Actually, I arrived back home on sunday night and am now just getting round to posting. You know how it is when you've left your family (MEN AND BOYS..MALES of the species..)for a week and what it's like to come home to...
I did have a wonderful trip. PERFECT weather for driving. It was sunny, leaves just turning on the way up. On the way back they were even MORE beautiful, though not quite at peak, that is okay for me.
I arrived in Bethesda on tuesday afternoon, about 1/2 hour after my dad arrived, so he got all the checking in done at the hotel :c) How is that for good timing? I really enjoyed Bethesda. It is lively, busy, and very diversified! There are more restaurants than anyone could ever explore in a week's time...but suffice it to say that we ate out at a different 'nationality' every night! FUN!
We met up with Tonya on wednesday morning and we all toodled in to the smithsonian area of DC. If you aren't familiar with the Metro, and without a guide...I think it is easy to get turned around, you might have the right train, but going the wrong way! And then have to figure out how to get to the other side of the platform, do you go under? Or up and over? And having to put MORE money on your little ticket (exit fare) so you can actually get OUT of the Metro? Oh yes...it was fun for all, but by the time we were done, we had it down pat!
We toured the natural history museum. My fave was the dinosaur exibit. That always amazed me...SO BIG....and extinct. I remember being afraid as a child that something could happen to make me extinct too...pretty deep thinking for an 8 year old. And sometimes I still wonder. :c)
We also toured the Air and Space museum, which was also a big hit for school field trips! It is fun to people watch. So many nationalities and walks of life. I was so amazed at comparing how far things went...from the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk in 1904, to on the MOON in the 60's. in a period of 60 years, all that happened. It really is amazing. This pic is one Tonya took of me and my dad inside the air and space museum...see the big rocket behind us? :c)
Thursday we spent all day at the Holocaust museum. My dad is a big history buff, and he had to read every little display, watch every film, after lunch, Tonya went on home (I don't blame her! *LOL*) and I toodled with Dad while he explored everything. It really does make an impact. Especially with what is going on in the world today. That was a completely insane episode in history, and hopefully thanks to things like the holocaust museum, it won't happen again.
Friday we took a bus tour from 10am til after 4pm and saw ALL the monuments. It was a beautiful day to be out, a bit chilly, but a light jacket and all was well. There was no better way to get all these in. And since Dad is moving slower, being on a bus was GREAT for him.
Saturday morning Dad left to continue is motorcyle trip around ther perimiter of the US....and I headed over to Tonyas to play with fabrics...and kitties! I brought some show and tell, we played with that..discussed how we were going to quilt one of her quilts, and then we headed out for lunch, and then to do some quilt shop hopping! I actually BOUGHT fabric. But it was stuff I needed, including a 2 yrd piece of a fabulous black with colored squiggles on it. I see this as a border....it is perfect to pull a bunch of odd stuff together and make it fit. So I indulged.
I also bought the feathered star book by marsha mccloskey that I've been wanting.
Sunday morning I left Tonya's in Bethesda about 9:30 am and made it home by 5pm so I made good time. I am wanting sewing time, but yesterday I had to jump right back to work at the clinic. This afternoon/evening my Dad will be coming through here and staying the night at my house after a few days ride down the blue ridge parkway in VA and NC....so...no sewing time!
And this post is plenty long so I'm going to stop it here :c)
Bonnie
What a great post about a great trip! I love the Smithsonian and could spend days there. Great fabrics, too!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great trip! I loved the air and space museum, I was lucky enough a few years back to go with my dad also! He and my husband decided to do the Smithsonian. My dh has a fear of flying and would not get on the plane at the airport. So I jumped on without any luggage and went on the trip instead. That was definately a lucky day for me!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, it sounds like you had a wonderful time! And I love the fabrics you got. I have that book and have been wanting to do one for so long but am soooo chicken to start!
ReplyDeleteI've been to DC several times and still haven't seen everything. But then my trips are usually day trips, so you can only do so much in a day!
And I'm totally jealous of your playtime with Tonya!
That sounds like great fun! I have always wanted to go to the Smithsonian and fabric playing, especially with someone who understands, is always a good time.
ReplyDeleteI see your dad is wearing a Maine hat. I assume he went through Maine on his trip. Where did he go?
Glad you had such a wonderful time!Sounds like just the perfect trip!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip you had! I love Washington, DC. It is a great city to visit. Next time I go I'll get to check out the quilt shops. I like your fabric too.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read the tale of this trip from both your viewpoint and Tonya's... :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you both had fun!
Glad you had such a great time. I lived in DC for a few years and really enjoyed it. Must be nice to be home, too.
ReplyDeleteYour Dad looks like such a nice bloke.... glad you had such a good time in DC.
ReplyDeleteJodie
That black fabric with the squiggles is to DIE for. Care to share the info from the selvedge?
ReplyDeleteWell,well long lost Bonnie..good to see your surfacing again. We're going to have to catch you and pin you to the quilting frame I think..*VBS*
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had that chance to meet up with your Dad. IT's a great picture of the two of you and I definitely would pair you two up in a room as Father and Daughter. You look alot like him...*VBS*
Wonderful that you got to help Ton celebrate her birthday also! Good for both of you, I think..*S*
I have a new Mistress at my house, a very black cat named Ebony, who is middle aged and ruling me with a stern paw..LOL
See you in blogland, Hugs, Finn
What a sweet pic of you and your Dad, Bonnie! So glad that you got to spend time with him and Tonya, exploring our history.
ReplyDeleteHow great to spend that time with your Dad exploring a fascinating city. My dad has been gone 19 years, but I treasure all our memories.
ReplyDeleteMonday morning, I was on Skyline Drive, the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so I can tell you that your dad picked a perfect time of year to travel through that area. The trees were lovely, and the weather was very clear, which enhanced the spectacular views. The Shenandoan National Forest is an interesting park in that it was created in the 1930's, and many, many stone walls were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp, and most are in perfect condition yet. It's the only park that has been allowed to return to its former natural state, since at the time of its creation, there were communities in most of the "hollows" along the way. A great experience to see it.
Great trip! DC is such an interesting place. I've been to the Smithsonian, but 30 years ago! Time to go back. I went to Holocaust Museum more recently... was given a little booklet that described a girl's life. I was to "be" that girl for the day, and as I went from floor to floor, I read her story and where she was sent, what happened to her, etc. I didn't cheat and look at the end... didn't know if I/she would survive the war. Sadly, "we" did not survive. It was a very powerful way to experience the museum.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had such a great time with your Dad and Tonya. I love the book you bought - you'll have fun with that!
ReplyDeleteLove the fabrics, that black is a perfect one to join all sorts. I just bought the same dark brown with tan and blue flowers and isn't it fabulous? 6th fabric down in the stack in your picture!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good trip!