Start of Memorial Day Weekend

I was conducting a student tour group from New Jersey through Washington, DC. Their school honored the Unknown Solder of WWI and the Unknown Servicemen by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We also saw the artillerymen polishing up the Howitzers in anticipation of a wreath-laying by the Albanian Defense Minister. The Sgt. talked to us about the Howitzers and the 21 gun salute. We also saw scores of soldiers placing flags at each grave.

After bidding farewell to the group, I walked to the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and around the National Mall.

The Rolling Thunder Veterans were just starting to trickle in and the vendors were getting 'Thunder Alley' tent market set up.

I'll be walking around tomorrow and Monday.

This would be an appropriate time to re-read my posting about cemeteries and Memorial Day which has been reprinted in LOST Magazine.

Please take time from your weekend to reflect on the sacrifices made by the military and their families.

Tour Marm

Mr. Ferguson Goes to Washington

Mr. Ferguson Goes to Washington

Review of Craig Ferguson's Appearance at the Warner Theatre 14 July 2007

First Visit to DC

It was a riot!

People were rolling in the aisles and sides were splitting, notwithstanding, that we were all still sitting firmly in our seats!

Initially, the two comedians were unsure whether the audience really liked them.

Welcome to Washington, DC, the home of the politest and least-responsive audience in North America! (And that includes Canada.)

They needn't have worried, the Warner Theatre, which literally is a stone's throw from The White House, was jam-packed!

The only ‘heckler’ was a lovely lady in the front orchestra who reminded Randy Kagan, after his diatribe against the French, that it was Bastille Day. (Like he cared!) The loudest outburst came from the only Canadian in the audience. The only groupie, was a another bold and gutsy, middle-aged lady who demurely walked up to the stage and placed a Beanie Baby on it as an offering to Mr. Ferguson. (He noted that it took courage to do that!) There were only ten middle-aged (and older) people waiting at the door for him to come out. No bouncers were needed. Blame it on Homeland Security: no one gets out of line here!

Despite the well-dressed (except for the gentleman in the front row sporting a incongruous Hawaiian shirt, which became a fitting target for Randy's slings and arrows; surely this had to be a set-up, only tourists or Parrotheads wear Hawaiian shirts in DC!), predominantly WASP audience with natural Botox-like expressions and demonstrating restrained applause, we all truly appreciated and enjoyed the rollicking, bawdy, off-the-cuff, silly stream-of-consciousness comedy as served up by warm-up comic Randy Kagan and TV's Craig Ferguson. It was great to be naughty, even vicariously, and tantamount to a contact high; a truly welcomed relief from the usually PC world of scripted politics.

Since this is a PG blog, I cannot go into the substance of the subject matter or serve as a spoiler for those who will be attending subsequent performances around North America'; suffice to say that if you are from France, Belgium, Quebec, Hollywood (LA), Scotland, or if you are gay, well-endowed (male or female), a Scottish mother, lusting after Sean Connery, an ex-wife, contemplating birthing classes, in rehab, on drugs, a cigarette smoker, Paris Hilton, or Tom Cruise, watch out, they take no prisoners! (Thankfully, there was nothing political and I hope that Mr, Ferguson continues this policy even after he becomes a citizen.)

Ferguson did wax lyrical concerning his love for this country, although it was coupled with the mixed message that the initial thoughts about US citizenship were a result of his introduction to drugs and rock ‘n roll concerts by his American cousins. (Tsk. Tsk Tsk.) The story of his own quest, upon his return to Scotland, for a drug to enhance the enjoyment of his favorite rock band's concert was a knock-out!. I hope for his sake,that no one from the INS was in attendance to hear that! (Do I need to put a personal disclaimer against illegal substances in here?)

Never Visited Washington, DC

What astounded me was the fact that Craig Ferguson, in the thirteen years he has lived in this country, had never visited the capital of the United States before! One would think that he would have gone on one of his famous road trips on I95 (DC is at least five miles off I95) from New York or Connecticut and toured here. (I think he's been to Colonial Williamsburg, though.)

However, since he has applied for citizenship (see posting) )and is awaiting not-so-very-patiently for the processing of dilatory paperwork, he should jump into a Ford (the car of choice and sponsor as advertised on his tee shirt) and head for DC and Virginia, when it is not as hot and humid (or ‘soupy’ as he referred to our weather). October and November are the best months; stay away from Easter and Spring Break! Although, a road trip to DC on his Indian motorcycle for Rolling Thunder during Memorial Day Weekend might be appropriate for a truly American experience..

To appreciate Washington, DC to the fullest and navigate easily, he would need a good, flexible itinerary and a knowledgeable and engaging personal tour guide, both of which I could provide. I am, after all, an educational student tour designer and professional guide. (If he can advertise Ford, I can advertise myself!)

