2013 Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC

[DAISY BOYKIN]

What a great day yesterday was, toured the capitol building and you talk about a bunch of tired people. Lots of walking but was worth it. A great education on how the $$$$ is spent!

Lots of F.R.O.G.s woke up yesterday morning (Tuesday)with frozen pipes. For some reason ours did not freeze, will be worse this morning for it is hovering 26°. I guess the little water drip prevented the freeze up.

Well, Agiewagon is at it again. You talk about loosing things, just to refresh yo memory. The great fellow lost his hot water tank cover on the way up. HUMMMMM, must be something he is eating or the water, yesterday Agiewagon got lost, was left behind at on of our stops. To be honest tho, was not entirely his fault , Bob (Mr Frog himself) had a lot to do with Agiewagon being left behind. Seems that two names sound alike when muster is being taken, somebody said "AYE" when George's name was called. George (Agiewagon) said no one briefed him or warned him about the FROGS, I will have to think about that statement??
I see right now he has not been hanging out with the PHAT PHROGS STUNT TEAM. You will sure get briefed with that bunch. HAH!

Lots of fun playing musical chairs with the busses, seems a DOT inspection was happening with the buses yesterday, but all worked out in the end.

Yesterday was a beautiful day, just a little crisp cool tho. Spring break must be in full swing, for a lot of teenagers were on the loose yesterday.

I had to rub my eyes yesterday. in the RV park there is a lot of tent campers in nylon tents. At 26° that calls for a close sleeping quarters just to keep warm. The Cherry Hill RV park is huge, covers a lot of acreage. But it is full right up to the brim.

My good friend Mike from Canada is walking on thin ice for sure. He sure knows how to 'MONKEY' with a fellow. You talk about radical!!!!!!!!!
But Margaret says that is just Mike, sort walks around with a loose screw or to that effect, I guess it will come to me what she is saying.

Today is a "FREE DAY" for all. The DW is making some kind of noise about of all things, SHOPPING!!

Toured the NRA museum Monday, what a collection of fine firearms. For a gun enthusiast, it is a must.

until later

[youroo]

Are the Frogs fortunate enough too have the same (Motor Coach Drivers) as last year? Jerry was a wonderful (lost soul retriever)! As for the walking remember,(Go left,go left,go left right,left). Youroo!!

[House97]

My wife started talking about going shopping today as well. No idea what's gotten into these womenfolk.
Me? Well, as soon as the water hose thaws, I'm thinking shower and shave, followed by some intense relaxing. I'd like to hit the air and space annex, and the NRA museum sounds cool (thanks for the tip) but after being around such dense crowds of people yesterday, sitting under my awning with a warm cup of something may be what actually happens today.

[Beausdog]

Hope you all are enjoying my city, hopefully I will be able to find a few minutes to swing up to cherry hill and come say hi to my fellow frogs. If anyone needs anything from a local, directions, hidden spots, etc send me a message

[Oakman]

So you must be asking yourself, just how cold is it this morning at the Cherry Hill RV park? I'll tell you how cold it is, when I tried to eat breakfast my metal fork stuck to my tongue.

Seriously though this photo shows how cold it is. The water drip from the water hose on my neighbor's camper formed a stalagmite.

THIS COLD!

[agiewagon]

Originally Posted by Beausdog

Hope you all are enjoying my city, hopefully I will be able to find a few minutes to swing up to cherry hill and come say hi to my fellow frogs. If anyone needs anything from a local, directions, hidden spots, etc send me a message

Thank you. Sure could have used your help yesterday. Before I earned palace in daisy's report.

[Beausdog]

Originally Posted by agiewagon

Thank you. Sure could have used your help yesterday. Before I earned palace in daisy's report.

Hahaha no worries, offer is out there for everyone though.

PS. I would not be heartbroken at all if i had to leave work for the day beacause someone wanted me to show them the city. Hahahahaha

[F.R.O.G.]

Youroo, we asked for and got Jerry as one of our drivers again this year. Actually, he's not driving, but serving as an onboard guide and working with some new drivers. He said he was happy to take "Mama FROG" under his wing again this year. Once again, I get her back after Saturday.

Just for the record, Agiewagon was (or at least was supposed to be) on the other bus, not on mine. We had to keep him and Daisy Boykin separated. The facts are still coming out, but it's starting to sound as if Daisy Boykin paid Jerry to go off and leave Agiewagon at the Capitol -- something to do with some cheap wine that George gave Sid. There also seems to be a 1954 Chevy hubcap involved showhow. We'll let you know as the investigation unfolds, but in the meantime, ankle monitors seem to be helping us keep both of them in line.

