Day 41 "Big Easy, the Crescent City" 10-24-14

We are really here. We got a taste of this jazzy city last night. Walking the same streets this morning looking for a good coffee spot it was almost eerie quiet. Our hotel had basic breakfast options available but we were looking for more in our ongoing local foodie quest. We wanted the real deal and Cafe du Monte was supposed to be that but we could tell a little too late we got something wrong. More of a tourist trap but we made the best of it and headed out on our day. Hate to waste a meal but no Biggy.

Our Frenchmen Hotel was nearly perfect

We gathered more info and were soon on a trolley heading for City Park rather than Audubon park as planned. We spent some very peaceful time there mostly enjoying the sculpture garden and even recognized the work of some artists from other museums we've visited. We had picked up giant Muffelata sandwiches which were big enough to feed a family of four. Maybe we were too full to go over to the botanical gardens but we enjoyed our stay and made our way back on the trolley. It was packed full by the time we got off to wander the French Quarter as Laurie had some shopping ideas left. We enjoyed Jackson plaza, Frenchman's market and another pass through the streets we had walked the night before. We stumbled by the building that had collapsed into the street and caused some concern about the structural safety of other buildings.

Trolleys provide a unique form of public transit here

We missed the Voodoo Music but enjoyed the park

We were well provisioned

Great shady trees in the park

The art was fine too

And fun too

Every place you look has style &astride to tell

Old buildings can fall down

Spotted Cat Music Club rocked on with attitude while renovations were underway

We had a dinner picnic in a nearby park with the rest of our lunch sandwiches and wandered back for an early evening and to get packed up. There was louder music outside tonight and more happy sounds coming from around us in the hotel.

Even the corner markets are colorful

It is very clear that more time is needed to explore the greater area here and it should come earlier in a trip so we have more energy. It has still been a great stop on our grand tour. Tomorrow we will be on the return leg of the tour with home just s few days and nights away on the train.

Day 40 "Heading South" 10-23-14

We slept restlessly. Our first time in a sleeper for several weeks, this small room is different than previous ones but they all vary. The upper bed is a one piece unit that slides up and down. Our two chairs face each other. The big change is having a toilet in the room. It lifts to open and is out of the way when shut like the pull down sink. It serves as a bench seat or step otherwise. The other sleepers had a toilet in a small closet within the room. These sleeper cars don't have bathrooms at the end of each car like the coaches do. The coach cars are on the other side of the sleepers, dining car and cafe cars. There is no observation car on the train so most time is spent in the room when not eating. It is quiet and peaceful there.
We read in bed and I tracked the Giants game last night. Later, I lay in bed with the curtain open so I could watch the lights go by while wrapped in thin blankets. This morning we got up one at a time squeezed into the open space in front of the sink to wash and dress. We were ready early this morning and had a good laugh about the accommodations and such. All part of the experience.

Kudzu covering much of the other vegetation

Oaks and hardwoods too early for fall colors

The meals are cooked on the train and are very good. The help all has different personalities and provide good service with a mostly friendly attitude. We dined alone this morning which was unusual. Last night we shared a table with Paul and Sally going to Birmingham to visit a son for the first time there and by train. They are elderly but had a good attitude and laughed s lot. We traded stories and photos after breakfast.

Paul and Sally got a nice send off from attendant Shana including a hug

Their son met them for a nice reunion

Our attendant Shana is full of Bigfoot, mermaids and other stories. She is creole from New Orleans and likes to camp. We got some good tips about places to visit for coffee and to visit the zoo. She wants to give us a longer list of tips for another visit next year. We gained an hour back this morning somewhere in Georgia or Alabama. The views are very green with thin forests of oaks, hardwoods and pines. The ground was covered in what we think is kudzu. As we crossed Alabama and especially Mississippi I noticed they like to mow a lot and keep things tidy.

Lots of mowing in Mississippi

Some of the trains don't move much

We got into New Orleans nearly on time and collected our baggage. Warren and Sharon from the train offered us a ride but declined and caught a cab to the Frenchmen hotel. We checked in and quickly found out what it means to be in the French Quarter. The music, food, and drinking crowds filled into the streets on a Thursday in this vibrant city. A couple of hours was all we had energy for. Wow!

A long water crossing coming into New Orleans

We missed the partial eclipse but got a great sunset

Lots of nightlife right by our small hotel

Some say New Orleans can be a scary place

Day 39 "One more time" 10-22-14

We heard the rain most of the night and knew it would continue today. We had a little cleanup to do with out last packing and would decide how to get to the station based on the rain and our mood when we left.we packed overnight bags to take on the train and would check our luggage. The plan was to store the overnight bags for the day and travel lightly around the museums until our 6:30 departure.

We took the rain in stride. If only we could bring it home.

How could a little rain be a problem...

Always a good way to start a day

As close as I could get to a baseball game in DC now...

For Lennon and Theo. Grrrrr!!

