Well, one picture. This was at a motel in La Grange, GA. This flower pot was near the entry, and if you were around when the Bethke's lived on 16th street it may be familiar. Mom and Dad had one just like this on the front porch.

On our first day we went to the Norfolk Botanical Garden with Cheryl and Martin. We'd seen many fall colors on our drive, but they were really beautiful in the garden. This tree is an excellent example.

For the past few years we've been following the progress of two bald eagles that nested in the garden for over 6 years. Sadly, last April the mother bird was struck by an airplane and killed. The three eaglets in the nest were more than the male could feed and protect by himself so the Virginia Game and Inland Fishery decided they would be removed and taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia until the were old enough to make it on their own. The outpouring of grief by people from all over the world who'd followed these eagles was amazing. In memory of the mother eagle this statue was placed on a little terrace.

But eagles aren't the only birds in Norfolk Botanical Garden. This is one of a dozen or so geese that walked across our path as we walked from the memorial to the present eagle nesting tree.

The male eagle found another female last fall, and it seems that this nest, the same on used last year, will be used by them for the 2012 breeding season. The nest is 90 feet high in a Loblolly pine. That shinny ball in the lower right is a camera, actually a little higher than the nest. About mid January you can watch it on the WVEC-TV Eagle CAM website.

We noticed that besides the official eagle memorial some of the fans who were able to visit the garden have put together this little memorial around the base of the nest tree.

Next a few pictures of the family. Here's Cheryl and Martin. On Friday evening we went to the German Pantry restaurant to celebrate Martin's birthday. It was a little early, but he would be leaving on a Navy deployment on Saturday. The food and company were great.

And here's Cheryl and Michael. This corner of the living room made a good photo studio. Michael also came to the birthday dinner.

On Sunday afternoon Jackie and I went to see the battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk. This picture is the waterfront area and was taken from the bow of the ship.

After touring exhibits in Nauticus that described the ship we went outside and onto the Wisconsin.

Exploring the ship involved lots of up and down on ladders, the navy term for the steep stairs. This is the rear deck which is often used for large outdoor gatherings. That's the reason for the canopy. Besides this gun turret there are two more facing forward.

As we left Nauticus and the ship I noticed the mermaid sculpture. The sun was just right so I had to take a picture.

On Monday Jackie, Cheryl and I went to Berkeley Plantation, an historic old plantation about 40 miles from Norfolk on the James River. On the way we stopped for lunch at the Courthouse Grille in Charles City, VA. Quaint and old but excellent food.

Cheryl and Jackie in our booth. (But not me, I had to take the picture.)

The main house of the plantation dates back to pre-civil war days. Why did we come here? Remember those young orphaned eaglets I mention earlier? This is where the were released after their rehabilitation at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.

This is the front of the house. Tours are given of the first floor, but the second floor is the residence of the owners.

From the rear of the house gardens and a large lawn lead to the James River. This home was here during the civil war and confederate troops camped on the grounds. Battles were waged around it and there still are cannon balls embedded in the house.

The lawn or field where the young eagles were released stretches all the way to the river . It was open to the public for the release and a thousand or more people showed up. The caretakers at the plantation said it was hectic.

I didn't take many pictures of our motel in Norfolk. It was the Best Western Holiday Sands, located right on Chesapeake Bay. Great view. This picture is a little sitting area with flowers. Another had a fountain/waterfall.

The only 'tourist' thing we visited in Charleston was Fort Sumter National Monument. But the Monument isn't here, it's really on an island about 10 miles east in the mouth of Charleston harbor.

A boat ride takes you to the Fort. It's about a half hour long, depending on the wind. The day we went it was windy and cool. But nonetheless we opted for the upper deck for the great views.

After the boat docks tourists enter the fort for a short explanation by a ranger of how the fort came to be and what part it played in the Civil War. Then we were free to wander around, but just being sure to be back to the boat before it leaves. We were on the last trip of the day.

These are just a few of the cannons used in the fort. They are pulled back from their place in the wall so visitors can get a better look. But some are still in place and still mounted on their carriages.

Six flags flew over Fort Sumter during is existence. The one on the right, the taller flagpole, is our present 50 star flag. Moving left are two U.S. flags that have 33 and 35 stars for when the fort fell to confederate forces and when it was returned to Federal hands. Next are the first and second flags of the confederacy and finally the state flag of South Carolina.

We did get back to the boat in time where I took this final picture. The fort originally was three times this tall but time, weather and battles brought down the upper stories.