Please Talk to Strangers

Taking the Silver Line on the Metro from Tyson's Corner into the city takes thirty minutes, give or take five minutes on either side of that estimate. Because I'm not big on staring at my phone, during my journey into the city Wednesday, I began reviewing some of the zoo photos on my camera. Wonder of wonders, the woman sitting next to me began looking over at them, asking how I was going to use them. Quietly we chatted about photography, geography, and anything else that came to mind, becoming so engaged in our conversation, I nearly missed the Smithsonian station! My son Matthew is a great trip planner, lining up all his activities beforehand. Well, I'm here to tell you that he did not get that skill from me!

Sure, I spend time researching before a trip, but mostly I just wing it. Coming up the stairs of the station, I was confronted with this view looking one way,

and this, the other.

Now what? With no map in hand, I decided to somehow make my way to the Washington Monument. A clay walkway led me to Constitution Avenue and I began walking with no real plan. That is until, walking along the sidewalk here,

I encountered a uniformed woman, with map in hand, giving directions to a couple, nearly as clueless as I. Edging closer, I asked if I could join the conversation. Well, of course you can!! From her we learned there is something called the DC Circulator, a big red bus that comes every ten minutes. The cost? One dollar! We also learned she is a retired Naval officer, now volunteering as a visitor guide. Hallelujah! Crossing the road, with a new map in hand, we waited together for the sight of the big red bus, during which time I learned they are from Pennsylvania, and he is an asphalt contractor. Talk about six degrees of separation, he once bid on a Red Lobster job. Not one of Bruce's, but still....

Taking very comfortable seats, we chatted our way through the Mall area of Washington, DC, ogling all of the sights. Our driver got lost! Not for long, but with construction in the area, she became confused.

Along the way we saw what appeared to be some official cars, along with what surely must have been Secret Service agents near the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Hmmm....

Deciding to go it alone, I got off at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial stop. Walking the short distance, I found my initial sight to be very moving.

That said, I wanted to know more. The yellow shirted folks are the volunteers who are more than happy to answer questions. The woman I chose to approach was full of information, explaining the symbolism of everything. Stuff like the same stone is used for the walkways, as the memorial wall. The wall is polished to be reflective, the roped off grass, the diamonds, and dots, on the actual wall, and more. Her passion really added so much to the experience.

Furthermore, she explained all of the controversy surrounding the wall, including the installation of the Three Servicemen Memorial.

Even more, she insisted I would be very sorry did I not visit the Korean War Memorial. Will do, I replied! Using her excellent directions, I made my way first to the Lincoln Monument, which as most of you know is HUGE.

Just before I got to this space, I passed a stand that intrigued me...

I've since learned it is a charity bringing attention  to both prisoners of wars and missing in action soldiers from all previous wars. I can't imagine how horrible it would be to be a family member of a missing soldier although, in a few moments I will tell a little story about a woman I know who lived with just that.

How many millions of photos that look like this do you think exist in the world?

A bunch, however, these days I believe most of them will have a person or group standing in front because I saw it everywhere!

Honestly, I don't get it. The truth is you can hardly walk around because everywhere you turn people are having their pictures made in front of ______. You fill in the blank! I walked around the outside of the monument, affording a wonderful view of the Mall.

Our son Bill is "stone-crazy," and I couldn't help but think how much he would love seeing these columns.

Very nearby is the excellent Korean War memorial. Walking up, you first see this:

Although the Korean War is not discussed much, I'm so glad it seems as if no expense was spared here. The fine etchings on the wall are incredible.

Here's a closer look:

It was not long before I discovered that indeed the President of South Korea had visited just before I did. Many Koreans were still mingling about and, of course, having their photograph made.

That daisy dress pretty much rocks, doesn't it? Sitting adjacent to a large reflecting pool is this:

Honestly, I could not get over how beautifully done the entire Memorial is.

From there I walked along the path adjacent to the reflecting pool towards the WWII memorial. Want to see something other than a memorial? How about a few ducks?

Okay, now that you've had a nature break, onward. I got no closer than this to the WWI Memorial.

And across the highway, in the distance I saw the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Another time perhaps?

As pictured, a few trees were beginning their annual show! The National World War II Memorial is the newest memorial, opening in 2004. I suspect most Americans have at least one family member who was involved in the conflict that changed the world forever. My father was not a soldier, however, Bruce's Dad was. As well, his Uncle was killed and buried at sea in the Pacific during what I've learned through Matt's ancestry research, was an incredibly horrible battle. As such, I was drawn to this area.

