Walking One of the Nearby Lakes

Another advantage of living here at Vantage House is the walking pathways.  There are two lakes I can walk around.  Today I went to Lake Kittamaqundi which is a jewel in the downtown of Columbia, MD.  It's 1.4 miles around it and .8 miles to and from Vantage House.  A good walk.

Here's a view of the lake from the farthest end.  Vantage House is not visible.

Below is the nice pathway maintained by the Columbia Association.  Crews were out on the lake with debris sweepers as I walked this morning.

Next time I should bring a proper camera to capture some of the flora and fauna.

College Park Aviation Museum

One of the wonderful things about living here at Vantage House is the organized field trips.  All I have to do is sign up and show up on time.  The Life Enrichment Coordinator does all the rest.  Tuesday was an organized trip to the College Park Aviation Museum next door to the oldest continuously operating airport in the world.

Arriving by Vantage House bus we were met at the door by two docents - one was in training.  The museum is filled with airplanes.  Since I recently read David McCullogh's "Wright Brothers" this trip was a great follow up to that.

Let me let the displays speak for themselves.

Large posters greet you in the front hall filled with old photos from the Wright Brothers' early days of flight.

 A copy of their glider is above your head.

Orville reincarnated as a robot spoke to us about their invention.

Once you step into the larger space you see it filled with early planes.

This is a Wright Brothers' plane re-creation.  As bicycle builders they used many bicycle elements in their first planes.  To dupe those who attempted to copy their plane they painted all wood to look like metal.

This plane the first helicopter.  It was designed by the inventor of the Victrola phonograph.

Notice the symbol under this Army aircraft's wing.  With the outbreak of war with Japan the symbol was changed since the red circle resembled the Japanese flag.

This is the Ercoup sold at Macy's.  Manufacturer expected everyone would want one.  It was easy to fly.

There were exhibit on loan from the Smithsonian on the importance of mail to US troops in every war.  Another room was set aside for hands on experiences and it was filled with children of all ages.

Afterward we had lunch at the Silver Diner then came home.

Great trip.  I'm looking forward to many more.

Tuesday Treasures #22 - Family

Gathering the family for a photo.  Despite our efforts not all made the final photo.

A treasure for sure.

Joining Tuesday Treasure

A Great Spot for a Family Reunion

Last Sunday my extended family gathered for three nights at the Three Otters Eco Retreat in Great Cacapon, West Virginia.  There were 20 adults ranging in age from 20 something to 70s, and 10 children ranging in age from 4 weeks to 7 years.  

Three Otters has a wide range of accommodations from a three bedroom cabin to a flying tent.  It's "glamour camping" because they provide the sheets and beds.  We brought our own towels and food.

This is the tent Dan and I stayed in.  We had a futon mattress to sleep on and lots of room. 

 Three Otters has a yurt with a queen bed, a cottage tent with lots of single beds, three vintage trailers and three pop up trailers.  There are other tent choices including one that is strung in the trees - flying!  Youll' have to go to their website for photos of those accommodations.  I neglected to photograph them.

There were three kitchens to use: one in the cabin; another in the river kitchen where there was seating; and a third called the grill kitchen where a large screened dining room gave us enough room for everyone.

Here's breakfast prep in the river kitchen and below Dan awaits breakfast there.

Here are my oldest brother and sister in law after dinner in the grill kitchen screened dining room.

Bathrooms?  In the cabin, in the river kitchen and four in the bathhouse on stilts.

Activities?  The Potomac River was the primary draw and favorite spot to hang out, swim, kayak, or tube.    

There was hiking on the property or across the river on the C & O Canal tow path.

There were games in the grill kitchen dining room. 

Here Matt is assembling a structure in the river kitchen.

 There was a large field for outdoor games.

And a spot for campfires which we had every night.

Four of my five siblings were there.  All of us had some members of our families not in attendance.  The hope is that we have restarted the tradition of getting together that our parents had.  Plans for next year are already in the works.

As I said a great spot for a family reunion.

Three Otters Eco Retreat

Postscript:

My daughter took a photo of the vintage trailer they stayed in.  There were two more of these.

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