Archive for the 'The Native Tourist' Category
Honor The National Moment of Silence - Memorial Day 2008 3PM
May 25th, 2008 Categories: Life in the District, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Growing up, Memorial Day didn’t mean much more than the day the beaches opened. After living in the DC area for the past 20 years, you can’t help but learn the true meaning of Memorial Day. Going back as far as the Civil War, we have been remembering those whose lives were taken for the sake of our freedom.
We here in DC are surronded by memorials and events that remind us just how much people have given to keep this country free. Rolling Thunder, the dedication of the WWII Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial just to name a few of the things in this town that make you think.
So, as you are getting ready to enjoy your extra day off, whether at the beach or a BBQ– stop whatever you are doing at 3pm today– Memorial Day and say thank you and remember.
These are just a few of the events I’ve attended over the past 20 years– all in my own backyard.
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Remember
May 23rd, 2008 Categories: The Native Tourist
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It’s Spring! Get Out And Enjoy
April 2nd, 2008 Categories: Shirlington, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Spring is one of the best times of year here in the DC area. If you don’t mind the tourists.
It’s that time of year: the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Nats opened their new stadium, and everyone is running for something.
Most of us don’t have to brave all the tourists and traffic down at the Tidal Basin to see the Cherry Blossoms. They bloom all over the area.
Even Shirlington!
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Barry Manilow: He Really Is Music
February 15th, 2008 Categories: Blue Plate Specials, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Ok– I’m a dork and proud of it. This Christmas I received one of the best gifts ever– tickets to see Barry Manilow’s Vegas Show when it came to town this past week. We had great seats and a great time!
Have a great weekend and don’t forget to visit me at my open house Sunday from 1–4pm.
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A Snowy Georgetown and Arlington
January 19th, 2008 Categories: Around Arlington County, Life in the District, Rossyln, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
We had some snow here in the DC area yesterday. It was a nice snow until it turned to sleet and a rainy mist by the evening.
I was lucky enough to have an early appointment in Georgetown. So I took some pictures in Georgetown and on my way to my second appointment out in Fairfax, I stopped by the Iwo Jima Memorial and enjoyed some of the snow covered trees. We really had a white out- but not a lot of snow. Only a few inches-which, if you grew up north of here isn’t a lot and if you grew up south of here is enough to stop everything.
With some warmer temperatures today, most of the snow melted. It’s the best kind of snow– the snow that doesn’t stay around long.
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Season of Lights
December 20th, 2007 Categories: Outside The Beltway, The Native Tourist
I really do get out of Arlington more often than you think. Tonight I met a friend at the Reston Town Center for dinner. We meet at one of the many restaurants whenever she’s in town on business. Tonight it was Clyde’s. Yummy.
The Christmas lights around the Town Center and the ice rink were just so pretty I couldn’t resist taking out my camera to capture a few.
I have a pocket size digital camera. I’m not too sure how these things works. What I do know is that it’s a lot easier than my old SLR. I can take pictures at night without special film or lighting.
I guess I could use a tripod- but that would defeat the purpose of having a easy and convenient camera “to take it as I see it.”
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Over the River and Through the Woods: Happy Thanksgiving
November 21st, 2007 Categories: Outside The Beltway, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
By the time this is posted, I’ll be up in the Maryland mountains spending the weekend with friends at an undisclosed location in their “cottage.”
Have a great holiday with your friends and family, whoever that might be.
Thanksgiving 2005
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Skyline Drive- Those Mountains Really Are Blue!
November 14th, 2007 Categories: The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
It’s that time of year when those of us who don’t hike or camp love to escape to Skyline Drive for a scenic drive of the changing leaves through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah National Park. I grew up in NYC – my idea of camping must include an indoor bathroom!
About 70 miles west of Washington, DC the native tourist can enjoy this cornucopia of nature. Skyline Drive, the Appalachian Trial, Harpers Ferry and the Blue Ridge Mountains–are all close to DC. Whether you want to partake in a some outdoor fun or just take a scenic drive through the two lane byway through mountain tunnels, it’s a great escape for a day, overnight or weekend getaway. It is a real jewel in this part of the east coast.
Skyline Drive is a National Scenic Byway through the Blue Ridge Mountains starting in Front Royal, Virginia continuing 105 miles south to Waynesboro, Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway continues through the Blue Ridge Mountains down to Cherokee, North Carolina.
This park is rich in American history, rich in things to do and rich in wild life. And if none of that tickles your fancy, you can just drive and stop at the many scenic overlooks.
When I was riding motorcycles, we used to love to ride these winding roads. It’s a joy to escape around a curve only to see the edge of the road– it’s the closest any human will get to flying while still on the ground. A true break away from the daily grind of traffic around the beltway. Here are some good tips for driving on Skyline.
Whether you want to enjoy the fall colors, the hiking trails or just the quite- you’ll be sure to see some wild life. There is no hunting in the park, so the white-tailed deer or even the black bears are not afraid of the people or the cars. 
They will not see you and run. Although I wasn’t fast enough with my digital camera– it may seem like these buck and does are running away from me, I was stunned by their quite elegance that we locked eyes before I got the camera up to shoot. (I don’t recommend looking for the black bear when you are on a motorcycle!) We didn’t see any on our day trip last week– I’m sure they are already tuck in for the winter.
I love the Blue Ridge. As you head west from DC, you will come over a ridge whether you are on Route 50, Route 7 or Route 29 or even I66 and suddenly, this line of blue is in the distance. It takes a moment to realize that it’s the mountains and not the sky. Just the sight of them will calm your soul, make you take a deep breath and forget that Washington DC is behind you.
This is the last week to enjoy the colors in their brilliance. We are having a late fall here in the DC area. Snow is in the forecast for the mountains soon. Get out and enjoy our own little treasure. Because its Thanksgiving next week and the kick off of all that holiday craziness. Take some time to enjoy the view. Discover that they really are blue.
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Thank A Vet Today
November 10th, 2007 Categories: Blue Plate Specials, Life in the District, The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
Sunday is Veteran’s Day. It’s a big get-away weekend here in DC with many people taking advantage of a long weekend.
But please, don’t forget to thank a Vet today. They’ve given up so much for us.
| Discussion: 5 Comments »
Shirlington’s Face Lift is Almost Complete
October 16th, 2007 Categories: Arlington Urban Villages, Around Arlington County, Buyers, Condos, Shirlington, The Native Tourist
This is so many development projects opening in Shirlington that I’ve spent these first few months on my blog writing about all the new openings. The “other half” of Shirlington has taken shape and has a completely new feel. With only Saigonique left to open and Harris Teeter opening on October 23, 2007– the main expansion is just about done.
The last commercial building is still under construction and there are still plans on the table for a extended-stay-type hotel in the parking lot next to the movie theater. While we wait to see if there will be more street-level shops in the commercial building and the plans for the hotel to work itself out, there is lots to enjoy in this new Shirlington. So take a virtual tour and call or email me if you are interested in living in the area. Besides all the new residences, there is still a large community of existing condos for sale.
Related Posts:
Shirlington Crest & Bow Hill Townhomes
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