We had another beautiful day for cruising from Mattawoman Creek Anchorage to Olverson’s Marina.
We arrived just in time for Happy Hour and their Halloween Party with oysters fried, roasted; chicken …
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27 October 2017 Washington, DC – Mattawoman Creek Anchorage
We cast off our lines from DC today headed for Mattawoman Creek Anchorage. We couldn’t have wished for a more perfect day for cruising.
&nb…
27 October 2017 Washington, DC – Mattawoman Creek Anchorage
We cast off our lines from DC today headed for Mattawoman Creek Anchorage. We couldn’t have wished for a more perfect day for cruising.
&nb…
26 October 2017 Sayonara, Washington, DC!!!
Sadly, today’s our last day here. Our intentions were to spend 2 months –we’d spent a month twice before but needed longer this time. Cruisers don’t have plans—unless they’re cast in dilute Jello—we have intentions. We’ve delayed our departure twice but now, after 3 months, we’ve gotta go. Temps are falling so we’re outa here.
A pretty steeple in Chinatown
Of all the big cities we’ve visited, none has the accidental loveliness, to us, as does D.C. This is a city you can walk across, with wide-open avenues, front porches, old neighborhoods and river views. It was designed by a Parisian, Pierre L’Enfant, and, in some respects, still retains that ‘feeling’. By law, buildings cannot be taller than the width of the street they front, enabling one to always be able to see the sky. There are more than two dozen free museums, so you can absorb culture the way it was meant to be experienced. Take a tour of NPR. Enter the name of a museum on-line and discover lectures, concerts, and classes that each offers. They aren’t publicized so the only way to know what’s happening aside from the obvious is do a few searches and you’ll be quite surprised at what’s available–you just have to hunt.
To get a break from all the history and heritage, we’ve often hopped on our bikes and headed across the Potomac River to Gravelly Point Park off the Mt. Vernon Trail in Virginia. The trail is marked just like a higihway with lines down the middle and is very well used by commuters. They haul on their way to work and home. The park is a grassy knoll known mostly to locals, where you can watch airplanes come in, shockingly close to your head, for a landing just a few hundred feet away at Reagan National Airport.
There is also a walking and biking path that runs along the river, plus a pretty view of Washington.
America does not have many truly impressive Gothic cathedrals, so the National Cathedral is one worth visiting. It is actually an Episcopal church, but Congress has designated it the National House of Prayer. Since 1907, it has been used for state funerals for three presidents, monthly emergency unity services during WWII, presidential prayer services and 9/11 memorial ceremonies. Half-hour tours are held throughout the day. It is striking and pleasantly removed from the rest of official D.C.
National Cathedral
The best way to see most of Washington’s monuments and museums is to stroll down the Mall, a greenway with the Capitol as a focal point at one end and lined with treasures all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.
When “the Smithsonian” is mentioned, many conjure up an image of just one museum but greater DC boasts 20 other sites—enough to thrill any museum buff. The National Museum of Natural History (not to be missed!) is the home of the Hope Diamond along with an insect zoo, an IMAX cinema and a hall full of dinosaurs. There’s even an African elephant in its rotunda. A massive collection of all things American from Abraham Lincoln’s top hat to the Nintendo Game Boy, the National Museum of Natural History has something for everyone from the femme to the fierce.
Just an interesting building I saw in Chinatown.
From an 1855 castle to venues show-casing art, outer space, and culture, the buildings around the National Mall have something for every member of the family.
The Smithsonian Castle
If your head’s in the clouds, the National Air and Space Museum will delight you with its 23 galleries brim-full of aircraft, vehicles and satellites used for space travel.
A stroll through Chinatown
Architecture, history, art, and culture come together at the National Museum of the American Indian. The building’s unique curvature makes it impossible to miss. Sorry for no photo.
