remember

Dawn in Washington, D.C.--all kinds of metaphoric. 

Due to the excellent blackout curtains in my room, dawn came when I said it did.   A rather lovely thing--need more mornings like this.

However, I did wake in time to have a delicious breakfast of spinach empanandas and piles of fresh fruit supplied by the inn.  And I still had plenty of time to queue with all the senior citizens to wait for the park rangers (all carrying loaded guns) to open the doors/gates of the Alamo.

One of the staircases leading out of the inn.

The U.S. Post Office.

Often become queasy at sites such as these; all those ghosts and all that bloodshed.  When we visited Terezin, I became so ill that I had to exit the grounds and sit behind the bus for awhile.

So, I didn't linger inside, but wandered the garden areas and museum and resisted buying coonskin caps for all my nephews.

Thought this was extremely clever; the original wii!

Not sure what game is on the left and there was no guide/docent around to pester.

Love the huge oak trees in Texas.

Part of the original sluice for the grist mill.

 Another view of the knot of borders--as I sub-titled this.  

And after reading umpteen plaques, I now know why so many things in Austin are named Travis. And if you think I'm going to enlighten you, you are mistaken.

The research library on the property--to which the general public is denied access.

The corner which Bowie protected on his last day.

Got back to the hotel for check-out and was able to watch a bit of the Inauguration   It may be the British bloodline, but I do love pomp and ceremony.  And after all the bitter and nasty, it was a glorious respite to hear some choirs and some brass and see everyone dressed up and on their best behavior--going to church and the swearing-in and the luncheon together.  (and regardless of one's political leanings, I think we can all say that we have a beautiful First Family!!)

Everyone who knows me will be deeply impressed that I was able to hit this outlet and spend LESS than $20!  Thank you gift cards.

My 2013 Christmas ornament.  Although, this in NO way means that I cannot continue to travel through then next 11 months.

And it's been weeks, but I did find a penny this weekend.

Also hit the Bass Outlet and replaced my Seaside flats that were completely flapping and worn through.  Eager to see where this pair takes me.  It was a wonderful mini-break, but not really fond of San Antonio--filthy streets, filled with the mentally deranged and a general sense of decay and poverty.

My next scheme is a road trip through Tennessee--to visit a cousin on the way to Virginia.  But who knows how the map will unfold in the next few months?  I'm liking 2013 very much.