Blatant Tourism - Washington DC #258

Really? On a Segway? In front of the White House? Do you have any dignity left?

I don't pretend to be some sophisticated, Beltway-insider. I'm a simple gal from Baltimore. . .Who wisely, steps away from the Segway!

I'm a big enough geek. . .I don't need accessories that confirm it! hahaha

Washington DC #256

Mama Duck decided to nest in a tree planter beside a busy street. Luckily, these little mallards are well kept by the residents of the neighborhood - bird seed, water, and Do Not Disturb signs.

Good luck little ducklings. . .

Washington DC #249

I think a bigger lens would have offered more depth but I'm not sure. The most obnoxious thing about photographing stuff in DC v stuff in Baltimore? PEOPLE!

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing all the folks flock to DC to soak in all the history, art, culture. I love listening to all the different dialects and languages I hear in DC. I appreciate how significant DC is on various levels.

But MUST you mill about continually? MUST you allow your children to spit out gum on monuments and run wild? MUST you speak in the quiet areas of the monuments? MUST you BREAST FEED THERE?

Note Well: Lincoln Memorial should be visited EARLY in the morning before the masses start whipping out teets and you have to endure overhearing phrases like:

Mom to daughters: "Come over here, you should read this. Someday you'll have to memorize it for school."

Yes lady, that's exactly the reason why your daughters should read the Gettysburg address. Gawd forbid you seize a teachable moment, introduce them to a park ranger or otherwise impress upon them the historical significance of this material they may someday have to memorize.

Blatant Tourism - Washington DC #243

Despite all my warm fuzzy good will towards men following the FDR Memorial, there was still a little part of me that wanted one of these fools to fall and chip a tooth!

Washington DC #225

"In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice. . .the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man."

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Washington DC #206

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Washington DC #202

"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."

-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Washington DC #191

Probably the highlight of the visit for C and me was the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Neither of us had any idea it existed!

It's a series of beautiful outdoor water features. There are four "sections" relating to his four terms in office. Each feature is unique. Each feature is segregated from the next so when you turn every corner you are filled with a quiet anticipation, eager to see what lovely surprise awaits.

This is such an amazing way to portray such a difficult time historically for our country. Perhaps the most poignant part of this memorial are the beautiful quotes engraved into the stone, many of which seem especially timely today.

"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith." - FDR

Washington DC #163

We hold these truths to be self evident: That all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (emphasis added)

-Thomas Jefferson

Blatant Tourism - Washington DC #159

Washington DC #184

We got to hear a National Park Services Ranger discuss the monument. We weren't there in time for the beginning of the discussion but we heard part of it.

I make jokes about how geeky we are but these national treasures - our parks - and the information offered are so interesting, almost anyone could enjoy certain aspects.

Try it!

We continued our loop around the tidal basin. WINDY!!!!

Washington DC #169

Our primary target on this trip was the Tidal Basin. We always drive to Greenbelt and get on the Metro there. Tidal Basin is a jaunt on the Green line, transfer to Orange at L'enfant and jump off Orange at the Smithsonian Station. It's about a half mile walk from there.

C moans about the abundant greenery and not so much pinkery. We take a rather windy walk to the Jefferson Memorial. Neither of us had been to this monument.

Cherry Blossom

Not a Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

C&d Go to Washington DC

And are able to get FOUR!!! That's right!!!! FOUR National Park Stamp Cancellations in ONE day!!!

You can keep your geek comments to yourself. We are well aware of our painful reality in this regard.

I can't even get started on the debate about the National Parks Passport. . .Where to stamp? How many to put on one page? Should we use the yearly commemorative sticker sets or not? If we do, how do we use them? What about the parks we visited last year? Do we write in the visits? Surely we don't go back just for a stamp?

Really, I fear for our children. . .

At any rate, despite our close proximity to DC, we don't visit often. We love to visit. We just never seem to make it a priority. So this year we committed to actually seeing the cherry blossoms. Ummmm. . .that didn't work out so well for us as you will see from the pics. There were about 5 trees still blooming.

Still, I consider it a great visit. We both saw monuments we had never visited before. We did get to see some cherry blossoms. Did I mention the National Parks stuff? hahaha. The weather was cool and windy but skies were predominately clear. Good day to do a lot of walking. . .So I got some exercise without even having to force myself to do it!

What is this world coming to?!

Overheard at the Lincoln Memorial by a teenage girl 

"Oh my gawd!  There's his little speech on the wall."

She was gesturing to the Gettysburg address. 

Almond Butter

Should be illegal.  It's that good!!!!

Seriously.

 This Trader Joes brand has three ingredients - all of which I can spell. That's definitely an added bonus.

 Why can't they do this with Doritos dammit?! 

WTF?

Just caught C picking all the peanut butter M&Ms from the candy jar!!!!

I agreed to for better or worse but I certainly sign up for this foolishness!  

I feel like I don't even know this man anymore!

Spider

Also found a spider at Brumbaugh. I love how this picture is kinda' creepy.

Gus Finds a Friend

Spotted at Brumbaugh, Raystown Lake, PA

Following our visit to Trough Creek, we met sister D and her boyfriend and their dog, Gus for a quick look around the area of Raystown Lake called Brumbaugh. It's referred to as Brumbaugh because it's the former Brumbaugh Family property. We found a turtle. Saw lots of red-winged blackbirds. Lots of fishermen. . .Not too much else but this is prime birding habitat early in the mornings.

So Much for Being "Original"! 2

This one is actually pretty cool. What you're seeing are the trees, sun, sky reflected in the water. I can't wait to see this one in print. Maybe I did just marginally better than Katz on this one? :) Maybe. . .not. . .

So Much for Being "Original"!

So I thought it would be neat to take some pics of the trees reflected in this super clear little stream at Trough Creek this past weekend. Just checked out Jon Katz's Bedlam Farm Blog and realized he apparently had the same idea. . .with better results. Doh!

Cemetery Trail - Trough Creek

Found this interesting marker in the cemetery in Trough Creek. We startled some turkey while walking on this trail. Very exciting to see wild turkey. They can be rather elusive.

Fungus (How's that for an appealing Post?)

Found this fungus growing on a tree. It grows perfectly out from the tree at a right angle. I can't wait to play with this image in my new photo editing software.

Trough Creek State Park - PA

The other side of the Balanced Rock.

Trough Creek State Park - PA

The Balanced Rock at Trough Creek

Trough Creek State Park - PA

Saturday morning C and I got up early and headed to a park close to where I grew up. It has some interesting sights and nice hikes - easy to advanced. We spent several hours exploring.

Easter Travels. . .

Made a trip to PA for the holiday weekend. The weather was fantastic!! Did some hiking and birding. Ate a LOT. Spent some really fun time with family. Came home to a puking dog in true HomeEckWreck fashion.