A Tour of Washington, DC Designed Expressly for Craig Ferguson

My plan for him would be to go in chronological order:

Mount Vernon and Gunston Hall both might be a good prelude as they represent our colonial roots, the American Revolution, early republic, and the documents that define our national identity. (Gunston Hall is the home of George Mason, the Father of our Bill of Rights.)

Therefore, it should be obvious that the National Archives (NARA) be next on the itinerary. He could get up front and personal with a copy (from 1297, not 1215) of the Magna Carta that spawned the American Charters of Freedom which includes the original Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The NARA always have a couple of good exhibits.

Touring the Three Branches of our Government:

To be a model citizen and have an understanding of civics, it is necessary to learn about the three branches of government; visiting the buildings and observing government in action gives us a tangible connection to our elected officials and an awareness of the responsibilities we have as voters.

The White House is a tricky place to tour as he would either have to contact his Senators and Representative in advance or use some influence through his Hollywood/CBS connections. Other Congressional tours of sites can be arranged through the respective Congressional offices. It’s never a ‘done deal’, but an attempt should be made. (Once upon a time, Elvis walked up to the gate of the White House and handed a note to the Secret Service guards indicating that he wanted to talk with President Nixon about drug enforcement; it was an historic meeting and the photo of the two together has become the best-selling postcard at the National Archives and the Nixon Presidential Library, which has recently been taken over by the NARA. Hmmm, I wonder if that would work for Mr. Ferguson with President Bush?)

A tour of the US Capitol Building and an opportunity to meet with his Senators and/or Representative as well as a chance to see government in action in the respective chambers or at a hearing, is mandatory. Preparing for the visit by watching C-SPAN would be beneficial. If the lantern is lit under the Statue of Freedom on top of the Capitol dome, then he could go in at night when it is less crowded and perhaps see a vote or two. (It takes a call to the Democratic or Republican cloakrooms of the Senate or House to determine what the schedule is. Call 202-224-3121 and ask for the cloakroom of your political choice; there isn't one for independents, contact Sen Lieberman's and Sen. Sanders' office directly.)

The Supreme Court of the United States should be next on the agenda. If the court is not in session, then one can attend a lecture in the courtroom every hour on the half-hour. When the court is in session, there are two ways to watch the proceedings and both require that one stands in line.

Other Important Sights:

The Library of Congress is also on Capitol Hill and that is a purely wonderful visit. The interior alone is worth seeing. There is a terrific exhibit of the Treasures of the Library of Congress as well as other exhibits (one was on Bob Hope). There is also a copy of the Gutenberg Bible and the Bible of Mainz. The Library does have public tours and it is the only way that one can get up to the viewing area to see the main reading room,which is impressive.

Monuments and memorials should be interspersed throughout the course of the tour. I prefer the following monuments during the day: Washington Monument (get timed tickets in advance online) Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, U.S. Air Force Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Memorial, Navy Memorial (the museum is under the memorial), and U.S. Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima). These three memorials are gorgeous in the evening: Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.

Arlington National Cemetery (please see this post.) is one of my favorite places to visit and I highly recommend that one looks up the website and downloads some of the graves and memorials one would like to visit. I personally feel that it is a place one should walk through rather than take the tram. The Kennedy gravesites and the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Servicemen are required. But Mr, Ferguson might like to wander through Section 1 and spend a few moments in front of the Lockerbie Memorial to the 259 victims of terrorism on Pan Am Flight 103 (December 21, 1988) who perished on the flight over Scotland and the 11 Scots on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. The memorial cairn is composed of 270 stones from Scotland.

Naturally, the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art should also be visited throughout the tour. Alas! The National Museum of American Art is closed for two years while they renovate the building.

Another museum that will close for two years at the end of the summer is Ford’s Theatre. However, the Peterson House, where President Lincoln died, will remain open to the public.

A greatly anticipated museum will be opening in their new location in October. The Newseum, dedicated to the history of the news and news-gathering is bigger and better than the original, excellent museum, that was in Rosslyn, Virginia. It will have an IMAX movie and lots of interactive exhibits.

No visit of Washington is complete without paying one's respects at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's permanent exhibit. Daniel's Story: Remember the Children is a fitting introduction. Again, one can get timed tickets well in advance by booking online. This eliminates having to wait on a long line for first come, first served tickets.

Cedar Hill is the Home of Frederick Douglas in Anacostia to learn about this great ex-slave and orator who became a great force in abolition and civil rights.

The Washington National Cathedral is not only an imposing building, but is chock full of American history reflected through the stained glass windows, statues, and carvings. President Woodrow Wilson is interred there, very close to the Space and Technology Window that boasts a moon rock embedded in it.

