Some sights in Washington DC

I guess Congress is in here but you could not tell>

 Someone had this at the memorial.

 The Basilica of the National Shrine at Catholic Univeristy.

Had some time today to see some things in Washington DC.  First, wanted to see the final touches on the Air Force Memorial.  I was fortunate enough to be in the Pentagon Parking lot for the installation ceremony.  That was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Then over to the Pentagon Memorial. I worked there for 3 years.  Still people working there in 2001 that I knew, I called and talked to them a few days later to see if everyone was okay.  Then over to the Basilica of the National Shrine as it is one of the best photo ops you can find in DC.

Caps Game more photos

Was a great game--all you could want: hat trick by a defenseman (#6 Dennis Wideman), Ovechkin was on fire, a few fights, and Toronto played tough.  Some more up and close.   Seems like every NHL game I go there there is at least one Boston Bruins fan.  Here there were 2.  What's with that?

 Sat by the sticks.  This is Vokuoun's.  The longest stick belonged to forward Joel Ward--much longer than the rest.  Usually defensemen have the long sticks.  He changed them often.  Not sure why players change one good stick for another.  Asked the trainers and they just shrugged.  Wonder if these carbon fiber sticks break down after a lot of play and they change them to prevent that?

 Got to do a fist bump with #8 Alex Ovechkin!

 So this is what it is like if they let a fan sit with the players,, hey I was as close as you could get! I noticed that the trainers always had a towel in their hand and when play went by the bench they would shield their face with the towel.  Wondered about that then saw the bruise one trainer had on his face--later told me they get hit all the time with pucks. I started to duck as well--I was right there with them.

 Every player made it a point to hit this kid's hand.  He was a son of one of the team doctors.

 Ovechkin would sit on the side closest to the opponents goal so he could get out faster, rarely sat, sometimes sat on the edge so he could jump in faster.

 The defenseman Wideman had a hat trick.  He sat on the side closest to the Caps goal.

 Was right there for celebrations after goals---cool!

Washington Capitals Hockey 9 Dec

Had great seats for the Caps game.  Just off to the left behind the bench.  My section did not have glass so I could hear what the players were saying, what the coaches were saying and what the trainers were saying about injuries, sticks, tape, and gloves.  I could lean over and nearly touch the players.

Geocaching in the Ramparts

Today did a little Geocache hunting.  We knew of one that is off one of our favorite trails---Deadman's creek overlook.  Here are the pictures... Enjoy

Found it under a tree near a cliff

 Contents included a few things. You are welcome to take something, but then you should leave something.  If you take something it's customary to put it in another cache.

 Even the dogs were searching for this little box.

 Zamboni gets distracted and starts looking for squirrels.

 Bridie saying "I think its by this rock"

 Overlooking the Academy and Dead Man's creek.

In case you are looking, this is the tree...

Greenland Dog Park

Well finally after all these years, I am the Mayor.  Well, its a foursquare Mayor, but nevertheless, I am the Mayor of Greenland Dog Park (fourquare).  Here are few recent shots of the Dogs and me.

This is the view looking South from the Northeast corner.  You can see why the dogs like it-plenty of running room.

 Of course this time of year it is still active with little critters trying to find food for the winter, and my dogs trying to dig to find them.

Bridie Murphy rolling in the grass to get the smell of the land

 Zamboni just likes to run, she often does one lap with us, then gets lost digging.  When she comes up for air, she runs to where we are.  Once she would not come back to leave, so we left her.  She did not mind as there was plenty to do.  So had to go and drag her back home.

Found something!

Could they get their heads any further down the hole?

 Pikes Peak in the background.  From this view you can see why Zebulon Pike thought he could just hike up there in one day. The summit is about 25 miles from this point.

A newly refurbished barn sits north of the dog park.

Pikes Peak and Mt Herman

Panorama of the area