Back at the great National Museum of the American Indian

Unfortunately the only option we could find after checking three places was too expensive ($40) for our tastes so we "schlepped"them. First we had a great organic breakfast in the station building and then headed for the natural history museum again. We were lucky and found a working locker for a quarter that someone left behind for us. That allowed us to really enjoy the excellent Hall of Mammals, Origin of Man, and some smaller exhibits. It was later than planned when we got back to the National Museum of the American Indian. Unfortunately they had no lockers or other storage so we fortified ourselves with another great lunch. Afterwards we found the larger cafeteria with even more meal choices and yet another reason to return soon. We squeezed in several hours before tiring from the load and headed back to the station. We got there about 5 and found we had preferred waiting in a special room with refreshments, wifi, and free luggage storage! Too late but it made us smile.
We were glad to board after listening to some loud passengers for too long. Our small room has a toilet and different configuration to learn. We had a very good meal with Sally and Paul on their way to visit a son and take this train for the first time. No wifi or observation car made for an early evening. A bit of an abrupt change but another good day and tomorrow will bring us an hour back and an arrival in New Orleans about 7 pm. It is very quiet in our rooms with some nice chats with those we have met on the train.

Back on the train in a cozy sleeper to New Orleans

Day 38 "Enjoying DC More" 10-21-14

Our host was up late fixing the door lock outside our flat last night and again this morning testing it. We were moving slowly as yesterday was long, fun, and a bit challenging. Today is bright and sunny and we have a long list of options. First up we super taped a small box and cast its fate into the local POs hands. I needed coffee still so a morph of Temple and Old Soul appeared (Tryst they called it).

Coffee shops just appear when you need them

We mailed my post cards on the street and we stopped by the Washington Area Bicycle Advocates (WABA) and then made our way down a canyon to find the Smithsonian zoo. The zoo is an old well made one on the side of a hill. It was designed by Olmstead 125 years ago. It was lightly used during our visit and we enjoyed a stroll with nice interactions with the informed staff about bison, maned wolves, sea lions and more. It would be very easy to spend a full day here. There was some competition underway to design Halloween exhibits too. We finished our visit at the panda center which made me think of Devra Klieman who I was lucky to work with before she passed away. We had some food and a great interaction with a policeman after watching some slob tourists.

WABA wasn't open but reminds me of SABA

Colorful zoo scene

Sea lion feeding was a group activity

Bison whisperer

Griffin watching

Panda Center was very interesting

Major excavation work

I've got to get me one of these...

We walked down and caught a Metro to the Archives stop and headed for the Hirshholm Art museum in a multi-story donut spaceship. The work was thought provoking and severe at times. As we got ready to leave a heavy rain came down and I became the proud owner of a Smithsonian umbrella. Our new membership helped with a discount. We made our way back mostly dry and stopped at a Shake Shop for comfort food with a healthy twist. Much better on both counts than last nights meal. We enjoyed people watching and weren't the only ones caught off guard by the rain.

Very large spider crossing

ll

Complex art at Hirshholm

The ride back on the Metro was a little soggy walking home but a peaceful evening followed with World Series distractions, drying out and some packing.

Tomorrow we plan to be ready to leave rain or shine around 9:30 and get to Union Station to check and store our bags so we. Can spend a wet day in our favorite museums. DC has been a very good place to visit and we intend to wring more out before we leave in the evening. Go GIANTS!!

 

Rainy Day!

Our last day in DC will be a rainy one. We will be packing up and checking in our bags for an evening train to New Oreleans and spend the day in our favorite museums etc. boarding. Our blogging software seems to have broken with an upgrade. Meanwhile, I'm posting the report text here and the photos that go with it on the photo stream link on the blog homepage.

Meanwhile, we will try to send or bring some of this good rain home. Maybe our new Smithsonian umbrella will help?

A beautiful kayak at the National Museum of the American Indian

 

Day 37 "A Wild Ride" 10-20-14

Today we planned an all day bike ride. The weather was a little warmer and the winds less, with rain on the way for tomorrow. Laurie found a Groupon for an all day bike rental at "Ride and Roll" at Union Station and we had identified some good rides during a visit to the shop the day before.
Packed with great bagels, water, warm layers and Laurie's cool red & white polka dot Nutcase helmet we were off with a walk and Metro ride. We bought SmartTrip cards along the way and now save $1/ride. We were at Bike and Roll by 10 and out on the National Mall a few minutes later with a good bike map. This shop provides storage, repair, rentals, tune ups, tours and seems to be a major hub for DC riders.

We bumbled out onto a few streets with the Washington Monument as a guidepost. The traffic and pedestrians were light but we needed a way through to get to the Arlington Bridge. As got on the broad sidewalks as we dodged our way through the tourists and their buses we made our way over the Potomac River. The rolling bike trail was well signed and mostly used by joggers and riders. The noise level was high due to the air traffic coming down the river to land nearby and the highway. Laurie's bike was a bit too upright for good pedaling. We also had a strong headwind to deal with and set a slow steady pace south (I think).

<NOTE:We're having some difficulties posting photos now and will add them when solved>

Ready to ride & roll now!

