Spaceships and Sticks
By KK on Jun 20, 2007 in Eastern Shore, Stress Management, Washington DC, Traveler, Thinker
The best way I can describe Father’s Day 2007 weekend: inspiring and relaxing.
Saturday morning, we headed South for the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. We have always been planning to go when Little K took interest on rockets and spaceships. It was my first time go too. Little K was smiling from ear to ear just getting on the Metro because she is on a real train to see the A& S Museum. It was a joy to watch her face beam with excitment as we went through the different impressive exhibits. Daddy was only too happy to oblige and go on detailed explanation. We also watched the movie “To Fly” at the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater within the museum. It summarizes the desire and success of man to fly.
It was a very enlightening and inspiring experience for me. I marvel at the people who first had the dreams of flying. I can only imagine how much mathematical analysis and scientific theories were put to test. Good old fashioned high level brain power- computers weren’t used back then. Maybe if I would have had the opportunity to be exposed to this museum earlier in life, I would have appreciated my Differential, Integral Calculus and Physics during my college days. Airplane travel and spacecraft launches are part of the everyday life these days but going to the museum made me pause and think about the brilliant minds who had made it all possible. I’m still at an awe at the fact that people where able to figure out how to land on the moon then return home safely in 1969.
We had a marvelous find on the walk to the museum, we passed by the Smithsonian Castle’s well manicured gardens. We took a break trying out the beautiful cast iron benches while enjoying the lush and inviting garden. It was such a welcoming experience to hang out in the ‘castle’ grounds.
Above backgrounds: The US Capitol and Smithsonian Castle garden
We were impressed with Little K that she walked to and from the Metro station without hearing a complaint for being tired. We went home and had a quiet dinner of clam chowder and coconut shrimp on the porch.
Sunday, during breakfast my husband received his card(handmade by Little K) and gift(framed picture of the little one, he was telling me that he had a very old photo of Little K in his office.). We went to church and after the service we had the hospitality Sunday treat: freshly made donuts( I have to ask where they buy it, it’s not from Dunkin’s). This time I was able to get my favorite Bavarian cream 
.
After lunch of mango yougurt shake we headed to an undisclosed fishing place. We drove towards East for an hour and walked for half a mile. It was a very pleasant walk shaded by the very old and beautiful trees. We were greeted by the lovely sight of an empty secluded picnic and sandy fishing area. It felt like a very special cove in a tropical island.
We spent an idyllic afternoon fishing and frolicking on the secluded sandy river bank. It was very Zen indeed. I made chicken Afritada for our picnic dinner. We wished we could have stayed past sunset but we had to find our way home walking back half a mile of forest.
* Note: Each direction(North, South, East and West) of us has a unique landscape and different things to offer. That’s what’s neat about being in Maryland. We can be in the heart of the Nation’s Capitol one day and be in the forests the next day with just an hour or less travel time.
* Sticks is a nickname for wooded country. Example: We are from the sticks of Maryland.
marie | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply
very nice photos and shots of interesting places and fun family bonding. Super nag enjoy si KK.
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Hi Ate Marie,
She really enjoyed herself, now she wants to go to the Art Gallery.
Rach | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply
Magnificent photos! I think my son would to go to a similar museum. I’m glad Little K had a wonderful experience.
Wow, how nice to have that perfect spot all to yourselves. Looks like a great picnic. I love watching sunsets too.
Happy weekend!
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Hi Rach,
Thanks. Yohan will surely love it. I hope you will be able to take him to see the A&S Museum too.
It’s really refreshing to have the spot all to ourselves. Parks can be very noisy. Happy weekend too!
Girlie | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply
lil K must have enjoyed a lot for her to complain about the walk. Wonderful that girls her age appreciate those things.
undisclosed place indeed, it’s beautiful, virgin pa ika nga ^_^
. We intend to return again. I was so impressed that there was a toilet even if it was out in the woods!
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Hi Ate Girlie,
She is a trooper! We encourage her to enjoy things beyond Disney princesses stuff.
It’s undisclosed so that we can preserve the peace
Girlie | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply
oh man I forgot…i have an assignment (tag) for you, sorry to bother…do it when you have extra time.
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Ok I’ll work on it when I’m done with the other assignment you gave me
Belle | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply
Tina, great place to take little KK and I am glad she had a blast.
Wow, those photos look awesome especially the sunset. Do you have more photos of the sunset? Now, you found a beautiful secret place for you to visit when you feel like it. Was the water cold for swimming?
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Hi Ate Belle,
Thanks. I have other photos of the sunset but they didn’t come out good. We had to leave before the sun go into a position that would be a nice shot. The water was tolerable for swimming, I forgot to bring my swimsuit. I wasn’t also sure how deep it was so we stayed close to the sandy beach.
sassy mom | Jun 23, 2007 | Reply
Those are superb photos! My son would surely love to see A&S museum. Hope we can!
Im sure glad you had a very relaxing weekend!
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Hi Sassymom,
Thanks, I hope you all can bring your kinds to see the A&S museum and the other museums. It’s free entrance. You just have to worry of the fare.
auee | Jun 23, 2007 | Reply
that “picnice” site is a treasure… something that I only see in movies. Unusual that it’s actually on public land ha.
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Hi Auee,
It’s really a “good find” for my husband, it is public land and it even has a toilet even if it’s way out in the woods.
analyse | Jun 24, 2007 | Reply
she must have enjoyed every piece of the visit kaya walang reklamo.. i love your fishing getaway, nakakatanggal ng stress!
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Hi Analyse,
The place really makes you forget of the modern day stress.
Francesca | Jun 24, 2007 | Reply
i like the things you and your family does. Nature trip, sama pati aso. Teka, paki send ako ng nahuling isda. Maryland, one must place that I would love to visit!
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Hi Ate Amy,
We really try to bring our little furry family member when we go to outings as much as possible, kawawa naman kung sa bahay lang.
Come and visit Maryland whenever you come to the US. It has things to offer as long as you are not looking for the “in your face” kind of entertainment like Vegas.
SexyMom | Jun 26, 2007 | Reply
awesome! seems like maryland is indeed an idyllic place to live in, having best of both worlds–the modern and the hidden. little K is so blessed!
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You got it right Sexymom! Couldn’t have worded it better.