Blasting around home

July is a lot shorter than well.... it seems. A month is not a long time. But that is what I have at home so treasuring what there is. It has been insanely busy and not getting to see and do nearly as much as I want to. Most sad that I am not able to spend enough time with all the wonderful friends of the DC area.

Some of the memorable trips include a beautiful evening in DC. Exploring Georgetown. Cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake dinner at a beautiful cafe with mussles. Then accidentaly happening to watch the international space station cross the sky from the top of the Kennedy Centre (it crosses often, but there were people who knew which one of the many lights it was and that was great).

Two trips canoeing (on the same day) on the Patuxent River. Amazed that the water level was high enough to get the canoe through this time of year. Bit the first bit did involve quite a few lift-overs, and no desire to get in the dirty water. Mostly attempting to avoid the huge amount of spiders on all the river sides. Some sightings of cows, llamas (!!), herons, fish and lots of turtles. Great trip - from Brighton Dam Road to Ednor Road on Patuxent. Parking available on both sides. No pictures until I develop my water camera.

Also a berry-picking trip to Larriland farm. Sadly end of raspberry season so it was insanely difficult to pick the berries, but still great to get them right off of the bushes. Also some blueberries and cherries.

There was also a great day trip to Charlotsville, VA and Monticello (Jefferson's house) last weekend with Claudia. The drive is very relaxing and beautiful. Charlotsville is a very quaint town - many small stores and less chains especially on the historic strip. UVa is also beautiful - the amount of flowers really does make the allergies come out of anyone.

In the Monticello garden.

Jeffersons' house. First dome built in the US - that has no use. Amazing architecture - he was quite a fascinating person. Especially amusing that he did not want the fact that he was US President put on his gravestone. Not something to be proud of?

Uva mall. Students and professors actually live here! Beautiful.

Then there are the fun evenings of spending time with friends. Dinner at home, dinner out, or hanging out in college park. Example of a piniata b-day party.


Another two weeks left before leaving for Alaska (and then immediately the west). Time sure flies! But enjoying what I can do and missing Maryland already.