Monticello Virginia

 We visited Monticello on Friday 2 October, 2020.

The visit was modified because of Covid-19 adjustments. We reserved a house tour online and arrived early. There's a brief film at the visitor's centre. 

We decided to walk up to the house, which was a surprising climb. We sat for a brief introduction then entered the house in small groups. Photography was allowed so I will include some photos.

Jefferson as a man of science

Georgian Silver

Outside, an actor provided an impressive talk as Thomas Jefferson. He answered all questions posed to him by the attentive and challenging audience.

There are a few cabins where slaves lived and locations marked where they worked. Jefferson enslaved more than 600 people during his life.

Here's a look inside a cabin representing the home of Sally Hemings (1773-1835) known as Jefferson's concubine. She was a half-sister to Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles (1746-1782). According to the tradition, Sally and Martha had the same father, John Wayles.

There's also a furnished kitchen close to the main house.

It is not hard to detect which headstone is for Thomas Jefferson in the family cemetery.

Books about Thomas Jefferson and Monticello

Thomas Jefferson eBooks

Visitor notes

I suspect things are subject to change so I advise checking the website for current information.

Monticello.org

There is an app, which provides an audio guide to the rooms and text with additional information. There is WiFi in the home.

The website has an extended section on  slavery at Monticello.

I did not see people of colour among the guides and staff who interacted with us.

There is a gift shop, but we did not purchase anything.

There is a small museum at the visitor centre.

You can purchase food onsite, but we went back to our vehicle and ate lunch there. At the time we were there, you could take a water bottle with you to the house and grounds.

There are toilets and a place to refill water bottles.

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Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Virginia

 

We visited the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Monday, 5th October 2020. We paid the $5 entrance fee and soon stopped to view an Osprey on the westside of the entrance road.

Next, we parked by the closed visitor centre and followed an short eastward trail to the beach.

We then walked south of the centre along available trails, which were not fully open to the public. Here's a sample of what we saw.

I took a couple of videos available from my YouTube channel.

Birds on the Beach video

Short video of an Osprey

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park New Mexico

 

The park is located near the Rio Grande. The address is 2901 Candelaria Rd. NW Albuquerque NM 87107. There is a visitor center, a shop, and an educational building.

Outside is a pond with turtles.

An Audubon guide describes several local birds.

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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta New Mexico USA

 The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an annual October event in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

The special shapes draw lots of attention.

Breakfast is part of the fun.

Shopping for Balloon pins and other memorabilia is part of the routine.

Here's a brief video of hot air balloons I took from the field early on Saturday morning 4 October, 2014.

See my YouTube Channel for more videos. SuttonTravels.

The official launch begins with the National Anthem and enthusiasm.

After the sunrise, the balloons begin to fill the bright blue sky.

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ABQ BioPark Zoo Albuquerque New Mexico

 The ABQ BioPark Zoo is part of the Albuquerque Biological Park complex that includes the Zoo, Botanic Garden, Aquarium, and Tingley Beach.

The 64 acre Zoo opened in 1927 and recently reported 900 animals.

Here's a sample of the zoo from a family visit.

On this visit, 23 June 1991, two polar bears played in their pool, which drew quite a crowd.

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9/11 Museum and Memorial New York City

 

9/11Remembering those who lost their lives.

The 9/11 Museum and Memorial, New York City

Visiting the 9/11 memorial is a somber occasion. That tragic morning is etched in our memories. We'll not forget that day.

At 8:46:40, the hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 flew into the upper portion of the North Tower, cutting through floors 93 to 99.  Hundreds of civilians were killed instantly by the impact. Hundreds more remained alive but trapped.