The newest museum, just a year old, is the Museum of African American History and Culture. There’s a collection of 37,000 historical artifacts as well as exhibitions on sports, segregation, slavery, music, and so much more. Because it’s so new AND very popular, tickets must be secured far in advance. I failed to do that so when tour busses arrived the day I was there, I just fell in line with those folks and when the tour group leader went down the line doling out tickets, my hand was out stretched and it collected a ticket.
When visiting our nation’s capital, our suggestion is not to visit things that look the same on TV as they do in real life. The White House, for example, is not worth the trouble, sorry to say, having nothing to do with President Trump’s description of it being “a dump”. Look at it from the outside and marvel at the snipers on the roof but keep walking.
The Washington Monument? The best thing about it is its starkness. You will see that from afar all over town. In 24 hours, your time is better spent popping into one of the outstanding museums, strolling through a garden and then inspecting one of the many icons that say more about America than a slab of concrete ever will.
Courtyard of Freer/Sackler Gallery
Today was our last day to do something new or re-visit a favorite. I love the bike path to Georgetown. Riding uphill, I was going through the woods and then…I was in Georgetown! There’s a mystical facet to that.
The Capital Crescent Trail connects DC to its Maryland suburbs. The trail is so lushly wooded that it’s easy to forget the hubbub of our capital lying just over the trees. While pedaling along the Potomac River, glancing over my shoulder provided a beautiful view of the iconic Washington Monument which serves as a reminder of the city’s proximity.
Georgetown is a trendy neighborhood and is where the 7 miles of paved trail ends–or begins–just a few blocks from the Kennedy Center and the infamous Watergate complex.
View of the Potomac from the trail
We’ve ridden the trail on weekends and weekdays. As in cruising, we like to leave the weekends for the gainfully employed and then enjoy the week days when bike paths and the waterways are less crowded. The first few miles are nestled within a national park and tucked between the Potomac and the C and O Canal. The towpath parallels the Capital Crescent before veering off on a journey of 185 miles to Cumberland, MD.
Georgetown Waterfront
It seems there are very few things here without a historical background and this trail is no exception. It traces the route of the former Georgetown Branch of the B and O Railroad which opened in 1910. The train ran for 75 years and carried coal to provide electricity for Georgetown’s streetcars. That coal also powered a steam plant that heated the White House. In preparation for construction of the Lincoln Memorial, these trains also brought in the limestone.
For me, the Dalecarlia Tunnel is the highlight of the trail, especially on a hot day. It’s 340 feet long, built of brick, and on steamy summer days is a total respite to ride through. There are a few cut-outs in the walls for a pedestrian to get out of the way if a train came as they were walking through–from the olden days.
We’re fond of celebrations and it’s fairly easy for us to always find something to celebrate. Today will not be a deviation. There are several things for which to be thankful and the first is that today’s the birthday of our son, Andy. How he got to be 46 years old, I do not know!!! Secondly, today’s the 20th anniversary of our first date. I just can’t believe it’s been that long. Seems like only a year or two ago. And number 3–we’re so thankful for our 3 months in this marvelous city and our proximity to any and everything we might want to see or do. Along with that is thanksgiving for our health and our ability to walk and cycle to every corner of Washington, DC.
Tomorrow we cast off our lines and begin our southern trek by way of Calvert’s Marina in Solomon’s, MD, where we’ll tuck in Kindred Spirit III for several months while we explore land based destinations. Saying goodbye is hard to do!
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
26 October 2017 Sayonara, Washington, DC!!!
Sadly, today’s our last day here. Our intentions were to spend 2 months here. We’d spent a month twice before but needed longer this time. Cruisers don’t have plans—unless they’re cast in dilute Jello—we have intentions. We’ve delayed our departure twice but now, after 3 months, we’ve gotta go. Temps are predicted to fall so we’re outa here.
