We found this one later. Russ swears it had a white head, so maybe it was the same bird.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Another eagle?
On our recent trip, we stayed with some friends at Lake Anna. There's an eagle sanctuary there, and we did manage to spot one of the birds. Doesn't look like the eagle I saw in Wisconsin, but maybe it's a juvenile? I was on a boat, so some of the pictures are a little fuzzy. Click any of them to view larger size.
We found this one later. Russ swears it had a white head, so maybe it was the same bird.
We found this one later. Russ swears it had a white head, so maybe it was the same bird.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Adventures with wine
It all started back in June, when Russ and I stopped on the way to a lake house in Wisconsin to buy some wine as a host gift. We bought a bottle from the Coppola 
vineyards, and got to taste it while we were visiting. I really liked it, and it was a variety I had never heard of, so I did some research on the internet. I found it online and 2 weeks ago, I ordered some. Coppola Winery, Diamond Collection, Alicante Bouschet.
When I got the email with the UPS tracking number, I realized it would arrive while we were out of town, and someone over 21 needed to sign for it. And the information I had from UPS said we couldn't change anything until after the first delivery attempt. So we told a neighbor about it, and left a note on the door asking UPS to deliver to the neighbor. Then I checked on it from Virginia. UPS procedures did not allow me to redirect the shipment. So I called them from Virginia and asked them to hold it for me.
So far so good. But when I got back, I forgot about it for a couple of days. Last night I remembered, and printed out a map to the UPS location. I went out there at lunch today. I was almost there when I realized I had nothing with me that contained the tracking number. I was positive they needed this, so I drove towards Eagan looking for a FedEx Kinko's. I finally found it through 411 on my cell phone. Went in, got on a computer, signed into my email and printed out one of the notices. Paying for the privilege, of course.
When I finally got to the UPS building and gave them my printed email, they barely looked at it. Just asked for the street name, then went back and brought out my box.
Moral: Don't order stuff just before you go on a trip. If you do, have it delivered to work where someone can sign for it. And don't make assumptions about what will be required...
PS: We opened a bottle tonight, and I just went back and ordered more.
vineyards, and got to taste it while we were visiting. I really liked it, and it was a variety I had never heard of, so I did some research on the internet. I found it online and 2 weeks ago, I ordered some. Coppola Winery, Diamond Collection, Alicante Bouschet.When I got the email with the UPS tracking number, I realized it would arrive while we were out of town, and someone over 21 needed to sign for it. And the information I had from UPS said we couldn't change anything until after the first delivery attempt. So we told a neighbor about it, and left a note on the door asking UPS to deliver to the neighbor. Then I checked on it from Virginia. UPS procedures did not allow me to redirect the shipment. So I called them from Virginia and asked them to hold it for me.
So far so good. But when I got back, I forgot about it for a couple of days. Last night I remembered, and printed out a map to the UPS location. I went out there at lunch today. I was almost there when I realized I had nothing with me that contained the tracking number. I was positive they needed this, so I drove towards Eagan looking for a FedEx Kinko's. I finally found it through 411 on my cell phone. Went in, got on a computer, signed into my email and printed out one of the notices. Paying for the privilege, of course.
When I finally got to the UPS building and gave them my printed email, they barely looked at it. Just asked for the street name, then went back and brought out my box.
Moral: Don't order stuff just before you go on a trip. If you do, have it delivered to work where someone can sign for it. And don't make assumptions about what will be required...
PS: We opened a bottle tonight, and I just went back and ordered more.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Obama's House
Here's my picture-postcard view of the White House (south side), taken on Sunday morning:
About 5 hours later, we walked back by, and there was more security. We had to stay across the road from the fence this time.
My story is that I saw the Obamas walking towards the trees on the left, and heard kids calling out from the grounds. (Really, I was too far away to tell who the couple was, and I wasn't positive the call I heard came from the White House grounds. But I like my story, and the enhanced security backs it up).
On the north side, there was a mounted patrolman. He was alert, but his horse looked fairly relaxed.
About 5 hours later, we walked back by, and there was more security. We had to stay across the road from the fence this time.
My story is that I saw the Obamas walking towards the trees on the left, and heard kids calling out from the grounds. (Really, I was too far away to tell who the couple was, and I wasn't positive the call I heard came from the White House grounds. But I like my story, and the enhanced security backs it up).
On the north side, there was a mounted patrolman. He was alert, but his horse looked fairly relaxed.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Hotel Helix
Seems I'm only getting around to blogging when I go on a trip. Just got back from a trip to Virginia and DC. Our hotel in DC was very different. I really liked it - inventive, but functional. And they had free champagne or red wine every evening!
More trip photos later...
More trip photos later...
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