Launch Trampoline Park (1/12/2020)

Sunday, January 12, 2020
We thought we were taking Dylan and Pete to the nature-inspired learning-through-play facility, Badlands Playspace. Although targeted for children ages 2-13, it was definitely a toddler domain. Plan B was the Launch Trampoline Park.

Dylan and Pete

Neither Dylan or Pete wanted to bounce on the trampoline to jump high enough to dunk the ball and hang on the rim!

Dylan and Pete won some extra time at the Jurassic Park video game

Kent watches a couple of wild, Fast & Furious drivers

Hmm, blue-tinged bowling

We were happy for the opportunity to spend time with the grandsons!

Alexandria, VA (1/11/2020)

Saturday, January 11, 2020
A "quick" drive down I-95 then around the DC Beltway to Alexandria, VA to meet Chofu High School classmates of Kent for a mini mini-reunion.

Sculpture of The Pharmacist (2008, by Alexi Alexiev)
based on painting by Norman Rockwell

Located in front of the National Community Pharmacists Association.

The Pharmacist detail

The Pharmacist detail

The Acrobat (2015, by Chris Erney)
outside the Hilton Hotel of Alexandria

The Confederate Statue/Appomattox
(1889, by M Caspar Buberl)

The statue was commissioned by the United Confederate Veterans, who foresaw the controversy that would potentially arise over the monument. Thus, they motioned in the same year to have it protected by state law. It has been the victim of a couple of errant cars; you can see it is slightly askew of its base.

Don C, Tamiko, Kent, Mark V (photo by Pat C)

Had a great little lunch at Hard Times Café/Chili. Thank you, Don & Pat!

A Longwood [Gardens] Christmas (1/3/2020)

Friday, January 3, 2020
A Granite Farms Estate field trip to see the holiday lights display at Longwood Gardens, a mere 15 miles down Route US-1, in Kennett Square, PA. Fortunately we avoided long lines and crowds by being escorted by a security SUV to a rear entrance. Unfortunately it was misting, which became a light drizzle of rain.
We were given nearly two hours to explore, and started at the Main Fountain Garden...

Main Fountain Garden light display had lights mimicking
water fountains in time with holiday music

(KSS)

...and worked our way counterclockwise.

General view (KSS)

The Gardener's Tree features shapely ornamental gourds;
the "theme" this year is "the shapes of the season"

Blue tree of snowflakes (KSS)

Theatre Garden (KSS)

Hanging Orbs light display on Flower Garden Drive (KSS)

Wildlife Tree has the trunk and branches wrapped
in red yarn, with ornaments made from pine cones
filled with suet and bundles of grain to feed wildlife

Falling Snow light display:

Italian Water Garden light display with a color-changing "tree" (KSS)

Meadow Boardwalk light display of
color-changing orbs, à la Kusama (KSS)

East Conservatory (KSS)

Conservatory Exhibition Hall

A wreath of orchids

Pomegranate tree bonsai (KSS)

Children's Christmas trees, this one decorated by the
Avon Grove Intermediate School in West Grove, PA

Wow, there were hundreds of white amaryllises!

In the Rose House, a tree adorned with
'Christmas Joy Pink' poinsettias

In Tropical Terrace, a red twig tree
decorated with solid color glass ornaments

Tillandsia air plants in coconut shell halves?

Our Granite Farms Estates bus was parked just outside the exit. After hot cocoa with marshmallows, we were driven to our "doorsteps!"