Van Gogh

 Most of my time in West Virginia was spent totally enjoying playing with Jackson.  I love being that fun little boy's grandma!  

Mary and I did slip away one night to go down to Washington DC to immerse ourselves in Van Gogh.  

Chances are you have seen or heard about the 'Immersive Van Gogh Experiences'.  The highlight is when images or videos of his works are projected onto walls, ceilings and floors in a large room. 

But first we learned more about Vincent and his early life and paintings in a more traditional gallery.

Traditional except that his works were animated.

This was one of my favorites.

His  bedroom in Arles, depicted in one of his famous paintings, was recreated.  Mary and I have good memories of our trip to Arles, France when we were living in Barcelona. 

Next we went into a large gym sized room and were totally immersed with his art all around us.

Starry night

Self portraits

You can see that the art works are animated and change from one painting to another.  Doors and windows open, stars shine, lights come on and off.  Appropriate music plays.  It was quite mesmerizing. Some people just stretch out on the floor but we were thankful for the lounge chairs. 

The last part of the evening was a walk through the French countryside that Van Gogh painted so often. 

The 'walk' was accomplished by putting on virtual reality headsets.  I loved the feeling of walking around and looking behind and from side to side. Birds were singing!  Clouds moving across the sky!  Wheat blowing in the breeze!  A storm on the horizon! Thankfully just as my motion sickness was starting to affect me, I arrived at the end of the walk. 

Here are a few of his paintings that I 'walked' through.

I am so glad that Mary heard about this and got us tickets.  It has been something I've wanted to do for a long time.  Thanks daughter!

D.C. Cherry Blossoms

 I can check another one off the bucket list.  I have seen the magnificent display of cherry blossoms in Washington DC.  The National Park Service provides a on-line 'Cherry Blossom Watch', which I did 'watch' closely.  The peak bloom was on March 23. I arrived on March 29th and we drove down to DC the next day.  Even a week past 'peak' they were still a sight to behold!

Powder pink buds bloom

Each branch dances in the wind

Touching the blue sky

First we enjoyed lunch with Heather Cooke.  She is a Kenya Keys volunteer and although we have had numerous zoom meetings and phone calls, we had never met.  Since she lives in DC, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.  What an asset to Kenya Keys!  She's articulate, smart, dedicated and hard working! I am glad that she is my friend.

On her recommendation, we drove through the Kenwood neighborhood. It's an upscale neighborhood with quaint and stately homes and a profusion of white blossoms.  

If I had to move to DC, I'd love to live here.

There's a winding creek between tree lined streets.  So picturesque! 

Mary's confidence in driving in DC traffic amazes me.  Because of the Cherry Blossom Festival, there were streets blocked off on the route the GPS had recommended.  Cool as a cucumber, she didn't panic but quickly adjusted.  We even found ourselves in the notorious 'DuPont Circle'  traffic before making it to the tidal basin.

I love this area any time of the year but with the blossom, it was especially beautiful.

And made even more beautiful with this loved faces! 

without you-

the cherry blossoms

just blossoms

The lady who took this photo for us says that she 'almost' got Jackson to smile but at least got a smirk!

Under the cherry blossoms

strangers are not

really strangers

I didn't know that there was also a tulip garden.

I somehow managed to snap a photo with no other people! 

The cherries' only fault:

The crowds that gather 

A fun day and the perfect start to my visit to DC!

Children's Museum and Protests

Mary and I decided to make another trip down into DC to take Jackson to the National Children's Museum.   We were already in the city before we noticed that there was a massive 'Pro-choice' rally happening that day.  Our route to the museum was supposed to take us across Pennsylvania Av. but the marchers were walking from the Washington Monument to the Supreme Court along that street.  Every street that we tried to use to take us across was blocked by the police.  

Most disgusting sign I saw said, "Abortion - It's a Beautiful Thing".  

Seriously, even if you are pro-choice, is an abortion beautiful?

Anyway, Mary and I love an adventure and she is a confident driver so we explored a new area behind the Supreme Court building in our attempts to get to the other side of Pennsylvania.  If I get suddenly rich and want to move to DC, I plan to live in that neighborhood in one of those beautiful old houses on a tree lined street.   So picturesque!

Funny thing, I had to go to the bathroom so we made a quick stop at a neighborhood grocery store but the clerk refused to let me use the facilities.  I told her that I would buy something but no go, literally!!!! I was getting desperate so we made an unplanned stop at Union Station, I raced in and followed the signs to the toilets in the basement only to find that they were closed.  Now seriously worried about embarrassing myself, I searched for an alternative, found one up stairs and made it!  Happy day!

All the traffic hassle were worth it watching Jackson enjoy the hands on children's museum.

Sponge Bob

A wonderful building area 

But best of all

Thomas the Tank Engine

The boy was mesmerized! 

We had to practically drag him out when the museum closed and, unfortunately, it is a temporary exhibit which was due to leave the next week.  Jackson could have played there all night!

A great day in spite of traffic, protestors and closing times!