WWII Memorial at night

This is of course the Lincoln Memorial by night











This is the Atlantic side of the WWII memorial looking towards the left at the Washington Monument.

Past Sights Tues, 6/17/08

Me waiting in line at Arlington National Cementary for the Tourmobile's Arlington Section










I know I kinda washed out the sky but this is Arlington House looking up from President Kennedy's grave and the eternal flame.
















This is Capital Hill from the DC by Twilight Tour by Tourmobile. It was beautiful with the sun setting.

Other Art

Don't ask me what happened here - I have no clue - anyway, this is The Adoration of the Magi

The Myrterdom of St. Barthelomew













Saint Sebastian (Megan says he's patron saint of athletes)

Da Vinci Picture

Rooftop Snipers

At the rooftop (I know its kinda hard to see in this picture) but next to the flagpole is 2 figures - well those are the snipers. I saw them clearly with my lens. But these pictures are small to begin with.










Across the street caddy corner to the Washington Monuement - two others. See the black figures on the rooftop. That's how clear they were on the White House roof.






Red armour tank waiting on Marine One - just had to take a picture. 3 more snipers were waiting there which is why we could only wait about 8 minutes before we had to leave. Oh well. Day late and a dollar short. LOL

Marine One & Escorts

"Front Entrance of the White House"
First Segway Tour Stop















I think this is Marine One - not sure as the Seway guide grabbed my camera while I snapped up my Olympus. Will check those out later.











Escorts One and Two flying behind Marine One.

Now I can truly say - I missed GW by THIS MUCH!
ROTFLMAO!

Sorry John (MouseHouseMan) he is intent on avoiding me. Must know I didn't vote for him! ROTFLMAO

DC by Segway, Friday 6/20/08 Part 2

So after the hour in the Space museum, we took the metro to catch up to the Capital Segway Tours. I made reservations yesterday while at Mt Vernon for the 6:30 tour. Their website is www.capital segway.com or (800) 979-3370. I HIGHLY recommend this tour folks. It costs $65 per person but comes with about 1/2 of instruction and then a two hour tour......a two hour tour. Sorry! Couldn't help myself. LOL

So, we get our instruction and then head across the street to get some experience. After that we proceeded to tour the sights of DC. At the end, we were told we did about 7-7 1/2 miles on the Segway. Folks, if you ever get the opportunity to take a tour - bite the bullet and take it - it is extremely fun and in the end time went so fast.

We took the tour past the "front" end of the White House - I'll post a picture of it. Then we went to the "back end" and went around to the front lawn where we were almost treated to a close-up of our friend GW. Seems that the roads were blocked off to which the guides got all excited and said that this usually meant that Marine One was on its way in. After stalling for 8 minutes, we had to leave. But on the way past Constitution Ave, we saw all 3 helicopters - Marine One and the his escorts fly by us. So while I didn't see him land, I did get some awesome shots of Marine One and the escorts. I also got to snap some pictures of the snipers on the roof of the White House and some adjoining rooftops. I'll post those later.

We proceeded to the Smithsonian Castle where we checked out the back end then proceeded up to the steps of Capital Hill where I got that first shot of me and Megan. Folks, this is definitely the way to tour DC. Loads of fun and I want to do it again! LOL

After, we headed to the WWII memorial took some shots and then we hopped a taxi on Constitution Ave to the Metro to West Falls Church. We took a taxi to Chili's as we were both starving and proceeded to pig out. We got back to the room at about 12:15 and we've been dilly dallying around and here it is late again. So with this folks, you get to see my day.

I hope that we get to have our DC DIS meet, Laurie - Mrs. Scooby and I plan on getting together just waiting to hear from some folks. So for now people - its nighty night time for me!

Au Revoir!

DC by Segway, Friday 6/20/08

OK folks, the title should give this away - as does the picture. Ken & Christie, if your reading this, the Segway was AWESOME!!! I so want one so bad. But I'm having a super hard time justifying it. Although I do owe Steve a "good" birthday present and a Father's Day gift..........hhmmmmm, must ponder this a bit. LOL Anyway, here's my day in a nutshell, its late again and I have to get up early as our time in DC is coming to a close.

