Final day in DC

The National Air and Space Museum was one of the more interesting places we visited in Washington. The original Wright Brothers plane, the Apollo 11 command module… a lot of history. Would take days to see it all.

During the cab ride back to the hotel, we struck up a conversation with the driver and asked about celebrities-he-has-driven. His list included: Telly Savalas, Senator James Lugar and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.

Best tipper? Telly. Gave the guy a $50 on an 8 dollar fare. Worst? Jesse stiffed the guy. Not a penny. Our driver still can’t believe it. About 4 our of 10 fares do not tip. Amazing.

Our friend –and DC local– Dianne took us to a hole-in-the-wall BBQ spot that was pretty damned good. Then a stroll in Georgetown. Somehow not as sexy as it seems in all the spy novels.

It’s been a good trip but we’re both ready to see our dawgs, deal with our dead refrigerator and get a cup of Rocket Fuel.

D.C. in July

Barb and I will try to do a little sight-seeing while in D.C. The International Spy Museum is on our short list. Claims to be the the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage.

Picture 2“The Museum features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display. Many of these objects are being seen by the public for the first time. These artifacts illuminate the work of famous spies and pivotal espionage actions as well as help bring to life the strategies and techniques of the men and women behind some of the most secretive espionage missions in world history.”

One of her conference events will be held at the Newseum so we might get to see some of that. And hope to make it to Britishink, where Paul Roe (Fez #30) wields the needle.

Inauguration pix

I’m not having any luck uploading inauguration photos to flickr. Think there might be thousands of folks trying to do the same thing all at once? I’ll get ours posted eventually but here are a few to tide you over. Starting with Barb in front of the Capitol on Sunday…
Barb in front of Capitol…and this lovely shot of smays.com in the wee hours of Tuesday.Waiting in line in the cold and darkAnd, finally, one of my favorites. Barb asked this Marine soldier if she could take his photo and he graciously said yes. At the last minute she ordered me to get in the picture. I can’t remember why I grabbed his arm and we’ll never know what he thought about it.Barack Obama Inauguration