DC Adventures

Upcoming Events

2010-04-20T14:46:00.003-04:00

May 8 - European Embassy Day

there is also a world embassy day on May 1 that I may go to, but Europe's is usually better.

June - Dumbarton Oaks

July - possibly Woodlawn and Pope Leighey House

Azalea Festival

2010-04-15T19:46:00.003-04:00

It's time once again for the Azaleas at the National Arboretum.

The Arboretum is a wonderful place to visit, especially with the collection of Azaleas in bloom, the dogwoods, and the amazing bonsai collection.

Let me know if you want to come. The plan would be to leave around 1PM (hitting up the Hume School Project first).

Who: You! Everyone is welcome!
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 1PM
Meeting location: Jay's house

Evensong

2010-03-17T23:17:00.004-04:00

Do people still check this?? Well in case you do, I hope to be more proactive again. This Sunday (March 21, 2010) I invite you to come to Evensong at the National Cathedral. What is Evensong? If you are LDS think of it like Music and the Spoken Word Episcopal style. If you aren't--well, it is a bunch of songs with a short sermon in the middle.

Evensong begins at 4PM but there is choral prelude that begins at 330PM. Feel free to meet me there, or contact me if you would like to carpool. The easiest way to get there is by car since there is not a metro that is terribly close. There is a parking structure beneath the cathedral and parking is free on Sunday.

Antietam Luminaries

2009-11-14T08:04:00.003-05:00

So I may have slacked off for a few months....

Tentatively add Dec 5, 2009 to your calendar. This is a repeat of last year's first event. More information is here:
http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm

Fruit Picking on Sat.

2009-06-25T09:06:00.003-04:00

Here are the details:

LEAVING my place at 7:45 (arrive at my place before then!)
Likely taking several cars, PLEASE bring $2 - $3 for your driver for gas
Larriland farms is roughly 1 hour away
The following fruits will be avaiable: tart cherries, blueberries, beets, raspberries (black and red and might be a bit sparse), sweet cherries (will be sparse)
I will be picking several different kinds, so at least my car likely won't get back until about 1 (might be earlier, but if you are making plans this is the best time to shoot for)
Any other questions please ask

What you missed at Hillwood

2009-06-12T13:48:00.002-04:00

Here is what you missed at Hillwood (and this is just the outside! no photography allowed inside).

The next outing/adventure will be June 27 to pick blueberries, tart cherries and raspberries (if they are ripe)--weather permitting of course.

Hillwood museum and estate

2009-05-29T08:02:00.003-04:00

The next DC adventure is June 6, 2009. We will be visiting Hillwood (http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org/). The mansion was owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post (heir to the Post Cereal fortune).

We will meet at my place to leave at 9:15AM. While the mansion is accessible by metro, it is a bit of a hike, so we will plan on driving, so in your RSVP please let me know of your willingness to drive or if you are in need of a ride.

The cost is $12 and this event is somewhat weather dependent (i.e. if it is raining we will reschedule), so if the forecast looks iffy contact me to see if we are still going.

Europe in DC

2009-05-07T09:51:00.002-04:00

Saturday, May 9 is Europe in DC. The embassies open up their doors and allow you to experience a bit of their culture and food.

My plan is to hit the following embassies: France, Spain, Denmark, UK, Finland, Austria (if there is time) and then additional on the Celeveland Park route if there is time.

If you are interested in joining me, let me know.

Azaelas, bonsai, and more!

2009-04-21T08:53:00.004-04:00

It is time for the Azaela festival!

The National Arboretum has a huge garden of azaelas that when they are in bloom are a beautiful mass of color. This Saturday is supposed to be a beautiful day and the Azaelas should be in good form. So come one, come all!

I am toying with the idea of having a picinic brunch beforehand on the gras at the arboretum--so let me know if you are interested in doing that.

The plan:

Meet at my house April 25, 2009 at 8:30AM
Carpool to the arboretum (not really metro accessible)
Possible brunch on the lawn at the arboretum
See the azaela collection along with the bonsais, capital columns, etc. etc. (there is a LOT of ground to cover at the arboretum)
Return as needed, but likely everyone will be back before 1 (in time to wash your car on a beautiful day!)