Got up late, left the hotel by 12:40. Got to West Falls Church by 1 into town and Old Post Office, which by now is becoming like a 2nd home, ate and made our way into the Smithsonian Museum of Art. So as we are being bag checked the guard tells me apologetically that I have to chec my packpack and tripod. I said no problem, in fact, its better for me. So I go to check it in and the guard there tells me that I can't leave anything electronic in there. OK I say grabbing my flash, close-up lens and off I go. I stand in the rotunda taking a picture while Megan tells me that it is a copy of the Pantheon in Rome. She should know, last year she went on the tour that went to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum while we went to the Sistene Chapel. Poor me! ROTFL. Anyway, we proceed into the first chamber where I go about 1/2 into the 3rd room when a guard basically accosts me and VERY RUDELY TELLS ME THAT I CANNOT TAKE FLASH PICTURES. I tell him excuse me? I was told that I could. Then he proceeds to very loudly proclaim that my flash is a professional flash and that I have to remove it. I tried to explain to the guard - very nicely mind you - that I was forced to bring it with me and that they guard up front told me I didn't have a problem with it. He proceeds to embarrass the heck out of me by "speaking rather loudly" and by now everyone in the gallery is looking at me like I did something wrong - WRONG THING TO DO TO ME! I either react one of 2 ways, I get fighting mad and spit back (not literally of course) or I curl up in a ball until I get upset at myself. I tried to again explain to the guy I wasn't a professional but he was having no part of it. He chastises me like I should know better and continues to accuse me of being a professional and explains that he doesn't care what I do but that any flash mounted onto the camera is considered professional and must be removed. By now, EVERYONE has turned around and I felt like they were pointing fingers at me so I turned tail and ran. But not before I grabbed a look at his name badge. I go back to the check-in desk and now I'm fuming. Folks, when I get mad and I can't respond with words, I cry. I was so pissed that I started crying - I know - a big baby, the guard at the desk asked me what was wrong. I told him and he got indignant for me. He then proceeds to call the security supervisor and to make a long story short, both the supervisor and the guard at the check-in desk said they had never heard of this and that any flash is the same as a flash mounted on the camera. The only thing they could not allow was a tripod which I understand. So the supervisor said I could continue. When he asked me if I caught the name of the guard that mistreated me, I gave it to him and he said, I knew it I had a feeling it might be him.

OK so it seems that this guard may have been giving others a hard time. So, I had the supervisor walk me over to the Leanardo Da Vinci Picture which is supposed to be the only Da Vinci picture outside of Europe. I have a picture of it (with flash of course! :-) ) . So I proceed along my merry way. I did notice however that I was constantly being followed - at first I thought it was my imagination but then Megan noticed it too. I understand where they think I might be a professional but folks, I had the audio tour headpiece - I wouldn't be that blatent. Besides, there were other folks out there - specifically a whole tour of Japenese tourists with cameras JUST AS BIG AS MINE and we didn't see them being followed. By the end of the museum, I was looking at it as a game counting the seconds before I was tailed. It was actually funny by then. Here they think I'm going to make or take something and they let the little kid whose father was taking a picture of Daniel in the Lion's Den touch the frame. Megan did notice that one guard told a lady that got too close to back off. When she tried to explain that she just wanted to see the back of the frame, he rudely told her to go home, bring it up on the computer and look at the back of the picture. Then, she said that as I was standing at the Daniel picture, the same guard that accosted me came up to me and several times looked like he wanted to say something to me but backed off when she looked at him. Seems the supervisor must of talked to him.

See folks, this is why Steve says that I'm difficult. Things like this happen to me a lot. I don't go looking for trouble but if I know that I'm in the right and especially if I've followed the rules, I don't let it go. The old adage of speak softly and carry a big stick? Yeah, well, I am at my most dangerous when I get quiet or embarrassed. So this time, while they weren't crocidille tears, they did help my situation.

After this museum, we hightailed it to the Museum of Air and Space to kill 1 hr.

I will continue this on anther blog so it isn't so long as some others I've made.

Oops! I goofed

Well folks looks like I was more tired than I thought last night. Seems I left my $20 tripod a Olive Garden and didn't even notice till now. So on our way into DC via West Falls Church we r doing a quick detour - like 3 minutes to pick it up.

EDITED TO ADD: Looks like our 3 minute detour turned into a 5 minute detour, not sure if the guys was new or just wanted to add $$ to the fare. Either way, we got to West Falls Church. Made into DC just fine.

All Dr Craik,, I promise not to attempt any more pictures can u please stop the antics?

ROTFLMAO!!!
(explanation later)

More Mt Vernon pictures

View from the back porch looking right
Potomac River as your back yard!












View from the back porch looking left
Potomac River as your back yard!








Original Washington burial site.











