Washington DC -- The Final Day

And we squeezed every last drop out of our final DC hours -- walked across Key Bridge to shop in Georgetown, said good-bye to Clucky who had an earlier flight, explored the Adams-Morgan neighborhood, guessed the country flags outside the embassies near DuPont Circle, and checked out both Air & Space and Natural History museums.

butterfly exhibit at Natural History Museum

boys insisted photo had to be taken of this end

KahBang bag was almost lost -- left behind, but luckily remembered and still there when we returned (urban miracle).

Then, bag became prop with scary bunny sculpture outside the Hirshorn.

And our final, final moments with the awesome Cailin, who drove us to the airport after a delicious dinner at We the Pizza. 

All in all, another great vacation exploring a beautiful city with our awesome family!

Washington DC -- Botantics and Capitol

We began our third day with a trip the National Botanical Gardens. When we were in Scotland, we lived almost across the street from Glasgow's botanical garden, so went there almost every day. DC's version did not disappoint. A musical themed orchid display also reminded us of Scotland, since we went to an orchid show there when my mom visited us.

My sister, Johanna, is known for finding
four leaf clovers, so this shot is for her.

Lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian is a great choice -- interesting, native foods in a cafeteria that looks out onto a waterfall.

We then toured the exterior of this museum which has great symbols incorporated into its architecture and landscaping.

Prior to lunch we saw part of American Indian protest on the mall -- protesting an oil pipeline in the West. Another DC must, according to my nephew Henry, is to see a protest! Glad we got one in.

The boys and I went to tour the Capitol while Clucky went to the National Gallery of Art to visit all her favorites from when she lived in DC.

A quick trip into the sculpture garden to see the famous and strange.

My favorite, the metal treee

Boys' fave -- Lichtenstein house

The boys opted to head back to the hotel, while Clucky and I went to the Freer Gallery to see the Asian art.  Amazing Korean pottery and Japanese screens and these two, who I loved!

Finally, dinner with Cailin at an Ethiopian restaurant near her house, and another packed day was done!

Washington DC -- Arlington and Zoo

Day 2 began with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery, mainly to visit Eugene, my mom's husband, who is interred there. Euge, as we called him, had fought in WW2, and on a trip to DC had decided he wanted his ashes at Arlington. Euge was a true Yankee farmer, who despite having won Megabucks, never strayed from his country values and decency. It's funny that he chose the urban-like "apartment buildings" of Arlington as his final resting place, but it is very peaceful there.

We then ate burgers at a place called BGR -- had to go since that is Bangor's airport code. Yummy and lots of food for little cost.

After lunch, we met up with Cailin and headed for the National Zoo. It was Family Day, formerly African-American Family Day stemming back from when African-Americans weren't allowed to attend the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. Lots of people, cute animals, and police (see below).

Whole Foods sponsored the otter habitat, so all the babies had
vegie names, except for Kevin -- who was he?

Baby panda was the biggest attraction. We used Heard law to avoid the line
and stood in back just as the baby escaped its mother's cleaning and scampered about.

A trip to the big city is not complete without some brush with danger. We kept wondering why there was so much police presence, so we asked some cops at the Metro stop after we left the zoo. They cryptically answered, it's family day at the zoo. Although we could imagine the crowds at the Metro when everyone left at the same time, we couldn't figure out why there were probably more than 100 officers plus a command center trailer. Then, we googled and found out a group of boys had stabbed another boy there in 2011 and there was criticism that there wasn't enough security. So, safety first, but no big deal.

Until we are eating dinner across from a TV station which is broadcasting headlines and we see "Shooting at the National Zoo."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/neighbors-seek-answers-after-shooting-near-national-zoo/2014/04/23/0c9182f4-cafe-11e3-a75e-463587891b57_story.html
Luckily, we were long gone by the time this happened, but still a reminder of the perils of urban life.

