Friday, November 19, 2021

FATHER AND SON TOOK A RIDE INTO WASHINGTON DC 11-17-21

 I was more than happy to stay home and potter around here for a few hours, but I enjoyed the photos they sent me.  I thought I would share them here today.

Gregg is standing next to The Lone Sailor Statue.  You can read its history at this linkIt was sculpted by Stanley Bleifeld who was an enlisted man in the Navy during World War II.  Mr. Bleifeld was assigned to illustrate Navy training manuals. Standing at 7 feet tall, there are 17 other identical statues in other locations, and you can see those in photographs if you go to this website.  The one here is standing in front of The United States Navy Memorial at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue (7th and Pennsylvania Ave) NW, Washington, DC 20004, and is the original.  It arrived on October 13th, 1987 for the celebration of the 212th birthday of the United States Navy.
Our son Brad is standing in front of this interesting sculpture, but unfortunately he couldn't find a marker identifying it, and searches I have done have proved fruitless.  Update 11-20-21:  Thank you Anni at Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin' for ID'ing the statue above.  It is appropriately called "Man with Briefcase."  I found a website that describes it: "Jonathan Borofsky 1987-1988, Cor-Ten steel."  Also, "the artist was inspired in 1979 by a newspaper advertisement for men's suits and subsequently made this archetypal office worker a recurring theme in his work."  You can read more and see photos at this website.
The above photo shows the decorative touches on one of the buildings, and the explanation for that follows.
Here we can see one of the many electric bicycle rentals.  The lads said they 'were all over the place'.
The electric bicycle Gregg is standing next to was left by someone who had made good use of it, not placed on any stand, just on the street. The company sends out a van to pick them up and do maintenance when needed.  We are assuming they use GPS to find it?  This website from the actual company tells you more about the bike and where you can rent them.  All rental bikes, still more regular ones than electric I believe, were taken off the streets during the pandemic, but they seem to be making a comeback.
Brad is standing near the Chinatown entrance which you can see above his head. That large gate is beautiful and a cultural work of art.  Here you can read about its history.  I haven't been here in several years, but it is a wonderful area to walk through and I would like to do it again.
Another interesting sculpture with an explanation below.
Next is the Hotel Harrington.  
The restaurant you can see on street level is advertised as Ollie's Trolley: An Old School DC Burger Mainstay.  The article says that it was started in the 1930s on North Collins Avenue in North Miami Beach by Oliver Gleichenhaus. He was the owner and chef and his girlfriend was a waitress. If anyone asked for ketchup, he would throw them out of the restaurant and use profanity. If anyone wanted their burger cooked any way other than medium rare, he would throw them out of the restaurant and use profanity.  And now you know about the original owner of this chain and if you go to the link you can read its entire history.  The story did make me smile.  I would have been thrown out asking for ketchup, and another secret I keep to myself usually, I don't like the mustard they put on burgers over here (I do like Colemans and Dijon), but would much rather have ketchup on my burgers.  Ah well, sorry if I disappointed you but we like what we like and don't what we don't.  'Nuff said!  
Getting back to the hotel as I digress as usual, it is in a good location as it is steps from Ford's Theater (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, and if you click on its name you can read other interesting information).  

It is 8 minutes by foot to Capital One Arena. This is home to the NBA's Washington Wizards (basketball for those of you who are overseas), but it also holds many other events.  There will be one performer who is very much my cup of tea, Andrea Bocelli in December.  I would love to see him, but am not ready for a large crowd just yet.  

Hotel Harrington is also 0.9 miles from The White House and 0.9 miles from The Washington Monument.  I know nothing about the hotel itself and if people are thinking of coming to DC and this sounds inviting, it would be a good idea to look at reviews online beforehand.

Gregg took this photo as they left Washington DC (waiting at a traffic light).  The Washington Monument was bathed in a golden glow at sunset.
And that's all from Washington DC.  My thanks to husband and son for letting me share these photos.







(The lines I used for the top of my logo is from a speech given by Abraham Lincoln.  It was taken from the last paragraph of his Second Inaugural Address.  If interested in seeing that speech you can find it here.  The photograph in my logo came from Pixabay.com)

46 comments:

  1. Looks like Gregg ad Brad had a wonderful outing and great weather for their outing. There is so much to see in D.C. and hopefully we will make a return visit one day as the National Gallery is one of my favorites and there is nothing like the museums included in the Smithsonian.

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    1. Thank you Dorothy, they certainly did. I agree about the Smithsonian, there are so many wonderful museums under its umbrella :) We have been in all of them since moving here in 1991.

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  2. OH MY, this sure takes me back. You see, I was born and grew up in D.C.! In the old Sibley Hospital, which exists no more. I rode downtown on the streetcars most weekends, and went to to Woodward & Lothrop, Hechts, and The S & W Cafeteria. I watched the fireworks from The Lincoln Memorial, and Phil played chess at Dupont Circle. I have never seen the Memorial in this glorious golden glow, though. Your sons are so good looking! I am so glad they had some one-on-one time with their Dad. My first job was at The Children's Hospital in D.C. And I was working there when M.L.K. was assinated and they rioted. Driving back and forth to work was so dangerous then!