Final resting burial site -









OK folks, its late and my eyes are closing, stay tuned tomorrow as I get to try my $20 tripod - and for our latest adventure - this one is going to be a good one, keep your fingers crossed that I stay healthy and don't break anything! LOL

Mt Vernon Pictures 6/19/08

Mt Vernon from the gate












Close up of the House -
waiting to enter house











View of the back porch

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Hi folks, well we did it. We returned safe and sound. Not only did we tour Mount Vernon, but we ended up catching a Ghost tour in Alexandria. LOL - it was crazy but we did it. Not only that but on the way, I saw a Ritz Camera and we ducked in there to see if they had a temp tripod so that I can go back to the Lincoln Memorial at night and get my picture I've been so desparately trying for. Well guess what? The store closed at 7 pm, we walked in at 6:40, got a 49 1/2 inch tripod not the best but not the worst either for $20, then when I almost didn't get it in favor or a 41 inch one that was compact for traveling, the store employee came up with a bag that he said I could have since it had been around for years and they needed to get rid of it. So, while not compact, for $20, I wasn't going to complain. Plus if I need to leave it -the money won't put me out.

We bought it and even managed to get to the tour on time. We paid $6 each for an hour long tour which actually went over by 15 minutes. It was fun. Along the way, I saw that Old Town Alexandria seemed to have a large amount of antiques stores and this brought up my dear friend Ken and Christie, seems like the antique bug has bitten me. I asked Megan if she would like to go back, she said yes so if we can find a 1/2 day, I would like to go back and wander the store. Some very interesting stuff. BTW, here's something that was really interesting. The tour guide took us past the house that used to belong to Dr. James Craik. For those that don't know, he was George Washington's personal doctor both in the Army and in life. He attended his death and our guide said that when Washington took ill, the belief at the time was to bleed people since they thought that would put you back in sorts. Well, this doctor, lived in Alexandria, VA. Apparently he had a daughter which he kept purposely behind doors only allowing her out to go to church. She had no friends. In fact, we couldn't walk past the house and take pictures since the town today has put up a restriction and won't allow tourists to walk past as the homeowners claim it makes the spirits in the house restless and chaotic. Well, you all know yours truly, I attempted to take a shot but it started to rain so I put away my big camera and moved on.

Well, all week I have been traveling with a backpack and all week I have been putting my sunglasses in a red case in the side mesh pockets that holds water, not once since I got this packpack have I put those glasses inside - I exchange my glasses to much to be getting in and out of the pockets. Well, after the tour was over, we left on the Old Town Trolley - which is free folks by the way, so if you come, don't bother paying for the bus, look for the old red trolley car and take that down to Fairfax and King St. Well, when we get to the Metro station, I look down and realize after the trolley has taken off that my red glass case is missing. I thought, dang it, I had been putting it down at each stop and I bet you it had fallen out. Megan offered to go back and help me look for them - these were my brand new Ray-Ban dark sunglasses. Well, I was just too tired - here it was 8:30 and I was dead tired after walking all day. I just said forget it. So we get on the Metro. Let me digress by saying that we started our tour in front of the Ramsey House which was one early Scottish Founder of the city of Alexandria. Well, he died and it is said that his ghosts haunts the house because his wife buried him - a celtic - in a cementary of English Episcopalians. So, he tends to haunt the house he lived in, upsetting folks, moving things, etc. Well, back to my story, we finally get on the Blue Metro to Rosslyn and I open my my inside pocked which only contains a scarf I bought for the cold, well, lo and behold, what should appear before my eyes - but the red sunglass class. Megan thought I was joking when I hollered - OH MY GOD! But seriously folks, not sure what to believe as I made a snide comment about missing things in the courtyard of the house. Guess Mr. Ramsy heard me! LOL

OK - its after midnight again and I am just too tired - I will however, post some pictures I took today, I will try and update later but I'm tired - in the meantime, try and figure out where I am! ROTFL!

Mount Vernon

Sent from my iPhone

Finding Mt. Vernon

Ok so you have 2 city chicks navigating DC. Just want to report we made the blue line to the yellow line to the Fairfax connector 101. It is doable folks. Time consuming but doesnle if these city girls can, anyone can. Megan has been reading her book since we left West Falls Church. That's all for now.

More Pictures

Looking at Lincoln Memorial from WWII Memorial













Senate is in session

Vietnam Wall at 11 at night!










Korean War Memorial

Looking at the Lincoln Memorial from Washington Monument and yes folks - we walked this path at least 3 times today. I told you all I was nuts!

GW's House 6/18/08

Me in front of:

GW's House

DC Pictures 6/18/08

Capital Hill











DC rainbow










Sunset on Washington's Monument
World's Largest Free-Standing Building
Looking back at it across from WWII Memorial.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

OK - so today we got an extremely late start - I ended up going to bed around 3 am so I finally got up at 12:30. We got into DC by 3 and jumped on the Tourmobile which we had a 2nd day paid for. We ended up going to see the Vietname Memorial by day, then we walked up the Reflection Pool to the Washington Monument just in time to get caught in a shower. We saw some rainbows, hightailed to the museum which turned out to be closed so we headed back down. The rain decided to stop then and so we headed to the White House. I got the prerequisite picture of me in front fo the GW's house - and then we walked back exploring.

