USA - Washington

 Washington is beautiful. The fall colours are in full show at the moment and everywhere you look there are beautiful combinations of reds, oranges, yellows and greens. I can see why it is such a joy for everyone

 We have done the obligatory tourist routes - mostly from the top of one of those red double decker buses. Unfortunately when we did it yesterday it was drizzling with cold and very miserable rain but we persevered as it was the only way to see everything without wearing out my feet. I really recommend doing these hop on hop off bus things in a new city. Allows you to get your bearings and then go back to places you want to see more closely.
I loved this Roy Litchenstein face outside one of the many galleries. I can't remember if it was one of the 10 Smithsonian Galleries or not.

 

But we did go the Smithsonian Museum of American History which holds such a variety of interesting  things like Michael Jacksons Black hat, aVietnam war helicoptor, wooden ships, train carriages and the Ruby Shoes worn by Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz.

 

They even had a complete house and talked about it's history through 5 generations.

I couldn't work out why I kept feeling like I was in Paris with so many obviously French style architecture until I learnt that the original planner of Washington was a Frenchman L'Enfant. That explained a lot. There are some beautiful buildings here.

 

Of course there is no end to the souveniers of Obama.  I personally liked the nodding head one but it really didn't look like him.

 Just nearby was a tent city of protestors who were suffering a little in wet and cold weather. Snow is forcast in the next few days.

I don't think I would have the fortitude of a protestor.. They were having a meeting complete with whiteboard in the rain.

 

But the highlight of today was meeting my facebook friend Karen who has made my Cutout Magic quilt. We had a great couple of hours chatting as if we had known each other for ages. 

Ah - the joys of the internet.

 

So that is my snapshot of Washington - I would really love to come back some time but for now - hopefully a good night's sleep and wake up at obscene o'clock to catch the plane to Houston for the biggest adventure of all.