DAY 2

**First of all, I highly recommend the book we have used on this journey. It is called "Kids Love to Travel and we have the Virginia version. It is broken into states and down by areas of the state. It is then in alpha order. It has been a GREAT resource. It is written by a great homeschooling family that RV fulltime.**

If you would like to start at the beginning, you can click on Day 1.

This morning, we woke up a little earlier. I wanted to get out earlier than we did, but that is okay. We had our breakfast, loaded the car and we were on our way. We went from Lexington, VA to Bedford, VA by way of the "scenic route". Basically up many mountain ranges and down them too. We got up to about 3,000 feet altitude. I was fine unless there was nothing between me and the cliffs. That is when I got nervous, but there were some scenic stops that were beautiful and I felt safe at. We got some pictures there.





From there we went to Bedford, VA (an hour from Lexington) to the National D-Day Memorial. It was incredible. There were statues of the commanders, a rotunda of Dwight D. in his uniform and an incredible ceiling artwork made of tiles. You can see information on it at the National D-Day Memorial Website.




(This is a statue of Dwight D. Eisenhower in his uniform).
(Close up of President Eisenhower).

(This is a really beautiful and cool mosiac. It is on the top inside of where Eisenhower is and is done in small tiles.)

(This is the entrance).

The beach area and the dipiction of the invasion of Normandy:



Then there was this incredible beach area, depicting the Normandy invasion. There was a similated beach, with the soliders in action. Water pops up with actual gunshot sounds. VERY realistic and memorable. We were also struck by a soldier, lying on the beach with a Bible next to his head. It was SOOO worth the $5/adult and $3 kids.




(Fallen soldier on the beach. Notice the bible at the top of his head. Since this site does NOT receive federal tax dollars, they didn't have to worry about being "Politically correct!")








We then drove an hour to Appomatox, VA where the papers were signed to end the Civil War, although it didn't end until months later. That was also memorable and we learned things that we didn't know before. Again, it was interesting to watch our boys interact with the tour guides! Fun! VERY worth the $5/car.

(McLean house where the papers were signed to start the process to end the Civil War).

(The boys in front of the house).

(slave quarters).

(Room where THE document was signed)

(Master Bedroom)

(Table that the papers were signed on)

(Lee's farewell address).

(Famous picture of the meeting between Lee and Grant).

(Luke and Traveller. He loves Lee, umm, because of Traveller. He already had a beanie baby Lee at home, and was thrilled to find a Traveller. He is Luke's new sleeping buddy).

For my hubby, we wanted to try out the Fred's Car Museum with all years of cars and rare ones too, but unfortunately it was closed. We are now in our hotel outside of Richmond. A very nice Fairfield Inn for the $$. (with an indoor pool too). Tomorrow, we are wanting to do the following:

Richmond Battlefield
Petersburg Battlefield
White house Confederacy
Monument Avenue (free)
Museum of the Confederacy

I will let you know how it goes. We might spread some items until Sunday also. This is so pretty up here.