alongside the road...

Living out of a bag is not easy--conditioner, q-tips, contact solution, all the things you knew you shouldn't have brought but knew you couldn't live without. It's just not easy. Today I am thankful that I brought this hat. I guess Nick is right about the uselessness of accumulating "stuff". Living like a nomad makes you grateful for the few things you do have.

P.S. The flowers were picked from the side of the road. Nick has veered off the path several times so that I can gather wildflowers (really they are just weeds) for our homestead. I have to spruce it up somehow...right?!

funky findings...

Ellicott City.

To celebrate Memorial Day, we traveled to this funky little town where brightly colored shops & cafes line the twisting cobblestone streets.
We ate lunch at the Trolley Shop (Crab Cakes & Blue Moons)...yum...

There were several cute little shoppies.

A Journey from Junk & Sweet Elizabeth Jane were freaking adorable.

Poor Nick sat while I awed at the abundance of nick-knacks and home goods.
I bought a retro kitchen timer, a small coin purse, a hand-painted clothes pin, and a notebook.

street level...

Our Nation's Capitol.

The streets of D.C. are ridiculously busy and security is on high alert,

but the old architecture makes it all worth it.

the silver lining...

The Forest of Ferns.

We stumbled upon this while hiking in the Annapolis Rocks of Maryland.

The hike was rocky and seemed neverending.

We found some rocks for Nick.
Did I mention that he has dare-devil tendencies?

The 5 mile treck was well worth it as we gazed upon the skys with its clouds that hung hugely and opressively. The roar of thunder advised us to head back. Considering how far out we were, seeking shelter almost seemed like a better choice. We decided to attempt to outrun the storm. With darkness looming and the cold north wind breathing down our necks, we ran stumbling back. Shivering and relieved, we found shelter in the truck just before the storm let loose.

smooth sailing...

Today we hung out by the pool all day--not exactly roughing it.

Nick says he is proud of me.

I am proud of us.

water under the bridge...

We traveled to the Patapsco State Park today so that Nick could practice his Spiderman skills. Rock climbing is just not my thing. Instead I watched and photographed from the safety of the ground. This photo is from a nearby tunnel.

this week's art fix...

Today we visited the National Gallery of Art and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C.
I was happy to see a Toulouse Lautrec, Rosseau, & an interesting exhibit about Minimalist Photography. The sculpture garden was amazing--boasting a Lichtenstein and a steel tree (like the new one at the Saint Louis Art Museum) by Roxie Paine.

fishy faces...

Today we traveled to the National Aquarium in Washington D.C.

Although this exhibit was small compared to the surrounding museums, it was fascinating. There were ghostly sea sponges, eerie fish with gnarly teeth, sweet baby seahorses, and a tiny poisonous frog.

the view overhead...

The clouds look like little puffs of smoke today.

I remember studying Alfred Stieglitz's photographs of clouds in college. Strangely enough, the originals are actually located in an art gallery called The Phillips Collection here in Washington DC! We hope to go see them tomorrow.

the rocky beginnings...

Well, Continental not only refused to accomodate Olive (my dog) but also left me waiting in anticipation for 5 hours. Word around these parts says this airline is known to delay departures and connect with numerous layovers. Oh well. On a positive note, I would like to send a shout out to Anindia, Roberto and Bill for sharing laughs with me as we waited impatiently. It's refreshing to find that complete strangers can be incredibly friendly and chivalrous.

After much ado, we were reunited as a family (with the exception of Olive) in Washington DC.

We slept soundly that night.

B