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    1. Well how wonderful Ginny! Such a lot of history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your time in DC. Thank you so much for sharing :)

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  3. That's Man with a Brief case.

    My favorite is the mall if course, and Arlington, tomb of the unknown soldier changing of the guard, and Iwo Jima! Outside is Custis Mansion. Oh and Ford's Theater. So much history.

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    1. Thank you Anni for the ID on the sculpture :) Appreciate it very much! All I needed was the title for a better search. I have enjoyed all the places you mentioned and yes, so much history.

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  4. What a lovely outing.
    Many thanks for sharing these lovely photographs.

    All the best Jan

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    1. You are very welcome Jan and thank you :) All the best!

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  5. That was a splendid ultimate photo! And I really enjoyed making this trip with them. Say, I think I'm following Greg on instaGram. 9cloudia

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    1. Thanks Cloudia, so glad you enjoyed. That's great you are following Gregg. He just followed you back :)

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  6. The city looks empty. Maybe most people work from home now.

    A burger without ketchup? I am weeping.

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    1. Looking at these photos that struck me too, the fact that it was so quiet of people. Nice to find a kindred spirit on the ketchup, lol :)

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  7. Some good Dad and son time. I enjoyed my trip to Washington.

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    1. So glad Red, and always good to have Dad and son time :)

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  8. Thanks for sharing this great bonding trip.

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    1. You are very welcome Christine, and thank you :)

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  9. It sounds like they had a lovely time.
    The golden Washington Monument is a wonderful capture.

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    1. Thank you Sue, they always do and I am happy they get these opportunities. I thought the same about the Washington Monument :)

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  10. Wonderful tour and photos. Nice shots of your hubby and son. They look like they enjoyed the day! Have a happy weekend!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, they always enjoy DC. Happy weekend to you too :)

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  11. Wow, they saw a lot of interesting things. Sounds like it was a good father/son day. My sons name is Brad also.

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    1. They certainly did and how lovely your son is named Brad :)

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  12. It looks like they had a terrific time. I've never been to Washington -- so it's fun to see it through their eyes!

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    1. I felt the same way Jeanie, and loved my virtual tour through their eyes :)

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  13. it looks like the weather cocoperated with the father/son outing. Fantastic photos from the duo.. the first statue is really beautiful and very well crafted..

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    1. Thanks Sandra, the weather was great, lovely and sunny.

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  14. Looks like your "boys" had a good time - there is so much to see and do in Washington.

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    1. They certainly did and I agree about Washington. It is a wonderful city!

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  15. It looks as if father and son enjoyed their trip. Recording the day in photos means that you can enjoy what they saw too. Thank you for sharing. The example of the renovated panels at that famous store caught my eye. I was interested to hear that Andrea Bocelli is giving a concert. It's good to know theatre and concert venues are opening again.

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    1. Thank you Linda, it does indeed and you are very welcome. Glad those panels interested you. And I agree, it is good to see that things are slowly returning :)

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  16. How nice that your hubby and son shared their day with photos to you and now you with us! It's been a while since we have ventured into DC so it's lovely to see some favorites. What an amazing photo your husband took of the Washington Monumnent! Fabulous light! It's great when sons and fathers spend time together. Thank you and them for sharing.

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen and you are very welcome from the three of us :) They are always very thoughtful sending me photos when I don’t go along, and I am always happy when they get their time together. I had the same reaction when I saw the photo of the Washington Monument.

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  17. Great capture of your outing. Thanks for sharing Denise

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  18. That was a wonderful sightseeing trip for me. I've never been there. I too would have been thrown out of that restaurant because I do like ketchup in small amounts, but no medium rare (uncooked) burger. In fact, I dont eat meat at all, only fish. Mr. Gleichenhaus would be stringing his profanity all the way to today.

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    1. Happy you thought so JC and thank you! You and I would have had the same experience with Mr. Gleichenaus :)

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  19. it looks like the boys had a nice time, it is wonderful fun for them to hangout, just the boys. i like the first picture of greg with the lone sailer statue. that's a funny story about ollies trolley, it sounds like a fun restaurant!! that is one amazing picture of the washington monument greg took....you two enjoy your sunday!!

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    1. They did and it is Debbie :) Happy you enjoyed and you and hubby enjoy your Sunday also :)

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  20. That was a great trip! I like the sailor statue!

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    1. Thanks Jenn :) I have seen this statue off and on for years and like it also.

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  21. What great photos of another side of DC. That monument photo is amazing. Great catch. Don't you just love bloggers who know the answer? :)

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    1. Thank you, I certainly do Ellen and I have learned a lot from my blogging friends :)

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