A pretty steeple in Chinatown
Of all the big cities we’ve visited, none has the accidental loveliness, to us, as does D.C. This is a city you can walk across, with wide-open avenues, front porches, old neighborhoods and river views. It was designed by a Parisian, Pierre L’Enfant, and, in some respects, still retains that ‘feeling’. By law, buildings cannot be taller than the width of the street they front, enabling one to always be able to see the sky. There are more than two dozen free museums, so you can absorb culture the way it was meant to be experienced. Take a tour of NPR. Enter the name of a museum and discover lectures, concerts, and classes that they offer. Not publicized so the only way to know what’s happening aside from the obvious is do a few searches and you’ll be quite surprised at what’s available–you just have to hunt.
To get a break from all the history and heritage, we’ve often hopped on our bikes and headed across the Potomac River to Gravelly Point Park off the Mt. Vernon Trail in Virginia. The trail is marked just like a higihway with lines down the middle and is very well used by commuters. They haul on their way to work and home. It’s a grassy knoll known mostly to locals, where you can watch airplanes come in, shockingly close to your head, for a landing just a few hundred feet away at Reagan National Airport.
There is also a walking and biking path that runs along the river, plus a pretty view of Washington.
America does not have many truly impressive Gothic cathedrals, so the National Cathedral is one worth visiting. It is actually an Episcopal church, but Congress has designated it the National House of Prayer. Since 1907, it has been used for state funerals for three presidents, monthly emergency unity services during WWII, presidential prayer services and 9/11 memorial ceremonies. Half-hour tours are held throughout the day. It is striking and pleasantly removed from the rest of official D.C.
The best way to see most of Washington’s monuments and museums is to stroll down the Mall, a greenway with the Capitol as a focal point at one end and lined with treasures all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.
When “the Smithsonian” is mentioned, many conjure up an image of just one museum but greater DC boasts 20 other sites—enough to thrill any museum buff. The National Museum of American History (not to be missed!) is the home of the Hope Diamond along with an insect zoo, an IMAX cinema and a hall full of dinosaurs. There’s even an African elephant in its rotunda. A massive collection of all things American from Abraham Lincoln’s top hat to the Nintendo Game Boy, the National Museum of Natural History has something for everyone from the femme to the fierce.
From and 1855 castle to venues show-casing art, outer space, and culture, the buildings around the National Mall has something for every member of the family.
The Smithsonian Castle
If your head’s in the clouds, the National Air and Space Museum will delight you with its 23 galleries brim-full of aircraft, vehicles and satellites used for space travel.
A stroll through Chinatown
Architecture, history, art, and culture come together at the National Museum of the American Indian. The building’s unique curvature makes it impossible to miss.
The newest museum, just a year old, is the Museum of African American History and Culture. There’s a collection of 37,000 historical artifacts as well as exhibitions on sports, segregation, slavery, music, and so much more. Because it’s so new AND very popular, tickets must be secured far in advance. I failed to do that so when tour busses arrived the day I was there, I just fell in line with those folks and when the tour group leader went down the line doling out tickets, my hand was out and it collected a ticket.
When visiting our nation’s capital, our suggestion is not to visit things that look the same on TV as they do in real life. The White House, for example, is not worth the trouble, sorry to say, having nothing to do with President Trump’s description of it being “a dump”. Look at it from the outside and marvel at the snipers on the roof but keep walking.
The Washington Monument? The best thing about it is its starkness. You will see that from afar all over town. In 24 hours, your time is better spent popping into one of the outstanding museums, strolling through a garden and then inspecting one of the many icons that say more about America than a slab of concrete ever will.
Courtyard of Freer/Sackler Gallery
Today was our last day to do something new or re-visit a favorite. I love the bike path to Georgetown. Riding uphill, I was going through the woods and then…I was in Georgetown! There’s a mystical facet to that.
The Capital Crescent Trail connects DC to its Maryland suburbs. The trail is so lushly wooded that it’s easy to forget the hubbub of our capital lying just over the trees. While pedaling along the Potomac River, glancing over my shoulder provided a beautiful view of the iconic Washington Monument which serves as a reminder of the city’s proximity.
Georgetown is a trendy neighborhood and is where the 7 miles of paved trail ends–or begins–just a few blocks from the Kennedy Center and the infamous Watergate complex.
