More Washington

Saturday morning I enjoyed a stroll around the 14th street area in search of a brunch spot. I lucked into an awesome spot called Maddys Tavern. I enjoyed an amazing omelette and some great brews, as well as excellent weather. 

That afternoon John and I headed to RFK for the DC United soccer game. We had a bit of tailgating, I learned a new out doors game (with no clear name, but involves knocking over wooden pieces), and the headed into the game. 

Sunday I had to check out of the hotel, but had a full day of meetings. During the break between the conference and the dinner, I took a walk over to the White House. 

More gorgeous tulips. 

And many statues. 

The black squirrels were new since I was last in the states. Apparently some escaped from the zoo and interbreeded...

Despite growing up in the DC area, I had actually never been to see the White House. Nice place :)

That night we had a fantastic dinner with speaker General Stan McCrystal, former JSOC commander. 

Monday brought another lovely day in our nations Capitol. Between sessions at the conference I tried to get outside as much as possible. 

Smithsonian castle on the way to the metro. 

Some ominous clouds on the way home. 

For our final day we headed up to the Capitol to talk to our senators and representatives. The scaffolding is still up. I think it will be for several years. But some gorgeous tulips! 

And part of the building with no scaffolding :)

I'm pretty sure this is Ulysses S Grant. 

At the botanic gardens, even more tulips :) sensing a theme. 

Great long weekend in DC. I enjoyed playing tourist and also learning a lot in my meeting!

DC Tourist Run

Today I needed to do a long run for my half marathon training. And Nike wanted me to do 19k (essentially 12 miles). Since I was headed to DC for a conference I elected to make it a tourist run! My goal was to hit all the landmarks I know about but never actually go to. I found this monument first. Not exactly sure who it is. 

But they had nice tulips. Something about Tennessee and a war, but not sure which one. 

And then Along the mall with the ever present Washington monument. 

Vietnam Memorial 

And of course Lincoln. 

The problem with a tourist run is that there are a lot of tourists...

Lincoln from the back. 

And across the memorial bridge into virginia, and Arlington national cemetery. 

Women's military memorial, at Arlington. 

And the cemetery. Always such a moving place. 

Heading back out I passed "the hiker" from the Spanish American war. 

I then took a tour along part of the mount Vernon trail into lady bird Johnson park. Below is the navy merchant marine memorial. 

And looking back across the Potomac. 

Last bit of daffodils for the season. Out late this year with all the cold. 

I continued down the trail to Roosevelt island. 

And Teddy's memorial. 

He is my favorite president so took a selfie. 

Along the Potomac on the island trail. 

I crossed back over to DC. The trail I had just been on is below. 

Memorial bridge. 

World War II memorial. My favorite memorial. 

The trouble with a tourist run is that there are a lot of tourists around! 

John Paul Jones. Not sure what he did. 

Last bit of cherry blossoms looking across to the Jefferson. 

And rounding back around the Washington monument! 

The full route below. Great weather and run! 

SC/NC/VA in 48 hours

After working for 18 days in a row, I got my first break. I had 6 days off and was going to make the most of them. I began my tour in Conway/Myrtle Beach to visit my Grandma. 

We had a nice trip to the boardwalk, but our walk was short as I had forgotten the footrests for the wheelchair. Oops :) 

I then got in a long run around the retirement neighborhoods before driving to Charlotte. I remembered how hot it gets here and that I should carry water!  I had gotten spoiled by the abundant water fountains in NZ. And the milder temps! 

Next stop was Charlotte where I enjoyed the NC sunset as I walked to a new brewery. I was originally going to take the light rail, but determined walking would in fact be faster. And it was still light out so seemed ok. 

After this beer at sycamore I found some friends at an art crawl that was winding down. We then headed to the common market for many more amazing and cheap craft beers. Benefits of America. 

I managed to wake up for the know your craft 5k at triple c the next morning. I took the light rail this time. It was nice to run on my old familiar route. It was a little chilly but free beer at the end is a win! 

6.5 hour drive later I was in northern VA. I arrived in time for a stellar dinner party with good beer. 

And amazing lamb. Also cheaper here than in NZ!

Finally I headed down the street to my parents to visit my 13 year old cat, who had a birthday that day. Or as close as you can get accuracy wise with a rescue cat :). 

Great 48 hours. And now I would get to stay in vaguely the same area for a few days!