We enjoyed the wonderful “May” weather in February by doing family things outside.
Today we went to the Rock Island Arsenal for a tour. We enjoyed the museum. We hadn’t been there since JP was young but he remembered this wall of guns & rifles from America’s whole history. Of course, he remembered. In his blood from early on!
This is where all the DOD targets are printed even today! Isn’t that amazing?
I liked this quote from Mark Twain describing the island… 3 miles x 1/2 a mile. Still the vast stone buildings and a lot of trees. Beautiful!
The National Cemetery
The chimes were playing “God Bless America” while we were there. I enjoy chimes, even the worn & minimal ones.
With all the spring weather, the pussy willow bushes were opening! There were 2 large bushes at the walkway to the Confederate Cemetery.
The Island was a POW camp during the Civil War and in close quarters about 1/3 died from smallpox going through very fast.
Stones 1, 2, & 3 ~ One hundred stones per row.
Confederate cemetery in the bright sunshine.
The Clock Tower
We also walked an artillery park there. The men enjoyed it and I sat on a bench with the sun on my face!
I had suggested another stop at a lock so we could park and look for eagles. I was vetoed.
However, we saw 2 sitting on ice that still remains in some backwater of the Mississippi River. Beautiful!
Afterwards, we took a short walk through Target, had mid-afternoon food at C-fil-A, and headed home. A good 6 hour day out & about and soaking in the warm air & sunshine!
and sew on... 