I woke before dawn and made my morning coffee. Peering out the window, everything was encased in fog. I hastily threw on a jacket over my pajamas, grabbed my tripod and camera, and wandered down the lane in my house slippers to capture the beauty.
Do you have a favorite?
A friend on Facebook gave my name to one of her friends, Pamela Quinn, who was looking for a photographer to do some work at her yoga studio, Elemental OM. There were some specific guidelines as far as how much free horizontal space was necessary and how large the photo needed to be before it was cropped, but I also took some fun photos.
As you can see, my job was quite easy with such a beautiful subject…
I didn’t give her any direction as far as poses, and our time together flowed really well. She would do her thing and I would capture it…
Love this one…
Pamela wants me to come back next week to take photos during one of her classes and one of her friends saw her photos on Facebook and wants me to take photographs for her. Technology definitely has its advantages!
I had originally planned to go to the US National Arboretum, our last day in Washington, D.C., but after a relative told us not to miss the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, I changed our plans. After a leisurely morning at our Airbnb, we hopped on a Capital Bikeshare bicycle to explore the Museum.
But first I have to share a photograph from the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery of Art. This tree is entitled, “Graft”. My husband waited on a park bench while I wandered through the Garden. At 45 feet high by 45 feet wide and weighing 16,000 pounds, this piece by American sculptor Roxy Paine is marvelous!
According to Earl A. Powell III, director of the National Gallery of Art–“Graft presents two fictive but distinct species of trees—one gnarled, twisting, and irregular, the other smooth, elegant, and rhythmic—joined to the same trunk. Among its rich associations, this sculpture evokes the persistent human desire to alter and recombine elements of nature, as well as the ever-present tension between order and chaos.”
A friendly squirrel, looking for food, stood still long enough for me to snap his portrait…
Having only two days left of our seven day visit to Washington, D.C., we left our Airbnb bright and early and picked up our Capital Bikeshare bicycles for the 3 mile trek to National Mall. We didn’t have time to go inside the Lincoln Memorial the day before because of our scheduled tour of the Capitol, so we returned and checked it out. The view looking towards the Washington Monument was striking…
A stark and compelling truth is conveyed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial…
Paved sidewalks lined with trees border the Lincoln Reflection pool and after all of the walking, the park benches appeared quite inviting…
I was surprised by the number of statues and water features that comprised the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. Spread over 7.5 acres, with four outdoor rooms, one for each of FDR’s terms of office, they represent the challenges he faced as our President, beginning in 1933 and ending in 1945, upon his death.
Having seen Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Adams Morgan & Georgetown neighborhoods, and a couple of the Smithsonian museums within four days of our week-long visit to Washington D.C., it was time for my husband and I to check out some of the monuments at National Mall. Riding our Capital Bikeshare bicycles over to the National Mall in late morning, the chill long gone, vibrant emerald colors beckoned me for a photo at the Constitution Gardens Pond…
Although there weren’t any reflections in the Reflection Pool looking towards the Lincoln Memorial, the brilliant azure water was spectacular!
Washington D.C. has a diverse population and my husband and I were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to join the throng of spectators gathering to watch a Hispanic parade. We bicycled to the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History to begin our tours of some of the wonderful and free of charge (kinda…taxpayers pay for it) Museums. As we walked along National Mall, we passed people gathered in groups, putting makeup on and making last minute adjustments to costumes, preparing for the parade along Constitution Avenue. The mood was festive and the costumes colorful!
Washington D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood is colorful, vibrant, funky, and fun! We started our day bicycling from our Airbnb in the Bloomington neighborhood on the East side of D.C. to the quaint neighborhood of Georgetown on the West side and finished in Adams Morgan, having drinks with a former 2 Star Admiral Navy Seal! After docking our bicycles at the Capital Bikeshare station on 18th Street, we walked down the street in search of an outdoor bar for some afternoon refreshments and met Chuck and his dog, Bravo. Having been in the military myself for four years, it was fascinating to listen to Chuck’s amazing lifetime experiences as a former high-ranking officer.
