Catalina Island

Normally we go to Carpinteria State Beach for beach camping but the summer before this past summer we decided to go to Catalina Island. It was fun for a short time and the next summer we went back to our beach camping. Its a small beach town and with kids its hard to keep them entertained and contained. Its the type of town that you go to if you have money to put forth for the "extras". The beach is small and rocky so it was no bueno compared to our beloved Carp Beach but over all we made the best of it.

 This bird decided to plop right down next to all of us.

 The animal cemetery we stumbled upon.

 Part of the group.

One day we rented Golf Carts to see all of the island. Gorgeous views!

George Washington

Last but not least of the trip. We stayed at a historical little place called Stevenson Ridge. A couple collects historical homes and puts it on their land and rents the homes out. The home we stayed in was George Washington's Grandpas home. It was rumored that this home is where George Washington and his troops stayed/camped out at before crossing the river to surprise the British. My dad loved it and it was awesome hearing him talk about the history behind it.

Just for fun

The greenery back east is amazing! I was taking pictures left and right of trees, grass, bushes, flowers, pretty much everything! I couldn't get over it and how lush it is. Made me dislike the desert just a little bit more haha.

State Capitol

One of our last stops was at the State Capitol in Virginia. Before we visited and did a tour we went to a museum that had lots of confederate items and pictures. We looked around there until our tour was ready for the "confederate capitol". When the war was going on the obviously emancipated them selves and started they're own capitol. We weren't allowed to take pictures but it was cool to hear all the history and see it. After we went to get a tour of the capitol (got lost for a bit).

 This is the front of the Capitol. How beautiful!

Not much to say with each picture. The tour was a bit of a let down. A dad had brought his 2 elementary aged daughters and we got put with them on the tour and the tour guide based everything around them and they're knowledge. We were just there to fill some space but over all it was a good experience.

Contin..

Next on the list was James Madison's house. It was raining again that day and I didn't want to run back to the car to grab my camera but now im kicking myself. I wish I would have. Such a cool house and the Garden he had was amazing. On the tour the guide showed us the room in which he sat when he made the decision to sign the Declaration of Independence. I went back into the room after everyone had gone to explore and stood there thinking of the sacrifice he made to sign that Paper. Call me crazy but I firmly believe Heavenly Father placed him there for a reason. I felt the spirit so strong confirming to me that the that those signatures were meant for my freedom. I have never been so thankful then I was then for Founding Fathers and the freedom I am able to have.

The Pictures below are from Thomas Jeffersons House. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside his house (or I was too enamored by it to remember) but it was amazing! 

 Above is the back side and back yard of his house.

 The underground celler they would use to keep meet cold and fresh.

 The slaves kitchen.

 A version of what a slaves quarters would look like.

 The smoke house.

 Just partial of his gardens.

Thomas Jeffersons Headstone where he is buried. 

This was a cool experience to go see this. When we arrived it was so ridiculously humid but you never know with the weather if it was going to rain so I stayed in my pants sweater and boots. We parked went up to all the shops and food. Watched a short video then went up to the bus that would take us to his house. It is crazy busy there so many tours happening at once. We went through the house. Foyer, library, bedroom, ballroom, dining room, secret passages, guest rooms then we were able to show our selves the slaves area, Kitchens, bedrooms, winery, smoke house, you name it. After that we explored the grounds. We ended it by walking down to his grave. There is more buried there such as wife and children but his headstone is the biggest and the grounds are kept behind bars and locked. After the tour we headed back down to grab our lunches that the Bed and Breakfast we stayed at made us. Of course I changed and the second we sat down it started pouring. It was so fun to be able to see this and experience what life was like back then.

For my journal purposes

I am horrible at blogging cause honestly I don't care too much but I want to try and catch up from a year ago until now so if I ever decide to print out my blog posts then it will be an updated journal. This is a continuation from the Civil War trip I took. This stop was at the Battle of Antietam. My dad, Grandma Bertha and I first stopped at the visitors center to check out the plaques and information there. We also sat in a presentation with big open windows while one of the volunteers told us all about the battle. The big window allowed us to see each spot he was pointing to which was really cool. After that we got a cd for the car and took a car tour to all the spots that are of importance. I didn't load all the pictures so heres a few.

 The picture above was the first stop and is a picture of the inside of the Dunker church.

The picture below is in the door way of the church. (It was raining)

This is where a battle was fought.

 A house that is still standing from the war. It wasn't damaged from the war.

 Above and Below-

Pictures of us on the property of the house that was still standing from the war.

 Above and Below-

A tree in a cemetery where those who fought were buried. 

The pathway to the cemetery. I loved the greenery everywhere!

It was interesting to see so many from the same family buried together.

 Above and Below-

The bloodiest battle was fought across this river.

The Bridge over the river.

 This was my favorite part of this location.  I love history and the Civil War is my favorite war. Something about it is so intriguing to me. Especially the Battle of Antietam.

The Battle of Antietam was so important because it was the 1st battle fought on Union soil. It was the bloodiest battle and really no "win" but President Abraham Lincoln took it as a sign that since the South retreated it was enough of a victory to announce his Emancipation Proclamation. So cool to me that this battle in this small farm town was such a turn in History. The reason it was the bloodiest battle was because of (not pictured) the Sunken Road and this Bridge over Antietam Creek. The Sunken Road allowed those on top to look down and see their enemies coming up which in return left a lot of soldiers dead in the Sunken Road. The bridge was over taken by a Union general allowing his men to be on the hills behind while the others tried coming across the bridge and the river. Its been said the river was red from all the blood. Loved this trip and I wish I could remember more and not have waited a year to journal it.

Quick thought.

My heart is full right now and I want to remember it forever. I am feeling ever so grateful right now for my future and the life I have been able to live. On my way home from California last night Jeff and I had 7 hours of just us alone. We were able to talk and not just meaningless chatter but really talk. Talk about the people we wanted to become, talk about the trials we have been through, talk about his mission, our highest spiritual moments that confirmed our beliefs and testimonies. It was in those moments I let the tears flow and smile through them for the Man sitting next to me. My heart filled to the brim and spilled over and over again. I had spent countless times wondering what God had planned for me. Who he was reserving for me and only me. The man who would take me by the hand and walk in the Temple with me to be sealed for time and all eternity. I knew the characteristics I wanted and thought I needed. My sweet Heavenly Father knew far more then I did like always and has poured his blessing upon me with this Sweet Man of mine. He is mine forever and I am never giving him up. He is my better half in ways I never imagined he would be. He is my sweet patient humble man who helps me remember to stop before I react, to think if it really is important to jump to a quick emotion. And when I do he is ever so patient with me helping me see the bigger picture while I complain and then builds me up in to something better and helps me try harder for the next time. He serves me endlessly and gets nothing out of it but pure joy knowing he has made me happy and filled me up. He is everything I want and hope to be one day. He listens to me. I listen to him. In those moments we both feel the love we have radiating from each other. We both look at each and smile. I am thankful and full of gratitude. Ill love you forever Mr. Perkins. Your mine forever and always. Today is a day full of joy.