Late Summer Overload

We seem to be cramming in what we can as the summer days dwindle. We're just off a wonderful week back east, and now our son is home a mere ten more days before heading off to enjoy his senior year at college. And later today we pick up a French teenager who will visit for about three weeks in a foreign exchange program. Fortunately, he knows a lick or two of English because I am the former French student in our family and my French is tres mauvais.

Anyhow, here is a look back at the week spent back east, with these random views:
A very old bridge, once the most formidable bridge in the east, that used to carry traffic along the National Road (now US Route 40) in western Maryland, near Grantsville. The bridge no longer carries traffic aside from horse-drawn carriages. The new Route 40 bridge is just south, and farther south is the I-68 crossing.
A couple butterflies hanging out at Sideling Hill - I didn't even notice the second one at first.
Fells Point in Baltimore - a fun and historic waterfront district with various specialty shops, and excellent oven baked pizza! We met some friends down here and had a great evening.
The relatively new World War II Memorial in Washington. Very well planned - it blends right in, although it is right in the center of things between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Looking at the Lincoln Memorial from the WWII Memorial.
..and then looking back from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
...and then looking up to The Man himself.
We all thought this view from the side portico of the Lincoln Memorial was sorta cool in an artsy way.
A statue at the Vietnam Memorial. And the memorial indeed does create an atmosphere of awe and silent respect.
If you are trying to get around in D.C., use this - the Metro. It beats driving in D.C., which was clearly not laid out for the 21st century automobile.
Visited my Dad and sister, and when you visit my sister's family, you get up close and personal with these gals, featured prominently on my sis's blog.
And on the drive home, a cloudburst while the sun shone, and a gorgeous rainbow out the back window. A fitting finish to a great trip.