Backpacking at Grandfather Mountain

Alaska Trip - Day 12 (Exit Glacier)

The last day before we flew out we spent most of the day hiking the Harding Ice Field Trail. We were unable to make it to the end of the trail, because there was too much snow, but we did make it a good portion of the way.

 

Exit Valley

A marmot where we stopped to eat lunch

Alaska Trip - Day 4 (Juneau)

The next day we went to Juneau, the capital of Alaska. It was a unique capital, for although one of the smallest population wise, it has very large city limits, enclosing many glaciers, an ice field, and even touching the Canadian border. It is also the only capital not connected to the interstate system. We started out out day by going to Mendenhall Glacier. We took a trail out to the edge of the glacier, and although it was not easy, it was very fun.

Trees in the rainforest

Moss

As we worked our way around large lake the terrain changed significantly. The ground uncovered recently by the glacier was not forested, but instead was bear rock

Stephen climbing a ridge

Crossing a stream fed by melted snow

Mendenhall Glacier

Unfortunately, when one of our computers crashed we lost some photos from this day. We also saw an amazing ice cave, which was beautify with the blue ice walls. After hiking back to our car we went back to the ship for a late lunch. Then Rachel, my father and I went out again, first to a tour of a salmon hatchery, and then we drove down the one road in the area before going back to the ship. 

Washington Tour - Day 4

The first thing we went to on Day 4 was Chadd's Ford at the Brandywine Battlefield. This is where part of the British army held the American army while the rest went around to attack them in the rear. After going through the visitor center we moved on to the Birmingham Quaker Meeting House & Cemetery. There is a monument to Lafayette, Pulaski and a few other soldiers who fought at Brandywine. Joshua talked about the rest of the battle there.

Daddy speaking at the Lafayette Monument

Lafayette Monument

Joshua talking about the battle

Then we drove to Cliveden, a house that was central in the battle of Germantown. A group of British soldiers barricaded themselves in it and the Americans sent several regiments against it, but were unable to capture it. While we were eating lunch were, some boys decided to try to climb a tree. (see a video here) After lunch and tree climbing Joshua spoke about the battle.

Tree climbing

The front of the Cliveden house the Americans charged

Our last stop was Valley Forge. We walked 4-5 miles there because the buses had to leave and the shuttles were not running. Valley Forge was where the army spent the winter and were retrained under Von Steuben. Daddy and Joshua did various talks on the way about important generals and events.

The "Grand Parade" where the men trained

Leaving one of the encampments

Some huts like they lived in

Scotland - Day 7

Yesterday was Sunday. We arrived in Fort William safely Saturday, and we got to sleep in Sunday morning. We walked to one hotel, and a bus was there to take us to the main hotel. There we had a worship service where Mr. Phillips preached from Hebrews 12:1, and talked about the life of Robert Bruce from that.

After church we had a lunch break, and so we got some food from a grocery. After that we got on the buses again to drive to Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland. We had a good time hiking part way up the mountain (in the rain) with the other people on the tour. There were beautiful views of the valley and mountains with the clouds around them.

Then we drove to Glencoe. It is where the famous massacare took place of the McDonalds. We had a short visit there, and walked on a few trails. By this time I was tired of being wet and cold.

Then we drove back to the hotel, and we had to eat quickly so we could hear Charlie Zahm sing the songs of Scotland and America. We got there and heard many songs, including Scotland the Brave, Glencoe, Flower of Scotland, and many more. We finally returned to our apartment to sleep and prepare for the next day.

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Joshua Horn

Scotland -- Day 11

Today was Sunday so we did not go to any historical sights because it was the sabbath. We went hiking in the mountains near Loch Murdoch. Here is a picture we took:
Here is Mommy and Daddy:
Here is Stephen:
The hike was pretty cold and we had some snow flurries.

Scotland - Day 8

One more thing happened for the last day's post. At night we tried to view the videos of the speeches that Daddy and I had done. And then we found out that we got mixed up as to what as stop and what was go on the video camera (who would have thought red means "on" and green means "pause")! All we had was videos of the floors of castles. So we decided to go back to the places that we had messed up. So on the eighth day Daddy and I went back to Stirling Castle to film and Rachel, Stephen and Mommy went to a house near by, Argyl's Lodging. It was built for a nobleman and is within walking distance from the castle. We filmed and then came to meet up with the rest of them. Then we walked past the Church of the Holy Rude, where it was snowing a little bit, to the Old Town Jail. You can see some snowflakes in the picture of the church tower.
The Old Town Jail was built about 150 years ago. Here is a picture of the door to a cell:
This is Daddy in the office of the head of the prison:
There was a machine for the prisoners to use called the crank that they put sand in for the prisoners to do meaningless work. Here is Stephen using it without sand:
They gave us audio tours to listen to. They had them at most of the places we visited. Then we left and walked while Daddy went to get the car. We saw this statue of Rob Roy MacGregor:
Then we went to Bannockburn, the site of another battle. We went to the visitor center. Here are some pictures:
That is supposed to be William Wallace.
Stephen trying on a helmet.
That is the statue of Bruce on the battlefield.

This is what the statue says:

"For God and St. Andrew Robert Bruce King of Scots Planted his Standard Near this Spot When the Scottish patriots under his command vanquished the Army of Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn 24th June 1314"

The quote below is from a covenant that the Scots signed later in 1320 called the Declaration of Arbroath Abbey. It says

"For as long as a hundred of us remain, we will yield in no least way the in English dominion. We fight not for glory, nor for wealth, nor for honor, but for freedom, for that and that alone, which no honest man surrenders but with his life."

The Battle of Bannockburn occurred on June 23 and 24, 1314. It was between Robert Bruce of Scotland and Edward II of England. The Scots had about 8000 men and the English 20,000 trained soldiers. There was a small battle the first day, and then the second day they Scots moved out to attack the English, who were still in their camp.

When the Scots knelt in prayer Edward said, "They pray for mercy!" "For mercy, yes," one of his attendants replied, "But from God, not you. These men will conquer or die."
The Scots ended up destroying the English army, which resulted in Scotland claiming it's independence.

While we were video taping, the camera battery died, so we had to come back the next day.
Then we went to Castle Campbell in Dollar Glen and took a hike because the castle was closed until spring. My feet got tired because it was a very long trail. Here is a picture of Castle Campbell. We hiked up to it, and then down the stream which is in the left side of the picture, then to the bottom of the Glen, and then back up the right side.