42/52: Delaware

What a time we had back east!

It flew by super fast because we were going non-stop for 3 full days, including visits with family & friends, a trip to the beach, a visit to the cemetery, a hike on the Mason-Dixon Trail, a family crab feed and Brian's 40th High School Reunion.

Enjoy!
Stacy

@ the Stone Balloon, Main Street Newark, DE

This girl loves her Wawa Coffee

Class of 1978

Rehobath Beach, DE

Lunch at Matt's Fish Camp, South Bethany Beach, DE

Smith Bridge, Chadds Ford, PA

The Smith Bridge was built in 1839 as a covered bridge over the Brandywine River just south of the Pennsylvania state line.  It was destroyed in 1961 on Halloween with it was set on fire and rebuilt a time later.

Hiking the Mason Dixon Trail with Cousin Randi outside their back door in Chadds Ford, PA

Eating Maryland Blue Crabs

Brian's Aunt Faye will be 80 in April

Old Photo Friday: Leaving Home

WHO: Kerry and Brian Lee (L-R)
WHAT: Kerry leaving home (he's in the Army now)
WHERE: Newark, DE
WHEN: 1973-74

Brian's brother Kerry has been all over the world in the Army, but this week he's back with his family...visiting his girls in Spokane and his older brother, Ken in Alameda.  This was probably his first trip away from home. 

Enjoy!
Stacy 

Old Photo Friday: Happy Birthday, Brian!

WHO: The Lee Boys (Ken, Brian (center in the buggy) and Kerry, the two in the back are neighborhood kids
WHAT: A nice warm Spring day
WHERE: Newark, DE; looks like the front yard of family home on Tamara Circle
WHEN: May 1961


Happy Birthday, Brian (who turns 52 tomorrow)!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Buster Brown Brian

Who: Brian (one eye of his middle brother Kerry on the right side of picture)
What: First day of school
Where: 109 Tamara - Newark, DE (underneath the side porch next to kitchen door)
When: Fall of 1967. Brian looks to be about 7 - so I am thinking the first day of the first grade

I love the shoes and the pose puts a big smile on my face! What a cutie pie!

Enjoy!
Stacy

EAST COAST SWING- PART 5

Thursday, April 26th:
As Brian previously mentioned in his baseball blog, Thursday was spent in Philadelphia, PA. We headed north from Wilmington mid-morning and walked around historic Philadelphia. Philadelphia's architectural history dates back to Colonial times and has included a wide range of styles, sometimes showcased within a range of several blocks. Most of the city's landmarks in Old City and the Historical District in the Society Hill neighborhood east of Center City, including Independence National Historical Park, site of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. A steady drizzle fell as we walked around Independence Hall and snapped a few photos. Unfortunately, with tickets to see the Phillies we didn’t have time to wait in line to see the Liberty Bell, although it is visible through a large window from the outside of the building. I did, however eat my first “authentic” street cart Philly Cheese steak. YUM!

We drove south back to Citizen’s Bank Park for the 3:05 business person’s special against the Washington Nationals. The Philadelphia Phillies have played in the National League since their inception in 1883.
Although the Phillies are currently the only major-league baseball franchise operating in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Athletics, now based in Oakland after residing in Kansas City from 1955-67, were the club's (generally more successful) cross-town rivals during the first half of the 20th century. They are the oldest continuous one-nickname, one-city franchise in all of American professional sports (although the team briefly used alternate nicknames in some years). The Phillies also have had a long acquaintance with futility. They won their first league title in their 33rd season (1915), and they won their first World Series in their 98th season (1980), the 78th season since the beginning of the modern World Series in 1903, becoming the last of the 16 pre-expansion Major League franchises to win the World Series. In 2007, the franchise will reach the ignominious mark of 10,000 losses. Despite the club's meager overall success, the team has had its share of talent, and currently claims 31 Hall of Famers including, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Richie Ashburn.
Citizens Bank Park (informally called "The Bank") is a 43,647-seat baseball only stadium that opened on April 3, 2004. The ballpark was built to replace the now-demolished Veterans Stadium. Behind center field is Ashburn Alley, named after Phillies great center fielder and Hall of Famer, Richie Ashburn, a walkway featuring restaurants and memorabilia from Phillies history, along with a restaurant/bar and grille called "Harry The K's" named after Hall of Fame broadcaster, Harry Kalas (the Campbell soup commercial guy as well as the voice of NFL Films). It was a chilly afternoon so Brian and I hit the Phillies shop for a long-sleeved shirt and wandered around every inch of the park. Brian really wanted me to walk up to Greg Luzinski in “Bull's BBQ” for an autograph and to reminisce about watching him play for the Eugene Emeralds when I was a little girl – but I was too chicken! Instead, we walked down to field level and watched the last of the Nat’s batting practice and one of the coaches tossed me a ball!

