Arden Comes to Baltimore

One of the good things about a non-traditional work schedules if friends can come visit you during the week.  Arden hopped on the train and 50 minutes later she arrived in the Charm City.  Baltimore is filled with activities so we had to make today count.  As a result, we hopped in the car and decided to channel our best take on the NYT's 36 hours (oddly enough we found a copy later in the day).

First stop the American Visionary Art Museum to check out some of the crazy mosaics and sculptures. 

Next on the list, Fort McHenry, so we could get our history and America on.  

Disclaimer this is a picture stolen from an earlier trip.  The rain was not helping the situation.

Also who doesn't love a good cannon?

After we grabbed coffee at my favorite coffee shop, we headed over to the Avenue in Hampden to check out some of the boutiques and the infamous pink flamingo.  Seriously, this thing can brighten up any rainy day (and boy had we seen some rain today). 

A few years ago when Arden visited it was Pi(e) Day and we struck out on the pie front.  This trip I made good and we swung by Dangerously Delicious Pies.  While there is also a shop in DC, this one is the original.  There is nothing more Baltimore than enjoying a slice of the Baltimore Bomb which is filled with Berger Cookies.  Here we have Arden contemplating he pie:

There is nothing like that first bite!  

Sadly I got no reactionary photo, but I am pretty sure it was two thumbs up. 

And with that we were back at Penn Station. 
Until the next visit!!!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday! 
Now go and get your dance on!

Trip to the National Arboretum

One of my most favorite things to visit and bring people to is the National Arboretum.  This 446 acre park in the middle of NE DC is a tucked away gem which many tourists and locals never see.  Each season brings something different.  The spring has the azaleas, the summer has wild flowers and her gardens and the fall has great autumn foliage.  Unfortunately there is not much going on during the winter, but we did see the original US Capitol columns.

The columns were built in 1828 to support the original dome of the East Portico.  When the new dome was completed in 1864 the columns looked too small to support the new dome; they were not replaced until 1958.  Long story, short the columns made it to the arboretum in 1984.  Head over to the National Arboretum website to learn more about their history.  

My mother has gotten very into selfie photos.  The unfortunate part is the three of us have short arms and the person taking the picture ends up having a smooshed face.  This time it was my turn.  

While most of the arboretum was still dormant, the Bonsai & Penjing Museum was in full bloom.  In fact it is home to one of the largest bonsai and penjing collections in North America.  Upon entering, visitors are reminded that this art form was created over a thousand years ago by artists who were inspired to recreate mountains, trees and horizons. 

Here is one bonsai tree we saw in the collection.  Interestingly enough plants are left out in the winter weather and are only protected by a roof from snow and ice which can damage the branches. 

Here is a good example of a penjing or tray landscapes. 

 And of course we have Elise pondering a bonsai tree which has been in training since 1795.

After about 15 minutes we walked through the entire exhibit and got one last photo from the trip.

Recovery Day

With sore muscles and the promise of MUCH better weather, we hobbled over to Eastern Market.  Not only would we be able to wander around the bazaar, but would  be able to get one of the best breakfasts in town at Market Lunch; seriously their pancakes are something to write home about.  Elise was very impressed with her breakfast sandwich and blueberry buckwheat pancake - just look at that face!! 

Spring had definitely sprung in Eastern Market.
Who wouldn't love to bring some of these bright colors home with them?

The wind started to pick up and the sun was hiding behind the clouds so we decided it would be best to find some indoor activities for the rest of the afternoon.  The obvious choice was to head to the National Mall and pop into the American History Museum.

Obligatory Washington Monument tourist photo!!

Man we could have used this one for a Christmas card!

After a serious afternoon power nap, we introduced my mother to Uber and headed over to Ben's Chili Bowl (another quintessential DC haunt neither had never visited).  We met Christine and somehow managed to find a table despite the large school group already there.  The evening wrapped up with a quick history from a family friend who was addressing another group in the same room; it's definitely a great example of the American Dream.  

