Those darn Ducks -- what's wrong with them!! Oh well - there's always next year.... it was fun sitting in our apartment here watching the game in a real living room -- smelling dinner cooking in our real kitchen! It's amazing how the little things can become so amusing!
It is really cold here - we've been worried about The RWH freezing -- the water in our tanks -- probably other things we should worry about too, but don't know what they are! So far, no problems, other than then Olive Oil has turned to a semi-solid gel!! I needed it for the Beef Stroganoff - YUM!
Even with the cold, we ventured out to The Smithsonian. Even on Sunday, the Metro runs fairly frequently -- and there were lots of people on it. It is so incredible. Spent the afternoon at The Air and Space Museum, The Natural History Museum, and The American History Museum, again. We had been there with Kris and Eric, but a new exhibit opened coincident with the Election (they had to make a few modifications for no President in 2000 for the Millennium!!), called The American Presidency--A Glorious Burden. All the tickets for today were gone, but Phil, being very inventive, went to the exit area that was crowded, and we just slithered in undetected! We saw the exhibit backwards, but who cares! --It was very well done with lots of pictures and memorabilia.
Today we headed out in the Van to go to Bethesda and The Washington Cathedral -- but it started snowing as we headed up the Beltway!! YIKES!! We promptly turned around and headed south again. By the time we got back to Alexandria, the sun was out, so we decided to see The George Washington Masonic Memorial (very impressive) and another Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Pope-Leighey house in Alexandria. It looked a lot like the FLW house in Charbonneau. Both from his Usonian era -- houses for the everyday man, --very practical, very simple.
Tuesday finally took us to The Washington Cathedral on the Metro and bus--we weren't chancing the driving again! Started in 1907 it wasn't completed until 1990, but it is spectacular -- the 6th largest Cathedral in in World. Gothic Architecture and is worthy of gawking for hours. The stained glass windows are incredible -- including one memorializing the Apollo 11 crew and contains an actual moon rock, very beautiful. A trip to the basement revealed a small chapel with brilliant mosaics all around. The tower allowed great views of the DC area and the flying buttresses of the Cathedral.
Phil spotted that The Trailblazers were playing The Washington Wizards at The MCI Center, so we stopped off on the Metro to see about tickets -- sure enough, we were in!! Sitting in the nose bleed section, but in nonetheless! Actually lots of empty seats -- 5 minutes before game time, the place was still mostly empty -- it must be chi-chi in DC to arrive after half-time. Sure enough, the place filled up during the second half. Blazers won handily.
Well, we've been in our apartment hotel, the Washington Suites, for 6 days now -- the longest we have been anywhere since Carmel. It has been really wonderful to have a base to work out of during our visit in this area. But we have to move on to our holiday destination -- The Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA. We stopped at Tyson's Corner to see the big, upscale mall there. Remember, they were Nordstrom's first foray outside the Northwest. Very nice, but nothing spectacular. It was fun seeing Newt Gingrich shopping in Bloomie's on our way out!!
The Lansdowne is gorgeous. New, not old like I had thought, but on rolling hills -- very pleasant, if it weren't so cold -- high today was 38! It is going to have to warm alot for us to play golf on Friday as we have planned. The restaurant looks really nice for our Turkey Day tomorrow. We're snuggled into a beautiful room.
No sightseeing, no hustling off somewhere -- just pure relaxation!! Went to the Spa and enjoyed the pool and whirlpool. Watched some football, did a little mending, took a little snooze, enjoyed our Thanksgiving cocktails, read the newspaper by the Lobby fireplace, and enjoyed the scenery. Dinner was delicious -- took time to count those blessings.
Friday dawned cold, crisp and clear. Frost delays on the golf course, but by our noon tee time there were lots of folks out braving the elements. We were bundled up good, and had a cart with wind gear on, so it was really very enjoyable. First golfing since the broken ankle -- and it held up very well. We both played decent -- not great, but OK for our first outing in months!
Headed right for the whirlpool to loosen those muscles before our massage -- really felt good after 18 holes....
Off early tomorrow for Newark, DE -- Portland State Vikings playing in a conference playoff game against the University of Delaware Blue Hens -- should be interesting -- more cold weather predicted.