There are so many other sites and memorials to visit; this is simply a start. Once you've been to this area, it becomes addictive. There is beauty and majesty in this city which reflects the whole of the American experience. I also find the city just as romantic as Paris or Rome, and much cleaner!

I would hope that Mr. Ferguson would also share this with his son before his son visits DC with his school. It would be a wonderful bonding experience and would give his son a better perspective of why his father loves this country so much and not to take US citizenship and freedoms for granted.

Epilogue

It was unfortunate that Mr. Ferguson was so ‘knackered’ after his 1 1/2 hour delivery; the position of, Hardest Working Man in Show Business, is now vacant, and Mr. Ferguson could certainly be a candidate. (He doesn’t normally eat before a show either, from what I understand, so I imagine that a late night meal is a priority.) If he had been a bit livelier afterwards, I would have suggested that he and his colleagues/staff accompany me to at least the Lincoln Memorial to receive perspectives, history, and trivia unavailable by a casual visit. It would have been the least I could do to offer hospitality.

Alas, all I was able to do was to hand him my business card, have a short exchange, and get a picture of us together. Oh well.

Craig Ferguson summed up his rationale for immigrating to the US as opposed to Canada (the usual place for the Scots): “The party is here. Canada is like the apartment above the party where they are banging on the floor to stop the noise.”

Excellent!

Party on!

The Tour Marm

Craig Ferguson: Role Model

Lady Bird Johnson: An Appreciation

"Ugliness is so grim," Lady Bird Johnson once said. "A little beauty, something that is lovely, I think, can help create harmony which will lessen tensions."

“I have always been a natural tourist. Lyndon used to say I kept ‘one foot in the middle of the big road’. Wherever I go in America, I like it when the land speaks its own language in its own regional accent.”



It's hard not to think of Lady Bird Johnson whenever I drive to Washington, DC from Alexandria; her imprint on the beauty of this city and the George Washington Memorial Parkway is significant. (George Washington Memorial Parkway is now part of the National Parks System.) The broad lawns, seasonal flowers, and trees that frame the nation's capital are a direct result of her association with Keep America Beautiful, Inc. while she was First Lady. She literally changed Washington, DC into a garden city.

Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson followed a very popular First Lady who had been widowed by a tragedy that shocked the world. Lady Bird Johnson continued the work started by Jacqueline Kennedy, who had restored the White House and had begun to beautify Pennsylvania Avenue, making her own mark by improving the natural environment of not only the Washington, DC area, but the entire nation, national parks, historic sites, and memorials. She believed that beauty could improve the mental health of the society .

“Though the word beautification makes the concept sound merely cosmetic, it involves much more: clean water, clean air, clean roadsides, safe waste disposal and preservation of valued old landmarks as well as great parks and wilderness areas. To me…beautification means our total concern for the physical and human quality we pass on to our children and the future.”

Restoring the health of our society in a politically and socially divisive era was also the agenda of her husband, who coined the term, Great Society. She had a great deal of influence over her husband and conservation policy during his administration: her southern sensibilities translated into the, 'iron hand 'neath the velvet glove'.

The official Presidential memorial to her husband is in the midst of the GW Parkway in Virginia on the former Columbia Island across from the Pentagon. Our 36th President is represented by a large, rough, unpolished granite monolith that was taken from the LBJ ranch in Texas. It was a spot that the First Lady herself had chosen.The island with its serpentine paths amongst 500 pine trees, dogwoods, and wildflowers has been renamed in her honor. The vista of the city from the memorial is breath-taking.

The next time you visit Washington, DC and Virginia, stop and smell the flowers in remembrance of a truly beautiful woman who improved the quality of our lives.

In one of her last meetings with the Society for a More Beautiful National Capital, Lady Bird talked of the accomplishments.

"Over the past three years, the people in this room have produced nearly two and a half million dollars to take steps toward making this nation's capital more livable and more beautiful. Not only is your handiwork enjoyed by the three million people who live and work in this city, it can be seen also by seventeen million visitors who come here each year, and our work has inspired other cities across the country," she told the group. "This has been one of the most lovely springs I can remember in Washington's history. It has also been one of the most poignant and grave. That fact underscores the urgency of improving our environment for all people."

It has been requested that donations be made in her honor as a final tribute to the Lady Bird Wildflower Center.

The LBJ Library and Museum and Lady Bird Johnson Final Tribute

National First Ladies Library

Keep America Beautiful

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Thursday XIII 070507 - Fireworks

These were taken by me on the White House Ellipse on July 4th 2007. For a personal story about the Fourth of July, please click here.

A Bitterweet Fourth of July

I miss her, I miss her terribly.

Nancy Lynde was more than a teacher who traveled with me, she was a friend, mentor, and mother figure.

