Duay Adventures

So for the last year or so, I've been having trouble with my car. So on Friday, July 23rd, we decided to take it to CarMax and have it appraised. While they were appraising our car, we took a look at some of the cars that they had on the lot. We looked at many cars but none that I really liked.We had gone back inside and I was looking at cars in other CarMax locations and saw one that was listed in our location but didn't have any pictures listed. The color was listed as red, which kind of enticed me. So we went back out into the heat. We found the car, a Nissan Sentra, and I loved it. Nearby was a red Ford Focus, which I decided to take a look at it, too. I didn't like it as much. It didn't seem as new on the interior, although the color was better and it had a spoiler. We went back and I decided I wanted the Nissan. So we bought it! I love it! Here are a few pictures of the car! From across the street in Charlottesville, Virginia. We went on a short road trip to test...

On Sunday, Jon and I decided to drive down to Southern Maryland to visit St. Clements Island. For those of you who don't know what it is, let me. Clement explain. St. Clements Island is an island in the Potomac River were the first colonists to Maryland landed in 1634. The island was mostly a resting spot for the colonists while their leader, Leonard Calvert, negotiated with the native Yacomico Indians for their settlement, St. Mary's City. While they were waiting, They held what is thought to be the first Mass held in this part of the world. In later years, a lighthouse was built on the island and it was called Blakistone. The lighthouse was eventually destroyed but has recently been rebuilt. St. Clements Island is on one of the southern most tips of Maryland, in St. Mary's County. To get to the island we took a Water Taxi. It cost seven dollars each and included admission into the museum. We took the Taxi over by ourselves. When we got to the island, a women with disabili...

I had to work on July 4th and it was predicted to be a slow day Guess what? It wasn't! We were so busy so by the time I got off work at five, .I was already tired and frustrated. We had planned to go to DC to watch the fireworks and really didn't want to deal with the crowds. But every one else wanted to go so off we went. Last year we watched the fireworks from the Virginia side by the Marine Corps Monument (Iwo Jima). THis year we decided to try by the White House. WHen started to get close, we realized that there was quite a line to get onto the grassy area. So we crossed the street to a small park area with a water feature. They had stone tables to sit on so we chose one near the water. James wanted to go for a walk so Jon took him to nearby freedom plaza to watch the skateboarders. While they were gone, Cheryl and I watched two little girls feed the ducks. So cute! This is Cheryl as we waited. This is me in my patriotic garb. This is our pre-firework view. And then the fi...

Saturday I had to work, but I got off early around one. Jon decided to take everyone to Baltimore and Camden Yards. Baltimore houses a Hall of Fame Museum for the Orioles as well as a Babe Ruth Museum and a Maryland State Hall of Fame. It is at Camden Yards which used to to be Baltimore's railroad station. The tour began in the Gentlemen's Waiting Room of the Station. It was in this room that President Lincoln penned part of his Gettysburg address as he waited for his train to Gettysburg. After his assassination, his body laid in state in this very room. Across the street from here, the first casualties of the civil war were killed when Lincoln sent Federal Troops in to stop the Baltimore Riots. I was unable to take any pictures of this room, however. Following the Lincoln Room, We went to the Maryland Athlete's Hall of Fame. Inside were artifacts of Micheal Phelps, Babe Ruth, Carmelo Anthony, and many more. Photography was not allowed in this room either. The next room wa...

So my last update ended Sunday evening. I worked on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I worked an overnight shift and so took the morning and afternoon off. We went to our pool. It was the first time I visited the pool since moving here. I enjoyed my time relaxing, reading and swimming laps. Then I went to work again. I was off on Thursday and we decided to go to The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an annex of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Virginia. For those of you who are Transformer 2 fans, The Decepticon, Jetfire, is found at this location in the film. This is a real place near the Dulles Airport. Outside the museum is a beautiful sculpture called Ascent, by John Safer. Once inside, we went up to the observation tower to watch the planes land at Dulles Airport. When we got up to the tower, we seemed have come to a lull in the landing. we watched several United Flights land and then several other airlines. After a little while we went down to learn about air traffic control. Jon ...

Tuesday night(Wednesday morning) Jonathon's mom and nephew arrived from Utah. They are staying through the Fourth of July. On Wednesday, I had to work but Jon took them into DC and bought them Nationals baseball tickets. It was an early game starting just before five. Strasberg was starting pitcher. I left work a half an hour early so I could see some of the game. I got there in the middle of the fifth inning. It was a hot steamy day and we were melting. Nationals were playing the Kansas City Royals. I got to see Strasberg pitch one inning and then they took him out. Strasberg pitching in the sixth innning. The Nationals lost but we had a lot of fun hanging out. We didn't get home until late. Enjoying game in the hot sun. I went to work early the next morning so I could get off early. We went to Costco and did some shopping. On Friday, we went to Six Flags America. It was hot. We went on the Batwing and Superman. After a couple rides I started to feel a little sick. So the bo...