Expedition 10: The Northwest Navigations, Pt. IV

On the way to Tidal Basin!

Another 2016 expedition! Metro Journey 10 (I had a fever and couldn't join on the 9th one) was awesome, and all the more enjoyable with the nice weather. This blog is another narrative of my 8th excursion in D.C.. So once again let's start from chapter 1...

Chapter I: Blossoms and a Basin 
Metro Journey 10 started as usual at Largo Metro Station. Trent and I rode down about 11 stops to Smithsonian. We met up and waited for the rest of the squad, then headed on foot for our first destination of the day: Tidal Basin. We were supposed to head down there to document the Cherry Blossom Trees.  

The Basin facing the Jefferson Memorial

The basin itself is somewhat man-made, created in the 1880's as both an attraction and reservoir. The 106 acre pond is only about 10 feet deep at most and has a plethora of paddle boats for tourists. All around the edge of the basin are the beautiful Cherry Blossom Trees. 

The pink Cherry Blossoms 

 The trees found in the U.S. were actually a gift from Japan to commemorate the then growing partnership between the countries. Japan gifted 3,020 of the trees to America, which were placed in several areas along the east coast. They looked amazing, with white and pink blossoms giving the trees their color. We circled the Basin and passed the Jefferson Memorial, stopped for a quick snack at a concession stand, and were on our way to our next destination of the day...

Chapter II: Adventures With Adam
The remainder of this expedition would take place in the Adams Morgan neighborhood in Northwest D.C.. We caught the train up to Woodley near the National Zoo. Adams Morgan is arguably the most ethnically diverse area in D.C., and that was confirmed when we arrived there.

 The neighborhood itself gets its name and origin from two formerly segregated schools. We were assigned to find several foreign businesses in the area and interview the managers, and although we found plenty of them, sadly most of them were restaurants and too busy for interviews. The stores we did enter, however, had a plethora of fascinating items. We also had to visit a park and throw a frisbee around. While we found the park, we forgot the frisbee. After exploring around and looking through a few foreign shops, we decided to call it a day.
And that's about it! Again, sorry this blog is so short. Metro Journey #10 was fun and took us through a very exotic-looking neighborhood, and showed us the natural beauty of our nation's capital. As the class nears an end, I can look back and say I've really enjoyed this class and learned a TON from it. It's been a blessing to travel around, meet new people, and explore D.C.. So, until next time reader!

Walking through the business area of Adams Morgan

Shoe game on point!

One of the foreign businesses we found

They're onto us!

Expedition 8: The Northwest Navigations, Pt. III

Back at it on journey #8!

Once more, a successful expedition! Metro Journey 8 took us through more fascinating destinations throughout Northwest D.C., including places in Chinatown. This newest blog is your newest adventure through the Capital. And since it's an adventure, who knows where we'll start?

Part I: A Museum of American Architecture 
At this point y'all, I'm just used to getting up at 2:00 in the morning for these trips. Just kidding, I woke up at like 7:00...I think. Anyways, this expedition required we the group meet at around 9:45 at Judiciary Square station. After an blessedly peaceful ride there, Trent, Cortland and I met up with the group at the first destination of the day, the National Building Museum. The link to their website isn't working, so here's the Wikipedia information. 

Museum from upper floor

 The Museum, formerly known as the Pension Building, was a brick structure constructed in 1887 and designed by the U.S. Army Quartermaster General. It served that purpose until the 1960's, when it fell into a state of disrepair and was nearly destroyed. Along with backlash from conservationists and a suggestion to renew the use of the building, it became a display to exhibit the building arts. By 1980, it was what is now known as the National Building Museum. It was a massive museum, with large pillars on both sides of the ground floor, and a square design for the upstairs exhibits. We got our tickets to explore around and headed upstairs to one of the rooms. There were displays with intricate Lincoln Log contraptions along with loose pieces that we toyed with (purely out of nostalgia, probably).

Couldn't resist, could you?

We explored the rest of the upstairs rooms except for the ones that were occupied with field trip kids. Then we took a picture in front of the fountain and headed out for our next stop, or to you, part 2!

Part II: Our Candy Crush Saga
I couldn't resist with that title, sorry. After the National Building Museum, we made our way through a bit of Chinatown to It's Sugar. A popular (not to mention expensive) candy store, It's Sugar was founded in 2006 by Jeff Rubin, and in the past 10 years has expanded exponentially, with locations all over the country, and even several outposts in South America. The small store we visited in Chinatown had a unique selection of candy and some quite strange ones that I'd rather not eat. We spent about thirty-seven years in there picking and choosing candy (no adult supervision meant we all went crazy buying it) and eventually left around 11:30 as it was time for lunch...

We...were...ADDICTED! Just kidding :)

Part III: A Tragic Theatre and Lincoln's Final Lodge
After an unhealthy lunch (McDonald's), we had to visit a few more spots in and around Chinatown. One such spot was the Friendship Archway. Back in the 1930's, many Chinese immigrants began to move into the area, leaving behind plenty of art and Asian structure. At its peak, Chinatown extended from G street to Massachusetts Ave. Later in 1986, the city dedicated the Friendship Archway to a local architect named Alfred Liu. After passing by the archway, we made it to the Ford Theater. Built in 1861 in place of an abandoned First Baptist church, the theater quickly gained notoriety and began to host some of the more popular shows and musicals.  President Abraham Lincoln frequently visited the theater, and was tragically shot and killed there by John Wilkes Booth in April of 1865, shortly after the end of the Civil War. Once we arrived, we toured the basement museum of the theater, which had plenty of information on Lincoln himself. After a quick look at the theater itself, we were on our way to the next POI. 

The group at the Ford Theater

     
Next up: the Petersen House. This was the house President Lincoln was carried to after being shot by John Wilkes Booth. Lincoln died there the following morning, and now the place has been made into a small museum with displays about what followed Lincoln's death along with much information about his legacy. 

A stack of Lincoln books glued together

Part IV: A Trading Company and a Departure
After the Ford Theater and the Petersen House, we had one more spot to visit: the Da Hsin Trading Company. Their website doesn't have much information, but it's a Chinese store with small odds and ends, a few exotic foods, and some cool swords too :P. We stayed a few minutes, then headed out to make our way home. 

In the back of the Trading Company store

And that was about it! Sorry if I forgot anything. Metro Journey #8 was a success, and we had fun along the way once again. I'm really enjoying this class and the places it's taking me, and I'm excited to keep journeying. Until next time, reader!