Where Did 2010 Go?

So much has happened in the past two months since my last post and not one mention here on my blog. It was the gentle reminder from Tom in Alabama that got me feeling guilty enough to post.

I should have posted when we got our first snow. In typical Maryland style, the forecasters had us all whipped up about a possible blizzard. Instead of a blizzard we only got a dusting. Had they forecast a dusting, we would had gotten dumped on. I bet if my business had not moved indoors, we would had been dumped on too. With three more months of Winter, I am sure it will happen.

I probably should have posted about our trip to Washington DC last month...

I often have a huge problem with how our Government spends my tax dollars. However an exception to this is the Smithsonian Museums. If I were King of the USA, I would triple the funding to this wonderful public institution. If you have never gone to Washington DC and taken in the numerous free museums, you really should put it on your list. I am not talking your "bucket list", I am talking your "right now" list. I also suggest that as you pass one of these boxes, you drop in some dollars. Euros, Pounds, Yen, and Kugerands fit through the slot too. The fact that these museums are free to all it a great asset to everyone.

We went to the Museum of American History to see an exhibit of pop up books. Both Beth and I love pop up books and felt it was a good excuse to spend the day in DC. Unfortunately the show was rather poorly lit and only contained a couple dozen books. Fortunately, it was only one of many exhibits in just this one building.

There is an exhibit dedicated to Julia Childs the French Gourmet. Even as a child, I watched her with fascination as she made crepes, creme bruele, and so many other French dishes. Julia instilled a confidence in trying something new even if you had never done it before. She always made me realize, if it did not come out right, you could always start fresh. Her kitchen is a permanent display. I would love to sit at that table and have a cup of coffee with her.

In the lower level is my favorite exhibit. This is the history of transportation in America. It covers every form of transportation from horse to iron horse.

What I love about the exhibit is that the displays are interactive. This gigantic locomotive has speakers and plates around it that give you the feeling it is alive. The floor rumbles and vibrates making a very realist encounter.

Part of the exhibit is this incredible 1936 Prairie Schooner. The skin of this trailer is Leatherette over Masonite. She is such a beautiful trailer. I sure hope to find one of these in the woods someday.

I wouldn't mind finding an old Dodge like this either.

Or a Buick Dynaflow like this one. "Hey, there Sailor, don't be eyeballin my Buick".

These life like figures are so realistic it is scary. They all tell a story about the exhibit they are part of. I think this boy is telling how excellent that Country Squire would pull a vintage Airstream.

This traveling salesman is waiting for a train. I think Ava bought a Hoover from him.

I love the Fresnel lens in the Shipping and Navigation section. What a work of art they are. It would also be very cool to find one of these laying out in the woods.

After four hours our feet were so tired and we had only walked through half of this one museum. Good thing we live less than an hour away.

Then there was Christmas. I should have posted about Christmas. My favorite thing about the Holidays is all the train gardens that pop up. Perhaps it is the little boy in me, but I love going and seeing these.

This one even had some trailer trash in it. I think that is a Eribe Puck hiding in the woods. I better go back and see if I can track down the owner.

If I did not already do so, Merry Christmas. Happy New Year too.

And what Holiday would not be complete without a dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies? Halle tried her hand at Ballet this year. She was very graceful and had a great recital. I am hoping she is rounded out for working on my trailers, she can dance her way around the rivets.

Hopefully in the New Year I will post more often. Hopefully in the New Year I can do more camping...