The DC Traveler

Now that summer is in full swing, how about a lazy tube ride down the Shenandoah River. Not enough adrenalin? How about tubing down the white water on Potomac River?
Take a 2 hour self-guided float down either the calm Shenandoah River, or the faster paced Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, WV.
The Shenandoah float is great for families with little kids (must be 4 years old and 30+ lbs.) or for folks who just want to relax. While the Potomac River float includes some Class I-III rapids sections for a bit more excitement. Kids need to be 12+ years old and …read more

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In another driver related story…While I think my local Virginia VDOT is probably the fastest DMV in the nation, this guy obviously has a bit too much time on his hands.

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That is unless you are not a Virginia resident.
The Washington Post reported that as of July 1st, the Commonwealth of Virginia is adding on additional fines sorry “fees” to convictions for more serious driving offenses, such as 20+ over the speed limit (almost impossible not to do on The Beltway), drunk driving, and driving without a license.
In total, there are over 100 new “Civil Remedy Fees” listed on the books.
Some of the new fines “Civil Remedy Fees”, are on top of court costs and existing fines, are:

Speeding 20+ mph over the limit - add $1,050.
First-time drunk driving - add …read more

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The Die Hard movie franchise has been a financial gold mine.  Now, it’s a source for memorabilia for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Some Die Hard movie memorabilia, including John McClane’s bloody (stage blood) tee-shirt, an original movie script for the latest in the series - Live Free or Die Hard, his police ID badge and more is moving to the museum’s “Treasures of American History” collection.
The collection includes Archie Bunker’s chair from All in the Family, a Kermit the Frog puppet, Dorothy’s ruby slippers form the Wizard of Oz, Mr. Rodgers red sweater and hundreds of …read more

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In 1878, two men and a boy were looking for caves to explore when one felt a cool breeze coming up from a hole. For four hours, they moved the loose rocks and dug. Once the opening was large enough, they slid down a rope into the cave. Much to their surprise, they discovered the largest series of caverns in the Eastern U.S.

About an hour and a half west of DC is Luray Caverns, the most non-earthly place in the area. Spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites, some reaching over 35 feet are part of the 1.5 mile tour …read more

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Take an in-depth technical tour of Frank-Loyde Wright’s Pope-Leighey House in suburban Alexandria, VA.
This Wright designed home for the “common man” was built in the 1940s. With a planned cost of under $5,000, (excluding land), even the middle class could afford a small, yet comofirtable Wright home.
Loren Pope, a writer for the Washington Star newspaper contacted Wright and asked him to design a lower cost home for him and his wife. After designing it, and hearing that the Popes had not being able to find a builder to charge less than $12,000, Wright sent one of his apprentices to act …read more

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As reported earlier on The DC Traveler, a lawyer in DC filed a lawsuit against a DC dry cleaners for losing a pair of pants, a $67 million lawsuit.
Ruling in favor of the dry cleaners, AP/Yahoo News reports, that the judge in the case ruled against the DC attorney who was asking for $54 million. Any surprise here?
Now let’s see of the dry cleaner sues the lawyer for legal fees and court costs. This case could turn into a reality show.
Score one for the common man.
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The Washington Glory of the women’s National Professional Fastpitch softball league opened its season at the 2,000 seat GMU softball facility. (Did you know DC had a pro women’s softbal team?)
The league has teams in Akron, Chicago, Philadelphia, Rockford IL, and New England. The Glory’s season consists of 28 home games and 16 road games, including games against China and Venezuela. The season runs through mid-August.

If you have never watched fastpitch softball, it’s can be a very fast-paced game.
And if you ever thought of becoming a sports mogul, you can purchase your own franchise for an NPF team. All you …read more

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The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater, is just for kids. For 25 years it has been presenting fun, innovative, educational, and entertaining live performances for kids and their parents. Staging thirty productions each year, the shows feature dancers, actors, musicians, puppets and storytellers in performances that present tales from around the globe.
Their July schedule includes:

Under the Sea - Sea creatures and ocean life by naturalist Andrew Wilson.
Summer Africa - Celebrate summer… Ugandan-style!
Robert Strong…Nothing Up His Sleeve! - Magic, juggling and comedy for kids.
The Whatza-Puppet Show - Master puppeteers create puppets out of just about anything and then put on a show.

Smithsonian’s Discovery …read more

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Have you ever wanted to try hang gliding?
Gliding was first documented as early as the late 8th century. Over the next thousand years glider technology, materials and performance improved. In the 1960s, hang gliding as we know it today, began to grow in popularity.

Now’s your chance to give it a try without doing a face plant as you run down a steep hill. The team over at Highland Aerosports offers first-timer the chance to safely experience a low or high-altitude ride in a two-person tandem hang glider piloted by an instructor. You can decide if you want a short …read more

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