Seasons Greetings from DC

We are enjoying DC.  Museums are free, architecture is amazing, parks with fountains and sculpture are many, the metro (subway) takes you all over in minimal time  -what's not to like.  Plus, so many great restaurants.

Larry's work continues at the National Gallery of Art; the huge project is planned for completion in early 2013. 

Pic:  The White House Christmas Tree on the Ellipse.


Kenya was just here for a visit; of course, the eight days flew by, but we managed a trip to New York City to chat and dine with friends and to see the fabulous Rockettes.                                          

Pic:  Eloise Tree designed by Betty Johnson at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan

I loved having her here to explore DC. One highlight was The Washington Ballet Nutcracker.

We wish you all peace and happiness this Holiday Season and throughout the year.

We're in DC!

After three+ days sailing down the Chesapeake and up the Potomac, we arrived in DC Tuesday morning, August 23, just ahead of the earthquake. The docks shook and bounced  and the water was filled with tiny bubbles -like champagne. But that was all. We learned about the hurricane from the radio.

While damage to the area buildings and the Monuments was being assessed from the earthquake, NOAA was forecasting Irene as a Category 1 hurricane. Later changed to a Tropical Storm, Irene brought heavy rain and wind. With Lapidus secured with extra lines and canvass down, we rode out the storm.

Larry began working on the National Gallery of Art project in June.  The exterior wall is 3 by 5 foot, three inch wide marble pieces. In the shop built for the renovation, they are re-gauged, mended, re-anchored, and then  reinstalled. Larry is a foreman and operating equipment in the shop. Smithsonian buildings are considered works of art; you can imagine the directors, architects and project managers all over the place.  

We're in a marina on the Waterfront of the Washington Channel.  We can walk, or take a bus or metro everywhere.  Larry walks about a mile to the job. In Mayo, driving, riding the commuter bus and waiting added up to nearly five hours a day.

No earthquake or hurricane now, just 80 degrees of gorgeous weather.  

It's Spring!

DC's 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival

The weather has been chilly, windy and rainy but we finally had a breezy warm day to enjoy the trees at their peak viewing time.  Hundreds of trees encirle the Tidal Basin; others present a spectacular floral background for the Lincoln and Washington Memorials. 

So..... we made it through the winter while living on a sailboat in Annapolis, Maryland!  Actually, we did just fine.  Our diesel heater warms up the boat quickly; plus we have an electric oil heater and a small electric heater that we use when we don't need the diesel heater.  The weather was cold; infact, it was below average temperature in December, January, February, and March.  We had several snow storms, but our area always seemed to get less snow and ice than everyplace around us, lucky for us.  Our boating neighbors shared stories of 2010's snow storms that left snow boat high on the docks and a snowed in marina.  But this year was nothing close to that, but, again, it was cold and windy and that damp, cold air just cuts right through a person.

When the temperatures fell and taking walks was not fun anymore, we joined a Fitness Center.  Like most people, we have a Love/Hate relationship with the gym.  But we've become regulars in the yoga and pilates classes and like how we feel from doing the practices.  Hanging out on the elliptical and treadmill takes care of that needed aerobic exercise.   Plus, going to the gym got us off the boat, even on the coldest days.  Of course, after we finished at the gym, then we might go to the movies, buy groceries, eat out, etc. Now that the days are warming up, we're walking outside again, still my favorite way to exercise. 

In February, we drove to Oklahoma to celebrate Mom's full life of nearly 89 years.  A vibrant, multi-talented woman, she practiced living each day to its maximum and in her own way.

Left, on Trent's Harley.

Kenya shared these fitting words:  Vegas, Riverboat Casinos, Retail Stores, and Elks Lodges will never be quite as glamorous without her.