Brian and I had great seats down the 3rd base line and in the upper deck. A great over-all view of the entire field and the city of Philadelphia.

Friday, April 27th :
Our last day on the east coast! Brian, Ann and I drove south into Cecil County, Maryland and had lunch with Brian’s Uncle Paul and Aunt Iggy at Wesley’s in Elkton, MD. Elkton was once known as the “Gretna Green of the West" because of its popularity as a place for eloping couples to marry until a state law was passed in 1938 requiring a 48-hour waiting period. Still, the town maintains several wedding chapels. Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller were married in the Main Street Chapel.

It was nice to meet more of Brian’s family and to talk with Uncle Paul about baseball. Knowing I am a huge baseball fan, he showed up to the restaurant with a Spring Training T-shirt especially for me!

After lunch we took a drive through the countryside and before I knew it, we were in Pennsylvania! I woke up in Deleware - I had lunch in Maryland and ended up in rural Pennsylvania. Sound confussed? Brian's mom, Ann had mentioned growing up in Pennsylvania in a home called "Elbow Lane". I had this idea that it was somewhere in the middle of the state and had no idea that it was so close to Newark, DE. Brian and I really enjoyed seeing the old home and Brian took a couple of really great photos.

A few last minute photos before we left the east coast. Brian's last meal request was a Philly Cheese Steak from Mike's in Newark, DE.

Our hosts, Kerry and Julie Lee

Our last evening at the Lee's.

Brian and I say our goodbyes to Ann.

Our east coast adventure is over. We are looking forward to our next trip to the east coast

Stace

EAST COAST SWING - Part 4

Wednesday, April 25th -

No trip to Newark, DE would be complete without a beer and some nachos at the Deer Park Tavern. It’s located in downtown Newark and was built in 1851 on the land where the remains of the burned down St. Patrick's Inn had resided since 1747.

The St. Patrick’s Inn was said to house famous historical figures such as George Washington and Edgar Allan Poe.

In 1764, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon stayed at the inn with their team of surveyors. A folk account of their stay says that they were a jolly bunch who kept a tame bear for amusement and consumed large portions of peach and apricot brandy. The Mason-Dixon Line was the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland, which became famous as the line of demarcation between free and slave states.

On December 23, 1843, Edgar Allan Poe lectured at the Academy and visited the inn. As he was attempting to emerge from his carriage at the inn, he was reputed to have fallen in the mud and was so upset that he put a curse on the building.

The first railroad line built through Newark in 1869 is close to the building, and helped to escalate the hotel’s popularity. At this time, The Deer Park was considered one of the finest hotels on the east coast. Much history surrounds the Deer Park including rumors that the basement was used as part of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.

Brian, Kerry and I had a few beers and a huge plate of nachos (although I think Brian’s Deer Park “homemade” nachos are much better).

EAST COAST SWING - Part 3

April 24, 2007

My 38th birthday was fabulous! Brian and I hit the road south to Baltimore, an hour away from Wilmington, Delaware, early and arrived at the Inner Harbor – a few blocks from Camden Yards before noon. The Inner Harbor is a historic seaport, tourist attraction and landmark of Baltimore. The harbor itself is actually the end of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River and includes any water west of a line drawn between the National Aquarium and the Rusty Scupper restaurant. The term "Inner Harbor" is used not just for the water but for the surrounding area of the city.

Brian had my birthday lunch all planned. A brief walk around the Inner Harbor first (it was sticky humid) and lunch at Phillip’s Seafood (check out the menu) www.phillipsseafood.com

We each had an amazing Chesapeake Bay Crab Cake with big huge lumps of crab meat. The best crab cake I’ve ever had (and I live in Dungeness crab country).

After lunch we walked over to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It was the first, and thus one of the most highly praised, of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s. It is situated in a picturesque location, at the corner of downtown Baltimore and the Inner Harbor. Camden Yards is just a short walk from Babe Ruth’s birthplace, which is now a museum. Coincidentally, the location of his father's pub was where center field is currently located on the playing field.

Camden Yards is built at the former location of a major rail station; its name derives from the rail yards that were formerly on the site. The view from much of the park is dominated by the former B & O Warehouse behind the right-field wall. The stadium planners incorporated the warehouse into the architecture of the ballpark experience rather than tear it down or shorten it. The warehouse has been hit on the fly only once (by Ken Griffey, Jr. during the home run derby for the 1993 MLB All-Star Game).

