Like Watkins Glen, NY, we needed a break from work from time to time. Me, on my long weekend ( 4 days off every 28 days ) and Tracey on 3 day weekends usually make for a quick getaway. This trip started out being a trip to Longwood Gardens and to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We knew that we had a spare day if we decided to stay an extra night somewhere, but we kept plenty busy for two days and it was time to go home. We stayed in Talleyville, a suburb of Wilmington, DE at a Courtyard at Marriot - great room rate too, only $59 - half the regular rate cause of a New Year Special. I was glad to see a simple room layout with desk and king-sized bed. The only disappointing think was the wimpy bacon at the $6.95 full breakfast buffet.

What a snow storm we drove in. Over 1.5 inches in less than an hour and me trying to keep Tracey's Caviler up with the other traffic and even groove my own lane in the newly fallen snow. This was the second snow fall in 2 weeks and we still had a foot on the ground.

For lunch we went to a John Carver's Pub and Brewery. They had a dozen stainless steel vats, filled with fermenting ale of all colors and taste. I purposely ordered the NY Strip Steak rare to medium rare and was a little disappointed when it came out more past medium. I order it rare because most places tend to overcook a great steak. I enjoyed it, it wasn't ruined and we didn't have the time to waste on the PERFECT STEAK, so I gobbled it down and we readied our self for the highlight of our trip.

We went to Longwood garden and saw thousands of lit trees, millions of plants in a massive observatory belonging to the Dupont family. I took over 150 photos there alone. 

Walking along Long wood's many trails, near the giant snowflakes hanging from 100 foot tall trees, we met Ted and April who humbly posed for a photo or two. I gave them my Beemaster card and April wrote me back very pleased at the photos I made for them.  She even said that she believed I was telling tales and she was genuinely surprised at seeing the photos I had promised.

It's always nice to meet new people and my digital camera ALWAYS makes it easy to meet inquisitive people. Truth... it works every time. I demonstrated long exposure without flash to about a dozen people while there. It's amazing what a 4 second exposure, with a f8 opening will look like and RIGHT BEFORE THEIR EYES!!! People are amazed that bright color filled images can be captured in near total darkness. Bravo Olympus, I love my camera. Photo Hobbyist Note: the photo at the top of this page was achieved by having the camera outside where it was dry and cold and coming in to an observatory that was warm and moist. Carefully observe your digital images and let the lens naturally adjust to the moister condition. You can shoot several dreamy images using condensation on a lens.

The funniest part about the observatory was that I kept getting chased around the buildings cause I had my tripod with me, which is against the rules in the buildings because of TRIP HAZARDS. Of course, being a dedicated photo-journalist ( heehee ) I needed it because it was night-time and dimly lit everywhere. 

I strongly urge you to ask for the special Tripod Permit ( I kid you not ) at the ticket booth. The elderly volunteer made no such mention to me and she had seen me carrying my tripod. The permit hangs around your neck like a lighthouse on a Dover Cliff. 

Without the tripod all the photos would have been either TOO BLURRY from holding the camera by hand during long exposure OR they would have been TOO DARK if I kept the shutter open only a short time. I will say this, I was NOT going home without lots of photos. So, there was me... Hiding my tripod under my coat and only bringing it out as I needed it. I was able to shoot about  60 photos in the observatory and only got yelled at twice :)

After reading through local tourist booklets the following morning, we decided to go to the Brandywine River Museum and to the Winterthur, which is "One of the Dupont's" 175 room mansion. Next to this mansion was Dupont's private US History Museum which house 30,000 items from 1680  to 1880. 

The Brandywine was a relatively short stop. it was a converted stable and farmhouse turned into a gallery for a local artist from the Area. It held a collection of miniature trains, dolls and some sculptures, besides the collection of painting by Andrew Wieth. 

A short note here: Tracey and I enjoy the relaxed end of museum walking. Many vacations are jammed packed and they often leave you more tired than before the vacation. For a short get-away, nothing beats simple day trips. 

Winterthur took us all afternoon though. The mansion was as large as a really big hotel and the museum next-door was very large too. They also housed the Campbell Soup Tureen collection, a bizarre assembly of soup bowl of every shape and size. We also went on a shuttle tour of the 1200 acre estate. The second and third floors of the Mansion were decorated for Christmas. I took over 80 photos there. Luckily this time it was a photo tour, although I was the only one taking photos.

Below are a few of those images. I will be uploading these images soon and including them in Beemaster's Wallpaper Gallery for everyone to enjoy. All in all, this was an enjoyable two days and we both look forward to a trip this Summer to see Longwood and Winterthur in all it's Seasonal Splendor.

So again, to Ted and April - it was a pleasure meeting you both and I am glad that your photos came out so nice. I knew they would when I shot them and I think it's  wonderful to share those photos with your family and friends. Enjoy your lives together, you two make an attractive looking couple - you both photograph extremely well. And April, my coworkers agree, you have a stunning smile. Take care guys :)