Bruce's Grandma spent, I don't know how much time not knowing what happened to her son Rolla. And then, of course, his body was never recovered. A sea burial.

Not only is it the newest, but I dare say it is perhaps the largest of the memorials? This part is so beautiful.

If you've never seen it in person, here is what you are looking at.

There is both an Atlantic side, and a Pacific side...

I could not help but think how carefree these two boys were as were so many of the thousands of boys who served in WWII at their age.

It is so beautifully done, it is hard not to show more photographs! I'll leave this area with only one more.

This is one of, I think four? The hugging couple over the mailbox!! My, how times have changed.

My helper from the Vietnam Memorial had given me excellent directions on how best to view the White House, as apparently these folk's guide did on their Segway tour of DC.

Just down the street is the new African American Museum, slated to open later in the year, although seems to me as if that is fairly ambitious given the state of the construction. A very handsome building indeed. (shortened name by me)

In this part of the city all the food options seem to limited to, basically glorified hot dog stands, parked along the sides of the road. Do you suppose they still sell much film?

After all my roaming around, I went into the American History museum, beginning my visit in the cafeteria downstairs. As with all the museums, there is so MUCH to discover that I'm typically overwhelmed given my penchant for wanting to read each placard! I decided, with the limited time I had left for exploring, to visit the First Ladies exhibit, and I was not disappointed. In person, Michelle Obama's Inaugural gown is even more beautiful than I thought, and not nearly as yellow as this photo would lead you to believe.

And you should have seen her jewelry! Unbelievable!

Then it was back to the Metro stop and on the train to meet up with Mr. Bruce. Sadly, there was not even one chatty stranger on my journey!

Always indebted to the kindness of strangers,

Gail

P.S. Although this was only about a year ago, I'm reposting this piece after reading yesterday that the paint company, Benjamin Moore, proclaimed Simply White their color of the year for 2016! Cheryle was on this before they were! No wonder I felt no need to find a different white for the fireplace.

Mrs. Peck Goes to the Smithsonian Zoo

You might very well assume that because I ride my bike most days, albeit at a somewhat leisurely pace, that all the walking involved with being a tourist would not present a problem. Well, you know what they say about assumptions don't you?

So, when I saw on the zoo website that despite the Woodley Park exit being labeled as the Metro stop for the zoo, the Cleveland Park exit was preferable for those who are slightly wimpish like myself. Flat from Cleveland Park, uphill all the way from Woodley--which would you choose? As my calves were still aching from the previous days activities, I chose Cleveland Park and am glad that I did. A lovely walk it was.

A smallish little shopping area, followed by what I'm thinking are park grounds with terrific ironwork defining them along the road.

I knew I was getting close when I saw the giant lions at the entrance.

Speaking of lions, I was very keen on seeing them, but what I really wanted to see was the pandas. Well, duh, who doesn't want to see the Giant Pandas while at the zoo? Accompanying Bruce to the area in July 2009, while he was building a Capital Grille in the nearby community of Chevy Chase, I visited the zoo with the express purpose of seeing the them. Well, I did not see them because they were inside staying cool, and can you blame them? Well, this time I was not disappointed, watching one of them during the early part of my visit, and returning later seeing the other panda as well. The new cub, Bei Bei is only on display from a panda cam which may or may not interest you.

Well, let me just tell you, it was great fun watching the bear play with that tube. Guess what? I lied. I went back three times! I so wish I had done a better job on this photo, the focus is on the front tree branch rather than the panda, but it's still cute. Just after I took this, he/she climbed right up into that tree!

Well, there are other animals to see so let's begin with this Fishing cat from Thailand! Can you imagine a cat that swims underwater for long distances?

And then there are elephants, quite a few actually, however, their large area to roam was being repaired so I saw them with their trainers closer to the "Elephant House." A posted schedule of their daily activities includes exercise and training which is what you are seeing here.

As you can imagine, I was very keen on going to the "Bird House", however, refurbishment is ongoing so the birds, without exaggerating, were few and far between. I did see a Red Crested Cardinal that was quite pretty.

Guira Cookoos, very interesting birds,

and a burrowing owl that just stared and stared.

I sure wish it would have done some burrowing! So that pretty much sums up the birds--a big disappointment to be sure.

