The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool #2

In an earlier post, this blog featured the Reflecting Pool located in front of the Lincoln Memorial.  The Reflecting Pool was empty for repair and people were walking on the bottom of the pool.  It was a rare and odd sight.

95 years ago, there was a similarly odd and rare sight at the Reflecting Pool.  It was 1923 and the reflecting pool had been completed recently.  It was also the age of barnstorming.  So, you can guess what happened.

A daredevil landed a biplane with pontoons on the Reflecting Pool and then took off without crashing into the Lincoln Memorial.  Below are a few photos of the event.

The aircraft is a Navy HN-1 with a Wright-Hispano motor and a Fokker wing layout. (Library of Congress)

(Johnson & Jones)

(Harris & Ewing / Library of Congress)

Abe Lincoln had a front row as the plane sped toward him and then flew overheard.  Whew!

Where do you live in DC? #8

Where do we live in D.C.?

Well, it turns out that we don't live in D.C.

Apparently, we live in a place called Mexico.  No joke.

Long ago, in the mid-1700's, before the United States were independent and before anyone conceived of the District of Columbia along the banks of the Potomac, there were large plantations here. 

One of the plantations was located just east of Georgetown.  The plantation was owned by Robert Peter, a Scottish-born merchant and land speculator living in Georgetown.  For some unknown reason, he called his plantation "Mexico".   

In the upper left portion of the 1792 map above, "Mexico" is located between Georgetown and Hamburgh (a German settlement) .

One writer speculated:  "Perhaps the doughty Scottish merchant had made a killing with free-booting that involved Spanish crown galleons headed for Mexico.  Rich Mexican trade was a favorite prey of American merchant ships such as those plying the ocean from the Georgetown port in those days."

"Mexico" encompasses the modern D.C. neighborhoods of Foggy Bottom and the West End (where we live).  The location of our building is indicated by the red arrow.

Robert Peter was fortunate in his land speculation.  During his lifetime, his land became part of the new District of Columbia and its value undoubtedly increased.  Robert Peter also had some good connections.  His son Thomas Peter married Martha Custis, the step-granddaughter of George Washington.  

Who knew there was a "Mexican" in George Washington's family tree?  

Down Under in D.C.

Our travels in D.C. take us all over the city.  Around nearly every corner, there is a surprise.

Recently, we discovered the Embassy of Australia, located Massachusetts Avenue near Scott Circle. 

The building is currently wrapped in a large, colorful poster, while the facade of the building is renovated behind the poster. 

A random dude in front of the Embassy of Australia

We are fond of Australia and Australians.  Susan has visited twice and Greg has been Down Under several times.  We hope to return to Australia and live in Sydney during Year 10 of The 10 Year Plan.

While visiting the Embassy, Greg learned a new meaning of Down Under.  Check out the photo below.

Some dude covers his head while down under the business end of a giant kangaroo.  

Year 3: Halfway Point

We have reached the halfway point of Year 3 of The 10 Year Plan.   

It is hard to believe we are in Year 3 and that our time in D.C. is half over.  Time flies when you're having fun.

We are really enjoying D.C. and we invite you to visit us to share the fun.  Please don't forget that we have a spare room that we call the Lincoln Bedroom.

The Lincoln Bedroom

Even though we have been very busy enjoying all that D.C. has to offer, there is so much more that we want to see and do.

Guided tours of art museums, monuments, and neighborhoods have taught us many new things.  We also recently completed a mini-course at Georgetown.  It's funny--the professor was the same faculty member who taught a class to Greg in the early 1980's when Greg was a Georgetown undergraduate!

Besides learning a lot, we've made some new friends. Our involvement at Grace Episcopal Church has increased, as we're both working on the fundraiser to support the church's ministry.  In particular, there is a need for money to fund the outreach to the homeless.  Our adventures continue . . .

Winter was cold and blustery, but lovely. Spring has slowly, belatedly arrived and the flowers and sunshine are fabulous. The second half of Year 3 will show us what D.C. has to offer in Summer and Fall.  So, please stay tuned to our blog and we will keep posting about our experiences.

P.S.  Check out the pillow we saw one day.

Where do you live in D.C.? #7 (Part 1 of 2)

Where do we live in D.C.?

Our building is located about a 1-1/2 miles from the Washington Monument.

From the roof of our building, we can the upper part of the monument. Check it out.   

Why is this important?  We think it means that we can view the 4th of July fireworks from our roof top.  If we are right, then below is what we might see.

P.S.  If you want to join us, please be sure to reserve our spare, the Lincoln Bedroom, as soon as possible.

Museums: National Gallery of Art #8

The National Gallery of Art is home to many invaluable works of art.

One is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci, called Ginevra de' Benci.

Below is the reverse side of the panel.

The National Gallery acquired the artwork in 1968 for $5 million, which was a record high price at the time.  

If the Ginevra painting were sold today, it might fetch a price nearly 100 times the 1968 price.  Recently, another da Vinci set a record high sale price.  In November 2017, da Vinci's Salvator Mundi sold at auction for $450 million.  

Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci (1500)

Thankfully, Ginevra de' Benci is not for sale.

Music in D.C.: The Chuck Brown Band

Not far from our apartment is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  The Kennedy Center is home to all sorts of performances--music, dance, opera, theater.

Every night at 6:00 p.m., the Kennedy Center presents a free performance on the Millennium Stage.  We recently attended one of the performances.  It was fantastic.

The Chuck Brown Band performed.  Chuck Brown was a longtime D.C. institution who was dubbed the Godfather of Go-Go.   Chuck is gone but his band lives on, with some of his children performing as musicians and singers.  

Chuck Brown (1936-20012)

Go-Go music is a D.C. version of funk played by a large ensemble of singers and musicians, including a horn section.  Once the music starts, it does not end until the band leaves the stage.  The rhythm section plays a non-stop beat and each song flows into the next, while the crowd dances without stopping and sings along with the band.   

The performance at the Kennedy Center was no exception. A large open area in front of the stage was filled with dancing guests for the entire performance.  Young and old, locals and tourists all had a very good time.  

To see the band's performance at the Kennedy Center, click here.

If you want to see Chuck Brown in action, you can check out a 1979 performance by clicking here.

Thanks for joining us to the see Chuck Brown Band.