More D.C. Trip - Washington Monument

Walked by this on the way to lunch after meeting up with cousin Leo at the Holocaust Museum. Have seen it on all four of my trips to D.C. but have yet to make it inside and up to the top.

More D.C. Trip - More Photos from Mt. Vernon

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Return Trip

Mom and I got home from Washington D.C. at about 4:50 p.m. today. We flew out of Reagan airport early this afternoon.

(Photo 3-27-11)

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Holocaust Museum

This was a difficult experience. Shocking, disturbing, horrifying are just a few words to describe what I saw at this place. When I asked my cousin Leo, who lives in D.C, if he wanted to come with us he said, "Everyone should see the Holocaust Museum once. I've already seen it once and I don't want to be depressed the rest of the week." We ended up meeting for lunch after Pete and I did the tour of the museum.

Particulary

affecting was walking through a room full of shoes of holocaust victims and walking through a train car that had carried people to the camps for extermination. It was set up that you had to walk through these things to continue on the tour.

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Mount Vernon Part 5

From the adventure map given to Abby and Xander:
"More than 300 slaves lived at Mount Vernon and worked in George Washington's Mansion, gardens, outbuildings, and on his outlying farms. Many slaves spent their entire lives at Mount Vernon and are buried not far from the tomb of George Washington. The Slave Memorial was built to pay tribute to the many African Americans who are buried here in unmarked graves. The monument is encircled by the words Faith, Hope and Love."

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Mount Vernon Part 4

From the adventure map that was given to Abby and Xander at Mount Vernon: "George Washington had many cows, sheep, horses, mules and pigs at Mount Vernon. To keep the animals from getting too close to the Mansion, he built a low wall into the hill. It was better than a fence, because you couldn't see it! If you were playing on the lawn and didn't know the wall was there, you might fall off it and everyone would laugh. This may be why these walls, made of brick were called ha-ha walls."

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Mount Vernon Part 3

Baby lambs had recently been born and were really quite beautiful to behold. Abby and Xander found them to be intriguing. We also found some bulls along the way.

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Mount Vernon Part 2

George Washington's house on the estate of Mount Vernon is quite spectacular and must have been quite an operation in it's day. The view of the Potomac from the mansion is really quite something to behold.

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Mount Vernon Part 1

Mom, Pete, Steph, and I loaded Abby and Xander in the car this morning and hauled off to Mount Vernon. I've been there once before a long time ago but it's been about 15 years. It turned out to be a pretty good place to bring kids as there was a lot to see which kept us all moving around a lot. We were also given an adventure map for kids that had something of a treasure hunt of collecting clues to turn in for a prize at the end.

Washington D.C. March 2011 - Arrival

Mom and I flew-in to Washington D.C's Reagan Airport yesterday and were picked up by my sister-in-law Stephanie and nephew Xander.

Remembering Paris 2006 - To Sum It Up

To sum it all up, Paris is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I look forward to returning.

Remembering Paris 2006 - Moulin Rouge

I was terribly intrigued by Moulin Rouge because of the movie. Our time in Paris was short and we never did make it up the hill. Ah well, that's what next time is for...

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - More Notre Dame

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Notre Dame

Notre Dame was a manageable walk from John's apartment.

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Me

Remembering Paris August 2006 - Rooftops

This was the view from John's apartment. I love how the buildings soak up the sunlight.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - John's Courtyard

We stayed at our friend John's apartment while visiting Paris. This is a picture of the courtyard. What looks to be a big sheet is actually an awning.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - Some Building

I think this building housed a museum but I don't remember the name of it. I found it notable because the big tubes outside of it reminded me of Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - Outside the Louvre

I would love to go back to Paris and spend some more time at the Louvre.

Remembering Paris August 2006 -Keith Haring

Triptych by Keith Haring at St. Eustache Cathedral in Paris.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - L'Ecoute

Henri Miller's "L'Ecoute" hand and head statue near St. Eustache Cathedral in Paris.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - Mom and Dale

Dale and Mom at the Louvre.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - Mom and I

It was a joy to bring Mom to Paris.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower - It's one of the most iconic landmarks in the entire world and it was amazing to see it in person.

Remembering Paris August 2006 - The Louvre

Mind boggling how much there was to really see at the Louvre.

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - More Madonna and Child at the Louvre

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Mom and Statue

Mom and statue at the Lourve.

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Madonna and Child at the Louvre

Beautiful.

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Lion at the Louvre

Being a Leo, this guy intrigued me..

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Venus at the Louvre

There was so much to see at the Louvre it was overwhelming. Mom, Dale and I made sure we got to see Venus.

Remembering Paris, August 2006 - Metro Signs

I really liked the design of the Metro signs. Very retro. I also liked the uniformity of many of the buildings like the ones pictured. Their height and style was very similar and they just looked elegant..

Remembering Paris - August 2006

My second nephew, Cashel, was born in Germany in 2006. Dale, Mom, and I went over for the baptism in August of that year. We flew in to Heidelburg and stayed with them for a night but then took a train to Paris the next day for a side trip. We stayed in Paris for a few days at the apartment belonging to John, a friend of ours. One night we stayed at a hotel. Here you see Dale and me looking into the courtyard of the hotel. The hotel was reasonably priced, comfortable, and probably built in the 1600's.

Planning to Visit Pete

Talked to my brother, Pete, last night who told me that he and his wife are going to have a third baby. Exciting! Mom and I are going to visit them at their home in Virginia just outside of Washington D.C. at the end of March. Looking forward to seeing them and their other two wonderful children. Pete asked me what I wanted to go see. I told him I've never been to Monticello.