At street level, between the stadium and the warehouse, is Eutaw Street. Along this avenue, spectators can get a view of the game or visit the many shops and restaurants that line the thoroughfare, including Boog Powell’s outdoor barbeque stand.

Brian and I walked around and took pictures for 2 hours before the first pitch trying to take in all the nooks and crannies of the park. The first pitch was at 3:05 and we sat in the hot sun 4 rows behind the first base bag - so close I could see the stubble on the face of the first baseman!
Camden Yards has a very intimate feel. I found myself staring at the B & O Warehouse – unable to believe that I was actually there. Still (in my opinion) Camden Yards ranks second to the major league ball parks that I have visited, behind Pittsburgh’s PNC Park which still remains #1.
The game against the Oakland A’s ended too quickly and with the Orioles losing 4-2. Soon Brian and I were back on the road and heading north to Delaware and looking forward to a nice dinner. Brian treated me to a birthday meal at the Iron Mill Brewery, on the banks of the Brandywine River in Wilmington - check out the menu for Wilmington location. www.ironhillbrewery.com (the pan seared scallops and shrimp with crab meat was AWESOME).

We ended the evening back at Kerry and Julie’s who surprised me with a YUMMY ice cream cake! A perfect ending to my perfect birthday! This vacation is going too fast!!

Stace

EAST COAST SWING - Part 2

April 22, 2007

Brian and I left D.C. in the early afternoon on the 22st of April and headed NE into Maryland – going through (or should I say around) Baltimore. One of the first things I noticed while traveling in the car was how “flat” the landscape appeared. Without the coast range or the Cascades, I was unable to tell exactly what direction we were going in!

Another interesting thing about the east coast is the toll fees on the highway. The first toll we encountered was in Baltimore at the Ft. McHenry Tunnel for $2.00.
As we drove north further into Maryland, the next toll we encountered ($5.00) was upon crossing the Susquehanna River Bridge named in honor of Millard E. Tydings, a longtime Congressman and Senator who died in 1961. The bridge, a multi-span girder connecting Havre de Grace, MD with Perryville, MD has to be the SCARIEST bridge I have ever crossed in my life! I made Brian drive in the center lane as I was fairly certain we would go over the edge (although no one ever has according to Brian’s brother, Kerry)!

Just north of the bridge you drive past Aberdeen, MD home to Brian’s hero, Cal Ripkin Jr. who retired from baseball in 2001 and paid for a new stadium in his home town (it’s sits right off the highway).

Another interesting fact about the Delaware Turnpike - On November 15, 1963, just one week before his assassination, President John F. Kennedy opened the 49 miles of the Northeast Expressway and the 11 miles of the Delaware Turnpike at the Delaware-Maryland border. The border is more popularly known as the Mason-Dixon Line.

As we crossed into Delaware (about 2 hours after we left D.C.), we handed over another $3.00 toll fee – making our toll total for the day $10.00. Next stop – Newark (sounds like New Ark), Brian’s hometown.

Meeting Brian’s Mom, Ann was so special. She cooked us a homemade “Sunday” spaghetti dinner along with salad and fresh bread that was YUMM-O! As the sun set, we made our way north to Wilmington, DE to Brian’s brother Kerry and sister-in-law, Julie’s home where we watched Sunday night baseball (it’s starts at 8PM on the east coast) and talked about our D.C. adventures.

April 23rd

Our first full day in Delaware started with an eating adventure – scrapple. Scrapple is a savory (whatever) mush in which cornmeal and flour, often buckwheat flour, are simmered with pork scraps and trimmings, and then formed into a loaf. Small scraps of meat left over from butchering, too small to be used or sold elsewhere, were made into scrapple to avoid waste, a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition.

We picked up Brian’s Mom and headed to the small town of Stanton, DE – home of Mary’s Café for my first (and last) taste of scrapple. When it arrived on my plate, it appeared gray in color - a rectangular crispy slice. Thank goodness for the fried potatoes and eggs, because the “gamey” taste of the scrapple (it’s often spiced with sage and thyme) was not at all good (and I eat everything). I joked to Ann that I would be back to Delaware, but not for the scrapple.

The most poignant part of our day was a visit to Brian’s Dad – Allen K. Lee’s gravesite. Al died in January 2007 after a long illness. He was laid to rest in a beautiful military cemetery outside of Newark – surrounded by poplar trees and lush farmland.

We ran various errands in Newark and took a quick loop around the downtown and University of Delaware area before returning to Kerry and Julie’s in the afternoon for an evening BBQ. Day three of our vacation in the books.