The kids barnyard area was fairly small, with cute Miniature Donkeys, along with a few cows and goats. Oh yeah, a llama too.

Next stop was the Amazonia exhibit with fascinating fish swimming in huge aquariums, including this gigantic Arapaima.

Furthermore, a 15,000 square feet rainforest habitat includes huge, well as huge as they can grow with a roof over their heads, kapok trees, as well as a Chicle tree!

Watching your step is a good idea in there because it is very wet.

I was delighted to see a Roseate Spoonbill there, but wouldn't it have been neat if I'd seen a monkey?

I will say the shade of pink on this bird was beautiful!

Finally I made my way to the big cat exhibit. The tigers were sleeping in their den, as was the big boy male lion, Luke.

I presume this is one of the females?

I only wish I'd watched this video before visiting! Turns out they have a pride of lions at the zoo!

I'm now inclined to think what I was seeing were some of the young ones, grown much larger than in the video because they are now 1 1/2 years old?

The zoo was getting ready for Halloween festivities with many workers putting up decorations. I now know how they get lights way up in the trees.

It was a good day to visit the zoo, not too hot, not too cold. I only wish I'd seen more birds, the cheetahs (hiding), and that the elephants were roaming around. All minor complaints that are easier to swallow now that I've been able to watch the Giant Pandas in person!

Leaving the zoo, I walked back to the Woodley Park station to make my way back to Tysons Corner. Some hardy folks I talked to were tired, but pressing on to visit Arlington. Not this girl.

We stayed at the Hyatt, located off the plaza I mentioned in my last post. A very sophisticated hotel decorated with neutrals only, well except for the art piece in our room on the 14th floor.

The plaza hosts people exercising, festivals, and there are giant game boards set up, including chess and checkers. Not to mention, ORANGE benches for relaxing.

It is a little difficult to see, but on the tower across from Earls the sign says, Limited Trophy Space Available. That's a new one on me...trophy space. Tysons Corner, or so I've learned, is an extremely wealthy community with a median family income of $131, 717!! In comparison, the median income for a family in Orlando is $56, 634. Of course our taxes are lower, but still. That may explain why there is a Tesla store in the mall!

With actual people in there! I spent very little time there aside from getting a bagel in the mornings at Panera. There are loads of food options including Wasabi, pictured below, which I've just learned has a location in Florida Mall as well.

Sushi in a mall? My, how times have changed.

The zoo in a nutshell, or make that a blog post! Can you stand one more of a Giant Panda?

Of course you can!!! (no earthly idea what the food is!)

Memorials up next,

Gail

A Volcano Erupts

Notwithstanding the chaos that can be a construction site, Bruce generally remains poised and pleasant, a small smile on his face, while others around him are freaking out. That is not to say he too, is not freaking out, but rarely does he let it show. The box kicking incident was inconsistent with his character. His toe nail bed is still black btw.

Now that the restaurant is up and running, all those months of frustration had to finally erupt, happening on Friday at home. I, was not the recipient of anything, however, the people at Fed Ex will not be considering him a client they want to deal with again any time soon!

Here's what happened.....

A new desk chair I'd ordered for Bruce from Crate & Barrel was, according to the email, to be delivered on Friday. Yeah! A treat for Bruce. Checking my email Friday morning I learned it was on the truck to be delivered. Woo hoo! A little after lunch, he asked me to recheck when it might arrive. Much to my chagrin I read that it was already delivered at 10 in the morning. Except that it wasn't.

Where, pray tell was said package? NO ONE knew. My first call to FedEx was answered in the Dominican Republic with a response that they would get back to us within 48 hours. Well, as you can imagine, Bruce was having none of that! HOURS later, after multiple calls, the driver returns to our door around 5:30 PM. Mind you, no one, up to this point, could tell us where the package was. Reading this narrative, two questions probably have come to mind. Did we check all of the front porches of the seven houses in our cul-de-sac? Several times. Why don't they just call the driver? Turns out the drivers are mostly contract workers who work under multiple bosses, most of whom Bruce talked to. Well, realistically, he had some very LOUD conversations with said bosses.