[agiewagon]

Originally Posted by F.R.O.G.

Youroo, we asked for and got Jerry as one of our drivers again this year. Actually, he's not driving, but serving as an onboard guide and working with some new drivers. He said he was happy to take "Mama FROG" under his wing again this year. Once again, I get her back after Saturday.

Just for the record, Agiewagon was (or at least was supposed to be) on the other bus, not on mine. We had to keep him and Daisy Boykin separated. The facts are still coming out, but it's starting to sound as if Daisy Boykin paid Jerry to go off and leave Agiewagon at the Capitol -- something to do with some cheap wine that George gave Sid. There also seems to be a 1954 Chevy hubcap involved showhow. We'll let you know as the investigation unfolds, but in the meantime, ankle monitors seem to be helping us keep both of them in line.

I am just a pawn, in the greater Pond struggle I think. But just could not bring my self to " go left" in the Capital. Should have listened to Forrest Gump.

[n1joh]

thats ok we were at the top of the hill and it was 26

[House97]

FRF spotted in the wild! (Ok, it was less than a mile from the Cherry Hill CG)

[CincyED]

Having a great time here in Washington, D.C. We have been very busy. Monday got all day pass to metro and headed to town. Visited library of congress, Supreme Court, bureau of engraving, national mall, American history museum. Tuesday we headed to national zoo and national cathedral. Yesterday was group tour day to Vietnam, Lincoln, WWII memorial, capital building, Washington memorial, and natural history muesum and dinner at local restraunt. Today was catch up and rest day. Tomorrow will be another full day of group tours. Thank you to Bob, Cindy and all FROGS for a great trip so far!

[TheFordes]

By the way the DC DUCK tour out of Union Station rocks!!! Just something that one of you might want to check out.

Also I tried to warn you guys that mother nature in these parts is going through menopause!!! Watch your weather tonight. It called for it to be 58° today. It never got their and now all of a sudden it is sleet and snow and calling for 2 to 4 and heading your way!!

[rockwood06]

FYI.........I read today that the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom between the 6th and the 10th of April.

[House97]

Originally Posted by rockwood06

FYI.........I read today that the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom between the 6th and the 10th of April.

Last week I read between the 3rd and 6th... Oh well! They'll bloom when they're good and ready I guess.

[CheezPack]

Originally Posted by House97

FRF spotted in the wild! (Ok, it was less than a mile from the Cherry Hill CG)

Thanks for the pic!

[DAISY BOYKIN]

What a beautiful day yesterday was (Friday) The Frogs could not have ask for a more beautiful day.

The tours took us for many places to see, the Constitution, Bill of Rights, FDR Memorial, The Ford Theater and a lunch in the sunshine in a park.

Seems that two of our Canadian friends are advertising about their golf games and all the balls they loose while playing. They even put bumper stickers on to let all know about the great loss.

The high of our tours yesterday was the visit to the Arlington National Cemetery for a special reef laying at the TOMB of the Unknown Solider. It was a very, very special event for four of US FROGS to be included in the event. What a HONOR it was to be part of the event.

The RED Maple Leaf bunch from the north seem to be lost for what is to
happen next. Oh well, I just hope their wives pack a BIG lunch for the both of them, for they will need it!!!!!!

I guess AGIEWAGON is feeling a sigh of relief about losing the HW tank door, seems a lot of fun mileage has been made about the loss. George, you have been briefed about the happenings with the frogs!!!!!

The Frogs that are not attending the Cherry Blossom Festival have no idea what they are missing. Bob and Cindy are a great host, hard working team
that knows how to put on a Rally. I greatly take my hat off to you both for the fantastic job you are doing. You deserve a "BRAVO ZULU" as a Navy term for "JOB WELL DONE", thank you both for your dedication and hard work.

[F.R.O.G.]

The FROG Cherry Blossom Festival Rally is well underway. About a third of our attendees arrived by mid-afternoon on Sunday, and we gathered for an Easter Sunday potluck dinner. From roast beef and ham, a huge selection of salads and side dishes, and a spectacular array of desserts, there was no shortage of great food. FROGs, it turns out, are not only great eaters, but great cooks as well.

Fol...lowing dinner there was a chance to get some orientation for the upcoming week. We talked about the upcoming tours, and about how to use the Metro system to get around the city. There were both questions and suggestions about things to see and do.