Stace

EAST COAST SWING - PART ONE

It’s hard to believe that we have been home from our trip to D.C./Delaware (and three other states…I counted Virginia on the way to the airport) for over 2 weeks now. We had a wonderful time catching up with family and Brian enjoyed sharing with me the roots of his youth.

Thanks to Alaska Airlines miles, we flew into Washington D.C. on Saturday, April 21st non-stop from Seattle and arrived just after 9PM. As we were walking to baggage claim, in the distance I saw the United States Capitol Building - an awesome sight illuminated in the distance. We retrieved our rental car (from “Little Richard’s” twin brother) and drove to our hotel room which was situated less than a mile from the White House and the National Mall (an open-area national park, it is the site of gardens, museums, national monuments and memorials). Being on “West Coast Time” afforded us the luxury of a D.C. nightcap, which we enjoyed at the Old Ebbets Grill (the best pineapple upside down cake on the planet).

Day One: Sunday, April 22nd – Our first stop - the White House. Lots of school groups and tourist for an early Sunday morning. We had beautiful sun and temps rising steadily. Brian had been to D.C. before, but I was amazed by all the sights. Surprisingly, I thought the White House was rather small. It was built of white-painted sandstone in the late Georgian style of architecture. The North façade of the White House, seen from Pennsylvania Avenue is where a visiting head of state would enter (through the North Portico) for a formal state dinner or event and is also most recognizable on TV (where the reporters all do their evening news report).

We walked around to get a good look at the south lawn and past the Old Executive Office Building, now officially known as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (and formerly as the State, War, and Navy Building) which is located next to the White House. This National Historic Landmark was built between 1871 and 1888. I took a picture of a bed of bright pink tulips in front of the building. The Executive Office Building continues to house various agencies that compose the Executive Office of the President, such as the Office of the Vice President and the National Security Council.

From the White House we started down the National Mall to the National World War II Memorial which was built to honor all Americans who served in the armed forces and on the home front during World War II. It is located at the eastern end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. It opened to the public on April 29, 2004. Brian and I each posed in front of our “states” and I took quite a few photos of the pools and fountains.

Next we walked to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that honors members of the U. S. armed forces who had died in service or are unaccounted for during the Vietnam War. The Memorial currently consists of three separate parts: the Three Soldier’s statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial (which we did not see) and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which is the most recognized part of the memorial. The Memorial Wall was designed by U.S. architect, Maya Lin.

From there it was a short walk to the Lincoln Memorial. The monument is a United States Presidential Memorial built to honor our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. The building is in the form of a Greek temple and contains a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln and inscriptions of two well-known speeches by him. Brian and I read each one with a tear in our eye. The memorial has been the site of many famous speeches, including Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream”. It was amazing to stand on the steps of the monument and look across the reflecting pool and scroll the historical images in your mind.

The temperature was beginning to increase as we walked the length of the reflecting pool and back towards the World War II memorial. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is located directly east of the Lincoln Memorial on the west end of the National Mall. The reflecting pool is approximately 2,029 feet long and 167 feet wide. It has a depth of approximately 18 inches on the sides and 30 inches in the center. It holds approximately 6,750,000 gallons of water.

We continued our journey down the National Mall and to the Washington Monument, a large, white-colored spire at the west end of the mall. It was constructed for our first president, George Washington. The monument is among the world's tallest masonry structures, standing 555 feet, 5⅛ inches in height and made of marble, granite and sandstone. The actual construction of the monument began in 1848 but was not completed until 1884, almost 30 years after the architect's death. This hiatus in construction was because of a lack of funds and the intervention of the American Civil War. A difference in shading of the marble, visible approximately 150 feet up clearly delineates the initial construction from its resumption in 1876.

The sun was high in the sky as Brian and I continued down the National Mall to the U.S. Capitol Reflection Pool, located directly west of the U.S. Capitol Building. The U.S. Capitol is the building that serves as the location for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government and is located on top of Capitol Hill. The building is marked by its central dome above a rotunda and two wings, one for each chamber of Congress: the north wing is the Senate chamber and the south wing is the House of Representatives chamber. Above these chambers are galleries where people can watch the Senate and House of Representatives. Too bad Brian and I didn’t have time for a tour!

Our D.C. tour on foot was complete. Brian and I estimated that we walked at least 5 miles that Sunday morning. I snapped 3 rolls of film and Brian took 2 dozen pictures on our digital camera. We tried to hail a taxi at the Capitol to take us back to the hotel, but managed to make it back on foot by 2PM in time to retrieve the rental car and head north out of the District of Columbia through Maryland to Newark, Delaware - our next stop.

Stace