[OT] White House Tour!!!

Dear Beverly, Since I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a DGD's graduation I wanted to wish you a great trip before you go. My DD went to the White House a couple of years ago and ran into the same kind of problems getting a final go ahead on a tour. She was on pins and needles waiting because her then 6 y o son wanted to do that and only that on his trip to DC. Enjoy your vacation you deserve it. Juno

Thanks, everything is *finally* falling in to place, we have all our tickets (Spamalot and Lion King, and the Magical Creatures at the American Natural History Museum in NYC, King Tut in Philadelphia, Gettysburg guided tour, the Monticello tour, and of course Williamsburg, and now the White House, Library of Congress, and the National Archives tours.

Congratulations to your DGD!

Beverly

Beverly, your trip sounds great! I live in the Philly 'burbs and we go to D.C. several times a year, but for one reason or another we have never done the White House tour. However, we did see Spamalot in Philly in early March, and just saw the King Tut exhibit on Wednesday, and I can assure you that those two alone will make your trip east worthwhile. Are you Monty Python fans? If so, be aware that many people in the audience (maybe most?) may not appreciate your singing along with the songs...at least that was OUR experience! King Tut was spectacular!!! (Are you staying in Philly? or returning to D.C.?) Monticello is wonderful, particularly since they've updated the displays. And Williamsburg? I wish I lived there.

I'm quite envious of your wonderfully planned trip. Enjoy!!

Liz

WHen are you going to be in the MOnticello area?? It isn't that far from us and I am planning on taking the children there sometime this summer

Larisa

We also saw the big King Tut exhibit in Seattle many years ago, I expect this may be the last time it comes to this country. The young ones should get an eyeful!

Tough s__t! We have the soundtrack on the mp3 player, and we've been practicing for months! ;-) DSIL is a music teacher, DD received her BA in vocal music performance, both grands are in band/choir at school. And I whistle! DSIL turned me on to Monty Python with "Search for the Holy Grail" when he and DD were dating. It's one of the reasons I knew he was right for our family! ;-)

We have three days in Philly, we're going to see the Light Show first night. Then we're driving to Bedford, PA to try to locate the gravestones of some Ickes ancestors. DD located information about one of her Great-greats-greats--- who served in the Revolutionary war. When we leave Bedford we drive to Gettysburg, then on to DC. Departing DC we will swing over to Mount Vernon, then continue to Charlottesville. I wish I had spotted it sooner, Appomattox is near enough to have been worth a visit. DD said, "Appomattox...what's that?" :-(

I have never been to Monticello or Williamsburg, DH and I never went south of D.C. when we had a similar trip in '64. I can hardly wait, it seems like we've been doing the research and planning forever, now it's finally here. And I got all my sewing done! :-)

Thanks!

Beverly

We arrive in Charlottesville on evening of July 7, tour Monticello on the morning of the 8th, and leave for Williamsburg that afternoon. :-( It would have been fun to try to arrange a real-space meeting.

Beverly

Woo hoo! You are going to be 1 1/2 hours away from me for 3 days! I live northwest in Reading PA (pronounced Redding). You'll actually be passing south when driving (I assume) to Gettysburg. Kinda feels like a relative is coming to the area.

Your trip sounds fantastic. I will be interested to read your perceptions of the White House. Williamsburg is amazing and you will love it. So glad your GG will be with you, this trip will become one of her dearest, life-long memories. I've forgotten what your plans are while in Charlottsville (VA?).

I forget, did you get reservations at Tavern on the Green? I love the old New York, and was delighted with TOTG. You'll be in my thoughts and I'll say a few prayers to St. Christopher for y'all. (Even though not Catholic.)

Now go and recheck that luggage!!

Sharon

Beverly, President Madison's home is very near Monticello, and there is a great DUPont estate in the area as well - just in case you have more time. But I suspect you've planned pretty tightly.

Sharon

Liz, I'm wondering what area of the Philly 'burbs you are near. Not that I get to the area often. I live in an east Reading 'burb, but our travels are generally directed to the Bellefonte/State College area or rural Dansville - where our family are. Sharon

Do you have definite tours planned for Williamsburg? Last week I was there for a nice summer event. One of the Colonial Restaurants, Christiania Campbell's Tavern, has an afternoon tea every Tuesday and Thursday for months of June and July.

An amusing historical interpreter was in full costume and full character as CC. She acted as the hostess and kept up running commentary and conversation as if it was 1773-4, as a waitress in costume kept the tea service going. Cost $19.95 including tax and gratuity. Great fun!

If you go to Busch Gardens, you might want to get on the line for Griffon, the new roller coaster, first thing! It is popular and the lines get long. Also, if you want to do the free beer tasting, register as soon as you get there.

PAT in VA, just a few miles from Williamsburg

PS: I h> Thanks, everything is *finally* falling in to place, we have

Sharon, I'm in a little town 3 miles north of Philly - Flourtown. My BIL and SIL live in Birdsboro, not far from you but about 1 1/4 hour drive for us.

Beverly, we saw the Tut exhibit years ago as well...this one is much better, and very well presented. And when you leave the exhibit, you can tour the Franklin Institute...don't miss the heart!

If you need restaurant recommendati>> Beverly, your trip sounds great! I live in the Philly

I don't live too far from either of you...in Morgantown, about 10 miles south of Reading. I also saw the King Tut exhibit a few weeks ago and loved it! We had lunch in Chinatown and it was delicious!

Oh, that's nice to know. We loved the one in Seattle, so if this one is better, yipee!

Definitely on the itinerary.

We have reservations at the Old Original Bookbinders on the

Beverly

I think if we try to cram one more thing in something/someone will *explode*! I guess I'll just have to plan another trip in five years for the year DGD is a senior.

Beverly

Yes, we'll rent a van in Philadelphia, and drive to Bedford, then Gettysburg, and then on to DC. We'll pick up another van leaving DC for the drive to Charlottesville, and Williamsburg.

We have tickets for a tour of Monticello on the July 8th, then it's on to Williamsburg for two days.

No, I decided on the River Cafe. Great reviews! We will be celebrating DD and DSIL's 24th anniversary there.

If it ain't packed now, it's gettin' left behind... ;-} My brother is picking me up in less than 12 hours, he's driving all of us to the Portland Union Station. We will take AMTRAK to Seattle, stay overnight and take a direct flight in the morning to Boston on the Monday.

Beverly

Actually, we have the two day pass, and decided to just see where our interest take us. I am afraid we have over-planned the itinerary, we may all be totally wasted by the time we reach Williamsburg. I hope not....

That sounds fun! The only meal we have planned in Williamsburg is dinner at the King's Arms our last night. I'll take along your information on Christina Campbell's and share with the family.

Much as I *adore* roller coasters, I think we will be sticking with the historical tours this trip. But who know, maybe we'll all be so full of culture and history we'll be ready for a break! ;-)

Thanks, I have heard of other people who had scheduled a tour only to have it fall through. Keeping my fingers crossed....

Beverly

Please don't forget to relax and have fun!!!

That's sweet! I won't forget, I travel well. Slept like a log last night, and I'm ready to GO! ;-)

Now everyone play nice while I'm gone,

Beverly