Potomac Fever

We need more homegrown software engineers: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/hour-of-code-schools-obama-113408.html?hp=l3_4

Seen on a recent morning walk in Arlington, Virginia: ...the taxi to nowhere, in the lot next to the Red Top Cab garage; it's a Checker, the manufacturer of which has a very interesting history  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checker_Taxi ...Thanksgiving pies, at LeoNora Bakery  http://www.leonorabakery.com/www.leonorabakery.com/HOME.html

Some colored spot lights blasted through plants on to a lit white wall at night

A few years ago, my polling place moved from the Arlington Central Library to the sleek new law school campus of George Mason University. With the mid-term elections looming, many of the law makers will be up for a vote.  One can only hope that people will get out and vote, and not simply to "throw the bums out." Voters, it's an easy political strategy to say no to everything, more difficult to take action and govern.  Don't accept vague generalities:  "I have a 5-point plan."  What is it?  "I will replace Obamacare."  With what? Politicians:  don't run away from your party or its positions.  Don't hide.  That won't save you.  Defend your votes, vigorously!  The public likes a fighter!  Let's hope Tuesday is not an open and shut case, but a long and interesting night of election returns!

Water Power a video by johnnyVA on Flickr. Water Power Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 30, 2014. The power is above average.

Free Donut Day 6/6/14 , a photo by johnnyVA on Flickr.

Bluemont Junction Trail , a photo by johnnyVA on Flickr. It was a perfect day to walk the Bluemont Junction Trail in Arlington, Virginia en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluemont_Junction_Trail

A clear April day and uncrowded drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina Blue Ridge High , a photo by johnnyVA on Flickr.

A couple table items, including decoupage by little sis,  add warmth to a corner of the house, or is it the thought of some tasty Ybor Gold beer?

George Vanderbilt, who built Biltmore in Asheville, NC, in the 1890's, loved the new mode of transportation.  Here, his automobile...

While walking in Hanoi in January, my partner and I stepped into the lobby of the  Metropole Hotel  to take a look at this historic landmark.  In a display cabinet a broken plate and a picture of  Joan Baez  grabbed my attention. And nearby, a touching portrait recently painted by Ms Baez.

"Think of it as walking through a stream.  The water will flow around you." - advice to tourists trying to walk across a motorcycle-clogged street in Hanoi. Besides the usual loads of passengers and goods purchased or for sale, this time of year there are many, many, MANY bikes carrying kumquat trees, I believe related to new year celebration.

Previously, on Potomac Fever...  we overnighted in a beach bungalow on a quiet (except for the gecko) island in southern Thailand... We headed out early the next morning, northeast to the coast of Krabi province.   There we kayaked through mangrove-filled waters surrounding rocky islands. We brought bananas.  Much appreciated by some of the mangrove residents.  And if you don't have any more, they may investigate further.  One monkey, after jumping on my kayak and crawling around me, just sat there and looked at me, sad and disappointed, before jumping off. Kayaking over, we began heading back to Phuket.  So what about lunch?  We had seen some boxed lunches (we assumed) brought onboard at the beginning of our trip.  I don't think that was good  enough for the captain. He started hailing passing fishing boats, asking them about their catch.  Finally he found what he wanted.   One of the fisherman started picking crabs out of a net an...

Previously, on Potomac Fever...  we were in search of the James Bond Island, on Day 1 of sea kayaking. After accomplishing that mission, we explored some of the "hongs" or hollowed-out islands, which we entered by lying flat in the canoe while our guide steered us through low, rocky tunnels only passable during low tides.  Inside the island, the almost-vertical banks are high, the air is still, it is eerily quiet, except for the faint sounds of birds or other wildlife, which we sometimes see.  We spotted a monkey high up a rocky cliff. These strange islands and caves were formed by sea levels falling over a limestone plateau over thousands of years, and washing away much of the stone. Anyway, later that afternoon we transferred to a different boat, the one that would take us through our second day of kayaking.  Turned out that no one else had signed up for the same two-day tour same time as us, so it was just us, the guide, the owner of Sea Canoe, and an apprentice b...

  In the northwest corner of the bay, where many, many tourists come to see the "James Bond Island," some of the passages between the islands become a rush hour of sea kayakers. My partner and I have come to Phang Nga Bay in southern Thailand for a two-day kayaking adventure with the original Sea Canoe company.  The first day included the James Bond Island.  We did see it, and many like it. But in honor of the 40th anniversary of the release of "The Man With The Golden Gun," here is the actual scene that put this spot on the map for so many people.   The "island" is the odd-shaped, upside-down conical rocky tower jutting out of the water behind Herve Villechaize. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qHlssnzaJKA

Bangkok has its own municipal bike rental system. But think about it...