My mom got my sister one of these compass necklaces from Individual Icons when she left for San Francisco, (so that she would always be able to find her way home). GO EAST! I thought they would make an adorable gift for anyone going far from home or planning a big trip. And they work! My sister loves hers.

Aww! I would love one of these, it would be so pretty and a new reminder of my travels.

Via Something Old, Something New: finding your way home again

After a pleasant visit to Yorktown Beach, a crab cake sandwich at the Waterstreet Landing it was back to the Colonial Parkway and onwards to Washington D.C. to check into the next hostel, a Quaker Center on Capital Hill known as the William Penn House. Of course, no parking near it, so I settled to where I knew, and parked in the parking garage by the Renaissance Hotel (9th and M) near the Verizon Center. I of course figured I had the streets of downtown DC figured out with their glorified numbers and letters. Well, I guess I wasn’t paying attention to the SE, NE, NW, SW additions as I got lost. I wound up walking 20+ blocks somewhere else with luggage. Uggh. I finally broke down and took a cab. Was very pleased to find a nice historic D.C. styled house - clean, friendly, and warm where I’d be lodging. A bit pricier for a hostel than I’m used to, $40 a bunk/night but for D.C. you can’t find safer and cleaner in a warm friendly atmosphere. Cool to find a Ouija Board game in the common room, that rocked. Plus Quaker prayer meet 8 am in the morning, free breakfast at 8:30, what a combination! Got my bunk ready, met the staff, showered, and was soon off to the final National Geographic Society affairs I was invited to - National Geographic Live on the Afghanistan Treasures and a private reception party. Afterwards, if time, I was going to D.C.’s infamous “Goth Prom”. So making sure I dressed dual purpose, I set off for the National Geographic Society.

William Penn House * A Quaker Center on Capital Hill * http://www.wmpennhouse.org/ * 515 East Capital Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003 * 202.543.5560

William Penn House

One of D.C.’s most comfortable and heartwarming hostels is the William Penn House within walking distance of the Capitol and the National Mall. A little on the spendy side of hostels, at $40 a bunk, it still is one of D.C.’s most economic lodging alternatives for the out-of-state or international traveller. The William Penn House has been hosted by Friends and other advocates for peace and social justice since 1966 as a meeting ground for learning, teaching, and speaking to government officials regarding national policies. Its proximity to the Capitol and the headquarters of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) this historic, four-story row house is a powerful grounding place for activists. While an international hostel, it serves also as a place to learn: with adult programs for advocacy training, urban studies, spiritual development, and human rights. Its a place to worship each morning at 7:30 with a free breakfast afterwards. Its a Place to Grow - with youth programs such as the Quaker Youth Seminar (bi-annual) where Quaker high school students from across the country converge to engage in dialogue, learning, community, service, and sightseeing; FCNL Lobbying Weekend - each spring when college students come to learn how to lobby for better public policy; the Washington Quaker Workcamps where young people from the DC area join workcaps for spiritual experience of community service where participants address social concerns in concrete ways and break down barriers to community; and a Place to Stay - a hostel with ability to house up to 30 people in clean, shared, comfortable rooms. There is a living room / common room with a great library, comfortable couches, and two dining rooms. Each day a simple breakfast is provided, and several bathrooms and shower rooms through the house. This Quaker house also offers meeting facilities, a place to work for interns and fellows wishing to serve in DC working with others living in community and furthering Quaker values. I very much enjoyed my time and friendship with those i shared the house with during my visit. I’ll definitely be back. Thank you. Rating 5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/22-23/2008.

Living Room / Common Room

Communal dining room

Dorm room

Dorm room

Custom House

Custom House ca 1720 - [NPS Monument marker sign ] “… collectors are hereby empowered to demand, secure, and receive all … the duties, customes, and imposts … with full power to go on board any boat, ship, or other vessel, or into any house … where he shall have just cause to suspect any fraud … collectors … shall .. in Aprill and October … render a true and just account upon oath, and make payment … of money as they … shall receive and collect for the duties … “ [An Act for Ports &c, April 16, 1691, Virginia Legislative Assembly]. In 1691, Virginia’s colonial legislature passed “An Act for Ports”, in an effort to better regulate trade for the collection of import and export fees and duties. The act called for the creation of several ports, including Yorktown, and the appointment of Collector of Ports by the royal governor. During Yorktown’s peak as a commercial port in the mid-1700s, Richard Ambler, and later his son, Jacquelin, served as collector of ports. In 1721, Richard Ambler built this large, brick storehouse and from here he and his son handled their collector duties. Ship captains recently arriving and merchants arranging for transport of goods would convene at Ambler’s storehouse to complete the required paperwork and pay the assessed fees. The outbreak of the American Revolution brought an end to many port activities, including the collection of customs. In 1776, Virginia militia troops were using the custom house for barracks and two years later, Jacquelin Ambler sold the property. In 1924, the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution purchased the Custom House and restored it five years later. Today the Customs house still continues in use as a Chapter House and Museum.

