Photo Hunters: Military
Oh gee, this theme is right up our alley. Just about every historic site we visit has something to do with the military, since we study American Revolutionary history. There is no way I could possibly post all the dozens and dozens of photos we have! So I’ll *try* to choose the best and most appropriate.
Here are the kids, paying their respect to the Baron von Steuben. He was a man from Prussia, who emigrated to America when he heard of our fight for independence against the British. He was a vital aide to General George Washington during the Revolution. He taught the unskilled American troops to use the bayonet, known as “Drillmaster of the American Revolution.” He wrote a manual on drilling soldiers, a manual which was nicknamed The Blue Book, and it is actually still used as a resource for our military. He weathered the severe winter at Valley Forge in 1777. After the war, he was given American citizenship and some valuable land in Upstate New York— this lot we visited where he is buried here. It’s an absolutely gorgeous area, heavily forested at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. You can read more about our enchanting visit here and here.
Baron von Steuben (”Baron” was not his first name; Frederick was his first name, and he had several “middle names”) was a hardcore veteran from Prussia (now a part of Germany) when he came to America to aid the Continental Army in its fight for independence. He became known as the “Drillmaster of the American Revolution,” because during the harsh winter of 1777 in Valley Forge, Baron von Steuben taught the Americans how to perform bayonet drills. His services were invaluable, for until the Americans learned how to use this dreadful weapon, the British troops and Hessian mercenaries almost always won the day on the battlefield, for they knew how to use the bayonet.
We visited the Fort Herkimer Church for a Civil War re-enactment a few years ago. Back in Revolutionary Days, churches were used as public shelters, refuges, and as places for storing food and ammunition during raids. Church congregations were the cornerstones of liberty back then. Pastors often preached about liberty and Read more
Photo Hunters: Bags
This is a fun Photo Hunters theme this week! I may not have a lot of time to surf the PH blogs today, but I hope to get to it this evening or tomorrow. So, please leave your link in the comments if you’d like me to visit!
I get to be a little creative with this weeks’ theme. 
There’s a place called Bagg’s Square in Utica, NY, that we visited last year. Moses Bagg was a tavern keeper, waaaaay back when, in the days of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. As a matter of fact, these men stayed at Bagg’s Tavern once upon a time. This was the very spot where the city of Utica began. Later, Fort Schuyler was constructed here as a defense in the American Revolution.
Today, the area is a tiny spot in the center if a big tangled snarl of highways and byways. Bagg’s Square is such an important part of the history of Utica, but it seems forgotten amongst the clarion for “progress.”
Also, when I thought of bags, I thought “eyes.” Yeah…. Read more
Adventure Travel Photo Contest
How are you with the camera? If you are pretty handy (and I know quite a few of you who are), you may be interested in a really great contest, the Adventure Travel Photo Contest. The prizes are amazing! You could win a trip for two to such places as the Galapagos Islands aboard National Geographic Endeavour; go polar bear watching at Churchill, Manitoba; spend eight days in Tibet; go on a 6-day biking or walking excursion in the Czech Republic and Austria; or go rafting in the Salmon River in Idaho. Wow! All you basically do is submit your best photo of your adventure travel, and then invite your friends and family to vote for your submission.
The contest has been running monthly since July, and ends in November, so it’s advisable that you enter quickly. New winners are chosen every month. You can read more about the rules and regulations by following the link. to the the Adventure Travel Photo Contest. Winning photos will be posted on the Adventure Collection website.
Travel Solutions: Vacation Rentals
Hotels and motels are suitable for traveling, suited very well for short-term stays. But if you are planning a longer stay, hotels may not be best. In such a case, you may want to look for vacation rentals.
I have an online friend in Tel Aviv who is always raving about how wonderful the city is. Believe me, I hope to see it someday! But how on earth would you find information on vacation rentals in Tel Aviv?! Well, here’s a juicy little link for you (and me) for locating apartments in Tel Aviv. The website is very nice– it showcases several available apartments in this Israeli city, and includes a brief rundown of nearby attractions. Tel Aviv is right on the Mediterranean coast, so the city is very young, urban, and a perfect getaway for a vacation. Most Tel Aviv vacation rentals are simple and casual, making the accommodations as affordable as possible. Check out the website. And if you go, be sure to snap photos! I know I will. 
Dubai: Eastern Hemisphere’s Wondrous City
Ever since the kids and I saw the astonishing Toothpick City in Syracuse, which showcased some of the world’s most beautiful buildings and skyscrapers all built from toothpicks (!), we’ve had an interest in world architecture. The architecture of the Far East (China, India, and the Middle East) is very strange and unusual to us.
I’ve seen a few photos of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, so I decided to look up a few more. Wow! I just have to share!
Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world. The architecture that is popping up out of the sands of this Persian Gulf coastal city are amazing.
They are building numerous man-made islands, in various shapes. Here are some in the shapes of palm trees. I suppose some of those islands are Arabic writing.
Dubai is expected to become the Read more