We had dinner at Ollie's Trolleys which had some pretty good dinner. We then spied a Barnes and Noble and of course we had to duck in. Today was quiet except for the fact that we decided to get some of the Lincoln Memorial at night along with the wall, which I didn't see yesterday. I stayed so late trying to get my perfect picture that I counted on getting a taxi to take us to the metro. Well at 11:15 I decided I was done for the night - headed over to the taxi line and VOILA! No taxis to be seen. I didn't panic for the first 5 minutes but after as it was hitting 11:20, I did. I told Megan we would have to hightail it walking back to Foggy Bottom station when I looked back and I saw a life-saving taxi. Let me tell you folks, I was never so relieved to see a taxi as I was at that moment - the monuments was still open but in the back of my head I knew that the metro's "last train" was at midnight. Anyways, the taxi took us to the 13th and G Street metro and kindly waited for us to make it downstairs before he took off - I thought how nice - so of course I tipped him. The first one that has waited for us to get down below. LOL - I like the sound of that.

So here I am back in the room at 1 am and tomorrow I have decided I really want to hit Mount Vernon before the weekend. So I am going to sign off for now and hope you enjoy the pictures!

Later folks!

DC by Night, Tuesday June 17, 2008

Too tired to post maybe tomorrow just wanted to show you what we did tonight. This is the World War II Memoral. May not be as pretty in the daytime but it is awesome at night!

Friends in High Places!

Megan's Future Hubby!

Just another day at the office!

Working hard!

Metro to DC - Monday, June 16, 2008

Well folks, looks like we survived our first Metro trip into DC. It was actually hilarious. Looking back at it, it was relatively easy. I do want to credit Ken and Christie for showing me the ropes on using a subway, I had no clue before last year. They showed me the ropes last year in Barcelona. In addition to that, my good friend Lucy assured me that the Metro in DC was relatively easy. She told me that she manuvered it while on internship here. So with her reassurance, I figured if she can do it alone, surely I can manuever it with my oldest. As you can see from my photo - I made it - this is the exit from the Metro - Smithsonian exit - me on the National Mall down from Washington's Monument.

So we got a late start - what else is new, left the hotel at 10:30, got into a cab and took it to West Falls Church station where we jumped on the Orange line to DC. Our intention was to get off at Gallery Place/Chinatown which was on the Red Line but we discovered once on there that we could take the orange line down to the Smithsonian and be put off right at the National Mall. So that is what we did - we stayed on the Orange, got off and decided to look for a place to eat. Got some info as we had decided to just scout today due to our late start. Got some info on the Old Town Trolley, the on-off bus which loops around the mall and Arlington National Cementary.

We got off and headed up to the surface (always wanted to say that! LOL) only to discover that the National Mall is being readied for the National Folkflore Festival of different cultures. Of course Megan noticed that opening day is our departure date so instead of being a day late and a dollar short, we are leaving a day early - oh well - if its not one thing its another. Also, I have a confession to make, on the way out of the subway I discovered that I had inadvertantly left the battery out of my Canon camera. All I had was the Olympus 770sw which is what served me all day. Well sorta - I took so many pictures of us at the wax museum and the C&P that I wore the battery down.

Well, after figuring out what we were going to do we headed off to the Old Post Office to have some lunch. Turns out that we had been here way back during the American Heritage tour. Its a bit different now though. We had lunch there and Megan ordered a Georgetowm Club and I had the Turkey and Avocado sandwich for me, we hit the bathrooms and on a whim hit the elevator for the view from the tower here. Turns out that it was a great detour. Got some fabulous views from the top - hit the elevator to floor 9, then took another one to floor 12. They have some signs up there that ask people not to touch the wires - those that have been here know what I mean, well, I turn around just in time to see my rebel dd - quietly spreadin the wires with her fingers to take a picture of the Capitol. I scolded her until she told me that the ranger told another person if they only moved it slightly - they could move them - of course that was on the West End of the tower. So, I discreetly did the same at the East end of the tower. Then I did the same at the West End where I got a shot of the Treasury Dept and the tip of the White House. After this, we took the stairs down to the 9th floor and beat a ton of teenagers to the elevators. I tell you, that place was overrun with kids, teenagers on a 10 day trip from Iowa and other parts of the country.

