The Other Half

The first time we hit the National Zoo, we were without a stroller. After walking to and from the metro and around the zoo, Benton was worn out. This fatigue was compounded by unhappy, hungry and grumpy siblings. Armed with a stroller and fresh attitudes, we decided to visit the zoo again and see what we missed.

This visit we took the Asia Trail immediately. We glimpsed the pandas last time, but missed many of the other animals. This time even the pandas were active giving us quite a show. The kiddos were thrilled to see it moving about its enclosure. Exploring the zoo this direction ensured we would walk over a bridge near the elephants enabling us to view them from above. Many questions were asked about their habitat and how their movements were managed by large gates.

With a lot of running, skipping and yelling, we crossed the bridge and ventured into the land of birds. So many birds were on display at the Bird House. We saw a variety of owls, parrots, peafowl and flamingos. All the colors were so vibrant. One peacock even opened his tail feathers for us squawking at a competing male all the while.

Since Aine was eager to see the great cats, and Eamon wanted to check out Amazonia, we then headed to the rear of the zoo. The cats were reclining, which made them a bit harder to see. The kiddos were not bothered and enjoyed a display nearby illustrating the decline of tigers due to encroaching civilization and competition for resources. 

The farm was on the way to the Amazonia exhibit. Lllamas, pigs, donkeys, cattle, and goats were on display. Aine was disappointed that it wasn't a petting zoo. She really loves to be near the animals. We chatted a bit with the zookeepers and watched them feed the donkeys. The funniest event was watching them vacuum the goats' enclosure. When asked, the zookeeper replied he was vacuuming the poop. This caused quite a stir with my bunch.

Amazonia was a disappointment as Eamon was sure it would have hissing cockroaches once he entered the exhibit and heard the buzz of insects (I think it was actual audiotape, not live). He refused to go any further and wanter to stay outside. After a bit of negotiating he did go as far as the sting rays, but was pretty freaked out by the idea of the bugs. Aine, Benton and I decided to visit another day by ourselves in an effort to respect Eamon's uncertainty.

On the way out, we discover the prairie dog play area. This was great fun as Aine pretended to be a prairie dog that was being pursued by two brotherly predators. So much laughter could be heard as they played this game. Every now and then the prey and predator roles would switch and more shuffling, running, leaping and hiding would ensue. On this note, we decided to end the day and return home. I am pleased that we were able to see the rest of the zoo and enjoy such a gorgeous day together (even if it was a bit warm at the end)

This Old House

Spending an afternoon in Georgetown was a great way to pass the day. The weather was perfect for walking and sight-seeing. It was gorgeous - sunny skies with a few fluffy, white clouds. We set out late for our adventure concerned we would miss touring the Old Stone House. Fortunately we arrived well before closing, ensuring time to wander the house and the gardens. 

The house is purported to be one of the oldest structures in the D.C. area. The kitchen encompassed most of the main floor. The kiddos found a few period toys which they tried - Jacob's Ladder and Cup and Ball. The upper floors were bedrooms and a dining room. Aine and I walked around a bit together. We had to separate since the home was not stroller accessible. Although setup as bedrooms the upper rooms may have also served as parlors or sitting areas for guests.

Aine wondered about the toys in the children's room. This really resonated as we have been listening to Kirsten (American Girl). The idea of such few playthings intrigues her. After walking around upstairs, I asked the rangers onsite about the abundance of wool paraphernalia. There was yarn in the kitchen, spinning wheels, carders, and basket full of wool in several rooms. I wondered about the historical accuracy of this especially after reading Sheepish which tells of families utilizing wool to cloth the family and the staggering amount early families produced both as cloth and yarn. He was unsure, but said it would be based on family size. He also mentioned never having received such a question. I was shocked that I could be the only knitter to visit and ask! 

After touring the inside of the Old Stone House, we entered the adjacent gardens. So many flowers were in bloom. Eamon, Aine and Benton set off running and hiding among the flowers and bushes. Their running and loud playing were commandeered after a bit, since other people were trying to enjoy the parklike gardens. To focus them, I handed over the camera. The following photos are taken by them. We all decided a flower garden like this would be grand and wondered if it would be like the one in The Secret Garden which we have read. (And I have finished 11 of the 12 stripe repeats on the purple shawl. Just a few more rows and then the border!)

A short walk from the Old Stone House brought us to the C&O canal. We sat and watched the water pour through the locks. Eamon explained how locks work, and Aine tried to move the giant gates. Benton gave his parents' heart palpitations by stretching our hands as far as possible to look down into the canal. Dave wanted to continue walking along the path which hugs the canal. Many runners were using the path and made sure to point out turtles and other sights to us. The kiddos tried their hand at climbing the stone wall. They made it a little bit before running out of toe and finger holds.

We left the canal area and head toward something Dave had on his list. We found "the stairs" down the street and around the corner near a service station. I had no idea what they were until Dave explained (I admit to never having seen this movie. I scare easily!). We climbed up them and marveled at et another runner who did 3 or 4 laps up them. A few photos were taken before we set off to eat dinner.

With hungry bodies, we greedily ate a dinner of kabobs and mediterranean food. Our table was on the second floor, so we could look out at the street. The lack of screen made me a bit anxious, but we did okay. The breeze was lovely. A quick trip for frozen yogurt followed and then a walk back to the metro. Eamon and Aine parkoured back to the train, while Benton "exercised" running most of the way.

National Trails Day Our Way

Today we spent some time exploring the mountains of Virginia at Shenandoah National Park. I had read about the park on another blog and was excited to go explore the area. In a serendipitous turn of events, it was also National Trails Day. We spent quite a bit of time with volunteers and rangers at the Byrd Visitors Center. The kiddos identified scat and prints from a variety of animals indigenous to the area. Benton cut a log with a bit of help from his mama and a ranger, which he then decorated. We also learned about trail safety and first aid.

At the suggestion of one of the park service volunteers, we put off exploring the meadow for a hike along  Dark Hollow Falls. The path followed along a stream at the beginning, and we met it with a whole lot of running and skipping. Fellow hikers along the trail stumbled upon a bear. It was long gone by the time we  arrived, although we did see one on the drive out.

Aine wanted a picture all by herself

The vegetation was so green along the path. Water could be seen on the rocks. Moss required quite a bit of inspection from our crew. It isn't a common sight in Arizona that is for sure. Eamon schooled everyone on many of the fungi and lichens. He and Aine also made sure we steered clear of the mountain laurel as they had learned it is poisonous. 

We continued past the upper falls for another quarter mile to the metal bridge below for a view from the bottom. Here we floated leaves and sticks in the currents watching their passage under the bridge. A fellow hiker shared his slingshot with us showing Aine and Benton how to hold it and shoot (Eamon declined the lesson. He preferred to watch intently). Another gentleman offered to take a photo of us ( a rare treat to have the five of us together in one photo).

The trip back was full of more plant identification and leaf or stick gathering. Only a few mental games had to be played when a certain four year old wanted to be carried. It is amazing what a game of meerkat and hyena can do to motivate little legs. Once back to Big Meadow, we spotted a few deer. Benton and I found a mama and her fawn, but the older kiddos and Dave missed it. Several more were found including two very close to us (no photos, of course).

After the deer sightings, we decided to head home with plans to visit again before our time in the east ends. We drove home along Skyline Drive with spectacular evening views. We stopped briefly for a black bear ambling in the woods beside the road. Aine was thrilled with all the animal sightings. I think we all were thrilled to be spending some time in nature.

{this moment}

{this moment} - Joining Amanda in a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.