It was she who convinced me that conducting a trip during July 4th, despite the crowds, was feasible. I was apprehensive because I did not want to lose any students, but it turned out to be perfectly safe and an annual pilgrimage for students in the Corona, California area.

The day started out early, as we were always the first to enter the National Archives. Before the Archives opened there is a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. There’s also a parade, but we were already inside the building visiting our Charters of Freedom. There is an honor guard inside the Archives on the 4^th. Every half hour they silently changed, bringing dignity to the Declaration and our other documents of freedom. (I wish the guard was always there!)

After that we rushed over to Ford’s theatre (no lines!) and proceeded to visit the Smithsonian Museums and their Folklife Festival in small, independent, adult-centered groups. Everyone knew the plan, meeting places, and emergency procedures. If it became too hot or someone became ill, he/she could always retreat back to the hotel.

Let the hoi polloi sit on the crowded and noisy National Mall between the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial, with a great concentration at the mound of the Washington Monument! Nancy had a special place to view the fireworks: The Ellipse in the shadow of the White House overlooking the Jefferson Memorial (the real reason for the season).

She was right; it was far more civilized, quiet, and an easier place to ‘escape’ to our hotel which was within walking distance. We usually camped out in front of the National Christmas Tree and had a picnic.

The fireworks were directly above us and seemed almost personal. The sound reverberated against the Department of Commerce Buildings in an almost kettle-drum effect. The smoke drifted east toward the Capitol; our vision was crystal clear. Jefferson stood stoically watching the celebration.

In 1986, for the occasion of the rededication of the Statue of Liberty, I donned two verdigris-colored shower curtains (I was perspiring like mad!); a spiked spongy crown; held a torch (which I had purchased, with the crown, on Liberty Island on one of my NY trips); and an empty box of Godiva chocolates as the ‘tablet’. I was the ‘hit’ of The Ellipse and many people took photos of me! Nancy’s son and some boys honored me by building a human pyramid!

Nancy always brought her son Rob along, and for twelve years I watched him grow into a wonderful man. On our last trip together, he brought his fiancé.

After her retirement, and my change to adult companies during the summer and autumn seasons, we lost touch.

The days after September 11^th had me looking up people who mattered to me and with whom I had lost touch. Nancy was one of these, and thankfully, she was still living in Corona, California.

We started emailing and she sent me photos of her grandchildren. Soon, we were able to meet when I was either at an educational convention in Southern California or my semi-annual parent/teacher meetings to answer questions about the trip.

Normally she drove over two hours to see me and we had dinners together at Mimi’s Café, her favorite.

At one of these lunches, I saw Rob, who was now with the Capistrano School District. He told me that I was one of the reasons he is a Social Studies teacher! (You cannot imagine how this has affected me.)

Nancy also invited me to be guest in her home and I finally met her husband.

And then there were the homemade biscotti! I could always depend on a tin for Christmas, my birthday, and whenever we met. The last batch I received was a tangy lemon.

She took great interest in what I was doing and the new path I had chosen. We were making great plans for her retirement and she was considering organizing a tour of the East Coast for retired teachers. (She was active with the California Retired Teachers Association.) She wanted me to design it.

During the summer of 2005, Nancy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. There are no symptoms until it is too late. Naturally, she was hopeful throughout chemotherapy.

I had plans that September to stay the night at her place. After landing at LAX, I received a call from my office that she would be unable to see me and they had made reservations at a hotel. I knew I would never see her alive again.

There were calls and emails, but there was no response. Eventually, I called Rob. She was weak, but hanging in there. They were going to visit Arizona.

I was on tour and called her, but she said I should call back later.

I tried to contact her thereafter, a few times.

But there was no ‘later’.

My tours continued, and when I am on tour, it’s difficult to find time for my private life and time literally flies by.

I finally called her home one more time and her husband informed me that she had died more than a month before! He was very sweet and sent me the obituary as well as the photos above. He let me knew that his wife truly loved me.

I loved her too..

There won’t be a July 4^th when I don’t think of her, and smile.

Wordless Wednesday #10 - Women's Titanic Memorial

Answer:
.
.
This is one of the Titanic Memorials in the Washington, DC area. It looms above Washington Channel on the Potomac adjacent to Ft. McNair in Southwest DC.

The official name for this Memorial is The Women's Titanic Memorial. The Inscription is as follows:

To the brave men who perished in the wreck of the
Titanic, April 15, 1912.
They gave their lives that women
and children might be saved.

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (the grandmother and guardian of little Gloria, the fashion designer) won the national commission which was open only to women. The granite memorial is an 18-foot Christ-like figure standing on a six foot pedestal, his arms outstretched representing sacrifice.