Yorktown waterfront

Yorktown Waterfront Union Port and Supply Depot [City Monument marker sign ] “1862 Peninsular Campaign” In Spring 1862, The Confederate heavy artillery batteries on the bluffs of Yorktown, as well as those positioned along the waterfront on both sides of the York River, effectively blocked the US Navy’s attempt to bypass Magruder’s 2nd Peninsula Defensive line. The waterfront fortifications were built by Maj. Gen. John Bankhead Magruder’s Army of the Peninsula and Confederate naval personnel. The earthworks on Yorktown’s inland perimeter were mostly constructed atop the British defenses from the 1781 siege. On the night of May 3-4, 1862, the Confederate Army abandoned the 2nd Defensive line. Gen. Joseph E Johnston, CSA, believed that the confederate positions could not withstand Maj. Gen George B McClellan’s USA elaborately prepared bombardment with heavy siege guns. The Confederate army was prevented from evacuating its heavy equipment and artillery via the York River because McClellan’s Siege Battery #1 comprised of 100-200 pound Parrot Siege cannon, had already bombarded the waterfront. The Confederate evacuations suddenly converted Yorktown into a busy port supporting the Union advance on Richmond. Members of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery retrieved the ordinance from the siege batteries around the town, and troops assembled at Yorktown to be transported up river to the Federal base at White House on the Pamunkey River, a tributary of the York River. As the Peninsula Campaign continued casualties from the battles around Richmond were transported to Yorktown which became a major hospital area. Following the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, Yorktown became a Union garrison and headquarters for a federally held district which includes WIlliamsburg and Glouchester Point. Its waterfront area was an active port for Union forces until the summer of 1864 when the Union army established a supply base at City Point on the James river during the Petersburg Campaign.

Medical House

Medical Shop (reconstructed) [Nation Park Service Monument marker sign ] “I must … request that your Lordship will inform me of the reason of Dr. Griffin’s confinement on Board of one of your Prison ships.” [Governor Thomas Nelson Jr to General Charles Lord Cornwallis, September 25, 1781] Dr Corbin Griffin was a prominent Yorktown physician active in the American Revolutionary War serving as a surgeon for Union Forces. During the siege of Yorktown, he was imprisoned on a British ship anchored in the York river. During his confinement, his “cellar down the watter side” was pilfered by sailors from the British sloop Bonneta while other British troops took items from his medical shop.

Waterstreet Landing * #17 Water Street, Yorktown, Virginia * 757.886.5890
A quaint “diner-like” restaurant right on the beach with full view of the York river, sunbathers, and beach-goers. Of course, no shirt no service, no uncovered beachware at this establishment. Beer and soda, sandwiches, and family dining with a view of the York River from every seat. They boast specialty sandwiches, gourmet pizza, fresh seafood, steak, and homemade desserts serving lunch and dinner. During my visit, I had a pretty delicious Norfolk Crabcake sandwich, so was quite satisfied myself. Rating 3.75 stars out of 5. Visited 5/22/08.

If you are driving on the New York Thruway, and you happen to miss the exit for 84 (the uneducated might think this is the fault of the girlfriend/navigator but all of the signs were CLEARLY stolen by gnomes in the middle of the night), it’s a good idea to make sure you have enough cash to get off at Albany. Because if both people assume that the other person isn’t so ditzy as to leave without any cash, you’ll have to pull the car over and search through several pairs of jeans, backpacks and a purse. And if your combined efforts still can’t find five dollars, and there aren’t any rest stops, and it’s a pretty good situation for a deus ex mechina twenty to show up, and it doesn’t, and you’re getting closer to Albany, well, that’s a very romantic bonding moment. Really.

On the plus side, I think we have seven days before we’re technically on the run from the law.

