We've been in D.C. for three days now.It has been a non-stop whirlwind.
The first day was spent getting to our room at the Bloomingdale Inn about a mile from the mall, walking a few blocks to have a late afternoon meal at Wilson's Diner by Howard University and then settling in to regroup.
The next day we were off to explore the Capitol Mall. We spent an hour going to the Metro central to get Smartrip cards for the buses. That turned out to be a waste. It was $10 for two senior cards but then you had to load the cards with value (we each added $5). The cards malfunctioned frequently so we still needed bus fare.
Once we got to the Mall the day was beautiful. We visited museums: Native American, Air and Space, Natural Sciences. Then up to Union Station for a meal then took the 80 bus back to our room.
Saturday we visited the Memorials and White House. Took the 80 bus from our room to the White House then walked the Mall from end to end: Vietnam , Lincoln, Jefferson Memorials, Holocaust Museum, the Capitol, Library of Congress. I believe the Mall is over 5 miles long and the White House and Jefferson Memorial are off the Mall a good distance. We did a lot of walking and our feet felt it. But it was a perfect Spring day - about 80 degrees with an occasional cool breeze.
Put up lots more pics on Flickr.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Amtrak mural NOLA
As we were leaving New Orleans I snapped this picture of this great mural at the Amtrak station. I didn't realize that it had been created by the father of our long time neighbor (and our daughter's high school cohort). She has scans of newspaper reports at the time on her flicker page.
He also worked on the bell tower at the Ursilines Convent.
He also worked on the bell tower at the Ursilines Convent.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Old door French Quarter
Aaaaargh! With intermittent internet access and time spent sight-seeing we are losing ground on updating entries here. Will try to catch up as we can. Meanwhile I have put a pile of pics from Chicago, Memphis, and New Orleans on flickr here.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Makeover
Shopping at the Magnificent Mile we walked through Neiman Marcus and 85 year old Selma had me in the chair at the Orlane counter for a makeover. She was so darling and fun. I left with a new face, an N.M. credit card and a very expensive beauty product.
I knew all her tactics and still couldn't resist.
I knew all her tactics and still couldn't resist.
Art Institute
This was a fantastic museum. They had just completed a new wing and admission was free. Huge crowds to see the new exhibits we saw just a portion -- Monet, Manet, Miro, Redon, Gauguin, Picasso and much much more.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Barrington street
Barrington is beautiful little village. Joyce thought it reminded her of Ashland Oregon. (Without the surrounding mountains,)
With Aunt Sue a nd Uncle Herb
Sue is my Mom's youngest sister. When our family moved out West we lost touch with the rest of the family. I got a phone number from my step father and gave it a try. I was great to be able to reconnect,
Sue and Herb were charming and gracious, They met us near this old church that my family attended when I was a child. They took us to a nice lunch and then showed us how to get to this church and one of the homes we lived in back in the mid '40s.
A very nice visit!
Sue and Herb were charming and gracious, They met us near this old church that my family attended when I was a child. They took us to a nice lunch and then showed us how to get to this church and one of the homes we lived in back in the mid '40s.
A very nice visit!
Blake Hotel room
Wow--this hotel is great. It is in the heart of the Printer's Row district in the old Morton Salt building from the 30's. As one Chicagoan told us at dinner--"You are in a really cool part of Chicago". Everyone we have met and dealt with has been so friendly and not in a fake way, People start conversations on the 6 floor elevator ride. By the time you reach the lobby you are cracking jokes.
It's great to sleep in a king size bed with down pillows and and comfy mattress.
It's great to sleep in a king size bed with down pillows and and comfy mattress.
Train Ottumwa Iowa
After Jerry took this pic he walked back to re-board while I continued taking photos. I didn't hear the last call and nearly got left. Oops!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
We are here in Chicago. I'm posting a few pics from our 2nd day on the train (may not all be in order). Today we are going out to visit my Aunt Sue who still lives near where I did until I was in first grade. I haven't seen her since 1954. We are really excited to see her after all these years.
We had no WiFi for three days so the pics are a little behind where we are. Will try to catch up soon.
We had no WiFi for three days so the pics are a little behind where we are. Will try to catch up soon.
Rockies
These rock formations were incredible and I missed taking pictures of some of the best. Some looked like faceless Egyptian statues and others (like 3 huge round boulders stacked one upon the other) gave the impression that some giant had been playing along the cliffs. Rockies
Originally uploaded by jnj.brown
Upper Berth Instructions
You had to be an acrobat to get into the upper birth. I thought I would be able to watch the night time desert stars. It was more like sleeping in a tanning bed with the lid closed.
Once you're strapped in you sleep like a baby.
Once you're strapped in you sleep like a baby.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
E B Barnes MrB
Mr B rules the dining car. He takes all the orders , serves all the drinks and food to 40 people per seating. He takes no prisoners. You better know what you want when he gets to you. He carries trays of food on a rocking train and never misses a beat.
Dining Car
All our meals were -um- OK. Kind of like airline food. I'm saving myself for New Orleans. Each meal you are seated with whomever as there are 4 people to a table. That has been interesting/boring and sometimes downright delightful.
Hmmmm
We love our little cozy capsule of a "roomette". although it is minus the basin and toilet that was promised. Just as well because it is so tiny that I would feel like I was peeing in the arm rest. It is nice to put your feet up and watch the world go by.
Joyce a Jerry Day 1
Well here we are about to embark on our adventure or as Jeannie calls it "Jerry and Joyce's Big Adventure".
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Packed up and bound to go.
(Please ignore typos. Still getting used to this tiny and super sensitive keyboard.)
image borrowed from Google images
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Eden in backyard
Our grand daughter Eden had her 11th birthday Thurs. Here she is posing by the backyard table.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Backyard herb garden
The stepping stones wind in a spiral. There is a small fountain in the terracotta pot.
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