The Final Day --- Day 4 and I'm feeling each and every one of them this time. Goodness, I've gotten old. Finding my get up and go was the morning task and I'm packed, fed, loaded onto the bus, and ready for today's adventures.
The first stop today is at the Jefferson Memorial. Love, love, love Thomas Jefferson stories. The cornerstone of this memorial was laid by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States, 1939.
Day three and I'm starting to feel my age. Goodness, but it didn't seem quite this exhausting five years ago. Silly me. Someday, I'll realize that I'm getting older, but not just yet please. At any rate, by 9 a.m., we are already arriving at our destination. First thing this morning it is the Spy Museum and although I've been twice before, this time it is in an all new building and way bigger. I'm kind of excited. Upon entering, I'm given a new identity -- I am Harlow Santos from Puebla City, Mexico and am a photographer. My mission takes place in Jakarta, Indonesia so I'm to head there for further instructions by using the secret codeword SOUTHPAW.
If that sounds confusing, it is a bit. This place is two journeys in one. It is a museum filled with lots of fun and informative items AND a spy mission that I've been assigned to. Checking out the museum part along the way is fun, BUT we have a limited amount of time here and I'm not sure I can do justice to both.
Day 2 and we are up and moving bright and early. Showers, breakfast, loading busses and by 7:45 we are on our way to Mount Vernon. Some are not quite ready to start the day.
With another 8th grade grandson, I am returning to Washington, D.C. with his class for some sightseeing and education. I do love these trips and am excited for all that the next few days will bring. Come along with me and I'll share the fun info I've managed to pick up. We have a flight that is bright and early and arrive in D.C. just after 11 and it's a wee bit chilly here. In fact, it is snowing. Not much, but perhaps a telling factor for the next few days. Into the bus and we are off towards the National Mall.
Dallas Blooms is one of my favorite times of year. The colors and plantings are just beautiful and heartily looked forward to viewing. The problem this year is that it has been so very wet and cold. Even today, the sun is in hiding, but we'll still have a nice walk.
Tulips and daffodils and hyacinth, oh my.
After successfully testing their recipe on countless Australians for nearly a decade, the brother began to wonder if there was a bigger challenge awaiting them. Through a remarkable series of events, Mark and Adam found themselves in Texas reveling in local music, eating tacos and brisket, and drinking the most incredible beer they had ever tasted. The only thing they couldn't find was strong coffee. So, the new challenge was upon them. They believed their unique coffee style and service could contribute something to the might of Texas food and drink culture."
They have 3 store in the metroplex and we are fortunate to live by one of them. The boys both live in Dallas and today we are lucky enough to get some visit time with Mark. As a result we now know just where to go for the "coffee scene" when we make our journey to Australia and New Zealand in a couple of years. Woot, woot. Oh, they won't tell anyone what LDU stands for, but I'm going with Land Down Under as my guess.
It's been a bit since we were able to attend a Member Morning at the zoo. I'm thrilled to be out walking a bit and enjoying the springy weather. Postings on Facebook have shared that there is a new Colobus Monkey in the habitat and we are fortunate to see it scampering about. It's the little white bit to the left of the adults.
