Picture-A-Week-2015 - Week 48

Pictures taken between Monday November 23 and Sunday November 29.

Somewhere near Las Vegas

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Happy Thanksgiving

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Somewhere near Las Vegas

 

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It's the Bird Bakery!

Dave

Happy Thanksgiving

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For once we were not clouded over and we got to see a full moon -- yesterday:

Closer shots -- but tree branches were in the way.

Scooter while out walking early:

Remnants while hiking:

This is my view of Black Friday. Waiting in line with 1,000 strangers to storm the gates in hopes of getting one of the two units actually in stock at the sale price appeals to me not at all. Yay internet!

Black Friday

Dave

This is my view of Black Friday. Waiting in line with 1,000 strangers to storm the gates in hopes of getting one of the two units actually in stock at the sale price appeals to me not at all. Yay internet! Dave

Glad we avoided the Black Friday shopping and/or "Modern Madness"!! From being in and around Washington, DC, on Friday and Saturday after rising our grandsons in Charlottesville, Va., for Thanksgiving, here are "eye-candy" examples around our nation's capital. Anybody visited here recently?

This is a sampling for the Kennedy Center and the The Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, November 28, 2015. This was Robert Joffrey's staging of the perennial classic with larger-than-life Victorian America scenery and costumes, Tchaikovsky's beloved score and invigorating dancing, as they say, "that could only be found in a dream.". We had nice ninth-row, near-center, on-the-aisle seats that added to the excitement and joy for the season. This coming Sunday in the same 2,300-seat Opera House where we were at, the Kennedy Center Honors program will be done with the President and others honoring Carole King, George Lucas, Rita Moreno, Seiji Ozawa and Cicely Tyson. The CBS-TV show from this Sunday's Honors will air nationally right after Christmas.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 127,436 views for this posting.

The Kennedy Center is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., that opened in 1971. It has three main theaters, plus other spaces and facilities. My first picture shows a portion of that 630-foot-long, 63-foot-high Grand Foyer, with 16 hand-blown Orrefors crystal chandeliers that were a gift from Sweden. This foyer has its red carpet and large windows to the Potomac. Second is one of the music performances offered free in that space prior to the ballet performance. Third is large, contemporary bust of John F. Kennedy in this long foyer. Fourth is the "Hall of Nations" with a photo display about the Civil Right era. Fifth is the large orchestra pit inside the Kennedy Center Opera House as the musicians were preparing to perform Tchaikovsky's great Nutcracker score. The distinctive red and gold silk curtain shown was given by the Japanese government. Finally, here is a small sampling for the dancers and the stage settings for this famed ballet.:

Scooter while out walking early:

 

 

Remnants while hiking:

 

Unable to see any photos ... :confused:

As promised (or threatened) yesterday, here are some visuals from Mt. Vernon and other sites near Washington, D.C. If you have not visited Mt. Vernon, it is well worth it. Just about 15 miles south of our Nation's Capital. Fortunately, we had nice weather that Saturday morning and got there early to avoid the big crowds. Yes, if anybody is worried, they do have gift shops there!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 189,495 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Yes, it is Christmas time at Mt. Vernon, the estate/home of George Washington. Lots of history connected with this famed "George" who told King George and the British that we wanted freedom from their taxes and control. And our George ended up being the General winning the War of Revolution (with help from the French) and then being our first President. Mt. Vernon sits in great location overlook the wide and scenic Potomac River. This home was built and expanded in various stages. Also shown is the interior for his horse stables. Interior pictures were not allowed. Sorry! About 40% of the inside furniture were original to George and Martha Washington. The exterior is not made of stone. Washington wanted the "look" of stone, but he used wood pieces for the exterior and had it cut and painted with a sand/paint to achieve that appearance.:

WELL DONE YOUR PICTURES OF MT.VERNON.

Brought back fine memories, I graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1961.

Thanks for the pictures.

Tom :cool:

WELL DONE YOUR PICTURES OF MT.VERNON. Brought back fine memories, I graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1961. Thanks for the pictures. Tom :cool:

Great to bring back wonderful memories from your high school days. WOW! I assume lots has changed in so many ways from when you graduated way back in 1961 for this whole Washington, DC area. Appreciate your kind comments on my pictures. Having a mostly sunny morning that day helped.

To finish on George Washington's Mt. Vernon home/estate, below are a few more visuals. The Washington family had owned land in the area going back to Washington's great-grandfather in 1674. In 1739, an expansion of the estate started and continued until George Washington came into possession of the estate in 1754. The mansion is built in an approximate Palladian style and was constructed by George Washington in stages between 1758 and 1778. It remained Washington's country home for the rest of his life. George Washington died in 1799 and is entombed on the site.

For more info, see their website at:

http://www.mountvernon.org

Good news: Mt. Vernon is open 365 days every year. No holiday and/or weekday closings.

On their website, here are just three items cited that many might not have realized:

1. Washington was mostly self-educated

2. He was fearless in battle

3. Washington’s bold actions saved the American Revolution, twice

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 206,948 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Since our last visit to Mt. Vernon in the 1970's, they have added a major education/museum visitor center with lots of added history and details. This includes a little know fact about the "Father of our Country". He operated a distilling operation that was the largest in our country's earliest days. Plus, also shown are a couple of interesting plant/flower items on the grounds there at Mt. Vernon.:

That is one lovely view from GW's house, Terry. I do find the design of the house a bit strange, though; not quite 'Georgian'. Lola

Yes, agree with this above posting on another CC Board that the architectural style for Mt. Vernon is not "pure" into a certain, exact style/standard. But the guides made clear on the details for how this mansion had been built and expanded during many different ways over several decades. Given how it "evolved", it is kind of surprising that its "look" turned out as well and distinctive as it did. This staging was unique and challenging compared to how some other famous homes were designed and built all in one stage.

Nearby to Mt. Vernon is Alexandria. On the western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately seven miles south of downtown Washington, D.C. Largely populated by professionals in the federal government, military and private companies doing contract work for the taxpayers. In 2005, the United States Patent and Trademark Office moved to Alexandria. The historic center of Alexandria is known as Old Town with a major concentration of boutiques, restaurants, antique shops and other tourist attractions. Old Town and many Alexandria neighborhoods are compact, walkable and having lots of high-income residents.

Much of the history here goes back to approximately 1746 when Captain Philip Alexander II moved to south of the present Duke Street in Alexandria. Part of what happened/resulted there was that this location was used as a required tobacco warehouse. That tied in with a trading port that could accommodate sailing ships. Lots of history happened in and around here, including relating to the French & Indian War, the War of 1812 versus the British, etc.

Alexandria is very charming and super interesting with its character, historic buildings, style, shopping, dining, etc. Fun weekend here!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 32,836 views for these postings.

From Alexandria, first here is a view up King Street towards to the George Washington National Masonic Memorial. It is 333' tall and is designed to reflect the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt. Next are a couple of examples of dining/shopping sights along the busy/active King Street in Alexandria. Fourth is any example inside one of its antique shops along this street. Finally, here is the exterior of the dining place where we watched the first half of the successful Ohio State at Michigan game. Like the horse and old truck in front of this location?:

Great pictures Terry.