Back in the Big D

I have been back in Dallas for a little over 24hrs and I am glad to be home. All journeys are full of adventures and mystery but there is nothing like your own bed at the finish line. Ahhhh. I awoke bright and early this fine Easter Morning. I enjoyed coffee with my dogs and the brisk breeze. Then off to Lee Park to witness my first ever Easter in the Park. Why have I not attended this event in the past? Well I will never miss it again if I am in town. What a blast, I am a sucker for dogs and there were a ton. The Pooch Parade is a seriously good time! Happy Easter to all!

Last Day in Washington

We are heading home this evening. Yesterday we started our morning at the Holocaust Museum. I slowly walked through the museum, I still can not comprehend how people could do such horrendous acts. I do not believe I said anything the whole time I was there and tears rolled out of my eyes and down my cheeks. I am glad that we made it to this exhibit. From there I took in the Hirshhorn Museum, I am such a sucker for art!! They had an amazing exhibit called dreams. All video installation and all in the dark. You wandered through the exhibit most times not knowing where the walls were. Fantastic!!! We sauntered through the Sculpture gardens while my mother and sister gave me there interpretations of the work. I really liked my mom's take on Henry Moore, made me giggle. We headed to the National Gallery of Art, and all I have to say about that collection is wow! I walked through the rooms of Rodin, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne and a large collection of Rauschenberg. A simply divine way to wind down a week long trip . We all have tired feet and my cheeks are a little flushed from the constant wind that has been blowing since we got here. I am hoping that we will catch a few more things this morning then back to Texas. If you have never been to DC I highly recommend it. Pierre L'Enfant designed an amazing city and it is full of wonderment and history. I posted more pictures on my flickr from this week.

Washington Update

Well I tried to write an entry everyday but I could hardly stand upright last night and went to bed instead. So here is a two day recap. Yesterday was one for the record books in my life. It started well before the sun came up. We hoped on a bus and headed out to Mount Vernon to see the home of our nation's first president, George Washington. Very impressive. The home had examples of the some of the oldest faux finishes I have ever seen. After that we were stuck on bus for a while because it would not start. No problem bus driver Willy to the rescue! Then we drove through Alexandria and took in the sights. My favorite was an old row home from the 1800's called the Spite House. It is still lived in today and is a total 150 Sq Ft of two story living space. From there back to DC. We milled around Union station a bit tried to get in the national archives but gave up due to rain.

I went out alone and armed with cameras later to catch some demonstrations. They were happening all day all through out the city due to the 5 year anniversary of the war in Iraq. I caught the end of one in Mcpherson Square and ran to catch the Metro to get to the Captiol Building. I just made it. People were gathered and ready to march up the hill. It was a silent procession, people were wearing black and had the names of soldiers hanging around there necks. They marched up the hill and stopped in the middle of an intersection. I believe 52 people were arrested yesterday during the demonstrations.

Today we started bright and early again. We waited in line at the National Archives to be one of the first ones inside. I stood in front of our founding documents this morning. Very surreal and amazing. From there took in the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden and got to get close to another Oldenburg! Then we headed to the Capitol Club. Little did I know that it was the National Republican Club. (A little side note here. I have been traveling with my mother and my sister whom are both republicans. I am of the other persuasion.) They thought it was hilarious that I needed to go inside the club. We sat in the entry to the private club and waited for Henry Bonilla. He personally took us on a private tour of the capitol building. I could go on and on about this but instead will give the short short version. The buildings interior is unlike anything I have ever seen in this country. I stood on both the House and Senate floor. Sat at Mrs. Clinton's desk in the chamber and saw the remaining bullet hole from the shooting in the 50's. I have a better understanding of our law making process. I think I will remain an artist. Haha...

Washington Day Three

Well we hit the ground walking this morning. There were many amazing things seen. I finally sat on a couple set of steps I have always wondered about. As I sat on the steps to the Lincoln Memorial I looked out to the Washington Monument. I have seen this same view in still pictures and on the big screen a ton of times. The scale of the grounds could never have been understood until I sat on the steps myself. Then there was the Vietnam Memorial designed by Maya Lin when she was still a student at Yale. Watching people take rubbings off the wall of there love ones names. Absolutely speechless. We went out to Arlington National Cementery today as well. I never knew that before the land was a cementery it was a plantation that was once home to Robert E. Lee, once he left to join the south in the Civil War he never came back again. Crazy. I saw the seas of headstones, and the resting places for President JFK and Jackie, President Taft, Thurgood Marshall and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All in all the history keeps flowing into my head and we have been going to bed early with tired feet and minds. Tomorrow we are off to the home of George Washington. I am also going to try and capture some of the protests that are going on in Washington right now. To anyone who has not made the journey out to DC, I highly recommend it. It has made me geared up to be democratic!

Another day in Washington

We had another busy day in DC. The architecture here is beautiful. I stood in front of the Capitol Building and just kept saying wow! I wish we had more buildings of that caliber in this country. I also saw the Wright Bros. plane and many other wonders of air and space. My brain is full, my legs sore and my lips chapped from the breeze. Also I ended the day with coffee and cheesecake. Could I ever ask for more? I think not. I look forward to a day full of art later this week.

Department of Justice

On the Road Again......

I remember wishing I would travel more. Haha be careful what you wish for, I have been running all over the place lately and loving it. I am currently in Washington DC. It is an all Felicella woman trip. Just my mother, sister and myself. I loved walking the green lawn of the Mall. I could not help but to think of all the amazing things that have happened on that same grass I was standing on. We are literally surrounded by our nations history. While gazing at the White House today my sister found a button. We had to push it. It made us both giggle. We waited but no one came to let us in. Must have been there day off. Goodtimes..



Other than that things have been busy busy as usual. The Shutterbabes had there first outing. What a blast!! There shall be more updates soon. I am such a bad blogger.