Back in California...

Well it is over. After packing up in the morning I walked two stops along the Heritage Trail closest to my hostel and then began the return journey.

I met Jeff and Trish on bus 5A Dulles after a long chat with Mr. Haneefa Assadullah, a WTBA bus schedule controller who chatted with me about the weather, fishing, and politics while I waited for the 5A and he took notes on each bus that passed, whether it was early, late or on-time. Mr. Assadullah has been doing that job for 35 years.

On the bus I spoke to Aaron, a young cinematographer from LA who had been working on a project in DC, related to GM cars and market research. ("Yeah, I know," he said, as my eyes glazed over, "but it pays the bills.")

At the airport Jeff, Trish and I met Craig and Celeste at the Groups Check-In counter and then found Leah, her family, and Kerry over at gate C19. We boarded on time and without incident and I think we were all happy to touchdown in lovely San Francisco.

I headed over to our boat in Emeryville where I will stay until Saturday when I travel to a family reunion in Sacramento, then home sweet home - finally - on Sunday.

My dear son had his hair cut while I was gone and looks like a new person.

Good to be back in California.

Last day in D.C.

After doing the mileage is appears I only walked about 6 miles today - but it sure feels like it was at least 10. The plan was to rent a bike... only the rental place didn't open until 9 and I wanted to ride at 8. So I walked instead; to the Jefferson Memorial, FDR memorial, to T. Roosevelt Island to see the Teddy Roosevelt memorial - over a scary bridge that was not really set up for foot traffic, just bikes, and the bikers were not happy to share with me - then over the Francis Scott Keys Bridge to Georgetown and a short way up the Capital Crescent Trail, where I picniked beside the Potomac before walking the back along the tow path beside the CandO Canal.

I just missed the 1:30 canal ride which takes about an hour and costs a mere 5 bucks - yay the National Park Service!Next trip I am going to have to make that work - or maybe the early cruise tomorrow morning? I do have until 11 before I have to leave for the airport...

Anyway after walking into Foggy Bottom I took the Metro one stop to visit the National Museum of American History where I toured the money exhibit and The Price of Freedom exhibit, which was familiar from using their curriculum last year. That's it, Washington is a wrap.

Except for maybe a couple of small heritage trail loops I plan to do in the early AM - if I can get up after blogging into the wee hours.

List of top 10 "didn't do but wanted to"s
1. Supreme Court
2. Biking up the C&O for miles and miles and miles
3. Canal Tour
4. Freer and Sackler Galleries
5. Mt. Vernon - another bike ride
6. Arlington Cemetery
7. Ford's Theater - although I gawked the outside one night
8. Anacostia Museum
9. Old Post Office View
10.National Cathedral

So, I guess I have to come back.

Last Full Day in Bahstin

Glorious weather altogether here in Boston. Even the Virgin Mary and her child were out enjoying it, wandering the streets of little Italy... while extorting money out of local businesses. No rest for the godly, you know. Nor for me, I Freedom Trail-ed until the sun went down - and beyond! (Fortified by another meal from the Green Dragon!)

Back to DC tomorrow after an intensive session at the Houghton Library tomorrow morning.

Boston Jaunt

Hello TAH Folkses

Heard simply shocking Boston accents on the T. Nothing so raw since though, everyone sounds generic American or English, lots of English at the hostel here. They didn't used to travel, back in the day when I did, 20 years ago when their economy was in tatters, but they are certainly making up for lost time now.

Spent the last two days looking hard and hundreds of paintings of Albanian landscapes by Edward Lear at the Houghton Library at Harvard. It was wonderful, but it gave me an eye-strain headache of Biblical proportion.

The weather has been awesome beautiful but it poured last night and judging by my stickiness meter it might be a bit more humid than I am used to today. Nevertheless, I am walking segments of the Literary and Freedom Trails today, unless it rains again, in which case Brüno, the greatest movie since the Lion King, is out in theaters now so I can dry out at a matinee.

Met with a young woman from Covelo night before last and toured the Commons, the Haymarket and the Hall whose name I can not spell - starts with an F - and had dinner at the Green Dragon Inn, where a revolution was plotted. Heheheh. Great food and all, just wish my head had felt better.