Since the rally was not scheduled to begin until Tuesday, Monday was available for members to go sightseeing on their own, or to hang around the campground and visit with new and old friends. One couple went to the National Gallery of Art to see a painting of her sixth-great uncle on display in one of the galleries, chosen as an outstanding example of the art of Americana. Two went to the house at the Soldiers’ Home where Lincoln like to spend summer days, and to which he would sometimes ride unescorted and unguarded at the height of the Civil War. That evening, some of us continued a time-honored camping tradition by visiting around campfires that evening.

Tuesday afternoon was registration. FROGs stopped by to register and to get their nametags, agendas, and some “goodie bag” items and snacks. It was a cool day, and a fire in the patio fireplace at the shower house helped to take off the edge. Everyone had a chance to meet new friends and to reunite with old ones.

That evening we gathered in the ballroom of the community center for a welcome dinner of lasagna, salad, garlic bread, drinks and dessert. During the evening we enjoyed a trivia game covering many of the places and things that we would see this week. Following cleanup and more visiting, some of us adjourned to one of several campfires, while others settled down in anticipation of the first of our tour days.

More to come…

[F.R.O.G.]

Thanks, Sid, for the kind words, for your service to the nation, and for representing the FROGs so honorably yesterday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

[F.R.O.G.]

Wednesday, our first tour day, dawned clear and chilly. A beautiful blue sky gave an indication of what kind of day it would be. We gathered at the community center for a continental breakfast and an overview of what the day would hold. Soon it was time for the buses to arrive, and then a few minutes past time, and then the actual arrival, loading, and departure of one of the buses, and then th...e arrival of the other. (Good idea, DOT guys, to use the peak tourist season in DC to decide to hold unannounced bus inspections first thing in the morning!)

Despite the delay, there was a good sign when we saw that Jerry, one of our drivers – make that motor coach operators – from last year was with us again. Jerry had taken Cindy, or “Mama FROG” as he called her, under his wing last year, and we had requested him for this year. Soon both buses had arrived and had been loaded with lunches and coolers of drinks, and we set off down the Baltimore / Washington Expressway en route to the city.

As we entered the city, Hank, the guide on my bus, gave an extremely interesting running commentary. Approaching and traversing Capitol Hill, circling the Capitol (or as close as one can approach it these days), and traveling along the National Mall, Hank identified landmarks and lesser known locations, discussed the history of the city and of many of the buildings and neighborhoods, and answered questions along the way.

Our first stop was on the west end of the Reflecting Pool, capped by the Lincoln Memorial and cradled on either side by the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials. Despite the constant hustle and activity of the city, there is a quiet reverence that envelopes each of these memorials, and one can’t help be touched by having been there. The monumental statue of Lincoln, flanked by the immortal words of his Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural Address speak volumes about the times in which he lived.

Lincoln’s hope and intent for the nation was summed up in the last sentence of his Second Inaugural Address. “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” Five weeks later, the Civil War would end. Less than a week after that, Lincoln would be dead.

Walking the path alongside the Vietnam Wall is a somber experience. The names of 58,000 Americans killed or missing in the war are carved into the wall. The oldest died at age 68. The youngest lied about his age to enlist in the Marine Corps, and died at 15. Eight women are listed on the wall. Wreaths, notes, photos, and various mementos are tucked along the way. Across the mall, the figures of American soldiers slogging through a Korean rice paddy put faces and an image to that conflict.

Returning the length of the Mall, we stopped at the U.S. Capitol. Thanks to the office of Indiana Senator Dan Coats we were able to bypass the long ticket lines and enter the theater and tour rather quickly. FROGs enjoyed seeing the Rotunda and its elaborate inner dome and paintings. We visited the Crypt under the dome, intended as a burial location for George Washington and declined by his family in favor of entombment at his beloved Mount Vernon. A stop in the original House of Representatives chamber, now Statuary Hall, and a demonstration of the whispering spots in the room proved quite interesting. We capped off the tour with a visit to the Gallery of the House of Representatives, but time and endurance didn’t allow for a parallel visit to the Senate Gallery.

Following a bountiful lunch of roast beef, ham and cheese, or turkey sandwiches and sides, we split up to visit the Museums of American History and Natural History, two of the massive array of museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution. In just these two locations, “the nation’s attic” houses everything from Archie Bunker’s chair to the original Star-Spangled Banner, and from dinosaur fossils to the Hope Diamond, all part of a collection of tens of millions of artifacts.

As the day wound down, we returned to the buses to lean back and enjoy the return ride to the campground. Later, about twenty of us would gather at a nearby café that we’d found last year to enjoy dinner and a visit. That night, everyone settled down for a well-earned rest.

More to come…