Indeed the majority of the 1500 lives that were lost as a result of the sinking of the Titanic, were men, including an estimated ten percent of those who were responsible for the wealth of the United States.

Gertrude Vanderbilt had a very personal connection to this memorial as she had lost many friends aboard the Titanic and three years later she would lose more friends including sadly, a brother, who were sailing aboard the Lusitania.

President and Mrs. Hoover attended the dedication on May 26, 1931, along with the members of the memorial association that spearheaded the fundraising, which included former First Lady Helen Herron Taft.

Each year the members of the Men's Titanic Society take part in a ceremony at the memorial; it was recorded in 2004 for NPR.

I have actually brought groups over to the memorial on the morning of the 15th of April and have seen the wreath and empty champagne bottles at the base of the memorial. Vision Forum also conducts their own observance to acknowledge the noble sacrifice of these men.

Of course, all my groups wonder whether James Cameron had this in mind for the now iconic vision of Jack Dawson as, King of the World, in his movie, Titanic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Titanic Memorial in Washington, DC is located at 4th and P Street, SW alongside Fort McNair at Water Front Park. One needs to walk past the Apartment Building to the water or walk along the channel to the end.

Another Tour Marm Titanic-related post concerning the Isidore and Ida Straus and Macy's
Interesting Websites concerning the Titanic:

Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain on the White House Ellipse in Washington, DC, not too far from the National Christmas Tree in President's Park. Here's a better history.

Other Interesting Titanic Memorials in New York including a photo of the Straus Plaque
Phill Ottwell's Tribute to RMS Titanic and Titanic Memorial Page

Thursday XIII:9 13 Things I Hate to Do in DC During Student Tour Season

13 THINGS
I HATE TO DO
IN WASHINGTON, DC
DURING
STUDENT TOUR
SEASON!

Yes, it's that time of year! I shouldn't really complain since this is what gets my rent paid and dinner on the table! But if you must travel during this period, there are some caveats and certainly better ways of spending your time than standing in long lines or being engulfed by screaming crowds of clueless students:

1. Touring the Memorials at Night: It is pleasurable off season, but the mobs and the disrespectful behavior of the student groups turn them into a circus. The most disgraceful conduct has been at the Lincoln Memorial and the FDR Memorial. It's almost impossible to keep a large group together; talk to them about the memorial, stressing respect, and give them a time and place to meet at each stop. Trying to talk to them at each site is too difficult. I sometimes opt to visit some memorials during the day or before 7:30 PM. 8:00PM is when everybody else starts the tour and bus dropoff, parking, and pickup is a competitive business.
   
2. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing: -It is a long tour and the ink affects my asthma. Most groups get up early and stand in line for two-three hours to get timed tickets for later in the day. What a waste of precious time! The group appointments are during lunchtime, which is awkward. Visit this on your family holiday and write well in advance (at least six months or more) to get an appointment through your US Representative and/or US Senator's office. The sheets of money etc. offered at the shop can be purchased online at their website. I have yet to conduct a group that has requested this, that has done any study on the history of our currency or Federal Reserve. The only reason they come here is to see money being printed and to shop.
3. The Washington Monument: Even with a timed ticket secured online (through Recreation.gov) in advance, this can be a long wait, especially in iffy weather. there's not much room at the top, and the windows are small and scratchy. If this is a priority for your group, book the first appointment available in the morning or the last one of the day, althought most of the availability is during lunch hours.
   
4. The US Capitol Tour: This may surprise you because it is one of my favorite places, but again, even with the timed ticket through your Representative or Senator (see my posting), it is a difficult process and once you get the group through all the security, the noise of the groups packed into the rotunda and old House chamber. is deafening. The lines to get into the House and Senate chambers (additional passes required) are extremely long. The tours have become fast-paced and perfunctory to accomodate the crowds.Some of the tours one can get through a Representative's or Senator's office might be given by an intern reading off 3x5 cards! . Additionally, the current construction of the visitors' center has limited accessibility.
5. Eating at any of the food courts around town: I'm not a fast food fan, but many tour operators give meal vouchers with specific selections (no substitutions) to the students. The worst food is at the National Museum of Air and Space and by far, the worst crowd experience is Union Station. I avoid both! Pentagon City in Virginia, although crowded, is better than most other food court choices.
6. The White House: If a group is 'fortunate' enough to get an appointment (see my posting), the security is tight and there is zero tolerance. Most, if not all, personal belongings should stay on the bus. If not, the tour guide (me) has to remain outside the White House guarding cameras, perfume, water bottles, IPODS, etc. Even if it is raining, umbrellas are not allowed in! All group members need to have given personal information/vital statistics regarding place of birth, day of birth, social security number etc. in advance. Any student or adult not on the list, or whose name is misspelled (for whatever reason) is not permitted in. I cannot tell you how many students (especially a couple of my Armenian students from Glendale) stayed outside with me because of an administrative spelling error. One cannot argue with the Secret Service! Oh. You should also find out who your tour guide will be and get the vital statistics from him/her to be included with your group.) Unless you give the students specific things to look for and questions to ask of the Secret Service posted in each room, they will usually rush through with a, "Is that all there is?"
7. Ford's Theatre: Another wonderful stop which can have the longest lines. The modest museum downstairs is excellent, but cramped. I usually add in a performance there (this year it's the premiere of a new musical, Meet John Doe) so I don't have to stand in line! The students can visit the museum before the show and during intermission.
8. The International Spy Museum: Overrated, overpriced, over crowded. 'Nuff said.
   
