The Capital, WWII Memorial, the stunning Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Monticello, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and more...
(Edgerton's Group Travel Trip Journal - Cherry Blossom Festival - continued - Part 2)
From there, Edgerton's had it arranged where we visited the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial (photo below), often referred to as the Iwo Jima. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775. The island contained 3 airstrips that the Japanese had been using for their Kamikaze attacks. As Jim told us, Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles in WWII. The toll was deep, but taking Iwo Jima was instrumental in ending the war. Strategically, the island was crucial to continue B-29 raids on mainland Japan. One of the most famous photos ever taken was that of the 5 Marines and 1 Navy Corpsman planing the flag at Mt. Suribachi after taking control of it.
The photograph by Joe Rosenthal became the only photograph to win the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in the same year as its publication. Of the six men, three did not survive Iwo Jima. Mike Strank was among three of the men who later died there. He was hit by a mortar as he was diagramming a plan in the sand for his boys. Strank is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, not far from this Memorial. Franklin Sousley was one of the flag-raisers to later die on Iwo Jima He was just 19. When word reached his mother in Kentucky that Franklin was dead it was said that you could hear her screaming clear across the fields at the neighbor's farm. That is what is so sobering and important about this Cherry Blossom trip. We have been constantly reminded of the brave souls that laid down their lives to help build and defend our nation. That is what is so sobering and important about this Cherry Blossom trip. We have been constantly reminded of the brave souls that laid down their lives to help build and defend our nation. Next, Edgerton's had it arranged for us to visit the World World II Memorial. This has been a fairly recent Memorial, dedicated on Memorial Day of 2004. As Jim explained to us, after the Vietnam Memorial was so successful as well as the Korea Memorial, the WWII vets said, "What about us? What about the Big One?" Fundraising started and almost 200 million dollars were raised. Tom Hanks and Senator Bob Dole were among those leading the way. Jim said over 16 1/2 Americans were in uniform in WWII. We lost over 400,000. They are honored at this Memorial, which is flanked by the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west. A field of 4,000 sculpted gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who gave their lives. I took this photo below as our travellers made their way around the entire Memorial.
There are two large pavilions, one dedicated to the Atlantic Theater and the other to the Pacific. We saw the bronze ropes that are symbolic of connecting all the states together. The Korea Memorial was next. As Jim explained, North Korea invaded South Korea over the 38th parallel. The war, though technically not over, went 38 months. US Platoons on patrol were usually 38 men. When the Memorial was designed, they wanted 38 men in it. After review cycles, they were told 19. What they did was put up 19 larger-than-life men, and a wall nearby where you can see their reflections, making it 38. I took the photo below. You can see the comparative size of the soldiers to those walking by them.
Next, our group was led to the Lincoln Memorial. What can you say about a Memorial to a man born in a log cabin in Kentucky that went on to keep our nation together after the Civil War and that issued the Emancipation Proclamation? To walk in there and reflect on his accomplishments is a powerful experience. Two of Lincoln's best known speeches are inscribed within. The Lincoln Memorial has been immortalized by great men and speeches, made at the site. These include '"I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr.in August of 1963. Edgerton's had secured tickets for us to attend a performance at Ford's Theater. Lincoln was assassinated there on Friday, April 14, 1865 - Good Friday. We sat there and looked up at the balcony where the tragedy took place. What a time of High and Low in our country. The Civil War had ended days before. Lincoln was so happy. Then, an unreal Low, as he was shot. He died the next day across the street at the Peterson House. There has been no sadder event in Washington D.C. history. From there, it was over to see the FDR Memorial. Many forget that he was President during the Depression and WWII, and his Memorial reflects that lengthy time (term limits came after him). There are many waterfalls, reflecting his time in the Navy and his love of water. He often got relief from his polio by going to Warm Springs, Georgia. His wife Eleanor has a statue at the Memorial. She is the only First Lady to have such a statue. Their dog Falla also has one. Next, a real treat awaited. Edgerton's had us taken to the Potomac River for a brunchtime cruise on The Odyssey III Cruise Ship. The photo below was taken as we boarded.
The food was scrumptious. Travellers then went outside and soaked in the sights of D.C. from the river. Later, the band struck up and dancing began. Tour Manager Sherrill Lee was such a good dancer that the consensus was that she would someday soon be on "Dancing with the Stars." Moments after the picture below was taken, Sherrill (on the left) did the Michael Jackson moonwalk, whirled into a Break Dance routine, grabbed a ceiling fan and spun around the room, and then let go to do a triple back flip. She then landed in her seat and engaged in conservation with travellers. Amazing! Just kidding. She danced a quiet dignified dance representative of a distinguished Travel Manager.
This concluded three days in Washington, D.C. Our travellers talked about how patriotic they felt after having been visibly moved by these Memorials, and the history. As one said, you hear so much negative today, that you forget about the valor and honor. To come to D.C. is to be restored in that area. I know it changed me in many ways, and I left much more grateful to those brave men and women who forged the way for us. Edgerton's then took us down the road to Richmond, Virginia. On the way, one of the funnier moments happened.On most of the traditional Edgerton's Group Travel trips I host, the ages of the travellers range from the 50's to the 70's, with some folks in their 80's. One of those was Mona, who travelled with two friends. Mona was a go-getter. She kept up with us as we walked all over, including a fairly lengthy walk from the motorcoach to the Capital to the Library of Congress. Many in the group watched over her to make sure she was okay. She kept plugging along fine. Well, on the way to Richmond, we stopped at a mini mart and people got various snacks while the motorcoach fueled up. Mona was inside and some well wishers saw her near the milk. One caring lady went over and said softly, "Mona, do you need help getting the milk? Perhaps you need it for later tonight to be warmed." Mona looked at her directly and said, "Milk?! I'm looking for the wine!" I shared humor and inspiration as we drove to Richmond where the next two nights we would stay at The Jefferson. As one traveller said, they would never stay in a nicer Hotel in their life. No less than twelve Presidents. Harrison, McKinley, Wilson, Coolidge, Taft, both Roosevelts (Theodore and Franklin Delano), Truman and Reagan, both Bushes and Obama have stayed at the hotel. Elvis once stayed there. Now, THAT makes it an important Hotel! Other celebrities that have stayed there include Robert DeNiro, Tom Landry, Tony Bennett, ZZ Top, Prince, Mac Davis, Debbie Reynolds and Richard Simmons. Charles Kuralt loved it. Forbes Magazine once named it the "Best Hotel in America." The Rotunda was stunning. The grand staircase (photo below) was rumored to have been the inspiration for the staircase used in "Gone With The Wind."
