Earth Day 2012

It was raining the morning of Earth Day.

But I had decided I wanted to go.

There were preparations going on all week.

There was a lot of publicity about it all week. 

There were celebrities scheduled to speak and well known bands were scheduled to play. 

I saw these folks on the way...

and this is what it looked like, downtown DC, at the stage where the speakers and bands were performing:

NASA had a booth, and dozens of other booths. 

The signs that were used in the protest earlier in the day

Everyone got very wet. 

Happy Earth Day! 

Hirshorn Museum

Big man.

a room of color....

Spy Museum

I went to the Spy Museum. 

I had wanted to go to the Bead Museum.  When I got to the address that my GPS had sent me to, it wasn't there.  In its place was a Police Museum.  

So I decided to head to the Spy Museum.  I had a great time.  Spent three hours there. 

They assign you an alias when you go in.  As you learn about the history of spying, the surprising number of people who have been spies throughout history, and the devices that have been used, you are tested to remember your spy identity. 

These are the lessons I learned:

Street shots of buildings

I'm enjoying the architecture I see here daily: the centuries old government buildings, the run down row houses, the new modern artistic designs, and the churches on 16th street (are there 44 churches in four miles, really?).  Sometimes I get caught up in the details, and I feel compelled to record it.

Sometimes I have to snap a picture while I'm driving.  A few of these pictures I took while I was walking, so I had a bit more time. 

A church with a teeny tiny window or the ground has grown up to it...

The row house front yards are also teeny tiny and sometimes have elaborate gardens.

Lincoln Memorial

Three times I tried to see the Lincoln Memorial.  Each time I drove past it.  I couldn't find a place to park.  I would get stuck in traffic, in the wrong lane, and not be able to turn toward it.  Instead, I ended up on a bridge, with no way to turn around.   Finally, the fourth try I got to it.  

I decided to go on a Friday during the day.  I thought the crowds would be less.  Maybe they were.  But there were still a lot of people.  School groups, ladies groups, families...  

There was a middle school orchestra from Las Vegas playing out in front.

I enjoy watching the people.

and looking from a different perspective

  

Southern belles

I love these dresses!
Theses Alabama ladies were in the 100th anniversary cherry blossom parade on Saturday April 14 in Washington DC.
After the parade was over they graciously posed for pictures with attendees.

Long drive

Drove my car from Texas to Washington, DC.  What a long drive!

I left Monday morning at 10 am (had to get my hair done first, at 8 am - thanks Linda!!). 

Heading toward Little Rock, talked to Susie on the phone.  There were little black rain clouds, so I kept the top up.  After I got through Little Rock, there was an emergency notice on the radio for all in the Little Rock area to take shelter immediately.  There was a storm with high winds capable of causing damage.   I was in a town by then that was not on their list. 

A few miles down the road, I got a text message from Allen that there were tornadoes that had touched down in the Dallas area. 

I stopped for dinner in Memphis at a Mexican restaurant.  I didn't know that huevos rancheros could be ruined, but they successfully did that. 

After dinner, I drove for two more hours, then suddenly felt very tired.  I stopped at the first place that had a hotel.   It was an old hotel but it was clean.  I was so tired, my legs were shaking. 

On Tuesday, I got on the road about 8 am.  The storms stayed behind me most of the way. 


I stopped to stretch my legs in Abington, VA.  The rain caught up with me there.  I bought some fig and ginger jam at a country store and got back on the road. 

Saturday errands

Wandered around trying to find a hardware store today.  I needed to repair a few things in my room, shelves, a light for my closet.  I found a hardware store, and found a place to get lunch, but also found a few more interesting things.  I wouldn't have found these if I hadn't got lost!  :)

Church of St. Matthew