View of the Potomac from the trail
We’ve ridden the trail on weekends and weekdays. As in cruising, we like to leave the weekends for the gainfully employed and then enjoy the week days when bike paths and the waterway is less crowded. The first few miles are nestled within a national park and tucked between the Potomac and the C&O Canal. The towpath parallels the Capital Crescent before veering off on a journey of 185 miles to Cumberland, MD.
Georgetown Waterfront
It seems there are very few things here without a historical background and this trail is no exception. It traces the route of the former Georgetown Branch of the B&O Railroad which opened in 1910. The train ran for 75 years and carried coal to provide electricity for Georgetown’s streetcars. That coal also powered a steam plant that heated the White House. In preparation for construction of the Lincoln Memorial, these trains also brought in the limestone.
For me, the Dalecarlia Tunnel is the highlight of the trail, especially on a hot day. It’s 340 feet long, built of brick, and on steamy summer days is a total respite to ride through. There are a few cut-outs in the walls for a pedestrian to get out of the way if a train came as they were walking through–from the olden days.
We’re fond of celebrations and it’s fairly easy for us to always find something to celebrate. Today will not be a deviation. There are several things for which to be thankful and the first is that today’s the birthday of our son, Andy. How he got to be 46 years old, I do not know!!! Secondly, today’s the 20th anniversary of our first date. I just can’t believe it’s been that long. Seems like only a year or two. And number 3–we’re so thankful for our 3 months in this marvelous city and our proximity to any and everything we might want to see or do. Along with that is thanksgiving for our health and our ability to walk and cycle to every corner of Washington, DC.
Tomorrow we cast off our lines and begin our southern trek by way of a Calvert’s Marina in Solomon’s, MD, where we’ll tuck in Kindred Spirit III for several months while we explore land based destinations. Saying goodbye is hard to do!
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
26 October 2017 Another Post Interview; The Capitol Steps, National Archives with Ken Burns, Grand Opening of District Wharf
Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican and Texan, who spent nearly 20 years in the US Senate, is our NATO representative. She was the first female Senator elected to represent Texas. The Washington Post hosted Ambassador Hutchison, for an interview with columnist David Ignatius. The former senator discussed the future of the transatlantic alliance that Donald Trump once called “obsolete” — a position that he has since reversed; she talked about mounting threats from Russia and other countries against Western allies. She addressed her top priorities in the areas of military cooperation, intelligence-gathering and combating terrorism. Bill and I were for fortunate enough to be present for this interview.
A friend who once lived here and is still in the area, suggested we attend a performance of The Capitol Steps. So thankful for her suggestion because we’d never heard of this American political satire group. They began in 1981 at a Christmas party in the office of former Senator Charles Percy. Like most things in Congress, they never knew when to stop. They have released over 40 albums that are primarily song parodies and have appeared on Good Morning America, the Today Show, 20/20, Entertainment Tonight, Nightline, and dozens of times on NPR’s “All Things Considered”. They’ve performed for 5 US Presidents—6 if you include Hillary.
Each performance consists of 1 pianist and 5 performers frantically changing wigs and costumes. Many of the actors have worked on Capitol Hill for both Republicans and Democrats. The current cast has at one time or another infested the offices of 11 US Senators and 7 members of the House of Representatives.
This troupe books shows all over the country but has become a favorite on the DC social circuit. Its political satire brings riotous laughter, rave reviews, guffaws and bipartisan grins all around.
When we arrived here 31 July, major construction projects were underway with crews working shifts around the clock to meet the deadline of 12 October’s Grand Opening of the District Wharf. The 4 day opening was certainly a “grand” event attracting hordes of people interested in the new development of up-scale shops, restaurants, apartments, and condos. This southwest area of DC used to be an area to which you dare not come out of fear for your life but now it is a happening quadrant of the city.
We toured one of the apartment complexes and marveled at the views from their 6th floor terrace although the top floor was the 12th.
Looking south toward Capitol Yacht Club and Gangplank Marina
A pool that looks as if you could swim right off the edge.