9. Mount Vernon: I haven't checked out their new educational center, but the lines to the mansion in the past have been horrific. Once the group gets inside the mansion, you are practically pushed through. In fact, they're downright rude! Again, I choose alternate historic homes to visit that give tours and respect appointments.
10. Dinner dance cruises for students. It's packed to the gills with several different types of groups, frenetic, and the picnic-type food is nothing less than awful. The music can be of the objectionable type (x-rated rap) and at a high decibel level. I have to constantly monitor girl/boy dynamics and dancing. If you really crave a dinner dance cruise, spend more money for something civilized (like the Dandy out of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia )where you have better food (sit down meals) and control over the type of music being played. Better still, arrange for your own DJ at your hotel or a restaurant.
11. Dinner Theatre: There are not many left, but even for the most professional one, (Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia MD showing the blockbuster biographical musical, George M) you need to cut your touring day for the students to change and then suffer through beltway traffic. Normally, you won't see your hotel until after midnight. There is also a good dinner theatre way down in Fredericksburg, VA but the worst is in Woodbridge, VA. Think beyond the box here and try for some real (kid-friendly) theatre experiences at Ford's, National, Warner, Kennedy Center, Shakespeare, Folger, Arena Stage, Signature etc.
12. Cruise to Mount Vernon: This gets you to Mount Vernon after the crowds from the 60+ buses are already in line for the mansion. You start from the bottom of the hill and need to climb it (passing the farm (excellent, especially the barn), tomb, and dependencies to get to the mansion. The new museum, modest food court, and gift shop are still further on. If you are meeting your bus, it's a long walk down the line of buses to find yours but much better than the logistics of being stressed out to go all the way past the house, down the hill, and back onto the boat for the trip back. Many groups have not even been able to get into the house before they have to catch the boat! Lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn is good and more expensive (book in advance), but they have a Martha Washington character interpreter one can engage for an additional fee.
    
13. Wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers: Your jaw just dropped! If you have read my recent post Bringing Cemeteries to Life, you'll know my deep feelings for and connection to Arlington National Cemetery. However, with the difficulty of getting the appointment (sometimes during a bad time -like noon or 8:30 AM), the stress of trudging up the hill to get to the Tomb a half hour before the wreath-laying, making sure the wreath-layers (students) are dressed properly, the placement of the students in order to see the changing of the Guard and their own wreath-laying in the midst of a packed crowd, the fact that there may be two wreath-layings per half hour, the ceremony takes place in all weather and you are expected to be there, the reconfirmation of the wreath etc. , and then the possibility yours wreath-laying might be delayed because of an official event, make this a stressful situation for all. It takes away from the dignity of the ceremony. My groups arrange to have their wreath-laying at another memorial or statue during the trip; and one can be arranged at Mount Vernon at the Tomb of George Washington, if you are stubborn and still insist on going there!

Note: my new Thursday 13 banner is courtesy of Bradbury and Bradbury Art Wallpaper

Let's Go Fly a Kite: For School and Soul!

The North and West winds are playing tag!

Although I can't see them, they brush the tops of the bare branches below, they frolic about my buildings, they rustle my plants, and collide not-too-gently, nor silently, into the large windows of my aerie on the fourteenth floor!

It's March!

I'm buoyant with happiness! It's time to get out the old kite, or make a new one!

Although National Kite Flying Month is April, I like to start early, after all, one has to prepare for the 41^st Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival on March 31^st of this year.

Kite flying for me isn't just the pleasurable pasttime of watching my traditional paper diamond with her long, colorful tail waving to me in the sky; it is the exhilarating and tangible relationship I forge with invisible currents of air, we call the wind. It is a tug of war; the wind can be a outrageous thief that endeavors to steal my kite by tossing, twisting, and pulling it from me, turning the once inanimate plane of wood and paper into an unbroken mustang.

Pure poetry in motion!

It summons all my strength to hold onto my creation and steer her into a calm, manageable current; and this is accomplished using only string!