Please RSVP and let me know what you think of the potluck brunch idea. --if you want to see pictures of last year's azealas search my personal blog for my photos and/or see http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/azaleablossom.html#Apr16

Tour of the Unification Church

2009-03-04T21:08:00.002-05:00

Finally...after a bit of a delay, I spoke with Reverend Williams today and set up a tour for this Saturday (March 7, 2009) at 11:30AM at the old DC LDS Chapel. Please come out and share a bit of time in the great weather. Afterwards we will hit up Schwarma King for a bit of a snack and then can head to other adventures if we choose to.

If you are interested in coming let me know so that we don't leave you. We will plan on leaving from my place at 10:45AM (leaving...so best to come a bit before). More than likely we will be taking metro to the Columbia Heights metro station. The cost will be $1.35 each way. Make sure to remember your cameras!

February Update

2009-02-24T17:50:00.001-05:00

I just spoke with my contact at the Unification Church, unfortunately there is an event there this Saturday and thus I was unable to get a tour secured. However, I mentioned March 7 and he said that there is nothing currently on that date. I will contact him again on March 2/3 and confirm for a March 7 date--let's hope this time works!

February Save the Date

2009-02-14T16:18:00.004-05:00

February's DC adventure is tentatively scheduled for Feb 28, 2009. I realize, I'm pushing it, but that's how it goes sometimes.

The tentative idea is to take a tour of the old DC chapel (http://www.mormonhistoricsitesregistry.org/USA/washingtonDC/dcChapel/history.htm). I spoke today with the one of the current building administrators and he is willing to show us around the building. He was also in the area when the Unification Church (the current owners) bought the building from the LDS Church and thus has knowledge of how the building has changed a bit since.

If you plan on attending, please let me know as soon as possible since the tour is not regularly offered, thus I want to let the Reverend know beforehand how many people will be in our group.

The tentative schedule would be to tour the church around 11/11:30 and then afterwards, for those that are interested, go to Shawarma King which is just down the street.

Shawarma King is a new fast food restaurant in the area owned by individuals that moved to America 7 years ago from Bethlehem. They make their shawarama (offered in beef and chicken) and falafel in the traditional manner, including importing certain items from the Middle East to keep everything authenticate. I ate there recently and can attest it is definitely worth it--especially at only $5. (http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/02/the_shawarma_wars_new_eatery_has_falafel.php)

Inauguration!

2009-01-12T19:27:00.002-05:00

So for all those that are interested in hitting the mall...

Leaving from my place at 8:15AM. We will walk into DC, crossing the 14th St bridge for Mall access (public viewing area, no tickets). Please dress in several layers as well as bringing appropriate clothing. Remember to bring your camera, water, and some snacks.

Afterwards meeting back up in Crystal City for hot chocolate, snacks, and to discuss the funny/amazing/etc. things that we see in the crowds.

Antietam luminaries part II

2008-12-08T10:12:00.006-05:00

So four of us ended up going to see the luminaries at Antietam on Saturday, December 6. The drive was easy enough, and while we had to wait for a bit to get into the battlefield, it wasn't too horrendous. It was definitely a beautiful sight to see and everyone that went loved it. Here are a couple of the pictures from the event:

Luminaries at Antietam Dec 6

2008-11-19T01:02:00.002-05:00

So originally I wasn't going to start this site until January, however, I remembered that I already had a December adventure planned, and so decided I might as well start it now. The purpose of this site will be to advertise different adventures and sites to explore in the greater DC Area. Some trips will be only a couple hours, while others may be more of a day trip. So thus it begins...

The inaugural Liddle DC Adventure will be to see the luminaries set up at the Antietam Battlefield. Antietam was the bloodiest one day battle in U.S. History, where 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. One day each year, luminaries are set up in remembrance of each of these individuals, this year the tentative date is Dec 6 (Dec 13 being the alternate date in case of inclement weather). For more information and pictures see the official website. Specific details will be set up the week of the event, but with travel time (1.5 - 2hours) and going through the site it will likely take anywhere from 4 - 6 hours, if not more. Likely we would be leaving in the early evening and not getting back to Arlington until after midnight. Chances are slim that individuals would be able to do both this event and the C1 Auction, however, I am open to suggestions if you have them.

If you are interested in coming, please email me and include whether you would be able/willing to drive or if you will need transportation.

UPDATE--likely leaving the area around 9PM. A reliable source tells me that it is best to get there around 11ish to avoid waiting in line for hours. Thus, you might be able to catch some/most of the C1 Auction before leaving.