The view to the north and in the direction of the iconic seafood market
An assortment of interesting characters were present for the festivities
Each night in the huge rock fire pit, marshmallows, a roasting stick, graham crackers, and chocolate were made available to everyone.
A concert during the Asian Culture Awareness Festival. This musician is describing and explaining a 2 string Chinese violin that she demonstrated.
The Asian ensemble performs for us
Another delightful concert in the American Art Museum by a Chinese pianist,
Ukraine violinist, and British cellist
We visited the National Archives to hear director Ken Burns and see clips and comments from his documentary on Vietnam, now known as the American War. Cokie Roberts moderated the discussion with Ken and Lynn Novick about their PBS documentary series, The Vietnam War, the war that took our sunshine away. The two of them spent 10 years creating this 18 hour documentary still available for viewing.
Everything I do, everywhere I go, and everything I learn in this city just makes me more insatiable as I realize how little I know and how much there is to read and learn. Life’s just not long enough!
We’re on our way to another horizon-broadening experience in Alexandria so more later…as our days here dwindle to a precious few.
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
23 October 2017 Another Post Interview; The Capitol Steps, National Archives with Ken Burns, and Grand Opening of District Wharf
Kay Bailey Hutchison, Republican and Texan, who spent nearly 20 years in the US Senate, is our NATO representative. She was the first female Senator elected to represent Texas. The Washington Post hosted Ambassador Hutchison, for an interview with columnist David Ignatius. The former senator discussed the future of the transatlantic alliance that Donald Trump once called “obsolete” — a position that he has since reversed; she talked about mounting threats from Russia and other countries against Western allies. She addressed her top priorities in the areas of military cooperation, intelligence-gathering and combating terrorism. Bill and I were for fortunate enough to be present for this interview.
A friend who once lived here and is still in the area, suggested we attend a performance of The Capitol Steps. So thankful for her suggestion because we’d never heard of this American political satire group. They began in 1981 at a Christmas party in the office of former Senator Charles Percy. Like most things in Congress, they never knew when to stop. They have released over 40 albums that are primarily song parodies and have appeared on Good Morning America, the Today Show, 20/20, Entertainment Tonight, Nightline, and dozens of times on NPR’s “All Things Considered”. They’ve performed for 5 US Presidents—6 if you include Hillary.
Each performance consists of 1 pianist and 5 performers frantically changing wigs and costumes. Many of the actors have worked on Capitol Hill for both Republicans and Democrats. The current cast has at one time or another infested the offices of 11 US Senators and 7 members of the House of Representatives.
This troupe books shows all over the country but has become a favorite on the DC social circuit. Its political satire brings riotous laughter, rave reviews, guffaws and bipartisan grins all around.
When we arrived here 31 July, major construction projects were underway with crews working shifts around the clock to meet the deadline of 12 October’s Grand Opening of the District Wharf. The 4 day opening was certainly a “grand” event attracting hordes of people interested in the new development of up-scale shops, restaurants, apartments, and condos. This southwest area of DC used to be an area to which you dare not come out of fear for your life but now it is a happening quadrant of the city.
We toured one of the apartment complexes and marveled at the views from their 6th floor terrace although the top floor was the 12th.
Looking south toward Capitol Yacht Club and Gangplank Marina
A pool that looks as if you could swim right off the edge.
The view to the north and in the direction of the iconic seafood market
An assortment of interesting characters were present for the festivities
Each night in the huge rock fire pit, marshmallows, a roasting stick, graham crackers, and chocolate were made available to everyone.
A concert during the Asian Culture Awareness Festival. This musician is describing and explaining a 2 string Chinese violin that she demonstrated.
The Asian ensemble performs for us
Another delightful concert in the American Art Museum by a Chinese pianist,
Ukraine violinist, and British cellist
We visited the National Archives to hear director Ken Burns and see clips and comments from his documentary on Vietnam, now known as the American War. Cokie Roberts moderated the discussion with Ken and Lynn Novick about their PBS documentary series, The Vietnam War. The two of them spent 10 years creating this 18 hour documentary still available for viewing.
