Nationals World Series Champs Parade

We usually hang out across the street from the archives on constitution avenue. But yesterday we walked to the rally area by the Capitol building and then to the Washington monument where the nats parade would start. It was a lovely fall day, but cold enough to wear winter jackets and hats. I dug out the red nationals cap for my husband. Since we no longer live on Capitol Hill we decided to drive in in from northern Virginia ten miles away, park in the old neighborhood, and go from there. We arrived at 1100 and had three hours to kill. It’s getting harder and harder to walk and stand around for several hours and we felt it when we got home. It ended up being five miles! But we couldn’t let the day go by without showing up for this very exciting day. After all, we went to the hockey team championship parade and had little to do with them. Baseball is in the family and it was with nostalgia that we went - for my dad, my brother, memories, and finally a festive event that everyone was excited about. I took a lot of photos and videos and sent them to my grandson who grew up with the nationals since he was a baby. It’s been an unbelievable last few weeks. I think it all made baseball history books. 

Memorial Day Concert and Parade - Washouts?!

I forgot that the dress rehearsal for the Memorial Day concert was Saturday. It was a beautiful evening too. So we missed that. We thought about going to the televised concert last evening, but it was pouring rain. I wouldn't have minded seeing the Beach Boys - after all, theirs was the first concert I ever went to! So we watched a bit on TV instead. The crowds were really sparse. I felt bad for all the visitors and performers. This morning we took our usual morning jaunt on the mall. It was much busier than yesterday, and the crews were already dismantling the stage in front of the Capitol. But all along Constitution Avenue and the mall the streets were already closed for the parade at 2:30. Folks with large badges and t shirts touting Memorial Day parade 2016 were seen everywhere. The VIP section in front of the archives was all ready for whomever gets a perfect seat there. It used to be when we walked later in the day we would run in to these events as they were in progress. But in the hotter months we try to walk earlier to avoid heatstroke. And wouldn't you know the weather forecast is for 100% right around the time of the parade. I wouldn't be caught dead sitting or standing in rain. But I'm sure it won't stop most people from going. I wish I was a bit more adventurous - but I'm just too practical. Maybe next year?

Constitution Avenue is Quiet!

After our every Saturday brunch in McLean, we decided to take a ride down Constitution Avenue on the way home rather than the usual Independence route. The city is really quiet - perhaps because it is only forty degrees - or perhaps because it is just quiet. The sun was shining on us, and the sky and clouds take on a very interesting feel this time of year. The shadows are long, and the landmarks just look different from this angle. There just wasn't a lot of activity anywhere - not even by the White House Christmas tree. The fences around the Smithsonian African American museum have come done, but it still has a long way to go before opening I think sometime in 2016. As we turned on to Pennsylvania Avenue, a large Christmas tree sits in front of the Canadian Embassy, and further down the street the large red bows on Union Station showed some holiday spirit - but even the traffic around this hub was non existent. The Coldwell Banker Christmas window had a couple of takers. Since it is the last full weekend before the holiday, folks are probably doing last minute shopping and such rather than sight see. I prefer taking in the sights anytime - even if the streets are empty!

Memorial Day Parade on Constitution Avenue and Newseum Front Pages

As is our habit whenever I am not working, I get up earlier than I used to and we go for a walk on the Mall. It was eerily quiet in our neighborhood on Capitol Hill because all the Federal workers, including myself, were off. The Memorial Day parade was scheduled for 2 PM. We were on our way much earlier than that, but decided to stop by the parade route on the way back home along Constitution Avenue. The folks setting up and making final preparations were hard at work. Right across from the Archives and next to the sculpture garden were the VIP seats, covered with umbrellas and separate VIP Porta potties. The food trucks and vendors were also setting up shop and the command center vehicle was already parked. The Avenue itself was very quiet. We then made our way towards the Newseum. The headlines from each state and several countries are on display and changed daily. Most of the headlines reflected the holiday with the exception of Texas and Oklahoma. Floods and ravaging weather took a priority. I particularly checked the states we are most associated with - Florida, DC, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Connecticut. I'm sorry we missed the actual parade today, but was glad we got a feel for it, and we have seen it before. It was a beautiful weekend for all the events here in the Capitol city, and we always try to make the most it. And it's all right in our back yard. 

A Wedding, Rolling Thunder, Resting, and a Rose Garden - The Perfect Memorial Day Weekend

I wanted to avoid the Rolling Thunder motorcycles if at all possible, but it wasn't possible. Milwaukee is the home of Harley Davidson, and every year the city celebrated the founder and was filled with the noise pollution the hundreds of motorcycles brought with them. So when we moved here, we thought we escaped them. Because the usual route for our walk was fenced off on the Capitol Building grounds due to the Memorial Day Concert, we took another path down Constitution Avenue. When we walked over to the large fountain surrounded by roses, a wedding party was emerging from a very large stretch limo and a huge bus. There were many attendants for this affair, and the photographer was having a field day capturing the events. As we moved down the Avenue, the roar of the bikes was unavoidable. We headed toward the Archives and turned in to the Mall. The food trucks were packed with customers, many enjoying the beautiful day under a tree sipping on something cold or catching a bite to eat. We always stop at the US Botanical Garden on the way home and each week brings with it a different blooming flower. A this time, the rose garden was filled with attentive photographers and flower lovers alike. It was the perfect Memorial Day Weekend - except for the motorcycles.