VERMONT
WASHINGTON D.C.
SEATTLE
NEW YORK
SAN FRANCISCO




I have dedicated this site to having tons of pictures from our vacations and descriptions of each picture.  So sit back and enjoy the show.

If you have any questions about anything you see here feel free to e-mail me at john@littlespud.net.

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Washington DC : You absolutely must go to Washington DC. It is part of our heritage. While we were there, we saw many things including the White House, the Capitol, and the U.S. Supreme Court. As you can imagine we went to much of the Smithsonian, but in order to see all the exhibits, it would have taken weeks. We kind of skimmed over what most interested us and quickly walked through everything else. Top on the list was the Museum of American History. We took a tour of the FBI Building and the White House. The White House is a wonderful place, full of history and antiques. It is such a great thing that the government of our country is willing to let us see where they live and serve us.

One more thing, you can not leave until you go to the National ZOO. While you are there say hello to the otters, and the two lions.

Vermont Vacation : This is one of the best vacations we have ever taken. I had no idea that God had created anything so beautiful. Vermont was incredible - the entire state was just so quaint. Spectacular fall color was present everywhere we went - especially driving up Smugglers Notch. This vacation also includes New Hampshire and the Coast of Maine. New Hampshire is just as beautiful as Vermont, although not quite as quaint. You absolutely must see the Mount Washington area - the scale and color will take your breath away. The Maine coast was spectacular in most places, but in others (where the coast was not as clean) was kind of dirty looking. The towns in Maine were just crowded and ordinary, but get a few miles away from the coast and there were very few people living there.

Second Vermont and New England Vacation:  We liked it so much the first time that we decided to go back.  This time we concentrated on New Hampshire a little more than the last trip.  One thing that is of particular interest is Mount Washington.  The Lord really blessed us on our trip there.  He gave us a really beautiful day.  We could see the entire horizon and it was not even all that windy (at least for the mountain).  I must admit though that the drive up the auto road was one of the scariest drives of my life.

The City by the Bay San Francisco : San Francisco is one of those cities that people love to visit. I really enjoy the place, but I would not want to live there (too crowded). We drove up and down Highway 1 North and South from San Francisco. One part of this drive we have decided to call "the death drive." We say this because you are driving down this road and the edge of a shear cliff is two feet from you. Wine country is an absolute must to visit as well. The entire area is one giant vineyard. We also spent the better part of two days in Monterey Bay. This city is fantastic. It has some of the most beautiful coastal scenery anywhere. The famous Pebble Beach Golf Links are here as well. Finally we spent several hours in Muir Woods where there is a grove of coastal redwoods. The trees here are some of the most impressive I have ever seen.

New York City : New York is one of the most fascinating cities in the US.  It has been said that the United States is the melting pot of the world.  I believe that that is true, and I also believe that New York is the belt buckle of the melting pot.  The city is so diverse with its many cultures.  While visiting New York, one must take a stroll through Central Park and go the Natural History Museum.  We went to the top of the Empire State Building at night and it was nothing like it was shown in Sleepless in Seattle.  It was very crowded.  However it was well worth the trip.  We also went to the famous soup kitchen mentioned in the Seinfeld episode "no soup for you - The Soup Nazi."  While getting around in New York I would not recommend trying to drive yourself.  Instead take a cab, bus, or the subway.

Seattle, Victoria BC, and Mount Rainier:  Welcome to the Seattle Vacation site.  Seattle is one of my most favorite places to visit.  The city itself is full of life and things to do.  The Space Needle is a must see.  The Air and Space Museum at Boeing is well worth your time.  While in the Seattle area,  you absolutely must take a ferry ride over into Victoria, British Columbia.  This is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen.  There are flower pots hanging all over the place as well as beautiful gardens.  Their parliamentary house is a must see as well.  Finally, no trip to the area would be the same without a drive up to Mount Rainer.  I have never personally climbed the mountain, but I have two friends that have.  Anyhow -  the drive up there is absolutely stunning and the mountain will take your breath away.

Weekend Trip to Washington DC and Baltimore: Joint us on our weekend trip to Baltimore and Washington DC to visit our friends.  An absolute must while in Baltimore is the aquarium....and the Cheesecake Factory.

Weekend Trip to Chicago: The company I work for sent me to Chicago one Friday on business. Melanie and myself decided to make a long weekend of it. We were there in early April, and let me tell you it was C-O-L-D. Well, windy at least. There is lots to do in Chicago and we only had time to see and do a few things. Tops on your list should be the Art Museum, the Field Museum, and Wrigley Field.....and the Cheesecake Factory (notice a pattern??).  Since then I have been back to Chicago many times...and its always enjoyable (unless you are always working!).