Everything I do, everywhere I go, and everything I learn in this city just makes me more insatiable as I realize how little I know and how much there is to read and learn. Life’s just not long enough!
We’re on our way to another horizon-broadening experience in Alexandria so more later…as our days here dwindle to a precious few.
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
19 October 2017 – More D.C Adventures
At our D.C marina, 300 tickets were sold for a charity to those who were curious to see what different types and brands of boats look like on the inside and to ask questions of the owners about living aboard a boat. Many benevolent live-aboards offered to participate (for a worthy cause). Can you imagine all those people traipsing through your home??? When the gates were flung open at 10 AM, I was reminded of The Running of the Bulls so Bill and I (not willing participants) took off in separate directions—he to Arlington Memorial Cemetery for a guided historic walking tour and I went to Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria, VA. This is their annual arts festival and the exhibitors were legion!! The little tents occupied both sides of the street for blocks and blocks. Beautiful and varied art and superb bands of many genres. The day is sunny, clear skies and a gentle little breeze. Another day to store in our memory banks.
The marvelous opportunity has been ours on several occasions to sit in on interviews at The Washington Post and TWP columnist, Kathleen Parker’s interview with former Fox News anchor, Gretchen Carlson, was one of them. This was also to kick off the national tour of Carlson’s new book, “Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back.”
Gretchen spoke candidly about her experience as a leading news anchor who decided to speak out about sexual harassment in the workplace and discuss how that decision – and the response she received – inspired her to advocate for women on issues of discrimination, harassment and equality.
The bottom line–how men treat women and why women allow disrespect and sexual harrassment starts with how we, as parents, role-model and parent our children. Girls need to see the respect that her father has for her mother as well as other women and boys need to be taught by their dads the proper way to treat a woman as he sees the interaction between his dad and mom.
Gretchen has had a one-on-one conversation with her young pre-teen son and daughter about pornography– #1 its degradation of women and #2-what’s depicted isnt a true relationship based on love. She has a very calming demeanor and is a huge proponent of “Me, too.” I’m most eager to read her book.
Got an early start to cycle Capital Hill and explore the H and U Street neighborhoods. We had lunch at the famous Ben’s Original Chile Bowl, A Washington landmark since 1958. Many ‘famous’ people have eaten there and it’s quite an eclectic little dive. Bill loved it and would go back in a skinny minute. I’m glad we went to’ve checked it off our list but it isn’t my “cuisine”.
It was fun to wander the neighborhood and poke around in interesting shops and marvel at many murals in the area.
Difficult to see but above the windows is U.S. Post Office–from long ago.
We were curious to see Meridan Hill Park, now better known as Malcolm X Park. It is/was one of the nicest and least appreciated parks in D.C. Its 12 acres sit on a hill overlooking downtown and the monuments. John Quincy Adams lived in a mansion here after leaving the White House. Today, there are spooky statues and an empty 13 basin concrete aggregate cascading paved route that water once took.
View from the bottom-sadly dry as a bone
View from the top
It is more reminiscent of a neglected European chateau garden than a National Park Service tract. In 1910 when the U.S. government purchased the grounds, they hired landscape architects George Burnap and Horace Peaslee to plan the Italian style garden.We didn’t visit on a Sunday afternoon but for those who do, they can dance to the sounds of the ad hoc drum circle that meets there weekly since the 1950s.
Joan of Arc statue is only equestrian statue of a woman in Washington, D.C.
The significance of this park is its architecture and landscape design, both of which are sadly in need of care and maintenance. It was once a garden fit for an aristocrat. In 1819, John Porter erected a mansion here on Meridian Hill, so called because it was on the exact longitude of the original District of Columbia milestone marker, set down on April 15, 1791. After its conversion to a public park, Union troops encamped on the grounds during the Civil War.
Dante statue
Opportunites are calling so must scoot!