Back to DC tomorrow.

Lost Email from Janai

Jun 29 (12 days ago)
HI there,

I can only imagine the organization and preparations going into the D.C. departure, by all involved. I wish I was there to share in the excitement. The excitement here is that Carson has now started to body surf on her own, as well as boogie board and she is more courageous than her mother in the crazy waves. Well, as you can see by my sunburned face, we are on day two of beach time and heading into a third day of skin torture.

Love to all,

Janai

Bye bye D.C.!

A secret-surfer tour of the Congress with two handsome young interns after breakfast this morning. Now that is what I call a nice way to start to the day. They showed me the old Senate Chambers where poor Sumner felt the wrath of Brooks' Gutta percha cane. (I know it is unfeeling of me, but that beating was almost worth it so that years later I could enjoy using Gutta percha in sentence.)

(Love the picture you posted, Jonna. What a fine looking group we are!)

I sure do like this town. Reckon I'll be back by and by, hopefully sooner than later - before I forget what I learned about navigating this baby. Maybe with a group of 8th graders....

It's been such a quick week - yet Monticello seems like 17 years ago. Funny how that works. I am leaving on a metro train at 8 tomorrow morning before most of you lot are out and about. I am missing you already. Have a great trip home. Those staying in DC I hope to see you around the Mall next week - otherwise I reckon I'll get a squint of youse at the airport next Thursday.

Day 7 - TAH takes the Capitol

TAKE THAT HILL!! TAH attend a breakfast hosted by Diane Fienstien this morning for a meet and greet. We were able to meet her staff and discuss some of our pressing issues with them. They were very helpful and passed out business cards and asked for us to email all concerns to her office. It always feels great to know that our democracy is alive all you have to do is stand up and take part.

We went to the Library of Congress, where I picked up my LOC passport which allows you to tag images/documents/interactive presentations from the library and emails them to you. THIS IS A TEACHER'S DREAM TOOL!!! Their website has always been very hard to navigate and search. At the Library they had everything organized by theme! My Founding Father's Unit will be rocking from the cyber airwaves. This is amazing supplemental and core curriculum, I be using it ASAP.

Back to the Capitol for a tour and Senate Gallery Seat. I don't normally question Mason building skills, but really, having the entire dome and Lady Freedom supported by sandstone, really? As I heard many other Californians saying, "They don't have earthquakes around here!"

Next stop, the National Postal Museum where I picked up several books; Letter's from a Slave Girl, Owney, Letter's from Vietnam. I also learned about how the Postal Service started, dealt with urbanization and expansion. History came alive through the letter's they had from immigrants and pioneers sent back home, amazing!

Day 6 - Back on the streets of DC in style

This morning we hit the beat again with a mission: to find the bakery Jason recommended. And we found it! And it was good, oh so good, english tofee cookies, chocolate dipped shortbread, chocolate, and almond croissants. Yum!

After loading up on a disgusting calorie count we made our way to the Holocaust Museum. We had reserved our tickets on-line before hand which was great. The museum's temporary exhibit on propganda was FANTASTIC, thanks for the recommendation Craig! I came up with a whole unit idea on teaching WW2 simply through a propaganda based timeline. I took all sorts of notes and began an outline by gathering resources from the exhibit. Most of the documents are available through the Library of Congress. The permanant exhibit was outstanding truly a powerful experience. One not to be forgotten...the true importance of history was embedded in every artifact and turn. Words cannot express the grave and deep importance of this museum and what it stands for. We shall never forget! After exiting the permanent exihibit I went through a glass door entitled 'Daniel's Story', this turned out to be another huge exhibit that followed a little boy's jounral and experiences through the Holocaust. Children always have a way of expressing the raw emotions and deep impact in few words that will cut deep and leave a lasting impression on the heart.

After going through the museum, we were both hungry but could not bring ourselves to eat. So, we decided to walk in the beautiful sunshine over to the Daughter's of the American Revolution (which I am one!) building, I was very excited to finally be able to go the museum after having so much back and forth data transferance with them over the years. BUT we got their and it is closed for diplomatic and congressional use for the entire week. We discovered this not only by the locked doors but the one post-it note attached to the side lobby sign. I was disappointed and shook my fist in their general direction. So, we went to the Renwick instead. This by the way is THE place to go to beat the heat, the crowds, and kick back on plush chairs surrounds a truly rich atmosphere.

