved to see the historic sites, the period homes, but by the end of the week my sisters and I were adamant, "If we have to go inside another old house we're going to scream". Typically, as vacation time passes, the novelty wears off and one gets "touristed out". A girl on the tour this weekend told me, "When I was in France, I got to the point that I didn't want to see even one more cathedral".
Having said that, I don't want you to think Ben and I aren't enjoying our time out here. We love it. We realize that we may never get another opportunity like this again. So we're trying to soak it up. But there's still a little voice in our heads yelling, "If I have to visit one more battlefield I'm going to melt away".
PHILADELPHIA
We only spent a few hours on Saturday in Philly so we didn't see everything one can possibly see, but we enjoyed ourselves and became acquainted with the city of "brotherly love".
In front of an original 1709 street that has been preserved. It's considered one of the oldest neighborhoods in America.
Inside the Pennsylvania State House aka Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed.
With the Liberty Bell
VALLEY FORGE
Valley Forge was a great site to visit. It was interesting to hear the stories of bravery, patience, and struggle. And we went on a fairly cold day. When we kept complaining about the cold, the tour guide told us, "I'm sure glad this wasn't the original group at Valley Forge or we would have never won the Revolution". That puts it into even more perspective. And since Valley Forge isn't a battlefield, there was no melting away :)
The cabins. Twelve men (and their families) lived in each one.
Ben is always saying I put all the "proper" pictures on the blog, so I thought in honor of our 11 month anniversary I'd put some more candid, down-to-earth, realistic pictures. Pictures of Ben and Athena being... Ben and Athena. And maybe this will just reveal how dorky we both are. But from the past 11 months I can tell you, it's being dorky together that is so much fun.
February 2010- Engagement pictures. Starting at the beginning we were a match made in heaven. Ben said something like "Show me your teeth" and this is what happened.
I think this was the worst day of Ben's life. Three hours of being a model was too much. He eventually lost it. I promised him we won't do it again until we have kids.
Ben was heel clicking and it looked like fun...
I found out it's pretty hard to do in boots. Check out my hair.
April 2010: Trying to imitate the gorilla arms and faces at Hogle Zoo
July 2010: We were once obsessed with Sonic drinks. Very very obsessed.
August 2010: At my family's cabin. You know, a BB gun really is a very masculine weapon.
November 2010: Jane's birthday party. I think we'll still be pretty good looking when we get old.
March 2011: Modeling the train tracks at Harper's Ferry
This doesn't have us being geeks, but I thought it should go here too. Last night Ben's boss took us to Blue Man Group for FREE! We had a great time, although I'll admit that we didn't think it was as good as everyone had said it to be. Maybe we're a tough crowd? Either way, it was fun to see a show in DC and celebrate our 11 months... with Ben's coworkers. Ha ha.
I have the greatest mother-in-law. She's so fun and talented and she turned 50 last November. Today I was going through old pictures and realized I never blogged about her birthday! I couldn't believe it! Because it ended up being such a good surprise and we had so much fun. Here's what we did:
We dressed up like old people! I borrowed my grandma's curlers and Ben wore my dad's shirt (sorry Dad :) ). We got a cane and walker from our neighbors, gray hair paint and voila! We were 80 year olds!
We went to her house while she was in church and sat and waited in the living room like it was an old folk's home. When she came home she walked in and didn't know what to think. She didn't even recognize me! Ha ha! We were so proud of ourselves. (L to R: Ben's brother Landon, Jane, Ben, Me, Trisha Wheelwright)
I got fake teeth from the dollar store. What a great investment. I wanted to put them in the dinner glasses like dentures but they wouldn't sink.
We're all starting to show signs of old age- except for Jane. Doesn't she look so young? And she did a triathlon last year. Whose mother-in-law does a triathlon? I'm proud to say that mine does.
Landon with his beautiful (and young) wife Liesl. Looks like he robbed the cradle.
Ben and Landon are two peas in a pod
Even Chelsea got into the act
For dinner we had a delicious dinner of old people food: Liesl's amazing meatloaf, mashed carrots, and pudding.
