The San Xavier del Bac Mission - Santa Cruz Valley, Arizona
Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, a Jesuit missionary and explorer, first visted this remote area in 1692. In 1700, he laid the foundations of the first church and named it in honor of St. Francis Xavier.
San Xavier del Bac Mission - Santa Cruz Valley, Arizona
This church was built from 1783 - 1797 by Franciscan Fathers. The wall paintings are all original.
San Xavier del Bac Mission - Santa Cruz Valley, Arizona
This church still functions as a parish church with an affiliated mission school.
Antietam National Battlefield - Sharpsburg, Maryland
The bloodiest one-day battle in American history happened here on September 17, 1862. This battle changed the course of the Civil War. Over 500 cannons particpated in the Battle of Antietam, firing over 50,000 rounds of ammunition. Today Civil War cannons are positioned in the same locations they were during the battle.
Bloody Lane, Antietam - Sharpsberg, Maryland
Behind me is "Bloody Lane" one of the most memorable and tragic events of the battle at Antietam. During the mid-day phase of the battle, the Confederates were ordered to hold this sunken road at all costs. Around one o'clock in the afternoon, Union troops--from New York's "Irish Brigade"--fired down upon them. The slaughter yielded over 5000 bodies which were stacked four and five feet deep.
Lewis and Clark State Historic Site - Hartford, Illinois
This is an exact replica of the 55-foot keel boat used on the Lewis & Clark expedition.
Camp Dubois - Near present-day Hartford, Illinois
On May 14, 1804, the Lewis & Clark expedition embarked on their historic journey near this spot. The mouth of the Missouri river where it meets the Mississippi river looks much as it did then.
Shenandoah National Park - Virginia
The Shenandoah Valley Skyline Drive is a winding road that runs along the crest of this portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains through the length of the Park. Humans first appeared in this area between eight and nine thousand years ago.
Fort McHenry - Baltimore, Maryland
Inside the fort behind the ramparts where the 30' x 42' flag flew which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner."
Fort McHenry - Baltimore, Maryland
Behind me is Fort McHenry. Beyond the ramparts just above the tree you can still see " . . . that star-spangled banner yet wave. . ."
The Star Spangled Banner House - Baltimore, Maryland
Mary Pickersgill made the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the war of 1812 in this house.