July - Too Hot!

After the derecho of 2012 roared through (which we survived with no damage) it just got hotter & hotter.

A new record for our outdoor thermometer, which is in the shade on north side of the house!

It got so hot, the stool Bob was working blew up! No really: the glue dried too fast and it had to be broken up...

It's supposed to look like this.

Anna's hair was out of control - it had to be piled up out of the way!

July Suburban Kayaking

We went paddling with friends Matt & Cora who took us north from the marina and under the GW Parkway to the Beltway. It was surprisingly pretty, with marshes, birds and big fish.

Going under the GW Parkway

Marshes along the golf course

Route 1/Beltway interchange from a new angle!

Under the interchange.

Yellow line of the Metro up ahead.

June Beach Trip!

We had a great time at the beach in June. We helped our friend lauch his new sailboat and had an amazing crab feast!

Figuring out the rigging

Ready to go!

Bob and Roy are off!

Sailing Roy's new boat in Rehobeth Bay.

Fun is over, time to go home...

Yum - really good early season crab feast!

June Bike Tour of D.C.

In June Bob's co-worker was in town and we did the grand tour of DC on bikes early one morning before it got too hot. We ended up doing 20 miles or so.

The Old Post Office

The Capitol is huge!

Stackable vegetable garden.

Venus Fly-trap sculpture

American Indian Museum

Smithsonian Castle

Looking out from the Lincoln Memorial

MLK Memorial which was really well done.

May Recap

Westmoreland Reunion

Anna was able to meet up with her sisters again this year at Westmoreland State Park. It was a relaxing time, catching up, laughing and enjoying lovely weather.

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DelFest!

We spent Memorial Weekend at the DelFest Bluegrass Festival again this year in Cumberland, MD. Once again it was very hot and thunderstorms interrupted things, but that didn't get in the way of an amazing weekend. We heard so much fantastic music, met many friendly people, spent time with new friends, and even had some time to relax.

The view of the cliffs above the Potomac River at the music meadow.

Most of the time you could get as close as you wanted, although this was exceptionally close to Bill Nershi

This is typical of how close we were to the stage (here with Ronnie McCoury and Keller Williams).

At the end of the music meadow, you could still hear the music crystal clear, and watch the big screen

Bob enjoying the scene.

April Fun

It has been so warm this spring... a continuation of the warm winter I suppose. The columbines in our yard are liking it, although it seems they are blooming way too early. We, too, have been getting out and enjoying the weather.

Easter weekend bike ride with Sam and...

...the rest of the crew: Marty, Sam,Paola, Anna, Sarah, Laura & Karl. Our instructions from photographer Bob were to look serious.

We also had a chance to dust off the sea kayaks and go out at Mason Neck on the Occoquan River.

Bob enjoying a break. We saw several bald eagles, and lots of blue heron and geese.

And the turtles were out in full force as well.

While Bob was in KY for work, Anna went solo camping at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park.

The campsite

Anna also went cycling along Skyline Drive

Early Spring

We had lovely weekend away from the house, camping at Elizabeth Furnace, hiking and mountain biking. The weather has been crazy warm for mid-March, with daytime temps in the 70's. This snake was enjoying the weather!

Activity#1: Hike up Shawl Gap. Here's Bob fixing his foot.

Activity#2: Mountain bike up Mudhole Gap.

Activity#3: Eat hobo meals cooked in the fire & drink wine.