Anyway, the driver arrives, apologizing for leaving it on a neighbor's porch. Asking the driver to stay put until the package was in our possesion, I had B go over to another neighbor's house to get their phone number as no one answered the door when the driver tried to rectify his mistake. If you can imagine, John Utley, whom we have lived across from for TWENTY years claimed it was his policy not to give out phone numbers! Instead he said he would call them. Bruce then knocked on Matt and Lauren's door, and again no answer, in spite of the fact that John said someone was home because the dogs were out. With no response, the driver left. About ten minutes later Matt arrives with package in arms. Apparently Lauren brought it inside and could not be bothered to walk three doors down to check on our availability. The exchange was not as pleasant as you've come to expect from this easy going couple.

The good news is the chair is assembled, comfortable, and Bruce likes it as much as he'd hoped. As well, once the volcano erupted, things settled down, not without damage mind you, but he's once again cool, calm, and collected. :)

Now back to DC! Bruce has been using the Ronald Reagan airport, and when not using the Metro to get to the job, he drives the scenic George Washington Parkway, running alongside the Potomac River. He stopped for a moment to let me have a look for myself.

Very lovely indeed.

My first afternoon I went to a super cool place I found on Trip Advisor...the Newseum. Dedicated to journalism and news photography, was it ever cool. With only a few hours before closing time, I covered a fraction of the place, but I'll show you a few of my favorite exhibits. Beginning with every Pulitzer Prize winning photograph since the awards began in the 1940's.

Sadly the above photograph did not turn out the way I would have liked, however, the image of the escaping immigrant children is worth showing for it's beauty. There are explanations on how the photographer took each image; in this instance, he was laying on top of a MOVING train!

Then there are others, that you had to be in the right place, at the right time, like the one below of the couple on a beach.

It is an incredibly moving image, taken by a photographer who lived within blocks of the beach and heard something was going on. Grabbing his camera, he ran, taking the image of grieving parents as their 19 month old child was washed out to sea. This 9/11 image, shot by a freelance photographer, was developed at a one hour drugstore because his regular lab was unavailable.

He took it at the moment the second plane hit, thinking it was a bomb. Speaking of 9/11, an exhibit of the front page of world wide newspapers is really something, as is a film about the local reporters, including a feature on the first report of the tragedy from a traffic helicopter.

You are seeing the mangled antennae from one of the towers. On the upper right wall is a message from a visitor, penned at a station for remembrances.

An exhibit about the Berlin Wall, with six actual pieces of the wall, is seriously mind boggling.

I learned that although the West side of the wall was covered in graffiti, the East side was constantly being repainted white, all the better to see people trying to escape over it.

Magazine covers from the 60's begin the exhibit about reporting on the Viet Nam war.

As you can see, it is all incredibly well done. On the fifth floor there is a large outdoor patio space with wonderful views of the city, including the Canadian Embassy and the Capital building covered in scaffolding.

Center bike lanes along Pennsylvania Avenue...

The lack of traffic? Columbus Day is taken seriously in our nation's Capital. Barely a soul anywhere as I walked the streets.

Back in the museum, a news satellite is displayed along with a helicopter.

It is crazy hard to imagine how a satellite conveys so much information on a daily basis, or at least it is to me! Another neat display is on Lincoln and the SEVEN editions put out by The New York Herald, the most widely read newspaper of the time, on April 15, 1865. I learned the reason the newspapers look as good-as-new is because they were printed on rag paper, rather than pulp, as is the custom today. Rag paper, it seems, does not yellow or fade.

Howard Buffett, one of Warren's sons, is spending his time and fortune on world hunger solutions. His daughter gave him his first camera and since then it has been an important part of his life. His portraits of hungry people from around the world are striking.

Although the Newseum is not free, unlike most museums in Washington, I can't recommend it enough. I decided that I can see art in other cities, whereas, this one is really unique. As is my wont, I overheard a fellow speaking quite loudly to a couple, and figured he was "somebody."

Pictured above, he is wearing the dark jacket and light pants, I saw this group again in the room with newspapers, beginning with the first ones printed shortly after Guttenburg invented the printing press. I decided to ask him who he is, and it turns out he is "somebody", Shelby Coffey III. The third! Wonder what number I and number II were like? Anyway, he proceeded to tell a funny story about Katherine Graham and Art Buchwald during the Watergate scandal time. I'm dating myself...

Reluctantly, having seen not nearly enough, I made my way back to the Judiciary Square Metro station, which, as you exit on to F Street, a fantastic view of the Building Museum presents itself--- probably right up my alley as well.

The Metro was my friend, once I got the hang of it!

Whew...this is only day one, and you're probably thinking yikes...will all the posts be this long?

Probably,

Gail