A 5AM rise. Breakfast. Packing. A 6:30 departure for Camp Rodney in North East, MD. Three hour trip. We meet little traffic, stop at one rest stop, and arrive at the designated parking lot for Troop 21’s campsite. After a week away, we see him arrive with his friends. He sees us and smiles.

breaking sun

he’s happy to ride

for a change

A two-hour drive down I-95 and parkway 295 to our hotel, the Grand Hyatt, H Street between 9th and tenth. A courtyard style lobby, with a full-glass, roofed-style skylight. Splendid help from our concierge. Then we’re off!

corner Starbucks

I sip the second beverage

of the day

A walk down 10th, up Pennsylvania Avenue, passing The museum of Natural History, the National Gallery, The Hoover building, IRS, FTC and sundry other sites. We cross over to the National Mall. After a view of the Capital, we walk to the Washington Monument, around and over to the WWII memorial, then up along the (closed for fireworks) reflecting Pond to the Lincoln memorial. Then, back toward the elipse, to catch front and back views of the White House. Finally, a long walk back to the Museum of American Art and National Portrait Gallery.

passing clouds

a flutter of selfies

before Lincoln

A whirlwind tour of activist, folklore, and portrait art. A Mediterranean dinner at Zaytinya’s, a Jose Andres restaurant accords the street from the museum. Dessert at a gelato place a block from the Hyatt. A first day well spent.

Night

Mira finds a spot

for her water