Autumn soon -

Leaving home yesterday there were only tiny signs that somewhere

out there Autumn was on its way!

Notice the trees in my back garden were still really green.

Here, in northern Virginia and the District of Columbia it's

cooler.  I see a little color in the smaller street trees, but it's

 definitely not the usual vista of gold and orange seen in mid-October.

Today we'll be heading into the city where we'll park the car and

 enjoy some serious downtown walking, and perhaps some shopping.

It's cloudy, but the light showers during the night are over, and today

will be comfortable for sightseeing, high of around 64F. Hopefully I'll get

 some photos to share.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Clouds and the journey home. . . . . . . . . .

I took these photos with my iPhone as we flew into Washington D.C.  

last Thursday evening. The flight from New Hampshire was smooth

 and the cloud formations just stunning.

The Pentagon and Potomac River

Northern Virginia 

Coming home from a trip, especially when flying is involved, is always

 full of nostalgia for me.  

Each time I land I give thanks for the safe passage, then, if necessary, 

as on that evening, I head to the next flight gate, or the lounge if time permits, 

and settle in for the layover. That evening our flight from Washington to

Raleigh was delayed 2 hours - crew problems - so a comfy lounge wait as

 dusk turned to night was manageable. Eventually, the last thanks for safe travel

 were given as familiar territory appeared below the wing, the landing was good,

 the bags appeared quickly, and the taxi took us home.

There's no place like home, is there?

Capital moments, and the CANVASPOP print winner. . . . . . . . . .

Besides visiting Loi Thai at his beautiful shop Tone on Tone during our recent 

Washington weekend, Bob and I took time to drive around the city where we share 

so many memories from the sixties.

My different view of the Washington Monument 

The White House

'The Friendship Archway', entrance to Washington's 'Chinatown'

Coffee tastes the same in any language!

After a cold, snowy Winter, trees stretch their arms awaiting fresh green coats

Smithsonian Museum and Washington Monument

Whizzing by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial

 The United States Capitol ~ currently undergoing a massive face lift to the dome

Lincoln Memorial - Abe's awesome statue is inside 

St. Matthew's Cathedral where fifty years ago we said "I do".

National Museum of Women in the Arts - One I must visit next time

Built in 1888, the historic SunTrust Building.

Owned now by the Spanish Zara fashion chain 

I lived in this apartment building for a while in the '60's when I first came to the USA.

It's an older building, art deco style and quite lovely. The interior had been completely 

renovated so my place was brand new - rent $100 monthly!

Top floor, three left side windows comprised my 'efficiency apartment'.

My windows to a new to me world, and big city living. . . . . . 

quite a change from my home in a small English seaside town.

Hope you enjoy the views and, if you've never visited, I suggest  you

go soon - it's still a wonderful city .

*****************
canvaspop

 FREE 16X20 print GIVEAWAY

Bob did the honors ~ picked a name out of the bowl late last night.
The lucky winner is Marilyn of the lovely blog
Delights of the Heart

Congratulations dear ~ I know you will find a special photo to have 
turned into a print by this really great company.
You'll be receiving the code via e-mail from me for your print.

Any other readers who would like to order a canvas print from 
canvaspop can use this 35% off discount on any size print.

The code is BREATHOFFRESHAIR35

This discount will be active for 2 months. 
It cannot be combined with any other discounts, and 
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If you missed the Giveaway post on April 1 and would like to 
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****************

My life in our Nation's Capital..................

I emigrated to America in 1962.................my first home was Washington, D.C.  Coming from a small, old fashioned, English seaside town, arriving in this nation's huge bustling capital was a bit overwhelming to say the least! 

My hometown of Torquay in Devon, England - May 2011

I traveled with another young woman from my hometown.  We worked together in an insurance company office.  It was she who discovered we could come to the USA to work as secretaries, if we signed a contract with a particular employment agency, agreeing that we would stay at least one year in D.C.  


Being adventurous, I soon found myself being interviewed.  After taking shorthand, typing, and secretarial skills tests, and being accepted, I headed to the American Embassy in London for the day-long interview/medical exam etc. which enabled me to get clearance to 'cross the pond' and seek employment. (I had to apply for a Green Card the day after arrival which gave me legal immigrant status). I worked two jobs all Summer, heading to a waitress job after the long day in the insurance office, to save my airfare. I'd never flown on a plane, lived in other than my parents' home, or even crossed the English Channel (which was right on my doorstep) to visit Europe.  But, adventure I did...........leaving for London on a wet October morning, a week before my 19th birthday, hugging my tearful family goodbye, stepping onto a plane bound for New York City, and from there to Washington, D.C. 

.......The old and the new........

Fast forward almost 49 years.......and here I am back in the old capital, enjoying the places which enthralled me so long ago.  Some haven't changed a bit.  Others have disappeared from view as modern buildings have shot into the skies as in all large cities.

Sadly the Washington Monument is closed following damage during a rare East coast earthquake of August 23, followed by the visit from Hurricane Irene last week - cracks have appeared and water damage has occurred - so it's deemed unsafe for tourists.  This monument was visible from my bedroom window during my first months in D.C. when I lived just a few blocks from such places as the White House, the awesome Smithsonian Institution, and most of the national monuments and memorials. At night I loved watching the blinking lights from the pyramid-shaped top of the monument, wondering at times what on earth had possessed me to come so far from my quiet home and my loving family to this large noisy city!

Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument from the car as we dashed into the city under the cloudy skies.

Why was I here this week?  

Beautiful banner outside our Washington hotel.

I wish I could say it was for something creative and artistic, such as revisiting The Phillips Collection where Renoir's amazing  Luncheon of the Boating Party is exhibited, and will soon be followed by Degas's Dancers at the Barre: Point and Counterpoint. I love impressionist paintings and these two French artists are among my favorites.


This quick overnight visit, a 4 hour drive from home, disallowed much sightseeing, shopping, and dining - other than a nice supper with our nephew.  Our reason was to visit the Vietnamese Embassy to apply for a visa!  Yes, another trip coming up later this year. Following the Antipodes adventure, Paula and I will be heading to Thailand and Vietnam!  More on this later.

Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1880-81 ~ Pierre Auguste Renoir