Mary Anne, Stan’s niece, picked us up from our hotel on Saturday to take us to the Virginia countryside. Mary Anne moved from Atlanta this year to be close to the vibrancy of the big city, history and multitude of cultural activities.
We rode along the Potomac through tree lined highways and rolling hills. The scenic outcroppings gave us a glimpse of deep hillsides overlooking the Potomac river below and Maryland on the other side. Mary Anne surprised us to Great Falls National Park on the way to her home. We climbed up rocks to experience the splendor and power of water rushing over the falls.
Mary Anne’s dogs, Sinbad and Skyler, provided us with a friendly greeting. Her townhome in Herndon, Virginia, is traditional for the area, filled with contemporary elegance. From the spiral staircase to the antiques collected from her Grandmother, Alice (Stan’s Mom) and other great finds over her lifetime, her design experience is evident throughout the home. Nearby shopping is within walking distance. Her horse Oakley is boarded just 20 minutes away in the countryside.
We took the rest of the afternoon and evening to stop off for a delicious lunch at the Internet Cafe in Herndon, then off to Alexandria.
Charming shops line King street to delight the varied interests of all. This weekend had the added spice of motorcycles, mostly Harleys, lined up along both sides of the street. On Sunday, “Rolling Thunder” would overtake Washington in a caravan from the Pentagon to the White House when over 500,000 motorcycles drive through town. This was to honor all fallen military over this Memorial weekend. You could just imagine the sound of that distinctive Harley Davidson engine as it roared. We got a glimmer of that sound as the cycle’s deep purr echoed through the streets of Alexandria.
We stopped to talk to a few of the men, many of them had served in the military. One guy, Dan O’Connor, surprised us when we started talking about Harley’s when he unzipped his left jean leg and showing us his prosthesis branded with the Harley Davidson emblem. We asked to take his photo and he obliged. I wanted to get the best picture with him facing the sun instead of in the shadows, so I asked him to turn around. What was I thinking? Dan was holding up his prosthesis that he had taken off for us to see. Now on one leg, in the middle of the sidewalk, I ask him to turn around. He did and we all smiled. This retired Marine had not lost his leg in the war, but in a car/motorcycle accident. He is on the Freedom Team running marathons and travels all over the country.
Street musicians played along the walkway down to the marina along the wide Potomac River. Jeff, a young seven year old trumpet player attracted crowds as he played familiar tunes. We saw the trumpet propped on a stand and were surprised when he walked over, picked it up and played away. What a talent for a youngster. According to his Mom he has been playing for three years.
Walking on cobblestoned side streets lined with inviting majestic doorways of row homes built centuries ago brought back memories of stories our friend Ruth told of Madeira Island off the coast of Portugal. She was born in Portugal and told of the hilly cobblestone streets she knew as a child when they visited the Madeira. Children would sit in baskets and slide down the well worn stones for a round of fun.
The shops along the main street were unique and a delight. One had antiques and mostly chandeliers. Another held paper from all over the world that would wrap a package to delight the grumpiest. A evening came, lights on the trees and shop doorways brighten up your spirits.
We took a quick trip downtown to see the monuments in the evening light. They were stately and spectacular. Jefferson and Washington monument were inspiring.