Washington, DC

After having motored more than 100 miles up the Potomac River here we are in Washington ready to take in all the fabulous buildings, museums and monuments.


The US Capitol Building on a perfect Fall day.



From the Capitol looking down the National Mall towards the Washington Monument.


We didn't get to tour the White House, partly because George didn't invite us, but principally because security vetting now requires you book a tour one month in advance.



The Thomas Jefferson Memorial in honor of America's third President.


Jefferson was from Virginia and one of the original signatories of the Declaration of Independance.


He also penned the Declaration, drawing together the principles and ideals upon which the new nation would be formed.


Looking back at the Reflecting Pool from the Lincoln Memorial.


The Abraham Lincoln Memorial.


The 16th President of the USA.


The American Indian Museum, an impressive new building that houses a rich diversity of ethnic culture.


Hand sewn beaded dresses.


The Botanical Gardens Atrium.


The surrounding gardens not only displayed an incredible array of exotic flora, but also delightful and intriguing works of Art.




Red Spider Lily.


The Korean War Memorial. Every week the South Korean ambassador still lays a new wreath to express his country's gratitude for the sacrifices made.


The World War 2 Memorial.


The newly refurbished Portrait Museum, our favorite, particularly the historical exibit of all the past presidents from Washington to Clinton.


The Natural History Museum. David among long lost friends!!


Guess what caught Deborah's eye?


Rose quartz, one of literally thousands of spectacular mineral specimans on display.


The L'Enfant metro station.


We spent the week on anchor off the Capital YC. An enterprising member seems to have taken swimming pools to another bizarre level!!!


Even the ducks weren't too impressed.

Shenandoah Valley & The Blue Ridge Mts.

After 3 months laid up in Deltaville ,Virginia, Water Music heads for the water again.


The 50 ton travel lift drops her in like a baby!!


There is always a lot of work getting ready to go sailing again. Unfortunately we didn't bargain for a marked deterioration of the deck caulking and spent many days in 90 degree heat and humidity cleaning out the bad spots and recaulking.



Deltaville and the surrounding area is a very beautiful part of the Chesapeake with many examples of colonial era archetecture such as this church in Deltaville itself.



Gloucester is a nearby county town with an attractive town square. Many of the old buildings were used for this quilters gathering.





To take a break from working on WM we hired a car and, with friends Anne and Steve from a catamaran called Fine Line, we headed up to the Blue Ridge mountains, made famous by John Denver, and the Shenandoah Valley.


Culpeper was a great lunch stop.


Hiking on the many trails in the Blue Ridge National Park.


At least we think we know where we are!!


The famous Appalachian Trail which runs for more than 2000 miles from Florida to Maine also runs through the Blue Ridge Park. This old rest stop is a reminder of what life was like for the early settlers.


Early missionaries followed the settlers. This remote outpost has long since been abandoned.


The local residents seem untroubled by the daily influx of visitors.




Looking southwestward down the Blue Ridge Mountains and the farming communities of the Shennandoah Valley.


View from Skyline Drive that winds its way along the whole length of the ridge.


A great weekend comes to an end.