We stopped at a great little local bar "Lucky Bar" on 14th for some refreshments and great inexpensive food. Then headed back to the hotel to ready ourselves for the show 'The Color Purple' at the Kennedy Center. The musical was GREAT and stayed true to Alice Walker's book with very few liberties. My mother has never read the book and now has been empowered too. As for me, it is part of our ELA curriculum and this experience shall enrich my future teachings. Well only 1 more day left here and still so much to do. Tune in tomorrow for 'TAH takes the Capitol'.

Day 5 - A Battle Field to Remember

Well today we left the Nation's Capitol and went to Gettysburg. The battlefield that turned the tides for the Union army in Civil War.In true History Geek style we watched the film Gettysburg on the way to the battlefield. I learned all sorts of new information. I was very interested to learn that after General Meade had the Confederate army retreating he chose not to pursue (he was more of a "defensive General") and engage them after one day. Instead he wrote a letter to Old Abe stating that he had in fact "driven the rebel forces from our soil", well since Abraham Lincoln had always stated that even though the South had chosen to secede from the Union as the Confederate States of America he still held the ideals that it was still ALL US soil, so he threw and broke a water pitcher at having received word from Meade. The new museum was amazing, I only wish that they offered more educational support, access to documents and artifacts on their website. The bus tour of the town and battlefield was directed by teacher gone park ranger. Ever wonder where History teachers go when they retire... yep... park service, lecturing and questioning to the very end. Ahhh!!! to dream of retirement...hhhmmm I wonder which memorial or park I'll end up at?
On a serious note, I have to admit that the scale of the battlefield had truly escaped me until I was standing next to the cannons on all sides of the lines. I really liked the idea the tour guide gave about having students use topographical maps of the area and plan out their own battle strategies and then compare it to the strategies used. I love it when geography, science, and history all clash together to form "A More Perfect Union of Curriculum." (ok ok I'll stop)
I also have to give out a big woot woot to all the TAHer's who gathered in the lobby of the hotel to share their DC experience. I really was able to gain a clearer picture of what I wanted to see and do in my last 2 days at DC.(so much sidewalk and only so much rubber left on the bottom of my shoes) Once again talking to your peers and being able to interact with one another is priceless. I can't say how much knowledge I have gained from this wonderful group of people.

Gettysburg and DC Monuments at Night 07-06-09 (a few pix)

WA DC Day 4 - The Sidewalk Warriors Continue

Another beautiful day here in our beloved Nation's capitol. Today my mother and I hit the streets a little later, we were wore out from the 4th. But after resting up for a bit and doing some calf stretching we hit the streets again. This time we went to the Native American Museum and spent 5 hours. Little did I know that I am 1/8 Native American, crazy! My grandfather, Henry Lawerence Roberts's mother was full blood Native and he was born on what he called the "Kansas City Reservation". So, we went to the museums research library and met with their archivist who helped us to locate his actual tribe of orgin. It turns out that the only Kansas tribe was the Kickapoo, who's reservation was very close to Kansas City. I found all sorts of great information on their tribal history and linguistics. I even submitted a request to the Kansas Vital Records department to get a copy of his birth certificate, which will allow me to apply for a Tribal ID. Now how cool is that?!? After spending a couple of hours doing research and swapping information, I dropped the magic line, "I'm a US History teacher", and OMG he gave me 3 free curriculum kits, a magnificant book Native Universe ($40), a DVD on Native History and Culture, maps, posters, and showed me how to navigate the websites teacher section. TOO COOL!!! The museum itself is absolutely beautiful, in fact it is my favorite out of all the one's I have seen here in DC. I do have to brag here a bit and say, "Hey Victor, my student's make way better Fry Bread".
After we left the museum at closing, we decided we should go and see all the memorials. (those are on the opposite side of the Mall) Thank Goddess, for bikers, who gave us a lift from the Air and Space Museum to the White House, where of course we had to stop and take a photo op. We then flexed our over worked calf muscles and once again headed out in full speed towards the Monument, we ended up touring WWII Memorial, Reflection Pool (which had all sorts of trash in it from the festivities on the 4th), Korean War Memorial (very moving) , Vietnam Memorial (yep, I cried, it was eery, this was the only place on the Mall where Silence ruled), and of course the Lincoln Memorial.