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
19 October 2017 – More D.C Adventures
At our D.C marina, 300 tickets were sold for a charity to those who were curious to see what different types and brands of boats look like on the inside and to ask questions of the owners about living aboard a boat. Many benevolent live-aboards offered to participate (for a worthy cause). Can you imagine all those people traipsing through your home??? When the gates were flung open at 10 AM, I was reminded of The Running of the Bulls so Bill and I (not willing participants) took off in separate directions—he to Arlington Memorial Cemetery for a guided historic walking tour and I went to Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, Alexandria, VA. This is their annual arts festival and the exhibitors were legion!! The little tents occupied both sides of the street for blocks and blocks. Beautiful and varied art and superb bands of many genres. The day is sunny, clear skies and a gentle little breeze. Another day to store in our memory banks.
The marvelous opportunity has been ours on several occasions to sit in on interviews at The Washington Post and TWP columnist, Kathleen Parker’s interview with former Fox News anchor, Gretchen Carlson, was one of them. This was also to kick off the national tour of Carlson’s new book, “Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back.”
Gretchen spoke candidly about her experience as a leading news anchor who decided to speak out about sexual harassment in the workplace and discuss how that decision – and the response she received – inspired her to advocate for women on issues of discrimination, harassment and equality.
The bottom line–how men treat women and why women allow disrespect and sexual harrassment starts with how we, as parents, role-model and parent our children. Girls need to see the respect that her father has for her mother as well as other women and boys need to be taught by their dads the proper way to treat a woman as he sees the interaction between his dad and mom.
Gretchen has had a one-on-one conversation with her young pre-teen son and daughter about pornography– #1 its degradation of women and #2-what’s depicted isnt a true relationship based on love. She has a very calming demeanor and is a huge proponent of “Me, too.” I’m most eager to read her book.
Got an early start to cycle Capital Hill and explore the H and U Street neighborhoods. The icon of U Street is Ben’s Chili Bowl, a family-run, old-school chili-dog joint that opened in 1958 and stuck around when almost nothing else did. That was our lunch stop that day just because it was there and famous. Many ‘famous’ people have eaten there and it’s quite an eclectic little dive. Bill loved it and would go back in a skinny minute. I’m glad we went to’ve checked it off our list but it isn’t my “cuisine”.
It was fun to wander the neighborhood and poke around in interesting shops and marvel at many murals in the area.
Difficult to see but above the windows is U.S. Post Office–from long ago.
We were curious to see Meridan Hill Park, now better known as Malcolm X Park. It is/was one of the nicest and least appreciated parks in D.C. Its 12 acres sit on a hill overlooking downtown and the monuments. John Quincy Adams lived in a mansion here after leaving the White House. Today, there are spooky statues and an empty 13 basin concrete aggregate cascading paved route that water once took.
View from the bottom-sadly dry as a bone
View from the top
It is more reminiscent of a neglected European chateau garden than a National Park Service tract. In 1910 when the U.S. government purchased the grounds, they hired landscape architects George Burnap and Horace Peaslee to plan the Italian style garden.We didn’t visit on a Sunday afternoon but for those who do, they can dance to the sounds of the ad hoc drum circle that meets there weekly since the 1950s.
Joan of Arc statue is only equestrian statue of a woman in Washington, D.C.
The significance of this park is its architecture and landscape design, both of which are sadly in need of care and maintenance. It was once a garden fit for an aristocrat. In 1819, John Porter erected a mansion here on Meridian Hill, so called because it was on the exact longitude of the original District of Columbia milestone marker, set down on April 15, 1791. After its conversion to a public park, Union troops encamped on the grounds during the Civil War.
Dante statue
Opportunites are calling so must scoot!
Bill and Laura
Washington, DC
8 October 2017 Newseum, US Botanic Garden, National Gallery of Art
Our Austin, TX, son, Stephen, came for a long weekend (bike helmet in tow) and every moment was jam-packed being on the move. The Newseum had a special “free” day so we took advantage of that. When there are limitless Smithsonian mu…