Via The Further Adventures Of No-Sense-Of-Direction Girl and Don’t-Plan-Ahead Boy

I’ve seen some amazing Craftsman Farm photos in our Flickr group! If you have a great picture of The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, why not submit it to Great Destinations NJ’s New Jersey photo contest? The best pictures showing the beautiful side of our state will be in a full-color coffeetable book of New Jersey photograhs. Details here!

Via SM@CF blog — Do You Have A Great Craftsman Farms Photo?

On Saturday, Germaine invited me to go to the NY Renn Faire. Germaine is Bethie’s friend from high school, but being sisters means I get to steal her clothes and her friends. Score! I was really excited to go, since it’s been a few years since my last joust

When Allison had her wedding, all the bridesmaid wore full garb,
so I have a complete outfit, but it’s packed away since I didn’t
anticipate needing a corset and full skirt in Beijing. I’m a bit
disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to wear it again, how often
do you get a second wear out of a bridesmaid dress?

Germaine’s friend, like a true geek, uses his iPhone to get directions.

After a great deal of ribbing and careful ID scrutiny, we got beers
and went to watch the joust. The joust announcer said how worried
everyone had been about the local pollution, but it turns out we’ve got
a good clear day, so none of the horses have to wear breathing masks.

Then we went to the knife and star throwing games. This picture
shows that it is far more dangerous to be right next to what I’m trying
to hit.

Here’s one from the target’s perspective!

Via Simpson’s Paradox » Blog Archive » NY Renn Faire

Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is participating in Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day on September 27, 2008. Museum Day is a chance for you (and a friend!) to get free admission to participating museums. Smithsonian has this to say about the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms:

Designed, built, and lived in by early 20th Century designer Gustav Stickley, it is one of the most significant structures of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. The site, which consists of 30 acres and nine historic buildings has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Exhibits

Stickley’s home, a massive log structure of his own design, has been restored and interpreted for tours. An original Stickley cottage is also on view and scenic walking trails are open. Shop containing extensive collection of reference books, as well as pottery, tiles, and more.

To get your Museum Day pass, look in the September 2008 issue of Smithsonian magazine or get your card online.

Via Museum Day 2008 on The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms blog

Topping the list of forbidden clichés is the phrase
“coming out party.” As apt as it may have been when first used with
reference to the Games shortly after they were awarded to Beijing back
in 2001, after appearing in 75.4% of stories about the 2008 Olympics in
the seven intervening years, it now incites English-speaking expats to
an ugly, violent rage. Use it at your own peril; you have been warned.

Please do not write “Beijing is a city of stark contrasts” and
refrain from using any variation thereof — “a city of startling
juxtapositions,” or (needless to say) “a city of yin and yang.” Not
that it isn’t a city of, um, rather pronounced differences; it’s just
too damned lazy an observation to make. A special enjoinder to
photographers: please resist the temptation to position yourself in a
hutong with a decrepit but charming tile-roofed courtyard home in the
foreground and a shiny, hyper-modern steel-and-glass skyscraper rising
behind. No using Blade Runner comparisons for Beijing. You’ll want to
save those for Shanghai, believe me.

The bureaus of reputable western papers here in China have a rule
against quoting taxi drivers. But since Beijing’s cabbies are so
fabulously colorful, you will be permitted one exception. Make it a
good one. Helpful hint: That story about efforts by our city’s cabbies
to learn English phrases? That one’s been written several thousand
times so please, anything but that one.

Dead on, Kaiser Kuo! (But it’s still ok to try to work “as if by an occult hand” into your stories.)

Via Simpson’s Paradox » A Guide To Visiting Journalists

From The Historical Park, I set off to explore the town. Not as big or exciting as I expected, but I did enjoy my time at the beach!

