The Osprey is back, this time with a chick. The Osprey has nested successfully on the campsite again this year.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Maryland Animal of the Day
The Osprey is back, this time with a chick. The Osprey has nested successfully on the campsite again this year.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Lincoln Memorial
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Situated at the opposite end of the Mall to the US Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial commemorates one of the US's most famous Presidents. Read more about him and the monument here
Maryland Animal of the Day
Black swallowtail butterfly. A large butterfly with colourful caterpillars
What size am I? - clothing
American clothing sizes are not the same as in the UK. This time there is better news than for shoe sizes as you subtract 2 from your UK dress size so a 12 becomes a 10, a 16 becomes a 14 etc.
In the US in many stores they also have a "junior" size range (odd numbers from 5-15), half sizes and petite ranges. So you should have no difficulty finding a perfect fit.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
What size am I? - shoes
American shoe sizes are not the same as in the UK. For those of us who already have big feet, the news is not good.... You have to add 2.5 to your shoe size so a 5 becomes a 7.5 and an 8 becomes a 10.5. However shoes sizes vary by style so you may need to try a half size smaller or larger to get a good fit.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Whippoorwill Weather forecast
Today (19 July)
High 31 degrees, low 24 degrees, Scattered thunderstorms
Tuesday (travel day)
High 32 degrees, low 25 degrees, scattered thunderstorms
Wednesday
High 30 degrees, low 26 degrees, scattered thunderstorms
Thursday
High 31 degrees, low 25 degrees, isolated thunderstorms
The 10 day weather forecast here suggests that the weather stays hot next week with some thunderstorms but plenty of sunshine
Maryland Animal of the Day
The bullfrog - more likely to be heard than seen. It makes an amazing loud low croak which may sound like "Jug-o-Rum". Try listening to it here
Pinewoods Campsite
This is just one of the sub-camp areas on Camp Whippoorwill. Shaded by trees and with its own fire circle, kitchen, store and sleeping cabins, it will be a great home for us for 10 days in July.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Maryland Animal of the Day
Wood duck. This is the region's most colourful duck. To help increase its numbers, nestboxes have been placed in trees in parks and wild areas.
Juliette Low - founder of the Girl Scouts
While we are in Washington, we can visit a marker which is one amongst more than 20 recognising people who have made a difference to the USA through volunteering. Follow this link to Juliette Low's story which describes her time spent in the United Kingdom and how she was inspired by Girlguiding to start Girl Scouting in America. Juliet Lowe
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Air & Space Museum, Washington DC
This unique visitor attraction on the Mall in Washington is filled with exhibits from the earliest aircraft to lunar landing craft. A must-visit location during our day in Washington.
Follow this link for more information to help us plan our trip Air and Space Museum
Follow this link for more information to help us plan our trip Air and Space Museum
Maryland Animal of the Day
The Mink with its luxurious coat is seen in rivers and on river banks. Can be confused with an otter.
US Naval Academy
This academy which was founded in 1845 offers a 4 year development programme to men and women wishing to serve as officers with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. Based in Annapolis on the banks of the Chespaeake Bay, "Middies" - midshipmen in their white summer uniforms out and about in the city is a familiar sight.
You can join a walking tour of the Academy or see it from the river on a boat trip.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
The Chespeake Bay Bridge
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge (commonly known as the Bay Bridge) is a major dual-span bridge in the U.S. state of Maryland. Spanning the Chesapeake Bay, it connects the state's rural Eastern Shore region with the more urban Western Shore. The original span opened in 1952 and at the time, with a length of 4.3 miles (7 km), was the world's longest continuous over-water steel structure. The parallel span was added in 1973. The bridge is officially named the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge after William Preston Lane, Jr. who, as governor of Maryland, initiated its construction.
We will be crossing the Bay via this bridge at least once during our visit to Maryland.
Maryland Animal of the Day
Eastern Grey Squirrel - the most common squirrel to be seen in the area we are visiting. We spent 6 years trying to keep them off our bird-feeders, largely unsuccessfully.