Landon was in charge of the cake, which was decorated with a old lady in a Jeep running over a rhino. If the old lady is Jane, and the rhino is old age, I think the symbolism is perfect.
Last Friday Ben had class off and had to do an "enrichment activity" instead. Since my mom and sister Julia have always raved about Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, I talked Ben into making that his activity. Of course, I had to tell him that Jamestown and Yorktown were also close by, but he ended up loving the colonial part too. In fact, because it's so close to our year anniversary, we made it an anniversary trip as well.
Friday morning we left early and took an Amtrak train, which is not as glamorous as it sounds or looks for that matter. It was a long, slow, nearly 4 hour ride, but we were rewarded with gorgeous weather the rest of the day. We walked from the train station to our hotel, which ended up being it's own adventure since it was over a mile and Ben had to haul all our luggage behind him over all kinds of terrain. Finally, we arrived, checked into the hotel, and spent the rest of the day relaxing and walking around Williamsburg. There are lots of fun houses and shops and so much to do.
All the buildings are in colonial style
Everywhere we go we tend to enjoy it like a child would. Thus this picture :)
Then Saturday Ben woke up to exercise and run around Williamsburg while I slept in, then brought me waffles for breakfast in bed. He's my hero. We rented a car and drove a few miles down a beautiful scenic highway along the river to Jamestown. Jamestown was the first English settlement in America in 1607 and is most famous for Pocahontas and John Smith. However, they have great actors and reproductions and we even got to see it on a day they were doing a "Military Through the Ages" show.
Showing off colonial armor in the reconstructed fort. No Indian would ever get us in this garb.
Behind us are three reconstructed ships after those that brought the first settlers
The Revolutionary War camp. They even ate lunch they cooked over campfires to make it more authentic.
Ben sporting an original Vietnam era Bazooka
Notice how much harder it was for me to hold
Later in the day we also went to Yorktown battlefields, the last battle of the Revolutionary War. There is a driving tour we followed to see all the sights. For dinner we ate in a grimy pub with the redeeming quality of a beautiful view of the ocean, then drove home and watched the BYU game. Sunday brought church and a nap in a park off the river, then the train ride home. In the end we were disappointed to have to leave, but it turned out to be a great trip and a great way to celebrate our first anniversary.
On Saturday Ben's professor arranged a day trip for all of the students to go to Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry. We started early and visited 3 different states in one day. Below is a map that documents our route:
We began at the Visitor's Center with a movie telling the story of the importance of the battle; how it turned the tide of the war so the Union could win. The tour then moved upstairs to the Cyclorama, a huge painting depicting the battle in a circle. It was a sobering experience, especially as we toured the museum and saw the faces of many who were killed on both sides. Each had a family, dreams, and aspirations. Each had a vision for the future. It impacted me greatly to think of so many families affected.
After the museum, we boarded the bus and a tour guide drove us around the battlefields. A few times we got off the bus so he could show us various monuments. Much of Gettysburg is very well preserved and accurate because original veterans returned in the 1880's or so to explain what happened and mark locations. Above, Ben and I are next to an original Civil War cannon. We also got to see the spot that won the Union the battle, Little Round Top. It was easy to defend because it was high ground, rocky, and without many trees.
We also got to stop by the Gettysburg cemetery, most famous for being where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address. The monument on the left marks the spot where he gave the speech.
It was a very beautiful place. I wish we could have stayed longer to ponder on such hallowed ground. As I looked over the multitude of graves, I thought what a pity it was for so many to lose their lives. But at the same time I'm very grateful for those who lost their lives and died fighting for what they believed in. In the end, we are still one nation, under God because of their sacrifice. We left the cemetery in the afternoon and ended our visit by eating lunch at General Pickett's buffet nearby.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Harpers Ferry is a small town situated by the intersection of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. It's most famous for the hanging of the abolitionist John Brown in 1859 (which contributed to the start of the Civil War), but is also a great tourist attraction today. We absolutely loved it and would have loved to spend the whole weekend there. It's a city full of history and beautiful countrysides. Thomas Jefferson even called it, "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.”
