The Munros go to the USA

...must come to and end - except the Christian life which grows from glory to glory!

Holidays/vacations must come to an end, even though tears must flow and the weight of the world threatens, we must depart - adieu.

Another wonderful Sunday at CLC. We left the Mays today, not quite throwing the girls into the car, but, as Jean has already written, God has joined our two families hearts together.

After stops at the Hills and in Baltimore (to see dry-docked Volvo Ocean yachts) we're back in Philly, but only overnight. Another splendid feast from the Iron Chef, and pie from Jodie.

Is is a good break if you want to go home, or is it better if you long to stay?

Wednesday
Just hung out. Though found time to get my cherished 9" SWAT boots, gloves and sort of balaclava thingy.

Thursday
Headed into DC to the National Zoo. Busssy! It was so hot (84F) that half DC was there. We ended up not being able to park onsite.

Pandas, and tigers but no lions uh, huh. But more otters.
(No pics as I'm out of space).

Dusk game of tag with the kids. Dr Mays ain't to bad for how old???

Laters...

Two contrasting day...

Monday
Took the Metro into DC to see the art in the Smithsonian National Art Gallery. Went onto the Air & Space Museum. Really need much longer in both to do them justice.

Highlights: The Cezanne exhibition in the Art Gallery and the Wright Brothers exhibit in the Air & Space.

Showed the kids Capitol Hill and the White House.

Tuesday
Long drive (two hours there, three hours back) to see Shenandoah mountain range and to do the skyline drive. Well worth it - amazing views. This is one of the blue ridge mountains of Virginia. Our eighth and final state.

Sunday
I nearly lasted 20 minutes before I had to wipe away tears of joy at my salvation. Being at my 2nd favourite church always has that effect on me. Covenant Life Church!

Bumped in to many old friends including Kenneth (!), Paul Medler, and the man himself, Mr P!

So we had tea with Mrs & Mrs P, Sam & Ben and were joined by their nanny(!) Dawn. An even older friend wo has blessed Christchurch many times without us knowing.

Oh, yeah, a late, late bonfire & marshmellows. Bet the kids never remember that...

Thursday
And so to Gaithersburg, Maryland via Lancaster. Nice trip, plus we just missed being in an accident.

Friday
With our Maryland hosts - the Mays. For those who know Mark Pont, he stayed here last December. The kids are having a blast!

Saturday
To Frederick for home schooling books and for waffles!

To Harpers Ferry briefly ("John Brown's body nowhere to be seen") and to Civil War site, Antietam (I still cannot pronounce that word). The battle was exactly 100 years before Llywela was born and is still the single heaviest day of conflict in US history - 23,000 dead.

Just show the pictures...

http://www.longwoodgardens.org/

So good we got lost twice - once on the way there and once on the way back! I blame the Americans. "It's easy." they said, "Just follow I-95*"

There are two I-95's, at least. And a I-295 that suddenly replaces one just to confuse you...

Plus, we picked the one day to drive around when illegal aliens (immigrants who circumvented Ellis Island et al) are protesting. We got quite a few video shots, plus lots of NY's finest.

As my daughter who hates walking said drily, "Great day, we spent it all in the car."

*
I-95 - Interstate 95, roughly equivalent to the M1 in that it runs up the East Coast of the US, joining Washington DC, Philly & NY (amongst others). But don't believe them when they say you can't go wrong..

Okay, so he said, "Take a picture over there." But I was still pleased to get this picture of this Amish man who sated the kids hunger with donuts.

Interesting that they are not so much anti-technology but more pro-family & community. They want to avoid things like electricity (& blogging!) that distract from family & community. Food for thought...

Also Quilt museum (no photos allowed) and Cultural museum (printing stuff).

Tuesday
Delaware shopping to replace trainers (sneakers) we bought for Elliott & Esther.

First encounter with a Care Group (Home Group), Covenant Fellowship style. They are almost as mad as we are, they start earlier (7:30) and finish later.

Had a great time meeting Everett, Lawry(?), Stasia, Andy, Barb, Sue, Hoby & Cathy. Felt like being at home!

Wednesday - King of Prussia mall
The kids first encounter with a real American maaaall. I had to explain to the kids that the first shop we were in was a department store (Macey's). They thought the Court was big until we took them across to the Plaza - the second biggest mall in the US!

Afterwards we went proper shopping to a genuine Army & Navy store in Coatesville (down the '30'). It wasn't Hicksville, though the lady in the shop described it thus. Kitted out Abi, Elliott & me in camouflage gear. Carys wanted some pink camo gear (I kid you not) but it was too big for her.

Spent the evening with the Jen, Jodie Lazarus, Barb and her husband, Raymond.

Thursday
A morning in West Goshen park behind the Chuangs, followed by an afternoon in Delaware (again!). Afterwards we visited the Brandywine battlefield. One we Brits won in the American rebellion! (Though somehow you felt that the guide was itching to say, "we woz robbed").

If you are ever in Baltimore you must visit the aquarium. Especially if the dolphin show is in town. We saw it twice - one member of the family more closely then the rest! Needless to say I lost the jumper off my back while Elliott's clothes dried!!

Bye for now.