Maryland and Washington, DC (July 28-30)

We arrived in College Park, MD, home of the University of Maryland, too late to meet up with our local product, Tyler Burdorff, who recently moved to my alma mater to coach throwers on the Cal Track and Field team. No matter! We were a subway ride away from DC and got to see both my cousin Ron and HS friend Florian. And we escaped the heat to the air conditioned comfort of the Smithsonian art museums!

Maryland is our 47th state to camp in of the Lower 48. Only South Carolina remains.

We had reservations at Cherry Hill Campground, and we both agreed that it was the nicest campground at which we ever stayed. Very family friendly, yet quiet (except for the highway noice outside the boundaries of the camp; it kind of drowned out the crickets and frogs at night!). 

I took this photo for Matt, who’s become comically obsessed with tractors of all sorts after riding several RAGBRAIs. He was immediately appreciative when I sent him the photo! 😄

Ron suggested we pop into Kramer Books for something to drink while we waited for lunchtime (we were early into the city, not familiar with how the trains would run and padding our times). Little did he know that I WANTED to see this bookstore, as it is always a favorite of my cousin Jackie when she’s in town! We ended up having lunch there; it’s a wonderful spot, right off Dupont Circle.

Ron, Dan, and me at Kramer Books on Connecticut Ave

On the DC Metro platform, awaiting our train. They are fast, efficient, clean, timely and most importantly, easy to use!

I never knew that Roy Lichtenstein was an Ohio State graduate! Apparently this “Modern Head” sculpture (which reminds me of a Picasso cut paper) is one of five and the fifth is on the Ohio State campus. 

Now you know.

 

I thought this piece, both inside and outside, was interesting.

East Wing, designed by IM Pei on a napkin while he was on an airline flight. The building itself is a work of art. So is the West Wing, but that one is classical; this one is open and light and airy. 

The Calder mobile is the largest one I’ve ever seen.

Just a local fireman, polishing his rig.

This bit of shade was deceptively cool looking. It was sizzling that day!

While these are “arms”, the effect is of a spinal column.

I thoroughly enjoyed our tour guide at SAAM. She drew us right into the pieces. Pure immersion.

In the third floor gallery of the East Wing, I got the guard to pose for me. And then texted him his portrait!

I was a little giddy at the large collection of Joseph Cornell mixed media boxes on display

Wedding photos

Icons: Giacometti, Calder, IM Pei; all at once

The Supremes

Next Up: I will post one post with just some of my favorites from the Smithsonian galleries. Stay tuned!