8-23-2011 The last Grand tour - and an earthquake

The last gasp. This is it. We both had to go to a training session at the Sandia office at L'Enfant Plaza in the morning so we played hokey after that and went touring. First stop was the Bartholdi Fountains on the way to the Library of Congress. Since the LOC was my most favorite building in DC, I wanted one last taste of it - and it was very worth it. What I love about this building is the almost fractal nature of the decoration - layer within layers. We bought some memorabilia in the gift shop.

Next we walked to the Supreme court building - Sue had been in it but I had not. So we took a quick look at that.

After the Supreme court, it was off to Dupont circle via Metro. Lunch at Cosi and then a walk to the Islamic Center, down Mass. Ave. The weather was quite nice, cool and sunny. Sue stopped to get a head covering at Walgreen's. When we got to the mosque we found a guide and found that they had coverings for women - to include covering the shoulders. In we went - it is pretty small with a courtyard out front. The decoration was nice but not spectacular. There were a few men praying and the guide was going through his spiel. No pictures allowed of course.

And then we heard a rumbling, like a truck outside. That lasted for maybe 10 seconds and then the shaking started. It became clear that an earthquake was happening - earthquake? in DC? Sue, being the well-trained Californian, got in the narrow doorway to the mosque and stood there. The fellows inside did not share her appreciation of this strategy to avid harm and pushed by her, pushing both us out in the courtyard. Not the best idea, but the quake was not very strong. That was the end of that tour!

We walked on down Mass Ave, back towards Dupont Circle, looking for damage. We saw a few signs, some old walls down in places. We decided to stop and see the Society of Cincinnati building. The people inside were really excited - one lady had been sent home. A fellow said he would give us the tour - there were some other folks there as well. Just four of us though. We say the ornate interior - it is a Club for the heirs of the Revolutionary War officers. Membership is passed down in families. Very very East Coast. But it was fun to look at. Eventually, the powers that be decided they should close in case of after shocks and we took our leave.

The Metro was just jam packed. All the offices had let their staff go, the government was closed down and the roads were at a stand still. So we took a very slow (speed restrictions on the Metro), very crowded, ride home.

Talk about leaving town with a bang!