We both took all sorts of pictures which I am putting up for everyone to use on Picasa + making powerpoints to be used as "Into's" for various lessons and Units. I'll make sure I forward them to Ruth to put up on the site. As for now I am looking forward to the long bus ride to Gettysburg on the morrow, so these tired tootsie's of mine can have a wee rest.

Bev's 4th of July Pix

Bev has generously shared these wonderful 'D.C. on the 4th' pix to the blog. Thanks, Bev.

Well today all I can say is "MAN MY FEET ARE SORE!!". We were WA DC sidewalk warriors today. We started out the day by visiting the WA Historical Society, saw some great exhibits, the 'Many Faces of Lincoln' and 'Quilts for Obama' is not to be missed. I thought of some great lesson ideas on how to incorporate political quilts into my government class as a great team building activity. We were the only people there and the docents were great. Next we set out to the National Portrait Gallery where we went on yet another docent tour our docent Brian was fantastic. He taught me how to mesh Art History and History together and gave me tips on how to teach them to ELL students. After that we had to take a break and go to lunch. With our bellies full we hit the Mall, took in the Folk Festival, listened to some great music. After that we just kind of went museum crazy we visited the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of Natural History, America's Islamic Heritage Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and the Hirhhorn. After this we had to take a grass nap..
So, off to the Capitol's West Lawn we went, took in a good part of the free concert (Jersey Boy's and Aretha Franklin ROCKED IT) and then ran to see the WA Monument and fireworks display. My fantastic Mom, took this great video for everyone of the show. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Independence Day from D.C.!

(Krishna Consciousness had some prime real estate on the Mall today - see photos below.)

Parade, museums, free food and entertainment - what is not to like? Watched the parade with a 21-year-old young man from Australia who had not been home yet after partying all night - a party animal who happen to be a hospice nurse.

Took a little less than a million photos at the National Gallery of Art. Got the great idea of showing paintings chronologically to students to more viscerally show the transition to industrialization through paintings from the 1840-1920s. Lots of Eakins, Winslow Homer, and Childe Hassam - amongst others, now live happily on my hard drive.

After a visit to the porta-potties, I had nice chat with Valerie, a woman with a 4 year-old daughter, Vicky, living in a DC shelter. She and Vicky are moving to somewhere in Virginia... she is not exactly sure where, Norfolk, or Richmond maybe, only thing for dead sure is she is outta here. She wanted to know who my favorite historian was? Hard question. I thought a moment, then answered Ibn Battuta and we talked about his theory of the cyclical nature of civilizations for a while before we parted with best holiday wishes, and I headed to the Museum of the American Indian.

After viewing the Fritz Scholder exhibit, I stopped into the resource center on the fourth floor and the museum's guy started throwing the most amazingly beautiful posters and curriculum (plural) at me the moment I said the magic words, "8th Grade US History." Heheheheh.

I am definitely going back again tomorrow to see the other exhibits and especially the Skate Jam! Wish I'd brought my board. (Kidding.)

Watched the fireworks display in front of the hotel with Nancy and her two lovelies, Carmen and Isa and about 100 others, including one really loud, enthusiastic lady who was hecka glad Obama is in the White House. She engaged her tiny daughter in a call-and-response performance that went something like this:

- Who our president?

-Obama!

-Where he at?

-The White House!

Oh yes, he in the White House! Oh thank you, Jesus! Say, thank you Jesus!

-Thank you Jesus!

-Alright!

Alright. Goodnight America, I love you.