Hard to miss this landmark

We made it across the Arlington Bridge

Beautiful melanistic tree squirrel didn't make it across trail
An older rider offered some directions when we got off the Mt. Vernon trail and then tried to debunk climate change with weird information that put Laurie in a bit of a bad mood. The wind didn't help but stopping to eat our bagels did. We continued south toward Alexandria and discovered a Ben and Jerry's shop just as I thought about looking for one. We marked that for our return with Laurie's "2 for 1" coupon ready to go. We continued down to Fort Jones State Park at the edge of our map which seemed to have lots of bridge related mitigation that included some great interpretation. We had ridden about 15 miles and decided to turn around and enjoy a tailwind. It took a little searching but we were up to the task and relocated the Ben and Jerry's. I squeezed in a call to my mom while eating my cone which was harder than it sounds.

Fort Jones Park was a good turnaround point

Fox and other species tracks exhibit was very clever

Great interpretive information

Well earned stop and 2 for 1 no less!

The wind at our back made the return much easier and we took a side trip to search out Mom's Organic Market. Laurie wasn't too impressed but they have been trying to do the right thing for 25 years and we did get some good snacks. We were back at the Mall when Laurie had an encounter with a pushy bus tourist that generated a few curses. We got back about 4:30 and returned the bikes after about 32 miles and quite an adventure. Across the street was the Postal Museum where enjoyed learning about mail trains and buses, the hard working employees of those days and "Owney", the traveling mail dog who was stuffed there with a collar of all the dogtags collected. Afterwards we found a current PO and bought another box to fill and mail home.

Nama checks out Mom's Market

Lynette's Traffic Cone Bag has been awesome the whole trip

Laurie handled a rough ride very well

Some serious mail delivery methods

Our adventure continued as we got off the Metro for the organic spaghetti dinner Laurie had been craving. Unfortunately, the Indian staff weren't up to that and we had a very mediocre meal that Laurie couldn't finish. We were puzzled given the large size and prime location of the Resturant. We were the only guests and couldn't get out quick enough. A little online research confirmed that we had fallen for a tourist trap or more deviant mystery but we survived.

We should have had dinner here with this group

Back home we connected with our hosts to do laundry in the basement but were locked out in the dark when the lock failed. Luckily, someone who knew the owners came by and contacted them when we couldn't. After a quick response we were back doing laundry while he fixed the front door.
Our FaceTime chat with Elle resulted in learning our box shipped several weeks ago had't arrived. Online checking showed that delivery hadn't worked and the box was "returned to sender". We sent it from Portland Maine but hoped that meant our home. We checked and it hasn't showed up there either. We are following up to solve that now with crossed fingers.

Our post office results weren't so good

Our host is repairing the lock and we have clean clothes and lots of memories and new stories to add to this adventure. Tomorrow will be a new day and full of surprises, excitement and maybe a few setbacks. It's all good after all and tomorrow brings the zoo and the World Series into the mix.

It's a Wild Ride!

Day 36 "On the Loose" 10-19-14

We opted to hold off for a day of bike riding until tomorrow. Instead, we took the Metro back to Union Station after getting SmartTrip cards. Union Station and the complex around it is amazing and things don't seem as crowded on this bright windy Sunday.

<NOTE:We're having some difficulties posting photos now and will add them when solved>

Really long metro Escalators

We connected with the Bike and Roll rental shop for details on our planned biking, Amtrak for baggage questions, located a city map and fit in some very good coffee and breakfast goodies. No need to rough it here. We then stepped out into the sunlight and walked across the huge open grounds that are part of the Mall. It seemed we had the senate offices, capital with dome under restoration, reflecting pool, and other nearby facilities to ourselves. The Washington Monument in the distance made me think of Martin Luther King and the crowds that gathered to hear him.

Our likely bike rental shop

Laurie trying to find potable water

Washington Monument and Capital Mall

Beautiful planting do at the US Botanical Garden

Peaceful settings

The U.S. Botanical Garden was an excellent stop with SE vegetation, sustainable values and lots of good interpretive information. More Followup is needed as we passed much of the facility. The National Museum of the American Indian was large, open and very impressive. I had an episode while we were exploring it and had to sit things out for a while. Relaxing seems to get rid of the symptoms quickly. The video on "The Indian Problem" and other multi-media displays were powerful reminders of the past. I wish all students were able to go through this museum. A current exhibit on Central American Indians was excellent too. Much more time is needed here and I expect we will return on this trip. Laurie was happy with her gift shopping and we had a great lunch of native foods.

Unusual design inside National Museum of the American Indian

A view below

National Museum of the American Indian

The Hirshholm Art museum is located in a large round building on stilts with an outside gallery. It lookede great but we had to save it for later and press on. Likewise the Smithsonian Castle which I had never heard of. We headed for the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and spent a lot of time enjoying the oceans exhibit. More time is needed here too. We were only able to skim the Origins of Man exhibit and plan to return this trip. There are other exhibits to see even though s big part of the fossil exhibits are under renovation.

This silver tree must frustrate all the squirrels

Great ocean information in the Natural History Museum

Big greeters too

We headed back, caught a different Metro and walked until we located a small popular Ethiopian Resturant. The food was excellent and we left full and happy as we walked the 1.6 miles back home via a new route thanks to google maps. We arrive home in a tired and happy state again. We'll need the rest for the next day coming too...


Buses with good biking guidance