Reviews and notices of events in Washington, D.C. including, but not limited to, the performing arts, speakers, authors, lectures, meetings, books, movies, cycling, hockey games, exhibitions, buildings, and an occasional post about other places and things.
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| Study Mother's effects/By Patricia Leslie |
| It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, perfect for kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a leisurely four-mile Sierra Club hike (which actually turned out to be 3.5 miles or 3.7 miles, depending upon whose web counter was doing the talking or rather, the measuring). A group of 21 mostly strangers met Saturday at the crowded Great Falls National Park to relish the sights and sounds of the falls and the trail, and be out in the woods. Nature, you know, and the glory of all its benefits, recounted by hike leader John McShane reading from the writings of the Club's founder, John Muir. (At the rear of the pack, Larry Broadwell was "the sweeper," to keep us "in line." Both leaders, outstanding in their roles. Applause.) It was that kind of a beautiful day. Everybody, out and about, including members of Rolling Thunder at the park. The hike was described in the posting as "easy to moderate" but when you're talking and admiring the scenery, my, how time does fly. No snakes! But a (likely) volunteer was spotted, picking up small bits of litter along the trail. We were lucky that Mr. McShane knew so much about trees, snakes, leaves, and roots! Not only did we get a walk, but we got welcome lessons in nature. It was a crowded park, yes, but maybe, it's always like that. It took me at least 20 minutes (someone else said, 35) to wait in the car to make it through the gate (cost is $15/carload unless you have a senior pass). When the hike ended two hours later and I exited the park, I counted 108 drivers waiting to get through the gate. (Two-lane road; no room for expansion. Save the trees!) Sierra Club hikes are highly recommended. You don't have to be a Sierra Club member to participate ($2/person is requested to hike but is not mandatory, and no one takes a listing of who pays and who doesn't). But, if you are interested in joining, it's only $15 for new members to join the Sierra Club's Great Falls Group which you may do here and go here for a list of upcoming area outings which vary in length and degree of difficulty. Benefits, galore! patricialesli@gmail.com |
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the
ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming 
No matter where you go in this town, there is no escaping Bryce Harper. This was the upstairs bar on Virginia's Jewel where alcohol flowed freely. Happy July 4th, Everybody!/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Rosslyn even looks kinda purty from the Potomac at night. The captain of Virginia's Jewel said July 4 was the worst time to navigate a vessel on the river because of the jammed sea and so many inept ("drinking" and unlicensed) boat drivers. "If something happens, I could lose my license," he wailed, "and they would lose nothing." Maybe, a life?/Photo by Patricia Leslie
The time is always right for love. To the right in the distance and what looks like a straight pin rising from the ground is the Washington Monument/Photo by Patricia Leslie
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming...Our view of the National' Mall's fireworks July 4, 2014 was obscured somewhat by the ensuing black smoke, but it could not compare to the view from a hill at the Pentagon several years ago during a grey day when all we saw was black smoke and n'er a purty color or fireworks/Photo by Patricia Leslie 
For once, since it was July 4, the Secret Service ignored the red flying saucers above the Potomac River. Far in the distance and what looks like the Batman building is the Washington National Cathedral/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Lucy in the sky with diamonds/Photo by Patricia Leslie
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air...Red birds flew in every direction frightened by the noise, I suppose/Photo by Patricia Leslie
From inside Virginia's Jewel/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Adjacent to Virginia's Jewel was the Delta Queen getting ready to sail down the Mississippi River. The white line of lights at the top of the picture is a reflection of lights inside the yacht, Virginia's Jewel. Our boat was bigger than their boat/Photo by Patricia Leslie
On the menu were pork and chicken bar-b-cue, corn on the cob, cole slaw, potato and macaroni salad, petite chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, chocolate brownies, and plenty to drink/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A band of revelers onboard Virginia's Jewel/Photo by another reveler 
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