Petersburg National Battlefield

On the drive back to DC from Durham, NC we took a couple of hours to stop at the Civil War battlefield at Petersburg, Virginia. I knew that Petersburg had been a very important area in the War but I didn't know all that had gone on there. Nearly ten months of battles, skirmishes, and seige played out there. It always amazes me, when visiting a Civil War site, how calm the place seems. Petersburg was particularly so. The sky was blue and the birds were singing. It is hard to imagine what went on there 145 years ago.



There is a very large cemetery full of graves from the period. Not all are Confederate soldiers, but there were a fair number.



Perhaps the GREATEST NAME EVER! Besides I couldn't resist a pisture of the marker. After all, my maiden name is Page.

I found it! I found the house I want above all others I have ever seen. It is absolutely perfect, wonderful wrap around porch, great windows made for window seats, beautiful trees. The only problem? The house is located in Oxford, NC. I know that for the citizens of Oxford, NC that is not a problem. But for Dan and Jan Callister it poses an insurmountable obstacle. But I can still pretend, right? Oh, I could have rocking chairs on the porch!

For some reason there are several blocks in the town, which by the way is quite small and not particularly near any large town, which have the most wonderful old Victorian homes. There are magnolia trees in the front yards! I LOVE magnolia trees in front yards.


Was I meant to be a southerner?

A Quick Trip South

Dan has some meetings to take care of at Duke University so I am tagging along. We are staying at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club which is basically located across the street from Duke. What a beautiful place! We have never been down here before but it is charming. I know I am
disappointing Spence, who hates Duke for all those pesky collegiate wins, but such is the truth.


The Inn is also lovely with a very nice course. While Dan was playing golf I took the opportunity to sit in a wonderful adirondack chair and enjoy Mansfield Park by Jane Austin.


The view from my very chair! If you look closely you can see the humidity.

Sunday Afternoon

Ah, Sunday. Especially a sunny Sunday. A perfect opportunity to take a few pics from the rooftop patio of our building. See why we love it?


From the other side:


And finally, if you look VERY close, you can see the sign for the Verizon Center - yes, the home of my Caps. Oh, if only hockey season were still on.



And so, we prepare for a week of rain. At least we had Sunday afternoon!

Saturday's Walk

Finally, a day with no rain! The sky was overcast, yes, but at least IT DIDN'T RAIN. So, what else is Saturday for but a good, solid walk? First across the street past the remnants of the Run For The Cure set-up on the Mall.

It was about a two mile walk from our apartment to the Eastern Market on Capital Hill. (See Becky and Lori - I can walk a long way just not as fast as you!) The Eastern Market was established in 1876 and has been going all that time. It's a great place for just about anything you can imagine.


There is an indoor market with absolutely the best meat and produce in DC - bakery, too.



And, of course, Dan's favorite activity at any street fair is eating. Yes. he is eating here, not preparing to rob a store.



And, we discovered that there is a Metro stop for the Market which we took back to the Smithsonian. Then a very pleasant walk back home which included a stop at one of my favorite places in DC, the National Gallery Sculpture Garden.


All in all, a good Saturday!

Happy Birthday To Me?

Well, it had to happen. I mean, the calendar, as well as the clock is relentless. It was my birthday today. I am old. I really do not like it. However, I was feted and that is always a good thing. A brief description:


1. Last things first: Final picture of the day, walking home up Pennsylvania Avenue, in front of the National Archives. I am nearly old enough to warrant a permanent display there.


2. Dinner at Central: New, excellent restaurant in DC. Dan, Josh and I could not have been happier with our dessert choice. This, my friends, is the way God intended banana splits to be served. May I say it was fabulous?!


3. I did have a party in Kansas City with the original party kids. It was my first ever Teddy Bear Birthday and we did have fun, from the treasure hunt which resulted in prizes for all (at least those under the age of 6) to teddy bear cupcakes made ala my favorite flavor, German chocolate:


Yep, if a person didn't have to get older, birthdays would be pretty sweet.

Oh, this is another view from the corner of the block where I live:

That's the back door of the national Gallery of Art.

I Wasn't Kidding

When I told everyone back in La Quinta that D.C. has gone "ObamaMad" I wasn't making it up. This is the front door of our next door neighbor. I can promise that I have never seen ANY pictures of ANY other presidents on ANY doors. Ever.

However, our first day in DC is nearly complete. Late afternoon arrival, walk around the neighborhood, dinner at Dan's favorite salad place, "Chop't" and a walk around the Mall.

Softball season is back! Here, the interns from Senator So-and-so's office versus the interns from the Agency For Creative Budgeting. It is very serious business, almost as serious as the kickball games going on closer to the Capital.


By the way, this is the corner of the street where we live!