Washington DC -- Monuments

After a fall and winter of work and more work, we are back into travel mode. Due to pricey Florida tickets, we gave up on visiting Grammy and Florida crew this April vacation. But, I found reasonable fares and a non-stop flight from Bangor to DC. Liam had to teach, so the boys and I decided to go anyway. With the addition of Clucky, the trip was set to go.

We arrived late Saturday night and realized that the Bangor High School chorus was performing Sunday morning at the WW2 Memorial -- perfect, a chance to see my students (Cormac to see some friends) combined with a tour of the monuments.

My student, Jessica, accompanies the singers.

BHS Chorus

Going to the monuments is always moving -- all those people who have sacrificed and struggled to make our country fair and equitable and to try to help people around the world. Plus, as Declan said, "No matter how many times you see these in movies or on TV, it's not the same as really seeing it for yourself." Reason #1 to take your kids places!

Love the new MLK Memorial -- so stately and word-oriented!

African-American soldiers who fought in the Civil War

Maine represented at the WW2 Memorial

WW2 Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Reason #2 to take kids places -- in my AP English class we read this great poem about the Vietnam War Memorial, and my students on the music trip told me they remembered lines from the poem when they visited the memorial. English connections out in the real world.

Here's a link to the poem http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15830

Luckily the cherry blossoms hadn't gone by completely.

We ended the day with Cailin -- window shopping in Georgetown and eating yummy Thai food (http://www.bangkokjoes.com/) and cupcakes from Baked and Wired which Emily, a student of mine, had recommended from when she was page in DC. A great first day in our nation's capital!

Giant chess game on roof-top deck of Cailin's apartment building!

Why Don't We Live Here?

Okay, I was giving lots of love to the Bay Area, but now it's time for Maine.

My family recently headed to Portland mainly to see Tegan and Sara, two sisters from Canada, who played an amazing show at the State Theater.  Beyond the fun of a rocking, live show, we packed in all the things that we love about southern Maine.

Scarborough Beach State Park

The warmest, sandiest, waviest beach in Maine (which isn't saying much since freezing water, rocks, and no surf are the norm at Maine's beaches)!  The day we were there, the surf was the wildest I've seen, so there was lots of being tumbled around by waves.

Two Lights Lobster Shack

If you have time to brave the lines (don't arrive at 6:00 on the weekend), the location cannot be beat.  Although you can buy cheaper seafood elsewhere, the combination of eating on picnic tables, watching the waves crash on the rocks, hearing the fog horn, enjoying delicious food make this place a winner in our opinion.  Also, BYOB and great with kids since you order at the window and play until the food arrives.

The line forms early and stays long!

But the view makes the wait worthwhile

Best fried clams -- just try not to eat too many!

Back Cove

Liam and I ran this flat, scenic route the morning after the concert.  Loved the salty smells, friendly runners, and 3.5 mile loop.

Scratch Baking Company

I first had one of these bagels at a friend of a friend's house after a race in Portland.  She called them "crack bagels," and let me just say she is right.  I don't even like bagels but these are sublime.  So, go early, since they sell out, but post-run, that was one amazing bagel!

We're always saying, "Why don't we live in Portland?" This mini-vacation made us love the city and area even more -- some of the best of summer in Maine!

Why People are Happier in California

Although I love living in Maine, where the laid-back lifestyle encourages simplicity and kindness, the whimsical nature of the Bay Area makes me smile more.

For example, where else besides San Francisco do people dress up their cars?

Or paint their houses in cheery colors?

As Liam's cousin Shauna explained the color of her house, when you live in the fog belt you can't really paint your house grey.

Plus, the food choices, including a gourmet ice cream cake bought at a high-end grocery store for Cormac's birthday (yes, that's a giant, chocolate curl on top)

And a rose garden with more varieties than you thought possible

Well, you get the idea -- things are more colorful in many ways in San Francisco, but maybe it's just because I'm always on vacation there.