Friday, 9 July 2010
Baltimore Orioles Latest
Monday 19th report
In the 3rd game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards the Orioles were crushed 10-1 after Escobar hit a Grand Slam in the 2nd innings. Let's hope they are back on winning form next weekend!
Go O's
Why does something marked at $10 not cost you $10?
Because in America, each US state, charges its own sales tax, but unlike VAT in England it is not included in the price on the ticket but gets added at the till when you shop. Not everything has sales tax added (such as foodstuffs) but toys, clothes, postcards and books do.
Maryland sales tax is 6% so something marked at $10.00 will cost you $10.60 at the till and a $50 item will cost you $53.00
In New York you have to pay both a city and state tax which adds up to 8.875%. This makes a $10 item nearly $11
Unfortunately, unlike VAT which can be refunded to tourists when they leave the UK if they have receipts, it is not possible to get a refund of any US sales taxes.
The tax-free limit on bringing things back into the UK which have been bought overseas is £390. Above that level, you must declare them and are liable to pay tax on them on arrival at customs.
Maryland sales tax is 6% so something marked at $10.00 will cost you $10.60 at the till and a $50 item will cost you $53.00
In New York you have to pay both a city and state tax which adds up to 8.875%. This makes a $10 item nearly $11
Unfortunately, unlike VAT which can be refunded to tourists when they leave the UK if they have receipts, it is not possible to get a refund of any US sales taxes.
The tax-free limit on bringing things back into the UK which have been bought overseas is £390. Above that level, you must declare them and are liable to pay tax on them on arrival at customs.
Maryland Animal of the Day
The Cardinal. This bird is a popular choice for Christmas cards in America as they do not have the cheeky little English robin.
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Maryland Animal of the Day
Apparently the best way to get rid of the smell of skunk on your campsite is to pour tomato juice on it.....
The Shenandoah at Harpers Ferry
We start our whitewater rafting trip at Harpers Ferry, a national historic park. Find out more about its history and see some pictures Harpers Ferry.
If time and budget permit, we may visit the village too.
If time and budget permit, we may visit the village too.
Not just the girls and the duck but.....
....Neville is getting very excited about the trip too. Watch out for him appearing on our blog in the future enjoying his trip.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Meet our new friend
This handsome character has been given to us so we can take him on our travels and add to his already impressive facebook story. There are also some fab prizes to be won for the best picture of him so let's see whether he likes whitewater rafting!!!!! the centenary duck
PS. We will need to introduce him/her to Neville. Could be the start of a very interesting relationship
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Monday, 5 July 2010
Weather forecast for Camp Whippoorwill
Today (12 July)
High 31 degrees, low 23 degrees, scattered thunderstorms
Tuesday
High 30 degrees, low 25 degrees, scattered thunderstorms
Wednesday
High 29 degrees, low 26 degrees, scattered thunderstorms
Thursday
High 31 degrees, low 26 degrees, partly cloudy
Maryland Animal of the Day
The raccoon.
If you don't deal with rubbish carefully, they will make a lot of mess!
Sunday, 4 July 2010
Goddard Space Centre
This Maryland NASA centre offers visits and educational programmes to increase understanding of their work and of outer space Goddard Space Centre Visotors Center
Friday, 2 July 2010
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Anne Arundel County
Camp Whippoorwill is situated in Anne Arundel County
The County was named for Anne Arundell, the daughter of Thomas Arundell, 1st Baron Arundell of Wardour, members of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England
To find out more about what there is to do in the area, follow this link:
Anne Arundel Visitor Guide
The County was named for Anne Arundell, the daughter of Thomas Arundell, 1st Baron Arundell of Wardour, members of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England
To find out more about what there is to do in the area, follow this link:
Anne Arundel Visitor Guide
Maryland Animal of the Day
Turkey Vulture - the largest bird you'll see commonly soaring in inland areas
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
3 different Maryland licence plates
3 different number plates to look out for. I wonder how many of the 50 states we can spot on our way to New York?
Monday, 28 June 2010
In 2009, Michelle Obama became National Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Michelle Obama becomes National Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA
“It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts,” said Mrs. Obama. “With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change – in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe.”
Sunday, 27 June 2010
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