Pickett's Charge

We are issued our marching orders.

We march in order.

The barn where Pickett stopped (him, not his men - officer's privileges you know).

Same barn through same fence. I couldn't decide if I liked mine (first one) or Emma's (this one) better.

Storm clouds gather overhead...

...and we charge back in time.

Suddenly, out of the blue, this guy joined the charge.

A sword-less Armistead; at least he had the hat.

GloriaElizabeth's and Emma's art combined.

"The Denim Brigade"

...otherwise called "The Girls in Blue" which title I hesitate to use since it does not necessarily portray our sympathies accurately.

The Big Three
(Whoops, I think I got the wrong war.)

Untypical Tourists

Monuments...

...really are not very tempting to photograph or post.

Here's one.

And another one. ;-)

This one is a memorial to Emma's photography.

We must "never forget what they did here."

(By the way, now none of you who went can say you didn't make it on the post. I always knew there was a good reason for group shots.)

What's a historical tour without a bookstore!

Mr. Botsford tries to fit in with the gift shop portraits.

*** *** ***
IV. The Chief Engineer, with the rest of the army, will that evening proceed thence toward York, obtaining provisions for the evening rations from the Quartermaster at a post according to his designation.

We experience Hoss's famous Hoss-pitaltily.

And after that?
VII. The army will withdraw from York to proceed further to the IFRC headquarters and dismount at 9:00 p.m.

And thus the soldiers who were "exhorted to exert the utmost vigilance, steadiness, and integrity during the whole march," ended their journey, weary, footsore, but very much more informed. You see, it was not an expedition for guns or food or even shoes; it was a quest for knowledge. A large part of learning from the past is learning from the mistakes of the past. Even if you fail to remember what general led such and such a regiment at such and such a place at such and such a time, remember this: you must "never forget what they did here."

<><><> <><><> <><><>

In the Lord's Army,
Carmen

An IFRC Hot Dog Roast

Don't skip the introduction...

Before you get to the pictures, you need to first hear who gets the credit for them. All the good ones are Emma's - at least all the really good ones are. :-) Also, thanks to the Botsfords for offering me their pictures. (I think Emma made me ask for hers. jk) Kara and Michaella, a few of your pictures fit into my story lines perfectly, so thanks. And, Emma, your pictures made my story lines for the most part. I didn't take the time to try to figure out who took each picture and watermark them accordingly. After you see a certain section of the post, you may understand why that would have been very difficult. And lastly, since one of the photographers present did not give me his pictures :), I will have to direct you to his post if you want to see them (you will need to scroll down pretty far).

Double, double, oil...

...and trouble...

...fire burn...

...and fryer bubble.

(For those of you who never read Macbeth, that's a Shakespearean paraphrase. :)

And we really did have "toil and trouble" getting the fire and fryer started.

Worth it all for good fellowship.

If I didn't know better, I'd think he has a big family to feed. ;-)

Frankly, this frankfurter has too much mustard.

Kara braves Conrad's precarious bridge. All that is between her and... concrete fifteen feet below, is those thin ropes.

An Invasion of Photographers

A few of us can get away with daylight operations without appearing too suspicious.

A member of the undercover reconnaissance team lurks in the shadows, attempting to capture an image.

From a darkened corner, a teammate covers his moves.

Moving in on their prey...

...while I lurk nearby, ready to shoot if need be.

Other team members review the images imprisoned on the camera card.

See. I told you that I actually let Candace use her own camera sometimes. As you can see, it's off.

Sorry, Dad. You just can't escape us.

(Dad gets tired of seeing photos of photographers, and so this long series was a trial for him. :)

The Mysterious Guest

So, what was the reason for this full-scale invasion of the paparazzi? Why the security? What was their prey?

A cold-blooded predator.

Uncle Dale takes a moment to calm the beast's ferocity.

Chills run up Aaron's spine.

Dad gives a detailed introduction to both his brother Dale and his "pet" ...

...after which, he launches into the first half of Dale's speech. ;-)

Popsicles forgotten.

Question & Answer Time

Question #1: "May I hold the alligator?"

Answer: "Hmm... Well, maybe we could manage that."

It's been managed.

(This visitor wasn't too mysterious to Mrs. Raine. She said she's been at too many reptile shows not to recognize the gray tubs that the reptiles are transported in.)

"Judging from this model, its teeth are pretty sharp..."

"Really...? Now you're telling me."

Abigail sees what she can see of the teeth.

Cousin Jesse came along. I wonder why.

Perhaps to eat our popsicles...

... and drink our punch?

Famous zoologist Mr. Botsford...

...with the two greatest catches of his life.

See you later, alligator...