Capital or Capitol?

First let’s resolve this common spelling question. Capital spelled with an “a” refers to the city, to uppercase letters, or to money; Capitol spelled with an “o” is the building in DC, pictured below :-). Whether you visit the city – spanning 68 square miles, or just the famous building, it’s a busy area! In fact, Washington DC brags 27 million visitors a year to the capital, including roughly 2 million international visitors.

DC now holds the title of the “Worst Traffic in America”, surpassing LA. Click here to verify! BUT don’t blame traffic congestion on the tourists – that’s a local commuter problem. Good news, slow traffic equals very few automobile accidents!

Capitol Building History

Most likely you have heard of the War of 1812, but did you know in 1814 the British army pillaged and torched the capitol building? The British occupation of Washington, D.C. lasted for roughly 26 hours; the attack was motivated by revenge for the American looting of York in Upper Canada, the provincial British capital.

Local Celebrity Moment

When in DC, don’t be surprised if you bump into a friendly celebrity. On the docks of the Capital Yacht Club, Rick and Craig met the retired US Senator (D) from West Virginia. His yacht, “Almost Heaven”, named for the official W. VA state song, was just two boats away. Worth the listen, click here for the 50th Anniversary CMA awards video – the fabulous Forever Country version with too many artists to count.

Touring the Capital City

With Craig and Maureen on board for our week in DC, we took turns identifying a tourist highlight for the day. There are so many Smithsonian Museums – most are free to the public, but some require a time slot reservation, so plan ahead. Thanks Maureen for picking the International Spy Museum.

Opened in 2002, the museum documents the history of espionage with a plethora of fascinating spy stuff from the Ancient Greeks and the Roman Empire to modern day. Located at 700 L’Enfant Plaza, the 32,000 square foot building reportedly holds the largest collection of international espionage artifacts on public display.

And, it is home to Bond in Motion. The favorite exhibit of our group, by far.

This is the Aston Martin DB5 used in the movie Goldfinger, the third part of the James Bond film series.

Smithsonian Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

I selected the delightfully air conditioned museum, although there was only one Banksy on display – for Steven with a V.

The exhibit entitled Osgemeos: Endless Story was impressive. With over 1,000 pieces on display, the museum brags it is the largest US exhibition of work by identical twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo (note, the translation of “twins” in Portuguese is “Osgemeos”).

Known for urban art and graffiti traditions, the displays were both thought provoking and whimsical. Highlighting a few photos taken for mijos, Zach and Ynot.

for Zach

Other World Music for Tony

US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Rick chose the informative but depressing memorial, a reminder of the human suffering that should have been quelled sooner. It was “a sobering journey through the rise of Nazi Germany, the Final Solution, and the impact on Jewish people.” Sorry, no pictures. Nearby was a reminder of a beloved genuis who wisely left Berlin in 1933, during the early phases of human annihilation, to relocate to Princeton, New Jersey.

Alexandria, VA

A sidetrip on the dinghy took us to Alexandria.

In honor of a familiar tattoo, we toured the torpedo factory.

Built in 1918, the factory manufactured MarkXIV torpedos during WWII.

In 1974, it reopened as the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a vibrant co-op space for artists and educators. While we were there it was fun to watch the artists in action.

Walking around town we found numerous shops and restaurants, with a pedestrian section (no automobiles) that encouraged a lovely walkabout.

Arlington Cemetery

Boater’s Tip: Hop on Hop off is a nice way to see a LOT in a single day. After a full week in DC in record heat, we barely scratched the surface. Included in the Hop On Hop Off tour is a visit to the Arlington Cemetery.

Once you are at the cemetery, spend the extra $$ for the tram – the place is beyond massive.

Sadly, there were over 20 burials the day we visited. So far, gravesites number around 430,000.

We were surprised to discover the variety of sizes and shapes of gravestones, a well hidden secret. No longer an option as of 2017, now only standard issue white headstones are allowed – a change implemented as of Trump’s first term.

Under a grove of shady trees we found the final resting place of my idol, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-1920) and her spouse, Martin David Ginsburg (1932-2010). Marty was an Army Veteran.

Ruth was a trailblazer who challenged and over turned discriminatory laws and practices, leaving a lasting impact on legal and social landscapes. It is unknown whether Capt Rick Ginsburg is actually related to Martin Ginsburg – that would be a proud discovery.

Burgee Exchange

Thanks to the Capital Yacht Club Vice Commodore who exchanged our St. Charles Yacht Club (SCYC) Burgee.

Closing with a picture from my brother Sam Straley, taken from his home in Girdwood, Alaska. His rustic abode faces a glacier, yes, the fireweed are spectacular!

Perhaps you already know, the beautiful flowers bloom from the bottom up, with the peak bloom often occurring in mid-July to mid-August. When the blooms reach the top, it’s a sign that summer is nearing its end. 

Celebrating Milestones:

Birthdays – July 26, Barry Hildebrand; August 3, Andrea Davis and Carly Lennon Maurer.

What’s Next: anchoring out at Mt. Vernon, VA – exploring President George Washington’s mansion. Then a return to Colonial Beach, VA followed by an anchorage at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.