Breathless after chases and with hands searing with pain from the tightening cord, I triumphantly win her back, eventually reeling her into a safe landing; I was in total command!

Occasionally, I've suffered the agony of defeat when either the tie was broken, sheet ripped, or my grip failed. An ignominious end can await my kite: impaled upon a lofty limb, entwined in a power line, or drowned in a river. It grieves me to see or contemplate such pitiful sights! Truly.

I started flying kites for the first time while I was visiting family who lived on a sheep farm in Westmoreland County, Virginia. There was sky and space, much more than I was used to in New York City! I was given an instruction book that must have been over a hundred years old, literally; it was worn and I imagine useful to a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. My younger brother and sister also were involved with the construction of their respective kites and my father's engineering expertise was always called upon. It was through this that I learnt about the rudiments of flight.

My first foray into kite flying was very much akin to learning how to ride my two-wheeler bicycle; there were spills, injuries, and disappointments; but the eventual success was beyond words! I was hooked!

Upon my return to New York City, I realized that I was the only kid in my neighborhood who had ever flown a kite! It seemed to most an almost quaint activity. Immediately I enlisted a couple of close friends (who bought their kites) and we scurried off to some playgrounds and parks. It caught on, and for a while there were about a dozen of us in Rego Park and Forest Hills who spent many mornings and afternoons messing about with kites!

Kite flying is a happy occupation, but it requires knowledge, skill, and quick reflexes. One has to be on top of the situation at all times! The winds are a capricious lot!

As an educational student tour designer and guide, I've tried to convey this to many of my teachers and student groups. Luckily, I was once able to enroll one group in a program at the Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler Galleries called, ImaginAsia, which is intended as a family activity program, but will accept small student groups with advance notice. Ours was a relatively small group of about 30 eighth graders and we designed and decorated our own kites which we flew (or tried to fly) on the adjacent National Mall. The teacher thought it was time well spent and it was the hit of the tour! Certainly our subsequent visit to the National Museum of Air and Space was greatly enhanced by the experience.

I wish I could always find some (or allow) downtime in the usually tight schedules of Washington, DC or New York itineraries. Imagine if students could have the opportunity to fly their class-made kites on the National Mall or Central Park for even an hour! What a great teaching moment! It's good for both school and the soul!

Indeed, there are clubs that would welcome such groups and give instruction. Wings Over Washington Kite Club meets the first Sunday of each month on the grounds of the Washington Monument and welcomes all to watch and experience. If you’re visiting Washington, DC, why not give them a call and try to coordinate something with them during your trip?

While I think that the history of the kite is fascinating, the object of this post concerns the integration of kite flying into k-12 curricula. However it wouldn't be fair not to include some resource to this fascinating history.

The most accurate history of the kite that I could find online is from a British site called, Kites R Us! (Yes, Kites R Us!) It’s an extremely entertaining, informative, and well-researched essay that not only explores social history, as well as the military and practical uses of kites throughout the past two millennia, but also discusses the contributions of such diverse people as Marco Polo; Alexander Wilson; Sir George Cayley; Lawrence Hargrave: and Alexander Graham Bell. Americans have also figured prominently in the development, uses, and technological advances of kites. Some of the most famous Americans cited are Benjamin Franklin, Professor Simon Newcombe, Rear Admiral George Melville, the Wright Brothers, and Paul Garber. (We have to thank Paul Gerber for the Smithsonian Kite Festival.) Unmentioned is the contribution of Marconi!)

But what can your students learn from some paper, wood, and string on a fine spring day?

Plenty!

There are several sites that have teaching plans and curricula developed and ready to be implemented. These range from social and military history, visual arts, math, science, engineering, aerodynamics, language, and physical education. There are some interesting ones from the Drachen Foundation.

However, the most compelling reasons for using kites in and outside the classroom are within an essay bentitled, The Key to Opening Doors , by teacher Christine Ricatte. I couldn't put it any better. This is also part of the The Drachen Foundation website.

This foundation will actually pay teachers an honorarium of $100.00 USD if they choose a lesson plan that one has designed and will attribute development and copyright of the lesson to the respective teachers with the posted materials. The foundation also offers grants. In addition, they have a wonderful program called Kites in the Classroom. And if you are lucky enough to live in the Seattle area, they support a study center and offer classes. Students learn a number of disciplines with a definite fun factor.

Planning and hosting a themed kite festival is a wonderful way of integrating science with history, art, and language arts. The kites could represent great Americans, artists, poetry, or prayers.

Such festivals exist around the country. In February of 2004, in honor of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery and the Native American people they met on their epic trek, a major exhibit of art kites created by twenty-eight of North America's premier kite makers, began a three year display at Billings Logan International Airport, in Billings, Montana.

