Tuesday Update

Life in the big city. Things have been pretty status quo for a couple of weeks. This past weekend we stayed close to home. Saturday we visited Dupont Circle and Eastern Market. Eastern Market is a stop off the metro that is known for a brick building where you can go and purchase meats, cheeses, and local vegetables and fruits (and not so local). This last weekend was the grand opening. A couple of years ago someone thought that burning down the Eastern Market would look cool. It didn't. Money was raised and the building was rebuilt bringing joy to those that shopped there. Here are some photos we took.

We didn't buy anything that day, but it was sure fun to see the locals selling stuff. This also had an area similiar to what you would see at the Portland Saturday market except this area had mostly antiques and stuff. Not so much "made" local stuff - no artsy handcrafts or things.

A couple of weekends ago we drove out to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Boring. Thats all I can really say. Once you do the Hershey factory you have pretty much done the area. There are a few Hershey hotels that might be fun - at a price! Kids would really enjoy the place as it is geared towards them. The chocolate tasting was selling out fast and we didn't want to wait 4 hours for the next available time. The chocolate was good. The chocolate did taste fresher than if we bought it at the store. Amazingly, we didn't buy that much. Here is a video I took of some singing cows.





That was a crazy ride. It was cute at first. People told me that the experience was similar to that of Disney's It's A Small World ride. Um, no. It's just a cheesy ride that takes you through the process of picking the bearn to processing the bean and turning the bean into a Hershey Bar, Kit Kat, or something else. In fact, I am not even sure that any of it is real considering how many different processes the bean goes through before it becomes a chocolate something. Honestely, I think it's just for show.

Matchbox

Excellent pizza after a long day at work.

Oh my!

Tour over

Chocolate!!

Chocolate world

Chocolate World!!!!

We made it. Updates to come.

It may be time to invest in an umbrella.

I don't know what happened. Maybe I lived in Portland too long. Maybe I'm just not as sharp as I once was. Who knows? But I forgot how the rain happens in this area of the country. In Portland (and Seattle as well), no self-respecting person uses an umbrella. It's actually the fastest way to be pegged as a tourist. It rains a lot, sure, but it doesn't RAIN. It just kind of sprinkles at you for months on end. Here, well, different story. It rains (and thunders--like right now--and lightnings!). It's exciting. There's somewhat of a sense of danger with storms.
That being said, I need an umbrella. I haven't owned one for years. In college there was no point. It was too windy. You could use one, but it would be inside out and about a mile away in mere seconds. The Pacific Northwest just had the most amazing months of mist imaginable. Here, I just get wet. Very wet. Down to my underwear wet.
With that, here's a picture. Umm, clothed. Not of the underwear. Family reads this and that's just way too not okay for them to be seeing.



This was all just from walking home from the store. It's two, maybe two-and-a-half, blocks away.

Okay, that was really all I wanted from you. I'm now off to start my curried chicken and lentil soup with potatoes. It's turned out to be a very good decision for dinner.

Look what I found!

It's the outdoor pool!

Taking the kids for a walk...

Ran to Safeway to get a few things and saw this on the way home.

Why yes, that is a man on a Segway pulling three kids and plastic
wagons.
No, I don't get it either.

Yum, weiners

Over the weekend we went to the U Street corridor to check it out. The real reason of course is to eat at Ben's Chili Bowl. This place is located right across from the metro in it's original location. The place is packed from the front door to the back room. The menu is simple: hot dogs, half-smoked weiners (highly recommended), hamburgers and cheeseburgers all with chili. They also have chili and/or cheese fries. The half-smoked are incredible with the chili - I know I said that already but they are amazing!

Here is where they cook those half-smoked and regular weiners. They all have the dark spots which bring out that really great flavor. Um, together with the chil it's wonderful.

Art

Walking around U Street Corridor.

Bens chili bowl

Hanging out near U street. Eating at the famous bens chili bowl.

Caverns

Last weekend we drove South to Luray, Virgina to seek out the famous Luray Caverns. Here is a video of an underground "lake" deep inside the cavern and is one of several photographic sights. This video is me briefly explaining what this is.




Here is another video taken inside the Luray Caverns. This video was taken at the bottom of the cavern in an area sometimes used for weddings - satanic weddings. No, not really. The park service does really use this for weddings and this area also has an organ. You can hear the song that is played with strings tied to several different points in the cavern creating this music.




Here are some photos inside the stunning Luray Caverns.

Lunch

Lunch out with co-workers in Arlington, Virginia. This place is really
pushing the chili.

Lunch!

In Warrenton, VA. Heading to the Luray Caverns.

Update

Last week my parents and Aunt traveled here to visit and enjoy all that this wonderful city has to offer. We were able to spend two full days together hopping around the city and seeing the typical tourist stuff without being too touristy. It's not like you come here and avoid those, but you cannot deny they are touristy. I had never been to the Ford Theater and was excited to participate in that bit of history and a twitchy interpreter. I also enjoyed going up in the Washington Monument for the fantastic views of the city. I highly recommend going to the top at twilight for some of the best views of the city. We also visited the Spy Museum and took part in the spy mission located in Khandar (where w trigger for a nuclear missile was stolen).

The remainder of the week David and my family hit more of the bright spots of D.C. life with much traveling on the metro and speed walking in town. They were introduced to the city's best Peruvian chicken dinner in Virgina (Arlington) and some fantastic Potbelly's sandwiches. We also took them to one of our favorite Asian themed restaurants, Asia Cafe. There was also a trip to BD's Mongolian Grill in Maryland (which I don't really recommend - if you are in Columbus go to that one instead). My parents also experienced the hamburger sensation of Five Guys, not once, but a few times. I just learned that there are two of these in Oregon. One in Beaverton and one in West Linn. Yay! I mean, for when I visit, you know.

Work has been good. Only had to work really late a few times. Right now I don't have much to do. It seems my time and D.C. time are different and I seem to be getting my work done faster so I am sorta left with not much to do at the moment. I have been enjoying my office even if I still don't quite fit in yet. We did a happy hour and an in-office lunch so that helps to get to know everyone.

This weekend Dave and I are planning on driving down to the Shenandoah Valley to see some of the caves they have. I am excited for that becuase I like to go underground and explore caves and there are plenty of choices to do just that.

Other than that, we are playing inFamous quite a bit.

Whats new in your world?