Break with Monica (Day 7)

This was our most relaxing time of the entire break. I took Monica to the beach in Ocean City, Maryland. As sad and pathetic as it may sound, this was my 1st time here, as in, really visiting Ocean City (and I live about 35 miles/56 km west of it). Like being a tourist in my own backyard, interesting.

From the southern tip of the boardwalk, facing north.

Taken from a fishing pier, camera facing south.


Now, facing the sand/boardwalk/city in the northwest.

Trying to catch a few waves with my camera.

I must say, the breeze and air from the ocean was the absolute best part of this trip. It was so relaxing.

Yeap, that's right! I bet most of you didn't know this, did you?
This is as you exit Ocean City on Route 50. I guess the number/name changes as you drive towards Sacramento, but the road is the same!

From here on, there are no more pictures, but plenty of pleasant memories. This is the end of the pictures from "Break with Monica".

Break with Monica (Day 6)

This was the day of the monuments and leaving DC before rush-hour traffic.

By the Jefferson Memorial.

The Japanese Pagoda. This was really disappointing; we thought it was going to be something big and impressive . . . nope, it wasn't. Maybe I just don't know the meaning behind it.

Part of FDR's Memorial.

I like water.

On our way towards the Jefferson Memorial.

On our way there, we met George Mason.

Thomas Jefferson standing tall, just where I left him.

Hello Mr. Jefferson, remember me?

A person to look up to.

I like columns, as you're about to see in the next pictures.

Nice sunny day.

Let's try a different angle on this. . . .

From here, we went to the Lincoln Memorial and left to try to avoid DC ruch-hour traffic. Didn't succeed in avoiding it very well, but it was done. Then we drove the 2.5 hr. (+/-) back to my humble abode. Not very many pictures taken until we went to Ocean City, Maryland; just 30 miles (48 km) east of the town where I live. Those pictures are in the next and last day (with pictures).

Break with Monica (Day 5)

Well, we've had our fill of museums, now we're off to see other things: starting with the Library of Congress.

A little more of the DC Metro (we were among the last to get off at the end of the train).

James Madison in the Madison Building of the Library of Congress (this library consists of 3 buildings).

The Thomas Jefferson Building--where most of the library is.

Just above the entrance.

I couldn't see all of their names, but I saw the 2nd (L to R) is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the 3rd is Benjamin Franklin, and I think the 5th is Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The inner court was quite impressive.

wow.

The library.

The various symbols on the floor makes me worry.

I just can't get over the architecture, design, and colors.

As we leave, we get to see the back-side of the Capitol Building, just acroos the street.

The James Madison Building of the Library of Congress.

Hmmm, I understand this is an important building. . . .

. . . which may be why there is a bar fence between the street and this particular house.

This was our last leg of the trip, although we were really tired; hence, why we didn't get to see much or walk around.

This was the main thing we could see because it was right by the entrance: the Women's Memorial.

I didn't know how large this cememtery is.

Behold, a sea of white tombstones . . .

Very interesting: just across from Arlington Cemetery is the Lincoln Memorial. You can see it just literally down the road, along with the Washington Monument.

On top of the Women's Memorial, taking in the view.

I like eagles.

The Franconia-Springfield Metro station in which we begin and end our days' trips.

Break with Monica (Day 4)

Ok, NOW we can check out the Smithsonian museums . . . but we only have 2, maybe 3 days. . . we're gonna have to pick and choose. We chose the following 3: American History, National History, and Air and Space. Kinda interesting how they are in order of time most spent. . .

The American History museum. We hardly spent much time here. We saw that it was already 13:00 and the museums close on 17:00. Later, we saw that they all closed at 19:00 (maybe its a special Tuesday thing?) Anyway, we didn't know this and wanted to get to the other 2. Sorry American History . . .

The Elephant at the Rotunda (foyer) of the National History Museum.

Below, the Underwater/Sea/Ocean exhibit . . . just across on the top (behind the whale), was an unexpected, yet very welcome surprise . . .

Surprise! How fitting, don't you think?

WHOA! What happened to you?!

Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun.

I do love learning about astronomy, so you know I'm not gonna miss this "Beyond" exhibit!

Hey Monica, feeling small yet?

And we're off!

Waiting to go and watch the Hubble 3D movie. This was AWESOME!!!! To me, it was like a worship thought, only the one giving it didn't know it. Got to see images of the know universe and the "star nursery" in Orion's belt . . .

I am humbled by the magnitude of the universe's size. To think of how unbelievably small we are, and that to God our worth is as large (if not larger) than the entire universe . . .

Somehow, to me, the term "mind-boggling" is an understatement.

Did I mention this was my 1st time at an IMAX theater?

Ugh, Monica . . . I think someone wants to get your attention . . .