2008 July 3rd and 4th

The last full day at Massanutten Resort 15 miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia was laid back relaxation with a couple hours of tennis, swimming, a golf lesson for Emily and Mark and a round of golf for Emily & Isaac and fireworks Thursday the 3rd at 10: 30 p.m. off the Massanutten Mountain Ridge.









After arriving in D.C. and getting checked into the Comfort Inn Landmark Hotel in south western Alexandria, we got on the "Metro" subway and headed downtown to the Mall. We arrived on the Mall about 6:30, only about 5 block walk from the Subway station. There was a security check to get to the Mall, after that, we didn't see much security.













As it started to get darker, the Capitol and the Washington Monument where spectacular. We did have a little rain, needed to buy a couple small unbrellas as our 5 two ounce plastic ponchos didn't keep us ALL dry. There was estimated up to 750,000 people in attendance. Didn't seem like that much where we were until we had to get on the Metro subway returning. Wow. Crunched for almost two hours before getting on the Metro and then REALLY SQUEAZED - JUST AS ANNA.








The Fireworks were fabulous (my picture taking not so fabulous). But from where we were sitting / standing - the Washington Monument was the frontdrop for all the fireworks. The finale was AWESOME - BREATH TAKING - not describable with words - we got it on video tape. I doubt the kids, or Beth and I, will ever forget it! Thanks be to God!

July 2' 08 A Full Day

Emily, Erica & Abigail made jewelry (bracelets) in the morning and Emily, Erica & Isaac made tie-die t-shirts in the early afternoon.

Then the competitive juices came out in disc (frisbee) golf. Most of the holes were not as wide as this one. Some Tennis and swimming in the after noon. Then....







It was off to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a drive on Skyline Drive in the Shennandoah National Park, a part of the Bule Ridge Parkway. We left early evening and got in some great
sceneary - sunset, rabbits, lots and lots of deer, AND a black bear!


















This bear was actually a few hundred yards from us, but Beth was able to zoom in. It was already getting a bit dark out. A really exciting moment as we got up to the place where it entered the brush and the kids could see it through the open window!










Some doubles tennis between Emily / Isaac and Erica and Anna in mid afternoon.
After a full day most everyone hit the hay hard.

Hiking and Golfing in the Mountains

Tuesday, July 1 and the Palmers went hiking in the Appalacian (sp?) Mountains on what's called the Massanutten Ridge.
After about a mile and a half in, Mark, Emily, Isaac and Abigail returned to the van to bring Emily and Isaac to a golf tee time.
Beth, Erica and Anna continued with the GPS with plans to make it around the "Ridge" back to our rooms (thinking it was about a mile and half). But it was more.... took them almost three hours to walk out!!








Emily and Isaac played their third round of golf since arriving. Isaac chipped one in today and yesterday Emily missed a three-four foot put for a birdie on a par three!














Erica, Isaac, Anna and Abigail to a golf clinic on the basics of the golf swing in the evening.

Anna counted 20 deer she saw JUST YESTERDAY. Fun.

June 28, 2008 golfing after White House

Two special tickets were received for looking at the Massanutten Resort that is allowing Emily and Isaac to play all the 9 hole rounds of golf they want for the huge price of $2.50!!!!! This evening a big storm was coming in and the attendants at the golf course were not going to let us play. I talked them into letting us get in a few holes. We made it nine holes - rained the first few!













Beautiful course - some good swings!

















Thanks be to God and to Beth for some how realizing we were not home as we should and came and found us at the end of 9 holes about half mile from the club house.

June 27, 2008

The good LORD blessed us with some time on the beach before departing for Massanutten,
in Virginia about 140 miles west of D.C. The waves were pretty big with surfers getting some
good rides.











Still smiling after a drive from MN to the coast!











Unexpected long waits in 2:30 p.m. Friday rush hour on the north and west side of
Washington, D.C. were a bit of a bummer as everyone wanted to get to our destination...
especially two that wanted to hit the water pool.
On arrival, Anna and Abigail received the smiles they were waiting for!

June 28, 2008 - White House Day

We have been seeing a whole host of deer right from our window and throughout the driving of the complex!
This morning we left for Washington, D.C. for a White House Tour that Beth lined up through our House Representative (took a month of correspondence and phone calls to make it happen)! Why no pictures? Cameras had to be left in the van. No cameras allowed in the White House. We will be taking pics come the 4th of July when we return to D.C. Left at 7 a.m. - was about 140 mile trip in. Took in some of the White House Visitor Center then the White House - Spectacular... each room - awe striking. Tried to sit on chairs that weren't roped off. Talked with the Secret Service guys in each room - very interesting. We were hoping to get invited for lunch with George and Laura, but no luck.

ON the return to Massanutten a little tennis and a little swimming.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Got the juices going early in the morning - getting ready for church!
Muhlenberg Lutheran Church - Harrisonberg, Virginia
Only Lutheran Church on all the church listings in the area.
Sermon theme: "Never Give Up"











Water Park in the evening. Here's Beth, Isaac and the girls going for a long head first slide!


















Wet and smiling - Great time!