From there, we decided to hike it over a couple of streets - more like couple 100's yards - these blocks I can do anytime! ROTFL - to the Petersen House. Back when I came, the Petersen House - directly across from the Ford Theatre was closed for renovation. This time, its the Ford Theatre closed and they are not scheduled to be done until early 2009. But that ok, I have now seen both. The house takes 5 minutes. For those that can't remember, Lincoln was taken out of the theatre into the street where a boarder (can't remember his name right now) was lounging in the doorway, anyway he told the people carrying Lincoln to bring him into the house where they placed him in a back room. Lincoln was pronounced dead at 7:22 the next morning.

When we got out of the museum - and folks, it took less than 5 minutes, they allow a small number of people in, then they usher you into the rooms/hallway where they do allow flash, then out the back way. We decide to find the International Spy Museum.

Before we did though, we discovered Madame Tussand's Wax Museum and so we did little bit of a diversion and spent a good 1 1/2 hrs here. We had tons of fun as the displays are all hands on and interactive. I thought that all of the Tussands museums were hands on but Megan says that is not true. At the back end of the tour, we sat in the "Oval Office" and managed to snag a couple of pictures which we bought to remember our time in the office. LOL

On the way out, Megan got a bit cheeky with Lincoln that hussy! She sat on his lap! LOL SSSHHH! I won't tell you what I did to Denzel, Will Smith or JD! Must tell Monica that DD claims JD as her future husband, BTW, he's not that tall, rather on the slim side - but that's ok - I like slim! LOL

From here we headed out to the Spy Museum only to decide that there were just too many kids in there - they apparently have summer hours - and they were scheduled to close at 7 at night. So we opted out due to the large number of kids and noice level, they encouraged us to stay and when we asked about the Crime and Punishment Museum, they said that they charged $25 and were not as interesting. Megan told me that she preferred to see the C&P museum as that was better geared to her interest. Its a good thing we walk down - which was another 2 blocks away - small ones - because it was not $25. It was $17.95 for each of us. So we went it - we were told that it was about a 2 hr trip. Yeah - think Gilligan's Island here - for when we entered - we entered into a time warp because by the time DD dragged me out of there - it was 8:45. Yes folks, you read right - it was 8:45. Turns out that we were literally only about 1/2 short block from our original destination - Gallery Place/Chinatown. We started to head back to Vienna but decided to stop at McDee's to eat something just in case we hit the Sheraton too late. I shouldn't have worried. The food was ok but the ride was interesting. We jumped on the Red Line went one stop, got off at Metro Center and jumped on the Orange Line which would take us all the way back to Vienna. It really was rather painless. But I did ask directions as the Metro Centers have several levels. Once, we experienced the center, I feel confident that I can now manuvuer my way around here. You see, before we left, I bought the Frommer's Washington, DC 2008 book, which while totally unnecessary, is definitely worth its weight in gold. I feel so much more confident and their suggestions has saved me lots of time. I ended up getting the 7-day unlimited Metro rail pass which cost $39 pp for 7 days. So for the both of us - it was $78. Add to that the cost of the taxi from the hotel - about $14 ea way its still cheaper than driving a car and having to deal with gas and parking. I definitely can get used to this. I feel like a pro and I've only ridden the metro once. ROTFLMAO. I can't believe I'm giddy for having survived my first metro run. By the end of the evening, Megan was getting comfortable and bringing out her pocket guide of the Metro rails which one can get at the entrances of the stations.

We ended up going to West Falls Church station because the Frommers' book suggested it even though there is a Don Lurring entrance a bit further, the taxi driver recommended we get off here at night as there is always taxi's waiting here while there might not be at Don Luring - its a bit more secluded. So we acquiesed and followed his suggestion.

When we disembarked, we got a very nice, talkative taxi driver to drop us off at the Sheraton. We got to the room about 10:15 which means that the ride back took us about 20 minutes from the 2nd stop. We didn't have to wait very long and there was plenty of company to let us feel safe.

So that is what happened today - we made it safe and sound and tomorrow is another adventure. I believe since no rain is in the forecast, I can bring my camera battery and take better pictures than the ones I got today. We hope to do the on-off bus and I would like to go to the monuments and go and look myself up at the Woman's Service Memorial there. I did it once but only had literally about 10 minutes and didn't get a chance to look around so this time, I would like to explore. Not to mention the others there. So that folks, is the next installment, the day after I would like to take the ferry to Mt Vernon and spend the day there. Sometime before we leave I mean to take a night tour on the river. Missed it on the Seine River so I really want to do it here.

Take care for now folks, we are tired and I have got to take a shower. Ta Ta for now!