DC Trip 2012, part 3

We decided to spend a "cooler" (90 degree) evening at the monuments. 

I know there's a picture of me at Cedar Point - just like this! When I was his age, of course :)

Lincoln Memorial. Everyone else had the same idea.

Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool (again. being renovated)

I think we all look weird in this photo.

Lincoln Memorial

MLK Memorial at night

Roosevelt Memorial (This memorial is impressive. There are sculptures, waterfalls, walkways...)

Jefferson Memorial. It's getting late and we have to go back to the hotel...

This trip was FILLED with excitement. We took Brady to his first ever baseball game - Nationals vs. Giants, with our friends Heather and Aaron who live in Maryland. It was at least 100 degrees. After enjoying a bit of the game, we found an air conditioned conference room (thank you Nationals) where they allowed people to cool down and rehydrate (no pics of this). 

My favorite part of the Nationals' game is the Presidents Race. You can see Teddy on the big screen and also below - running on the field. He is in the lead. Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln are just about to enter. You can see them in the lower left corner, behind #402. Last time we went to the Nationals' game, one of the Presidents clotheslined another for the win. This did not happen this time. It was a clean (boring) race.

1 1/2 min. video of Brady at the ball game

Visiting Museums (not that many because it was July 4 and AGAIN everyone else had the same idea). Just a few pics...

The first ever Washington Monument (1840). I teach about this in one of my classes, too. I HATE this sculpture. It is horrid. Washington as Zeus. 

I do love Nam June Paik (2006)

Later that evening, we went to dinner. Brady had some hummus and whatever else I ordered. He now eats most of my dinners. He was crabby all day! 

Though I can't blame him. He was stuck in the stroller all day. It's time to go home. 

Oh but the waitress is so lovely...

Back at the hotel, he is the life of the party. While I went to the bathroom, somehow this happened. When I returned. He was showing off - clapping, bouncing... and the ladies were all yelling "Brady! Brady!"

We are ready to go home. We planned to drive to Chicago to see my friends Dawn and Nate and their boy, Charley. His first birthday party was Saturday. We didn't make it. It took us too long to get home :( Hopefully we will see them late July!!

On the way home, we drove through Shenandoah National Park

DC Trip 2012, part 2

Continuing our journey in and around DC..

Resting in the hotel

I think this is at Rock Creek Park

Brady LOVING the turtle. Like always.

Driving to Georgetown. There were trees down everywhere from the storm the night before.  Notice the car under the tree? My friends in Maryland didn't have power from Friday to Wednesday - in this 100 degree heat! UGH!

Another tree. The guy smoking a cigarette in the background just shrugged his shoulders. 

Outdoor Starbucks?? It's just temporary while they renovate. This is weird to me, but they gotta make money and people need their Starbucks.

First time Brady's in a booster seat. 

"Hickory Burger" with pulled pork, cole slaw, cheddar cheese...

 At Georgetown, we went to the Old Stone House (simple 18th century dwelling).

The next few photos have an apparition? in the center. I don't understand what this could be besides a ghost or spirit. Yes?? What do you think?

WITH? (Notice the rainbow at the bottom right corner. Maybe this is a clue.)

 Old Stone House WITHOUT an apparition?

Old Stone House WITH an apparition?

ON TO THE ZOO...

Brady' first visit to the zoo. IT WAS HOT!

 I was a little disappointed by this zoo. They were renovating (of course. This always happens to me) and there weren't many animals to see. 

We saw the zebras first.

(pet peeve: if you are going to take a full-length picture of us, could you please not cut off our feet. I find this annoying! I cropped this photo. There was a huge amount of space above the zebras, yet we have no feet.)

Yes, it was HOT, but Brady had a blast.

 2nd trip to the zoo. Just me and Brady :)

DC Trip 2012, part 1

Matt, Brady and I headed for DC last week. On the way there, we stopped at Antietam Battlefield. I am interested in this battlefield (usually I am bored with them...just empty fields to me), because I teach about photography that was taken at Antietam during the Civil War. Here are my photographs...

It was a sweltering 100+ degrees, so we stayed in the van for most of the tour. Except here, where we crossed this bridge (Burnside's Bridge). HOT!

Matt teaching us about about the Civil War...