=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=
=0=|
=0= |
=0= |
| This year Eric and didn't have time to make the reservations to visit the Washington Mounment as we had tried last year (unsuccessfully), but this year we instead visited the first Washington Monument (built before the well known one in D.C.). It was on top of a mountain overlooking where the civil war battle of Antietam was fought. I had forgotten to chrage the battery in my camera, but my new Droid phone camera did pretty well all things considered. |
=0= |
| This monument was originally erected in 1827, but fell into disrepair and has been restored to its original appearance. It has stairs up the middle (like the later monument of similar name), but no elevators. Go figure. There was no entry fee but there was a honor system fee for access to the park (per car basis). On this day it was pretty hot and quite humid and so the view was not as impressive as it might have been. |
=0= |
|
=0= |
=0= |
| At the base there was a set of stairs and a lot of granite stones, presumably left to stabilize the hill side. |
=0= |
| The next day we were off to SUUSI at Radford University in Virginia after a liesurely breakfast. After registering, checking into our room, leaving my car in the remote parking lot and dinner, there was a parade to the opening ceremony. Here is a video of the drum group before the parade. The parade was the different congregations with their banners going to the auditorium for the opening meeting. I won't show many pictures of the basic facilities at SUUSI as you can see them from my pictures from 2008 and 2009. |
=0= |
|
=0= |
=0= |
|
=0= |
=0= |
| They brought the banners into the auditorium after the crowds were seated and then had a short introduction for the week (identifying newcomers and old timers, etc.). After that we went out for the opening circle as shown in the video. With an inner circle facing out and an outer circle facing in, both going right with a loop point where the circles fed each other, you had a chance to see (and greet) all the participants. After that, many people went into the center as in this video Below is a picture of a 'star car' or one of the gold carts that were used at SUUSI to give rides to people who weren't up to the walks from place to place. Volunteers would drive the carts. This cart was decorated with a 'Back to the Future' style. |
=0= |
|
=0= |
=0= |
This page was last updated on October 26, 2011.
