A wanderlust into the snows of New England

I love Africa, but I love to travel, a lot.

And some good old fashioned Americana recently appeased the wanderlust in me.

A quick trip to New England to see a best friend who humored me, bringing me to Woodstock, Vermont.

Where it snowed the entire time we visited.  Those (lucky enough?) to know me, know one thing:

Christmas, winter, and snow bring me joy.  Maybe too much joy.  Think the joy of a five year old in a toy store.  That type of joy.

And best friend made it happen.  Gloriously in Vermont, complete with snow sculptures!

Vermont is known for its covered bridges----in all my wandering, I'd actually never seen a covered bridge!

And then the icing on the cake: a beautiful snow covered tree with its Christmas lights still on it.

I think I may have spontaneously combusted from the combination of all things I love and can't find in Africa.

And how adorable is Woodstock?

National Geographic Magazine named Woodstock one of America's Most Picturesque Villages.

It was the perfect solution to my wanderlust.  Thank you, friend.

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Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, United States.

The cemetery is a breathtakingly beautiful yet haunting and sobering experience.  

Men and women who served in several wars, to include the American Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, have been laid to rest here.  Others here also include military chaplains, nurses, Civil War contrabands, and countless memorials to those who never returned.  

The eternal flame marking the final resting place of American President John F. Kennedy and several family members.  

JFK and President William Howard Taft are the only American presidents buried at Arlington.

The cemetery also contains the Tomb of the Unknowns, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and many military memorials as well as ones to those from the Space Shuttle Challenger and the victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

Arlington House--the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his wife.  The half-mast flag indicated there was a funeral the day I visited.

It was a sobering reminder to see the family at the grave, to hear the gun salute, and to feel the chills that 'Taps' evokes as it runs down your spine.

But the budding new life the flowers reminded of the cycle of life...

...while the gravestones reminded of the sacrifices given for the next generation.

For more information on visiting Arlington National Cemetery.

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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

American flags with messages left at the Memorial Wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., United States

The wall lists the servicemen who were either confirmed Killed in Action (KIA) or Missing in Action (MIA) and are listed in chronological order.

  As of May 2011, there are 58,272 names on the wall, including 1,200 who are still MIA, which are denoted with a cross.

When a visitor looks upon the wall, his reflection can be seen simultaneously with the engraved names, 

which is meant to symbolically bring the past and present together.

Here seen with the Washington Monument in the reflection.

For more information on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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An Old Town Smorgasbord

The sunset approaching over the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Every street in Old Town feels so wonderfully full of Americana!

King St.

The Potomac River

An American in Paris and King Street

Christ Church in Old Town

Old Town is full of fantastically bright doors!

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Hints of Americana in Old Town Alexandria

Americana in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, United States

King St, Old Town Alexandria

King St.

How can you not love, love, love Old Town?

Bittersweet Cafe in Old Town Alexandria

More Americana on a bicycle in Old Town

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A Brief Stop in Arizona!

It was lovely to return to the United States and stumble instantly upon a touch of Americana in Phoenix, Arizona

Downtown Phoenix

Love, love this walkway.

Downtown Phoenix.

I want a porch like this--too bad I have never seen anything remotely like this in the African countries I've lived in.  Phoenix, Arizona

A park in Phoenix.

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