Confessions of a Soggy Half Marathon Runner

The three of us were up bright and early and unfortunately, greeted by a lot of rain.  Thankfully, I had called down the night before and gotten garbage bags for me and Elise to wear for the start of the race.  Look at how happy Elise is to be heading to the start line.

We got in a quick picture before we split into our separate corrals.  It might have been raining, but spirits were still bright at this point (the radar showed the rain would stop by 8am). 

So without a camera to take pictures along the way, I thought I would give a quick run down of what I was thinking over the course of the race.  Below is a map for some reference.

Mile 0:  Whose idea was this anyway?  Well I am glad I thought of wearing this garbage bag.

Mile 0.75:  Oh hey GW, long time no see!  Man this race is lacking the usual crazy color shirts and shorts.  I guess that's what happens when everyone is wearing black garbage bags. 

Mile 1.75:  Okay time to ditch this garbage bag.  The rain should be ending soon, right?

Mile 2:  Oh hey I see some SUS '12 bikers.  I'm going to run over and say hello. 

Mile 5:  WAHOO!!  I have officially run more today than I did during training.  Seriously one day I will actually train for one of these runs. 

Mile 5.5:  Okay the runner's high has kicked in ... oh that man has a great sign for Pi Day ... what kinds of pie am I going to eat when I'm done?  

Mile 5.8:  The killer hill.  Yup I am walking up this bad boy.  I could get a latte at Open City.  I have five dollars in my pocket.  Nope bad idea.  You would see that latte again in a few shot steps.

Mile 7.1:  Oh I have a friend who lives in that building.  Man, should I throw in the towel and go crawl into her shower and some sweats.  No ... must keep running.  

Mile 8:  Mother Nature you are killing me.  The rain is picking up and now there is a head wind.  what gives.  

Mile 9:  Weeee a down hill.  I wish I had my camera so I could take a picture with the presidents.  

Mile 9.75: Oh hey there's Alex ... I should go over and say hi!  (Alex runs the next few blocks with me coffee in one hand and umbrella in the other)

Mile 10.5: I HAVE HIT THE WALL.  WHY IS IT ALWAYS AFTER MILE 10 MY LEGS ARE DONE?  I probably should have trained better for this.  Story of my life. 

Mile 11: Yeah lets slow this thing down to a walk.  Man there are so many new restaurants on H Street.  I have to make a mental note about some of these. 

Mile 12:  That man just gave me a pretty good motivational speech.  Okay back to a slow jog.  At least that means I will get to the finish line sooner. 

Mile 12.5: I SEE THE FINISH LINE.  Just put one foot in front of the other.  Just keep running.

Mile 13.1:  Oh thank god I am done.  Why is it still raining?  How long am I going to have to wait until I find he rest of my family and can get into a warm shower and dry clothes?

Official time: 2:40
Unofficial time (official time - some hugs and hellos - a quick stretch break): 2:34

Elise and I waited about 45 minutes for Mom to show up, but the rain kept coming and the wind started to pick up.  Neither of us had a phone so a very nice stranger let us send a text telling her we were heading back to the hotel and ordering a pizza.  

Happy Pi Day

I was first introduced to Pi Day during a 7th grade math class when my teacher brought in an apple pie for us to eat (and her other five classes of the day).  Well this year there is cause for the celebration as the year 2015 works perfectly into the digits of pi.  See left!

So what are you waiting for?  Go get yourself a piece (or two) for yourself!

The World's Big and I Want to Have a Good Look at it Before it Gets Dark - John Muir

Fingers crossed we have see the last of the winter weather and can soon put away the heavy coats.  After last week's chilly temperatures, this weekend had the promise of warmer thermometer readings and a later setting sun.  Yesterday, Dan and I snuck in what might be the last winter hike of the season (no complaints here).

Today I spent the afternoon walking around town and was glad I could see the road and sidewalks.  

Hopefully the last of the snow will melt with this week's "balmy" weather and 

I can finally dust off Bernard and get in a couple of rides.