Life expectancy wasn't long back then. People often married at age 12 or 13. We then took the short trip to Colonial Williamsburg, where we felt we were back in time just before the Revolution. To visit the Governor's Palace and the Capital Building is to feel the energy of a time when our nation was determined to take shape. Well, not quite everyone was on board. They said at that time 1/3 wanted independence, 1/3 wanted to remain loyal to England, and 1/3 were set to go with the winner! Think about it! We were going to break away from the greatest empire in the world - Great Britain! As you walk the Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg, re-enactors give speeches just like back in the day. You might hear Patrick Henry or George Washington. It is riveting stuff! In the afternoon, we visited Yorktown, site of the final battle of the Revolutionary War. We saw a cave where it was rumored Cornwallis hid out during the shelling of Yorktown. We saw Surrender Field, and homes that to this day still have cannonballs in their side. Sadly, we also saw the Hill of Tears, where slaves were brought into Virginia. On that very hill they were beaten, whipped and sold. To stand there and look at that path and think of the sorrow was sobering, to say the least. As always, Edgerton's had arranged a special place for the group to eat. It was The Carrot Tree in Yorktown. Built in 1720, the house is a carefully preserved, three-story cottage built by one Cole Digges. Digges, son of the area's most successful tobacco grower, owned most the waterfront at one point.
When we came out, several deer were playing in the field across the way. I am not sure if Edgerton's arranged the deer or not, but it was neat to see them. From there, Edgerton's had us driven up to Monticello, the mountaintop home of Thomas Jefferson. I took the photo below as our group arrived at the Charlottesville, VA home. When Jefferson was a young man, he picked out the site from his father's estate to one day build his home. He had the mountaintop cleared, and it took 40 years to build, redesign, tear parts down, and finally finish the home. 
Monticello, in Italian, means "Little Mountain." It is a fascinating place to visit. You get a sense for how unique Jefferson was as a leader and as a man. He had a voracious desire for reading. Our guide said he could read in six languages other than English. He had more than 7000 books in his library. As we walked through the home, we saw his inventions. He created all kinds of things including a polygraph machine that allowed him to make exact copies of letters as he was writing them. In the dining room, we learned they would have breakfast at 9 and dinner at 3, where there was better light. Jefferson didn't allow fires lit unless it got down to 55 degrees in the house. We went through one room which was octagonal. That way, there were no dark corners. We saw the last chair he sat in before he died. Ironically, he died on July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Outside, travellers spread out to tour the grounds. From his house, you can see the famous Rotunda at the University of Virginia, which Jefferson designed. As an older man, he used to observe the construction with a telescope from his home, and give instructions on how to make it better. On the grounds, the 1000 foot garden is captivating. Jefferson grew over 300 varieties of vegetables. He once wrote this: "Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God, if ever he had a chosen people, whose breasts he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. It is the focus in which he keeps alive that sacred fire, which otherwise might escape from the face of the earth." Many of our travellers walked down the hill to see his final resting place before we left for our short trip to the University of Virginia. As Senior National Speaker for the National Collegiate Scouting Association, I help families and young people connect with College athletic and athletic/academic scholarships. Being on the campus of the University of Virginia was stimulating because you could feel the energy and optimism of being a College student again. The original student dorms designed by Jefferson were so interesting. For the longest time, there was no heat and students had to keep fires going to stay warm. They say there is central heating, but students still have fireplaces. Edgar Allen Poe was once a student in one of these dorms. After a short stop there, we were driven up to the Shenandoah Valley and Winchester, Virginia for a night at the historic George Washington Hotel. Edgerton's had arranged a dinner at the nearby Piccadilly Public House. Tom Edgerton made sure complimentary wine was waiting for the travellers as a special 'thank you' for going with Edgerton's. Winchester is where George Washington spent his formative years. The George Washington Hotel was yet another example of the kind of unique places Edgerton's finds for travellers to stay on group travel experiences. The GW Hotel has welcomed Presidents John F. Kennedy and Harry S. Truman, film star Joan Blondell, big band leader Harry James, Explorer Admiral Byrd and the Beatles. Some of our travellers stayed in a room once occupied by Lucille Ball. Morning arrived, and we made the journey home. We made stops in Fort Wayne, Elkhart and Mishawaka to drop off travellers. On the way back, everyone reminisced about the sights and the history we had experienced. I shared humor and inspiration along the way. It was a very special trip.
Edgerton's will offer this remarkable trip again in the Spring of 2011.Call your local Edgerton's office to get the details.
Trips hosted by Charlie Adams include:
Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park, August 14-24, 2010 (SOLD OUT)
Mexican Riviera Cruise, February 16 - 26, 2011
New Orleans and the Old South, March 12 - 19, 2011
Pacific Northwest, July 5 - 14, 2011