Twenty-eight quotes and subjects were selected from the Journals of Lewis and Clark and artistically interpreted, reflecting the best of contemporary kite building. These kites are stunning, showing a wide range of style, shape, size and color, while accurately referencing historical notations and incidences that happened between 1803 and 1806.

I spoke with the curator of this exhibit and President of Sky Wind World, Inc. , Terry Lee, and unfortunately she is dismantling the Kite Art: Visions of Lewis and Clark exhibit as you read this, but it will replaced with another called, Big Sky Sculpture, which features complex cellular kites. If you contact her, you'll be able to tour it with her at the Billings airport. She still has copies of the CD concerning the Lewis and Clark exhibit. The CD costs $25 and the profits go to promote math and science programs for Native American reservation schools in Montana. Contact her at: skywindworld@mailcan.com or email her directly at: tzlee@myfastmail.com. She and her husband are quite involved with the Smithsonian kite festival and perhaps we might see each other there!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite stories: It is about the 15 year old boy, by the name of Homan Walsh who, in January of 1848, won a contest which eventually enabled the first bridge to be built across the Niagara Gorge. He started young, could read the wind, and was a particularly determined young man. Well, you'll just have to get the details from the link; your students will love it! (I shall be using it on my trip to Niagara Falls with the La Crescenta, CA group in April.)

There are some other wonderful stories concerning kites that can be found at the same Bell Atlantic site.

The moral of this posting: Consider starting a kite program in your class or school and then, take it on the road!

But as for me, it’s time to go fly a kite, whistling my favorite song from Mary Poppins! Won't you join me?

For Billy Collins

By Joyce Carol Oates

Some-
thing there
is in the American
soul that soars with
kites that soar! Some-
thing alive with the roar
of the wind lifting the kite
that soars above rooftops, tree-
tops, and awestruck heads! And yet—
Something there is not in the
American soul to adore the
kite that fails to soar.
I've seen it, I've
feared it, and
so have you.

The kite whose tail
is tattered in the
TV antenna.
The kite that rises
thrillingly
at dawn
then crashes
vertically
at your feet.

in a
heap

The Educational Tour Marm

Sky Wind World, Inc Photos of Lewis and Clark exhibit:

NASA sites:

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/kite1.html

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/Wright/airplane/shortw.html

American Kite Club:

http://www.aka.kite.org/

Web quest for high school math:

http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/Teachers/King/kiteproject/kiteintro.htm

C

Introduction, Mission, & Rules of Engagement

Welcome to the Educational Student Travel Forum!

I wish to be of service to educators because I think this forum is needed...

I am an independent professional curriculum-based student travel program itinerary designer, consultant, and guide. My base of operations is from a home office aerie in Alexandria, Virginia, three miles from the Pentagon and five miles from the White House.

Mission:

Twenty-five years in the field representing several national student tour operators convinced me that the current state of the extended historic fieldtrip in the United States needed to be rethought and redesigned.

Currently, student tours in the United States have been reduced to perfunctory sightseeing excursions rather than journeys of discovery and enlightenment.

The costs of airfare, buses, hotels, and decent meals etc. have become exorbitant (and almost prohibitive) and several of tour operators, in order to protect their profit margins, have substantially sacrificed the quality and educational content of their 'tours'. The prices are rising and the value is declining.

Since the programs are becoming so expensive, why not get the most value from the experience? Why not plan your own program and use the tour operators and travel agents for transportation, hotel, and logistical arrangements?

Student tour operators and travel agents aren't necessary for the initial planning process because teachers who are well informed and creative can design and customize their own curriculum and standards-based travel programs better than the legions of company sales people that offer only generic packages, or travel agents that plan from a guide book or 'tried-and-true' basic itineraries.

Together, let's explore new destinations, hidden venues, logistics, on-site educational opportunities, curricula, teaching plans, as well as challenges, problems, and pitfalls to help make your U.S. educational travel programs more meaningful and fun!

Please join me to explore and learn about the wonderful world of student travel; your comments, observations, suggestions, and experiences are welcomed!


The Rules of Engagement for this Forum:

This site is for educators and not a commercial site or marketing tool for tour operators or travel agents. Direct or indirect reference to, or mention of, student tour operators or travel agents will not be permitted or tolerated. (Even The Tour Mistress will not divulge the name of her company!)

Any ill-mannered or uncivilized remarks should be eschewed and will be promptly deleted. Naturally, that also includes foul language and trolls.

Please avoid shorthand; it's not cute, it's annoying.

And yes, I do conduct educational programs in the field during the height of the season, so my posts may be sporadic this spring; but go ahead, talk amongst yourselves...as long as you follow the rules.

The Tour Marm