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A jet fuel fireball erupted upon impact and shot down at least one bank of elevators. The fireball exploded onto numerous lower floors, including the 77th and 22nd; the West Street lobby level; and the B4 level, four stories below ground. The burning jet fuel immediately created thick, black smoke that enveloped the upper floors and roof of the North Tower. The roof of the South Tower was also engulfed in smoke because of prevailing light winds from the northwest.*

Hundreds of civilians trapped on or above the 92nd floor gathered in large and small groups, primarily between the 103rd and 106th floors. A large group was reported on the 92nd floor, technically below the impact but unable to descend. Civilians were also trapped in elevators. Other civilians below the impact zone—mostly on floors in the 70s and 80s, but also on at least the 47th and 22nd floors—were either trapped or waiting for assistance.*

Stairway inside 9/11 Museum, NYC

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The 9/11 museum at the World Trade Center in New York City contains artefacts, stories and media of that fateful day when 2,606 people died in and nearby the World Trade Center. Altogether, the attacks that killed 2,977 people and injured another 6,000.

CBS News The Towers are hit

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The FDNY response began within five seconds of the crash. By 9:00,many senior FDNY leaders, including 7 of the 11 most highly ranked chiefs in the department, as well as the Commissioner and many of his deputies and assistants, had begun responding from headquarters in Brooklyn. While enroute over the Brooklyn Bridge, the Chief of Department and the Chief of Operations had a clear view of the situation on the upper floors of the North Tower. They determined that because of the fire’s magnitude and location near the top of the building, their mission would be primarily one of rescue. They called for a fifth alarm, which would bring additional engine and ladder companies, as well as for two more elite rescue units. The Chief of Department arrived at about 9:00; general FDNY Incident Command was transferred to his location on the West Side Highway. In all, 22 of the 32 senior chiefs and commissioners arrived at the WTC before 10:00.50*

 As of 9:00, the units that were dispatched (including senior chiefs responding to headquarters) included approximately 235 firefighters. These units consisted of 21 engine companies, nine ladder companies, four of the department’s elite rescue teams, the department’s single Hazmat team, two of the city’s elite squad companies, and support staff. In addition, at 8:53 nine Brooklyn units were staged on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to await possible dispatch orders.*

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Following are some of my pictures inside the museum from our visit in 2016.

Our National 9/11 Flag

Below, a piper plays beside one of the tower structures.

Posted on YouTube/ SuttonTravels 2016

The Piper

From the 9/11 Museum, NYC

Memorial Outside the 9/11 Museum NYC

For more information on visiting the center and online education, see https://www.911memorial.org/

Related Posts

Flight UA 93 9/11 Memorial in Pennsylvania

One World Trade Center, New York

Reference for quoted text

*The 9/11 commission report: Final report of the national commission on terrorist attacks upon the United States (2004). U.S. Government Printing Office. 0160723043

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Google Map of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC

Port Washington Wisconsin

I spent part of 4 days in the Port Washington area of Wisconsin in July 2020. My quest was simply to get away from the Missouri heat and be near a large body of water. I was not disappointed.

There are several parks along the waterfront, including this one, which I visited on my last day in the area.

I will add a few photos below along with links to the other nearby areas.

Visit Wisconsin

Port Washington Waterfront

Indian Mound at Sheboygan

Waterfront Park and Marina, Sheboygan

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve

Milwaukee Wisconsin

Schlitz Audubon Center

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Indian Mound at Sheboygan Wisconsin

When I saw the sign for the Indian Mound park, I turned off for a visit. It is worth a visit if you enjoy American history and wooded trails.

There are 15 acres in this woodland. The burial mounds date from around 550 to 750 CE.

I took this photo of one of the mounds. If you look at the top of the photo, you can see the rounded top of the mound.

There is an example of what they found in a mound but it is difficult to see.

It was raining on the day I visited. The trails are easy to identify but one of the longer trails was blocked by a fallen tree. Anyway, I appreciated the park.

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Visit Wisconsin

Port Washington Waterfront

Indian Mound at Sheboygan

Waterfront Park and Marina, Sheboygan

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve

Milwaukee Wisconsin

Schlitz Audubon Center