WA DC - Day 2 - The Monticello and how to get lost in DC

Oh my gosh! Can we say..TIRED! This morning we all got up and reported on time to the bus, where we all loaded on and headed out to the Monticello (pronounced Monti - chello). The bus ride was uneventful and pretty long but well worth the wait. Thomas Jefferson's house was GORGEOUS!! I know I keep saying how green everything is, but it's so green and lush. The soil is a tough red clay, though, and I got to chat it up with some of the gardeners who tend the grounds. We had a great conversation about our hoes, apparently I need to get some Swedish hoes, and they need to get some Mac Clouds. I was very happy to see another place with squash trellis's. I bought a whole bunch of seeds, which are heirlooms to the estate. I'm excited to get back to school and plant them next season. Going through the house, looking at the amazing architecture, talking about rumored realtions, examining the relationship between Jefferson and his slaves was all very interesting. I was very interested to learn that Jefferson WAS NOT an inventor, but just liked gadgets. I was very disappointed to see that no where was there any mention of him being a Mason and applying the Mason techniques in his designs. As soon as we all loaded back on the bus, what do we do but put on the movie Gettysburg (I love that the whole group is a bunch of cool history geeks). When we got back to the Hotel, mom and I were off again on the streets of DC. We got pretty darn lost, but found a great and very yummy Portuguese restruant, and eventually (1 hour later) we found our way back to the hotel. I can't wait to get back to the classroom and create my new Jefferson lessons using the www.Monticello.org website. They have all sorts of great free resources and activities that will meet four US 11th grade standards. I would have to say that the absolute best time I had today was going through Jefferson's house and looking at his library and all the Lewis and Clark artifacts, very cool. As for now I'm heading to bed..tomorrow the 4th of July in the Capitol...stay tuned..

Jefferson/Hemings Show CANCELLED

Due to the illness of the actor who will be portraying Thomas Jefferson, Tom and Betty: A Conversation Between Thomas Jefferson and His Slave, Betty Hemings has been postponed until further notice. We plan to reschedule the production in September and will notify you accordingly. Thank you for your continuing interest in Cultures in Motion programs. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and look forward to seeing you at future programs.

Jewell Robinson

Public Program Director

07/03/09 'Wolf by the ears', my Aunt Fanny!

Janai!

Nancy wants me to make sure you know that Isa, Carmen, and their dad, called with really special news while we were on the bus to Monticello this morning. They told Nancy they had just exchanged waves with Mr. President Obama. (Okay, so maybe cell phones are not so bad after all.) The President's motorcade suprised Daddy as they were walking to the Mall. The girls were not suprised at all. They both knew they were going to see him. Seeing the president was on their agenda all along.

Below are some of the pictures I took today. Monticello was quite an experience... one that I am still processing. My conflicted feelings for Jefferson got a lot of exercise. Seeing the African American graveyard at the end of the day with a group of African Americans, whom I fell into company with, on the path down to the so-called graveyard - another name for it might be 'that little patch of scrap-ground in the middle of the parking lot' - was... well, let me just say the lot of us stood there looking around, wondering if we were maybe in the wrong place until one of the ladies broke the bewildered silence by quietly saying,"There is nothing. Nothing. No stones, no markers, nothing." Which was an accurate summation.

Not only was there nothing, but the fence was open and the path worn in the ground evidence that people often walk over the unmarked graves. At that point a slang word meaning 'rectal orifice' became my newest nickname for the great man

'Wolf by the ears', my Aunt Fanny.

The last pictures are the two graveyards for your comparison.

Latest From Janai, aka The WBB

Hi D.C. Trippers,

I hope the trip is just wonderful. What has been your fav so far?

The water was warm salty at Mason's Inlet yesterday where we floated the day away. The sky and sea seem to go on forever here. We are preparing for 4th of July festivities; it's pretty unbelievable the types/extremes of fireworks available here - it would never fly in CA, the state would burn.

Love to all,

Janai (your Wrightsville Beach blogger)

Attn: 8th grade teachers:

I found a good tech grant resources website that I wanted to send along. I remembered from one of our last days as an 8th grade group a frustration about not being able to do certain lessons because of limited technology. Maybe if a grant was available, teachers could purchase document cameras and LCD projectors. Anyway, here is the web address where I found what appears to be a pretty decent list of grants. Would you mind forwarding this on to the 8th grade teachers?

