July 12

Here are a few more clues about my location...

This country has a large sugar and cocoa industry. 

The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing.

There is a population of approximately 1.2 million people.

One more day of clues tomorrow...Where in the world is Flat Tammy?

July 11

My time to leave Washington D.C. has come.  Enjoy this slide show of some of the things I saw while I was visiting.

Now I am off on my next adventure. 

Today I will begin my journey to an island country that is about the same size as the state of Delaware. This country is birthplace of the steel pan drum and Limbo dance.

Do you know where I am?  Check back tomorrow for some more clues!

July 8

Today I will share with you pictures from the Lincoln Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.

I think the Lincoln Memorial was my favorite place to visit!

This is inscribed above Lincoln: 

"IN THIS TEMPLE
AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION
THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
IS ENSHRINED FOREVER."

Here are a few facts I learned about the Lincoln Memorial:

• They began the construction on the memorial on Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 12, 1915--50 years after he died.
• It took over 7 years to build.
• The sculpture of Abraham Lincoln is 19 feet tall, sitting!  He was a tall man in real life, but not that tall!
• The 36 enormous columns represent each of the states in the Union at the time of the President's death in 1865.
• A picture of the Lincoln Memorial is featured on two pieces of the US currency.  Do you know which?  (Answer below)

I then walked over to the Jefferson Memorial

The design of the Jefferson memorial is similar to Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's home, which was modeled partially after the Pantheon in Rome.

The nineteen foot tall statue of Thomas Jefferson inside the monument was originally cast in plaster, due to metal being rationed because of World War II when the monument was built. Shortly after the war ended, the plaster statue was replaced with the bronze one that stands today.

They began building the memorial in 1939.  The memorial was dedicated in 1943 on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson's birth.

Answer:  A picture of the Lincoln Memorial is featured on the reverse side of the penny and the back of the American five-dollar bill.

July 7

I loved walking around Washington D.C. and seeing all the great monuments!  Here is a map of the National Mall.  There was a lot of walking involved, but it was a nice day so I enjoyed it.

My first stop today was to look at the Washington Monument



• The Washington Monument remains the world's tallest stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk to this day. In addition, the monument stands as the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. rising 555 feet!
• The point at which construction was stopped in 1858 can be identified as the stones used above 152 feet have a darker tone of color when compared to the original ones.
• The Washington Monument is surrounded by flagpoles, each flag representing a flag of the state.
• There are 897 steps to the top...thank goodness there's an elevator!

After the Washington Monument I visited the World War II Memorial.  Here is what I learned about the monument, "The memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S. during World War II, the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war effort from home. Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th Century, the memorial is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world."  For more information visit here.

Tomorrow I will share pictures from two more monuments, these honoring two of our presidents. 

July 6

Well, did you guess that I spent the 4th of July in our nation's capitol?  Washington D.C.

Washington, DC is not a state, nor is it part of any state. It is a unique, "federal district" created specifically to be the seat of government.  If I had told you that yesterday you would have guessed for sure!  Washington, DC covers 68 square miles. It was built on land that was originally part of Maryland and Virginia.

I got to see lots of great things in Washington D.C.  I have enjoyed my time here...I think I will stay for a few more days!

I have visited two important building in Washington D.C. so far. Do you recognize them?

The first picture is of the Capitol Building.  This is the huge building that is in the center of the city.  It is 289 feet high and has 540 rooms!  I was just one of 3.5 million people to visit the Capitol every year!  If you want to learn more about the Capitol Building visit this website.

Of course, the second picture is of me in front of the White House!  Here are a few facts about the White House:

• There are 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 levels to accommodate all the people who live in, work in, and visit the White House. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 7 staircases, and 3 elevators.
• The White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.
• The White House requires 570 gallons of paint to cover its outside surface.

Tomorrow I will be visiting some National Monuments...so be sure to check back!

July 5

I hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day!  I had a fantastic one--spending time in the good 'old U.S.A.  I am happy I was back in the country to celebrate this great holiday!!

So, I've already given you the first clue--I'm in the United States.

Here are a few other clues...

• This place receives an average of 39 inches a year--that's more than Seattle, Washington!
• The motto is  "Justitia Omnibus", which is Latin for "Justice for All".
• The city I am in is divided into four quadrants--Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast.  A huge building marks the center of the city.
• The city is 90 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean and 233 miles from New York City.

Do you know where I am and where I spend the 4th of July?  Check back tomorrow!

One last clue...
Here is its flag

July 1

My final day in beautiful Ireland!

This was an exciting day as I got to go to Waterford Crystal! 

I went a on tour to see how they actually make the crystal!  You can visit here to go on a virtual tour!  Here are a few pictures of me on the tour.

The vase I am standing by costs about $100, but there is a vase here that you could buy for $10,000!  (They wouldn't allow anyone to "stand" next to it!)

After the tour I visited the Black Abbey.  It was established in 1225 as one of the first houses of the Dominican Order in Ireland.

It was a huge and beautiful building!

I didn't just tour building...I got to see this beautiful waterfall before leaving.

Here I am ready to board the plane to leave Ireland...

I had a wonderful time visiting Ireland!!  I am now ready to cross the Atlantic Ocean to my next destination!