The town is full of old shops, narrow roads, and original stone walls and stairs that have been preserved. It floods often, and although the river was high when we visited, the buildings were still safe. Apparently many people float the river in the summers because it is really warm.
Anyway, we were captivated by this beautiful place nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains and would recommend it to anyone. There are quaint bed and breakfasts there as well as a great custard shop. Really, what more can you ask for in a vacation spot?
Oh and last of all, Ben pointed out we were in John Denver country. After seeing it for ourselves, I now know why John called it "the place I belong". It's beautiful.
Tonight we were invited to a married couples get together at the Sowby's, the senior missionaries who run the Barlow Center. They live just across the street and were kind enough to have us (five couples) over for snacks and games. We had a great time getting to know the Sowby's as well as the other couples we rarely see.
I have always wanted to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC and so I was thrilled when I found out we would be here for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Although it is still chilly and there are huge amounts of tourists, Ben and I took some time this week to walk down to the Tidal Basin. Verdict? It is a beautiful sight and just as breathtaking as everyone says.
In front of an original 1709 street that has been preserved.
Inside the Pennsylvania State House aka Independence Hall,
With the Liberty Bell
The cabins. Twelve men (and their families) lived in each one.
George Washington's Valley Forge headquarters
February 2010- Engagement pictures.
I think this was the worst day of Ben's life. Three hours of being a model was too much.
Ben was heel clicking and it looked like fun...
I found out it's pretty hard to do in boots. Check out my hair.
April 2010: Trying to imitate the gorilla arms and faces at Hogle Zoo
July 2010: We were once obsessed with Sonic drinks. Very very obsessed.
August 2010: At my family's cabin.
November 2010: Jane's birthday party.
March 2011: Modeling the train tracks at Harper's Ferry
This doesn't have us being geeks, but I thought it should go here too. Last night
We dressed up like old people! I borrowed my grandma's curlers and Ben
We went to her house while she was in church and sat and waited in the living room
I got fake teeth from the dollar store. What a great investment. I wanted to put
We're all starting to show signs of old age- except for Jane. Doesn't she look so young?
Landon with his beautiful (and young) wife Liesl. Looks like he robbed the cradle.
Ben and Landon are two peas in a pod
Even Chelsea got into the act
For dinner we had a delicious dinner of old people food:
Landon was in charge of the cake, which was decorated with a old lady
Overlooking the James River, Virginia
All the buildings are in colonial style
Everywhere we go we tend to enjoy it like a child would.
Showing off colonial armor in the reconstructed fort.
Behind us are three reconstructed ships after those that brought the first settlers
The Revolutionary War camp. They even ate lunch they
Ben sporting an original Vietnam era Bazooka
Notice how much harder it was for me to hold
We began at the Visitor's Center with a movie telling the story of the importance of the battle; how it turned the tide of the war so the Union could win. The tour then moved upstairs to the Cyclorama, a huge painting depicting the battle in a circle. It was a sobering experience, especially as we toured the museum and saw the faces of many who were killed on both sides. Each had a family, dreams, and aspirations. Each had a vision for the future. It impacted me greatly to think of so many families affected.
After the museum, we boarded the bus and a tour guide drove us around the battlefields. A few times we got off the bus so he could show us various monuments. Much of Gettysburg is very well preserved and accurate because original veterans returned in the 1880's or so to explain what happened and mark locations. Above, Ben and I are next to an original Civil War cannon. We also got to see the spot that won the Union the battle, Little Round Top. It was easy to defend because it was high ground, rocky, and without many trees.
Harpers Ferry is a small town situated by the intersection of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. It's most famous for the hanging of the abolitionist John Brown in 1859 (which contributed to the start of the Civil War), but is also a great tourist attraction today. We absolutely loved it and would have loved to spend the whole weekend there. It's a city full of history and beautiful countrysides. 
Thomas Jefferson even called it, "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.” 
Ben & I intently playing "Two truths and a lie"
We had such a great time. Thanks to the Sowby's!