Old Yorktown, Virginia * http://www.yorkcounty.gov/tourism/

Yorktown, Virginia

Yorktown was named after England’s York and was established as a port for shipping tobacco to Europe. It is the 3rd part of Virginia’s infamous “Historic Triangle” that connects it with Jamestown and Williamsburg. Yorktown is a small village of roughly 203 citizens (2000 census) and is considered a “Census-designated place” in York County, Virginia. It is also York County’s county seat and is one of the eight original shires that formed in colonial Virginia in 1634. Yorktown is most famous for the surrender of General Cornwallis of the English army to General George Washington of the newly forming United States of America in 1781. It was this surrender that effectively ended the American Revolutionary War even though the war continued for another year. It was here as well that another American war - the American Civil War (1861-1865) prominently figurred as a placehold in being a major port that supplied northern and southern towns thereby placing it into being a battlefield a second time. There are only 9 buildings that survive from the Colonial period as well as many of the earthworks dug by the besieging American and French forces. There is also a memorial to the French war dead of the battle. Its a small quaint town. Nothing like Jamestown or Williamsburg and holds an attraction of its own. While I was visiting, most of the museums of historic buildings were closed and there were no activities. It does have a nice public white-sand beach great for summer activities and a little bit of shopping. Its a nice exit to the excitement of Jamestown and Williamsburg. Rating 3.5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/22/2008.

Cole Diggs House ca 1720 - [NPS Monument marker sign ] “I hope your Lord will think fit to move His Majesty to appoint another Councillor … I humbly recommend to your Lord for that Purpose Mr. Cole Digges a gentleman who lives very convenient to the Seat of Government, of an Ample Fortune, good Parts, and a Fair Character … ” [Governor Alexander Spotswood to the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, February 24, 1718"]. On September 15, 1720, Cole Digges of Yorktown was sworn in as a member of the royal governor’s council, a powerful and prestigous political position in the colonial government that he held for 24 years. Digges’ wealth, his position as a representative in the colonial legislature and his apparent support of the royal governor, Alexander Spotswood, combined to make him an attractive candidate for the council. Digges success came at a time when Yorktown was reaching its zenith, and the colony was still loyal to Great Britain.”

Charles Cox House * The Trustee to the Portland of York Towne” deeded this corner lot to Charles Cox, “Inholder” and “Planter” in 1706, Cox probably built the house pictured here before sellign the property in 1729 to Thomas Nelson, in whose family it remained for the next seventy-five years. The painting is based on photographs of the twenty-by-forty-foot “Dwelling and store” with smokehouse behind. made before it was destroyed a half century ago.

Nelson House
ca 1730. Thomas Nelson Jr’s legacy is a lasting example of life dedicated to independence for his country. His support towards political freedom from Great Britain began while a member of Virginia’s colonial legislature. In addition to protesting British taxes, and leading Yorktown’s tea party, patterned after the one in Boston, he was one of Virginia’s delegates to the Continental Congress. In May 1776, he advocated that Virginia officially support independence - a proposal that helped lead to the Declaration of Independence signed by Nelson and 55 others. Nelson continued to support the revolution through political channels, and used his own funds to purchase military supplies. On June 12, 1781 he was elected the third governor of Virginia and faced the greatest challenge of his public career, the invasion of the British Army. As governor and general of the state’s militia, Nelson participated in the victory of Yorktown. One day after the British surrendered, Governor Thomas Nelson Jr wrote to the Continental Congress ‘ … the whole loss sustained by the enemy … must be between 6 and 7000 men. This Blow, I think, must be a decisive one.’ In November 1781, Nelson resigned as Governor, poor in health and in debt. He died on January 4, 1789,and was buried next to his father, and grandfather at Grace Church just one block from his home.

The Great Valley * “I Desired you not to send the things you used annually send me … I shall not import any more necessaries till the hateful acts are repealed. The Ministry promised to get a Repeal of that imposing the Duties on Glass Paper and Colours; But, tell them in Plain English, That alone won’t satisfy America …” William Nelson to merchant Mr John Norton in London, November 18, 1769.
Before the American Revolution, this narrow footpath, cutting through the Great valley, was a major thoroughfare that linked Yorktown’s busy waterfront district with businesses and government offices on Main Street.

Yorktown Waterfront

In the spring of 1862, war again scarred Yorktown’s landscape, as a Union army prepared to besiege Confederate forces holding the town. On the night of May 3-4, 1862 - in the face of Union siege artillery, Confederate forces withdrew from the area. Yorktown then became a Union garrison for most of the Civil War, and provided hospital service to wounded and sick soldiers. By war’s end, the remains of approximately 600 Union soldiers had been buried in the area between the 1781 Allied Siege Lines. In 1866, the cemetery was designated a national cemetery, and Union dead from over 50 field burial sites within 50 miles of Yorktown were re-interred here. Of the 2,183 burials, two-thirds of the remains are unknown. Only 747 are identified.