Another Check off my Bucket list in DC

Another trip to Washington DC.  This time another item crossed off the bucket list.  Happy to say I finally made it to the top of the Washington Monument. The price of the ticket and the ride up is well worth the price.  I would do it again in a heartbeat, much recommended.  The top of the Washington Monument has 8 viewing windows, two on each side. It’s crowded but not overbearing. They say the tour last a half hour but I took a bit longer than that taking my time along the way.  Posted a few photos from the top.

Since I was at the National Mall I decided to mosey on over to the Lincoln Memorial just to see it and say I got that done too.  Not sure what I’m going to do on my next visit to this city.  I’ve got a laundry list of things to get done and I’m sure in time I’ll manage to get them all done.  Going slow.  Checking one thing off at a time. 

Unexpected Surprises for Inspiration in DC

Here's some inspiration for your day. This is a long one but worth the read I promise. This visit has been one of my better ones in a while. Lately in my travels I've been spending time with friends and co-workers and though I enjoy doing that, I'm finding that sometimes I just miss my alone time. It's when I can just spend time reflecting and traveling at my own pace. Not having to worry about keeping up with someone else. It's when I feel like I take my best photos as well because I can take time to stop, focus and just breathe. It's also in those moments I tend to notice the little details about life and I get to thank God for allowing me to live this life he has blessed me with. 

Anyway DC was full of unexpected surprises. I made it my mission this time to get out of Alexandria and make my way to the National Mall. I've never been there, so I knew I was in for a treat even if the weather was forecast to rain. I never realized it until I got to the train station but in my 39 years I have NEVER ridden a metro train system alone. As a teen I did it in Chicago and most recently in Calgary but each time I was with someone who knew what they were doing. I gotta say DC metro wasn't exactly easy to figure out so I count my blessings that a random guy decided to give me a pass to load instead of purchasing a new one so I saved a few dollars. The train ran as scheduled and when I exited the train station and got up to the top of the escalators into the National Mall the biggest surprise of my day was waiting for me. I found myself stuck smack dab in the middle of a MARATHON!!!! Yes a marathon. I didn't have any clue this was even happening. At first I thought it may have been a 5k or something small but as more and more runners came I realized it wasn't ending anytime soon. Started asking questions and learned that it was the Marine Corp Marathon (MCM) and it was a big deal. No qualifier to enter and entries were done on a lottery system so if you were selected you ran. It's more of a privilege to do. Anyway it has to be the journalist in me because when I'm out on my own I seem to always want to find the unexpected or very real and raw to photograph. So I start looking at the world differently. As each runner passed they all started to look the same. But the ones that really stood out were the ones that were unable to run and were either being pushed or were biking their way though it. Then there was this runner that came staggering along. He wasn’t easily overlooked. He had no feet but he was upright and running a 26 mile marathon.  How's that for putting things into perspective? I was curious to know how he did on time since when I saw him he wasn't with the masses that came later so I looked it up. He finished the marathon in a little over 4 hours and if I’m reading the stats right he placed overall #4155. There were close to 30,000 participants in this marathon. Turns out his name is Rob Jones and he's a retired Marine who was wounded when serving overseas. He's attempting to compete in the 2016 Paralympics in the sport of triathlon according to his website. I can't help but be inspired. I got caught up in the marathon for a little longer than planned so I didn't see as much of the National Mall as I hoped. More for the next time I guess. 

The marathon carried over to my flight that night. There were quite a few runners on that flight. One of the gals I met was Angela Tortorice. In conversation she told me she had run over 500 marathons with the MCM included. Then I later found out she at one time held the Guinness Book of World records for the most marathons run in a year and told me she had run 129 marathons that year to get the title. I told her she was crazy. Anyway after this trip I know I need to stop saying things like ‘I can never run a marathon’ but rather tell myself ‘I can do anything I put my mind to. If I want to run a marathon (no desire to just yet, though inspired) I can.’ 

Marine Corp Marathon - Washington DC

This young boy did his part passing out HiFives to any runners who would take one.  

Rob Jones - Marine Corp Marathon - Washington DC

Rob Jones - Marine Crop Marathon - Washington DC

Determination - MCM - Washington DC

Marine Corp Marathon - Washington DC

Marine Crop Marathon - Washington DC

My Week: Miami - Washington DC - Los Angeles

Miami - Washington DC - Los Angeles

It’s been a busy week on the road.  This is a quick round up of what I’ve seen. Seems like a big bulk of my week went to the birds.  From the ducks at the waterfront park in Miami, to the geese on the waterfront park on my stop in DC, birds were the theme.

Waterfront Park in Miami, FL

Duck showing off at the park - Miami FL

My visit in Miami was a real blur.  Short blip on my clock.  The ducks were really the highlight of that short stay.  Got a shot of one showing of a bit at a waterfront park that I walked to.

Driving through the trees in Mount Vernon

Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria, VA

Waterfront Park in Alexandria, VA

Resident feeding the birds in Alexandria, VA

 Next stop was Washington DC.  Ended up staying out in Alexandria Virginia, so I had lunch with my old college roommate whom I haven’t seen in about 15 years in Old Town Alexandria. It was nice to catch up. Old Town Alexandria actually really reminded me a lot of Fell’s Point out in Baltimore, MD.  Same vibe.  Nice place to visit.  I later wandered down to a waterfront park where I ran into a resident who decided to feed the birds.  It amazed me how quick those birds were to find the food.  It started with a single duck and then the geese were quick to the show; then the seagulls.  It’s amazing what a little bread can do for the birds. It was an amazing treat to get photos off.

Art Mural in Burbank, CA

Driving on the 134 Freeway at Sunset - Burbank, CA

Being photobombed by my BFF!!

After DC, it was off to my old stomping grounds of Los Angeles, CA for a quick personal visit. Call me weird but I actually find driving in LA traffic as therapeutic in a strange way. Had a impromptu lunch with my old bosses in Beverly Hills while I was there and got filled in on all the glamorous entertainment business work I’ve missed since I moved away. It’s amazing what changes happen in a few months time but I guess that’s life.  The highlight of my LA visit has to be seeing my BFF.  He’s my baby; the only creature on this earth that cries with joy when he sees me - His name is Buddy and he’s a German Shepherd dog. I just wish I could see him more often.  I’m so grateful the ex still allows me to spend time with him and I try to make every minute I have with him count. The funny thing about Buddy is that he’s gotten camera shy over the years.  As a puppy he would plop in front of the camera and practically beg to have his photo taken.  These days, it’s not quite the same.  I tried to get him to take a selfie with me the other day and he refused and walked away.  He then proceeded to photobomb all of my selfies (pictured).  I couldn’t help but laugh.  Love him so much.  Was planning to get down into the jewelry district while I was in LA to shop for some beads this go-around but I didn’t quite make it there. Maybe next time....   

Anyway, that’s where I’ve been all week. Gearing up for next week.  Will hopefully be sitting down some time soon and making some jewelry.  I have earrings on the brain so stay tuned!