home safe and sound

Today was a relaxing day but it started early. Nathan had to be up by 6 am to get ready to leave.  He looked like quite the professional.  He was helping to organize a Duke employment networking event for students to meet with possible employment groups.  It worked out well because it was in DC.  He will go back to Duke with other students on Tues night.

It was quite chilly out this morning.  We waited for the frost to melt and then we went on a nice neighborhood walk.  Pam you did not tell us that there was a nice bike/walking trail right close to the hotel.

Even a Big Foot sighting

We had late check out at the hotel.  We ate some left-overs for lunch.  Then it was time to check out of the hotel and go to the metro station to head off to the airport.

It took us a little bit to figure out the metro system.  I guess you buy a $2 pass and then add to it.  It is nice if you are going to use it more than once.  But it is somewhat of an expense if you are only using it once.  We finally figured it out.  It was funny because just after we figured it out then about 3 people came in to use the system and they did not know what to do. We could help them like we were natives.  :-)

We made it to the airport with about 15 minutes to spare.  Southwest is at the furthest gate possible.  Quite a walk.  We had C seating so we did not have a lot of choice.  We each had a middle seat. Then we had a 3 hour layover in Kansas City.  We went to eat at a Mexican restaurant.  Not a lot of choice here for places to eat.

I had a margarita and a burrito.  George had the tacos.  None of it was very good but it was filling and it did help to pass the time.

a gorgeous sunset.

The flight to Portland was not crowded so we could stretch out.That was nice. We had left our car at the long term parking.  We were home by 10:45 pm.  The cats were all fine.  I like going on trips but I definitely like to get home and sleep in my own bed again.  I need to get back with eating my usual meals.

trails, mazes caves and dinner

We picked up Linda about 9:30 am.  It was chilly so we all bundled up.  We had heard that it might snow.  We drove to Shenandoah National Park a little over an hour away. But once we got there we found that the park was closed because they had had a dusting of snow last night.  So we went on to the Shenandoah River State Park and walked a trail beside the river.

overlook view point

at the visitor's center

family photo by the river

Then we drove into Luray for lunch

Odd mix of American food plus Tandoori vegetables in the vegetarian section.  I had a Virgin Reuben (no meat).  It was good.

We drove to the Luray Caverns.  We walked the Garden Maze first.  That was fun.

Then we went to the caverns which were very impressive.

reflections in the water

lit from behind

one room had an organ that plays off of some of the stalactites = very cool

We then went to Susan (George's cousin) and Rob's home for dinner.  That was very nice.  

gas lamp in front of their home.

Susan and Rob and I was trying to include their dog which moved right when I was taking the picture. 

cute miniature daffodil 

It is hard to believe that soon we will be heading home.  Nathan has a 2 day employment networking event that he helped to organize for Duke students.  So he will head off bright and early in the morning.  We will be able to be more leisurely.  

Rain, Rain, Rain

We had a leisurely morning at the hotel.  Nathan had some work to do.

Around 11 am Susan (George's cousin) picked us up.  Linda had walked here.  So we all went to the Dumbarton Oaks Museum.  It has a combination of Byzantine art at one end and Pre-Columbian at the other.

mosaic not quilt

And the pre-Columbian

Nathan

Linda

Then we went for lunch

Nice French restaurant.  We had great sandwiches, soups, salads.  But the best was the desserts

Nathan and Linda shared this

I had the big cup on the right, Linda had the baby espresso.

Then we went back to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

the l'orangerie.  Sharon & Kris do you recognize this?

fun to see this place again.  I feel like we whizzed through it when I was here years ago.

Cousin Susan and George

blooming quince.

It was raining pretty much on and off all day.  Susan dropped Linda off and then George, Nathan & I off .  We got a few things done.  Then Nathan and George have been helping me to go through my India pictures to try to reduce the number in my file to show. They are ruthless. "...but, but, this picture shows ...", 

At 6:30 pm we went to pick up Linda to go to dinner.

This was a wine bar with very good food.  we stuck with the salads and appetizers.  They sure were yummy.  

we all shared the Parmesan frites.  We had a a bottle of Valpolacella.  Then we went back to Linda's apartment to play some card games.  That was fun.  We taught Linda how to play 10-9-8 and she managed to beat us all.