Showing posts with label Rebel XSi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rebel XSi. Show all posts

Monday, September 20, 2010

Washington DC ....

George Washington's estate at Mount Vernon ....






















The top pic is of George Washington's house at Mount Vernon. A never ending line of visitors snake through it all day long.
We were in that line going from one plexiglas-screened-off-room to the next. Everyone was Oooh and Aaah and agog with the wonderful sights of America's history!! 
Going up the beautiful original staircase with the rest of the crowd, I realised that the great George himself must have held the same handrail that I was now holding, so I asked a nearby guide if Washington had in fact used this route - to which the reply was "Most certainly - yes".
Everyone stopped and was now in awe of the handrail, almost afraid to touch it, let alone use it for support  :-)) 
To see history was obviously something - to touch it, and actually hold it was something else entirely!!
Here's a link to Mount Vernon's very comprehensive website ....

The next pic is of his farm on the estate.
The larger building in the centre background is the sixteen sided treading barn.
He designed and built it for more efficient grain threshing.
The interesting story of its necessity and development can be found here ....
http://www.mountvernon.org/learn/explore_mv/index.cfm/sss/76/

PS. The zig-zag cedar fencing is as was used at the time, and is freestanding. Therefore it can be placed anywhere, and to make an enclosure of any size. No gates were needed. Clever eh??

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Washington DC ....

George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill ....
The first "automated " mill in America ....











































It was a change to get out the hustle of Washington centre for a day, and to come here to GW's gristmill and distillery near Mount Vernon.
We were the only two visitors there, so we had the costumed guides all to ourselves!!
For history and info on the mill and distillery, follow this link ....
I'll put some more shots of the main estate on the next post ....

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Washington DC ....

National Museum of American History ....
Transportation Section ....


































 























With prosperity comes mobility. Lastly - a car purchase.
This museum fascinated us. All the exhibits really are first class.
For more details go to .....

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Washington DC ....

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown ....
Take a look at Sangtru's HDR treatment of the above pic at this link ....











































A gem of a place to find in Washington, but it might be better with a bit more water :-)
I think it was drained for maintenance purposes.
For more information on the history, and many more photos of this canal, follow this link ..... 

Monday, September 13, 2010

Washington DC ....

The Old Stone House, Georgetown, Washington ....
This house is located in the Georgetown district of Washington. It's so easy to pass it by unnoticed, because to go into its garden, and then tour the house itself is like going back in time.
Built around 1764, its history is quite something. I won't even try to relay it here.
If you would like to read about it, then please click on this link .....

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Washington DC ....

Just had to see this place - The White House ....

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue ....
Taken from Lafayette Square, instead of the usual "Ellipse" view. I think this side is more interesting. Certainly you can get closer to the building, and Lafayette Sqaure - being on slightly higher ground - gives you a better shot over those awful black railings.
Go to this link for more info on the building itself - nothing political I promise.....

Monday, September 6, 2010

Washington DC ....

Arlington National Cemetery .....
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/index.htm

















Taken from Arlington looking towards the centre of Washington ....

















Taken from inside Arlington House, looking at the slave quarters .....
http://www.nps.gov/archive/arho/tour/home.html













Wreath laying by school children at the Tomb of the Unknowns .....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns

















Looking from the Mausoleum steps towards Washington .....
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/tombofun.htm

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Washington DC ....

Smithsonain National Air and Space Museum ....
http://www.nasm.si.edu/














I just liked the look of the angles, forms and lighting for the above pic. I haven't got a clue what the planes are!!


 
















Before and After ....
In 1929 Charles Lindbergh flew this plane, a Ryan NYP called the Spirit of St Louis, across the Atlantic. He sure did start something ....
In 1969 the Apollo 11 lunar mission carried Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin,and Micheal Collins. It culminated in the first footsteps on the moon ....

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Washington DC ....

National Gallery of Art. Washington - http://www.nga.gov/

Not being an arty type of person, I was more impressed with the building as opposed to its contents - as beautiful as they no doubt are ....

Under the dome of the gallery - "Rotunda" to be exact ....

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Washington DC ....

Union Station. Washington DC ....

One of my favourite places. I thought it elegant, traditional and yet modern at the same time. It is also supremely functional, as I hope comes across here ....

I'm trying out Blogger's new posting page. I haven't quite figured the text alignment yet. I would like to place text under each shot, but haven't found a way to do it so far. For the future I guess .....


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Washington DC (on the lighter side)


Trouble with my prostrate?  No, I don't think so ....

This gentleman was spotted "filling the pool" at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden :-))
There is a good cafe (The Pavillion) in the gardens, and we went there a few times. Food at the Pavillion was tasty, fresh, and cost was reasonable by DC standards too ....


Enough of the 3M's (Mall, Memorials and Museums).
When it's 30'C plus, this takes some beating!!
The pool was in the Sculpture Gardens ....



Just as well the bin on the left is chained to a tree - this street drummer would probably whack the hell out of it.
He was good - really good ....

Washington DC ....

National WW II Memorial. Washington DC ....












This is one of the bronze panels on the ramp leading to the citation panels and pool of the memorial ....




The memorial honours the more than 16 million men and women who served in the US forces, and the more than 400,000 who died ....

Monday, August 30, 2010

Washington DC ....

The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial - The Wall ....
http://thewall-usa.com/



An incredible place for a lot of people. I saw a black soldier walk down the wall looking for a name - and then - having found it, stand back, come to attention - and salute the name. The tears were streaming unashamedly down his face the whole time. How can you not be moved by something like that??



The Three Soldiers sculpture at The Wall .....

I don't if these three statues are of anyone in particular of the over 58,000 names on the wall. To me they represent them all ....

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Washington DC ....


The Monument - Where else but Washington ....



Capitol - from the South West lawn ....

But I prefer this shot - I think it's the green that makes it more complete ....


But then - it's a beautiful building from any angle ....

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Reed dweller ....


A red-wing blackbird on the shores of Lake Ontario ....

Royal Botanical Gardens ....


Not only in Singleton!!

Royal Botanical Gardens ....


I hope it works, I haven't seen one yet!!

Here's looking at you!!


And while you're not looking ....


I'll just stuff myself with peanuts ....

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Bursting forth ....


I'm not sure what it is, but it looked good, so .....