The address is: http://www.emints.org/themes/resources/S00001723.shtml

Take care,

Janai

Jonna - TAH - DC 7/2/09

Washington DC - Day 1

The flight from SFO to Dulles airport was very quick and had very little turbulence. Once we arrived at Dulles, I was amazed to see how green and lush everything was. The freeways were clean of graffiti. As we were coming into DC, Nancy Case Rico's little girl was the first to point out the Washington Monument. (too cute) We all made sure to wave when we passed the White House! When we pulled up to the Washington Plaza Hotel, we were greeted with a burst of rain. My mother and I ran up to our room and unpacked quickly so we could get out and see the town. Luckily for us we saw Mary and Julie outside of the hotel and asked if we could tag along with them. Both of them had lived in DC in the past and gave a a great tour all the way down to DuPont Circle. The little street gardens and flower beds are amazing and so beautiful, I know my garden class will be in awe, amazing what you can grow when you have water. We had dinner at a hot little Asian restaurant. We were able to talk about the change in culture in DC since they had left. We also go to go down the longest escalator in the US to obtain a map of the Metro. From there we made our way to DuPont Circle where there was a large crowd gathered holding a candle light vigil around the fountain. When we inquired about the vigil we were told that it was in honor of the Iranians who had been killed in the peaceful protests of the recent election in Iran. It was very interesting to see all the different ethnic groups that gathered in support and candle light. Julie described how DC streets were like spokes and wheels and once you learned the particular circles you would be able to easily navigate your way around. Throughout the evening Julie, Mary, and I were able to create a proposal on how we might be able to join our programs in the next year and create a culturally enriching program for our students. The absolute best part of the day was being able to be a little CA country mouse seeing our nation's capitol for the first time.

Our Nation's Capital!

We are here! We are here! It is a lovely evening. Must get out and document it only feeling molto weary. The moon, dark clouds, spire of something... visible from the open windows: perfectly nice weather, voices from revelers below at poolside. Buntings in evidence all over town.

Life is good in our nation's capital.(Except not so much for Rob, who is suffering a reaction to the Typhoon vacine. Though even he seems to be perking up now we have arrived the hotel.) Jim and Ruth have shot off to the Jefferson Memorial. Nancy Ryan is waiting for friends while refreshing herself at the bar downstairs. Pictures of adventure in search of sundries to follow - should I take any. [I didn't take any of my ramble to CVS and beyond, but follows some pix from the hotel window and the in bar where I was waylayed by convivial company = TAH Folk.]

TAH3 at MCOE 6/29, 6/30

Hello to D.C. Trippers from N.C.

Hi D.C. Trippers,

Love the blog and am eagerly anticipating photos of your trip.

This photo shows the view from our deck where we are visited daily by a beautiful blue heron and two ducks, named Linus and Quack. Our days so far have been filled with hours of beach time and playing in the surf - I guess my dermatology appt. will have to wait until after the N.C. tan fades away.

Love to all,
Janai

Trains, Planes and Automobiles: not in that order

Autos: Tomorrow will be the last chance to organize your carpool, les folks.

Trains: Tavis reports that he, Pat, Joyce, and Christina arrived in Chicago this morning - looking forward to some choo choo pix, Tavis.

Planes: Janai reported from North Carolina:

Sorry it's taken me a few days to write, but between the red eye out, no sleep for me, Scott, or Carson and a very inconsistent internet link here at our beach place, I've been out of contact with the world.

Thanks for putting the blog up. I will download some of the photos of us on the beach or boat, hopefully by tomorrow and then email them to you. If you want to post them, with any funny comments you want, that's fine with me. I miss you all already and I'm definitely living vicariously, but I must say it is pretty darn beautiful and relaxing down here. We've been out on the Atlantic doing some fishing, but caught nothing. It was amazing though. The beach is great and Carson has finally got the hang of (and the courage) to both body surf and boogie board - she's braver than I in those big waves.

I'll send more tomorrow.

Take care,

Janai

Friday in Ukaih

Janai flutters off... Steve in the pulpit...

Janai just left. [sigh] Indian Sovereignty... and the Washington DC blog. Two hands, two tasks, woot! But just one head- and I am losing the thread but I want to know this stuff.

So much for multi-tasking.