Glen Echo Park

We finally got to Glen Echo park! We went to the Washington Folk festival there. Not the big Smithsonian, this is one put on by the Washington Folklife Society. It was nice though rain early afternoon probably kept attendance down. We walked around, did a little dancing and rode a carousal. We had a wonderful dinner at a resturant on the corner of S and 14th. I can't remember the name, but Alana, Erin and Grace ate there back in the summer.

Kennedy Center

We went to the Kennedy Center Friday night with Paddy. Check the coats out on Paddy and Anne! The National Symphony Orchestra played pieces by Jean Sibelius - noting the 50th year since his death in 1957. The three pieces were Symphony No. 1 in E minor; The Oceanides, and Symphony No. 7 in C major. Wonderful music in the concert hall, where no seat is bad.

Aaron Douglas

Great exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Originally from Kansas and later at Fisk University in Nashville, Douglas was a major figure of the Harlem Renaissance. This piece is owned by the people of Wisconsin, thanks to a purchase by Governor Patrick Lucey. It usually hangs in the Governor's Residence in Madison.

Graduation

Congratulations to Emanuel for graduating high school. Ryan and Victor had a family gathering to honor the event. Also congratulations to Julie, daughter of Dan and Christine for also graduating. We got to meet entire Dan/Chris clan along with Aunt Romie

Great Falls National Park

For Memorial Day weekend, Anne and Ack headed out to Great Falls National Park. It has a wonderful series of water falls. We got a later-than-planned start (Anne was working on her book), so we arrived around 10 am with just a short line on the two-lane highway to get into the park.When we left at 2 pm, it was so crowded that the line to get into the park was two miles long -- literally. So if you plan on visiting, go early! The trails are easy and parallel the Potomoc. You'll find an ocassional kayaker defying the rapids or climbers scaling the gorge's walls. The site has an interesting history display about how canals were used in the area too.

We also saw a snake eat a frog!!!

Farewell to Erin

There is no joy in Mudville -- Erin left today. We had such a great visit with her and Al; it's very sad to have them gone.

After dropping Erin and Al at the airport, Anne and Ack went to Mt. Vernon (we're in the better-see-it-now-cause-we're-leaving-soon mode). It was very crowded, cost $13 to get in, and the gardens were nice for vegetable but no flowers. Plus, it was a 45-minute wait to get into the mansion, so we didn't go in, but here it is for you.

Longest Escalator

Ack went to Wheaton to ride what we've been told is the longest, continuous escalator in the country (the "everlasting escalator"). Pretty cool......

For our last night together, we (Alana, Erin, Al, Anne, Ack) ate at a new restaurant in the area - Corduroy.  It is ranked as #17 in the Washingtonian's top 100 restaurants. Wonderful meal, particularly the Peekytoe Crab & Egg Custard Soup.