Daisy’s Island Cruises-(Chincoteague Island)

Virginia's Chincoteague Island is a quaint, beautiful and slightly wild place. By far one of the best ways to take it all in is on an island cruise aboard a pontoon boat.  In fact it's one of the only ways to get up close and personal with the islands most famous residents, the Chincoteague ponies. There are several operators but after doing a bit of research we decided to go with Daisy's Island Cruises and I am … [Read more...]

Quartermaster Museum (Fort Lee)

  Don't you love it when you go somewhere and unexpectedly your socks get blown off because it is more amazing than you could ever have imagined??? That's what happened to me and my crew at the Quartermaster Museum in Fort Lee. Honestly, this was truly one of the most moving experiences and one of the most amazing museums we have EVER been to.  We all think about those brave men in uniform out on the … [Read more...]

George Washington’s Mt. Vernon (Mt. Vernon)

  If you could meet one person from any period in history who would it be? For me that person would be none other than George Washington, our founding father and true renaissance man. There is no doubt in my mind that George Washington was a humble man of great integrity, but also and incredibly strong leader who ably carried the establishment of our great nation on his shoulders. When you look at portraits … [Read more...]

Nauticus, The National Maritime Center (Norfolk)

Sometimes the best things are discovered on a rainy day when other plans get canceled.  We were so pumped to kayak in and around the Eastern Virginia National Wildlife Refuge but sadly a huge storm blew in and our guide just didn't think it would be good idea with the wind and the high tide. Sad but still hopeful for another cool experience we set forth with plan B, to head to Norfolk and check out the educational … [Read more...]

Madison’s Montpelier (Orange)

Trying to capitalize on it proximity to famous neighbor Thomas Jefferson's estate Monticello, Madison's Montpelier recently underwent restorations to bring it back what the estate and home looked like when James and Dolley Madison were in residence. If you are in the area with some extra time, the home is definitely worth a visit, but sadly you will find much of it's authenticity sadly missing. You see Madison's … [Read more...]

Historic Tradegar/American Civil War Museum (Richmond)

Tradegar was by far one of the most important factories making weaponry namely canons for the civil war effort.  There is not much left of the original factory, but the original brick building has been transformed into a civil war museum filled with interesting relics and amazing large scale photos. The first thing we noticed was the large gear wheel at the front which we learned about about a Hagley was used to … [Read more...]

Hagley Museum and Library (Wilmington)

My friend and fellow 50 state enthusiast Lisa Orlanski told me that the Hagley Museum and Library was incredibly cool and not to be missed and I am so glad I took her advice and checked it out because it was indeed  fascinating not only from a historical perspective but also from a scientific, military and economic one as well. Hagley as it is commonly called is the former gunpowder (also known as black powder) … [Read more...]