With puffy white clouds, blue sky, and mid-70’s temps, we relaxed for a couple of hours, talking with Chuck and people watching.
Exploring the quaint neighborhood of Georgetown was a refreshing start to our third day in Washington, D.C. Filled with shops, bars, restaurants, and interesting architecture, there’s much to see and do. Georgetown was originally part of Maryland until 1871 when the U.S. Congress created a new government for the District of Columbia.
My husband and I stopped at a Capital Bikeshare station around the corner from our Airbnb to pick up a bicycle for the 3 mile ride. It’s a great way to wheel around Washington D.C. above ground and budget friendly. You can purchase use of a bicycle for 24 hours – $7.00; 3 days – $15.00, or a month – $25.00. I purchased the month membership because I knew we would use the service for more than 3 days. I ordered a key for both of us to make it as simple as possible. Once you’re at one of the 300 stations, you insert your plastic key in the slot of the bicycle you want and then just pull the bike out. If your trip is 30 minutes or less, there’s no extra charge. If it’s between 31-60 minutes, there’s an additional $1.50 tacked on; and between 61-90 minutes – $4.50. You can download their app to your Smart Phone and check to see where a nearby station is to drop your bike that has a dock and/or if bicycles are available.
George Washington’s former plantation, Mount Vernon, offers a variety of interesting and historical sites for all ages! After touring the Mansion and gardens, my husband and I stopped at one of the outbuildings on the grounds where a woman portrays Martha Washington and stays in character, answering questions from the crowd. She was very entertaining and knowledgeable!
At one point in time, there were 316 slaves living at Mount Vernon. They were freed after George Washington’s death, which he directed in his Last Will and Testament.
Bike and Roll has a fun and educational bicycling adventure that begins in Alexandria, Virginia, where you pick up a bike and cycle 9 miles along a scenic path beside the Potomac River, to the historic and beautiful Mount Vernon, George Washington’s former plantation.
Before touring the Mansion and grounds, we had lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn.
I recommend the Shrimp and Grits and the Root Beer is pretty darn good!
Meranda-Nixon Winery
If you’re lucky, like I was, when you arrive at the Meranda-Nixon Winery, you’ll be greeted by one of the proprietors’ friendly dogs. You may even see one of their beautiful horses as you gaze at the lush vineyards.
Feeling like Cinderella with less than an hour or two left, our day at Put-in-Bay was going to end at 9:30pm (our Jet Express ferry return time) so we knew we had to squeeze out every bit of fun we could in the time remaining. Walking down the street, the sound of a musician belting out a foot tapping tune from an outdoor lakeside venue, led us to take a rest and listen for a while.
The colorful umbrellas and people up ahead were incentive enough for me!
While my friends relaxed, I did my thing…take photographs.
My quest to find art everywhere I go with my camera, was fulfilled at Put-in-Bay! This tiki torch lighting a restaurant walkway provided a cool contrast to the dusky sky.
This beautiful girl with an edgy look allowed me to take her photograph. I gave her one of my cards and sent the photos to her. She thanked me for making her feel special!
Exploring South Bass Island on our golf cart, my girlfriends and I discovered the other side of Put-in-Bay. The side that makes you want to pull up a comfy lounge chair and let the world go by. We admired the lakeside homes with the glittering water shining through their windows…
Sailboats gliding quietly through the blue waters…
If you’re looking for fun in the sun, dancing, a few adult beverages, and people in skimpy bathing suits, Put-in-Bay is the place to visit! Although my friends and I didn’t bring our bathing suits for our day on the Island, we didn’t let that prevent us from making a stop at one of the swimming pools Put-in-Bay is famous for. We bring the party with us no matter where we’re at! My friend Shari moving to the beat…
Although the pool bar looked inviting, the non-humid 80 degree weather was perfect for lounging around with our clothing on.
Sherry Lachelle Travels 