#17 Old Town, Alexandria . .

#17 Tour Old Town Alexandria . .

Last Saturday night I went on a ghost tour of Old Town Alexandria. I knew I would love it for a couple of reasons. First of all, the tour guide was wearing a kilt and had a Santa Clause beard. I'm sure ghost tour guide is just one of his many seasonal jobs. Second, he told us within the first three minutes that he is the chairman and founder of the D.C. Paranormal Society. Boy were we in for a treat.

The tour was beyond entertaining and I learned more about the history of Old Town Alexandria than I thought I would. George Washington had a house there. He called it his "town house." He coined that term. Just another reason to love George.

In days gone by, everyone who had an eligible daughter would paint their door a periwinkle color to solicit dating opportunies. If only it were that easy now. To this day, the city issues a mandate to one home in the city to paint their door a periwinkle color for one year. I love that. I'm not above using a little force to make things happen.

#5 WWII Memorial

#5 Find the Utah column at the WWII Memorial.

This place is totally underrated and totally beautiful. Thanks for pointing it out Lou!

BGA . .

BGA. Have you ever heard of it? It’s a little something I like to call Big Group Anxiety. I live in the same building with about 35 BYU interns. We do a lot together and we love being together . . . really, we do, but sometimes I come down with a case of BGA.

I spent Conference Weekend in Richmond, Virginia. My friend invited me to go with her and three friends to her family’s home to watch General Conference and take a breather from DC life.

The trip was pure bliss.

Home cooked meals by her dear mother. Seven layer taco dip (so much better without the beans). Twelve mile run around lakes, forest trails, local schools, and abandoned coalmines. General Conference. Player piano sing alongs in the living room. Bunk beds. Cinnamon rolls. More General Conference.

Richmond was a great BGA recovery.

Gettysburg and Harper’s Ferry . .

This trip provided a great venue for reflecting on the lives and contributions of Abraham Lincoln and John Brown. I see Abraham Lincoln as a founding father, a founding father of the U.S. after the Civil War. Thanks Abe.

I heard a woman saying that we live in the worst time in history. Not true. Did she forget about the Civil War and the bloody battles fought in Gettysburg during the miserable July humidity? Bless her.

DC Shows . .

I have been to two amazing shows. “All’s Well that Ends Well” by Shakespeare. And the totally underrated 80’s musical, “Chess,” with music written by half of ABBA. Both great for different reasons AND a great boost to my “get more cultured" campaign.

Now turn up your volume and listen to my favorite song from “Chess.” It's a lot 80's and from a story that takes place in Thailand. It just is what it is.

Take me out to the ballgame . .

I’ve been to two Nationals Games so far. So far, so good. They are ranked dead last in MLB rankings but I have watched them beat the Mets and the Braves with my own eyes. Things are looking better for the Nats.

I must admit my favorite part of the game is watching not one, not two, not three, but FOUR bobble head mascots race around the field during the fourth inning. Never gets old.

#16 Explore Mount Vernon

I've fallen completely in love with Mount Vernon. I sincerely want to live there. George Washington chose his home well.

The view from the porch of the Potomac River is breathtaking. I literally gasped the first (okay, and the second) time I walked out the door to the back porch from the formal dining room.

I've been to the estate twice and I'll be going back for more. I think I'll take a book from now on.

The grounds are beautiful, the ferry rides are peaceful, the seasonal events are wonderful . . . an Annual Pass is needful.

#3 Washington Monument

#3 Washington Monument - play a fierce game of Ultimate Frisbee on the grounds of Washington Monument.

Ultimate Frisbee in the rain, in front of Washington Monument . . doesn't get more fierce than that.

Gotham City, PA . . ?

Philadelphia seriously looks like Gotham City at night. I love the lighting. Most buildings, even at ground level, have colored lighting projected from their surfaces.

Here were a few highlights of the day trip.

Temple on the way . . .



Independence Hall . . .



Liberty Bell . . .



Rocky Stairs . . .



Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich . . .




And Target and Wal-Mart on the way out of town . . ya know.

My Quest for True Washingtonianship . .

Lou (being the amazing sister in law that she is) sent me an envelope. In the envelope was a poem and a list. A poem of encouragement. And a list of 20 activities to become a “True Washingtonian.” Let the games begin.

As I complete these tasks (in no particular order) I’ll post a number, the requirement, and photographic proof.

The poem went a little something like this . . .

Scooter,

I want you to discover the places in D.C.;

Our heritage, our capitol, the land of liberty.

So here's a little something to occupy your time;

But keep your wallet in your pocket, cause you won't spend a dime. (Well, it depends).

Bring your camera at all times to document the fun;

I promise you'll be happy when this is said and done.

Take your friends, take some girls, hold a hand or two;

Who knows, you might even find a wife when this is through!

I know you will be hard at work, but the time will go by fast;

Do these tasks on weekends, to make the memories last.

I'm proud of what you're doing; you're becoming something great;

Enjoy this journey, have some fun, for your stories we will wait!

August 26, 2010 . .

Family Pictures is the event we patiently avoid for a couple of years until the family is going to be separated even more than before. Sometimes it’s a mission or college, but in this case it was me moving to Washington D.C. for an internship.

It was funny that somehow everyone had the busiest month of their lives leaving a three hour window for all 16 family members to get together and say “cheese.” The date was set, the photographer booked, our color scheme solidified . . . phew.

I got a call the morning of the big day from my dad. It went a little something like this . . . “Just cooperate, and everyone will be happy.” End of conversation. Everyone else in the family got the same call and apparently that was sufficient. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we got some great shots.

Enjoy. These were all taken in our yard.

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