The DC Traveler

In 1966, the movie The Endless Summer chronicled two young California surfers who traveled around the world in search of the “perfect wave”.  Using a casual and non-typical documentary filming style, the movie became a cult hit and has been enjoyed by several generations of surfers, all dreaming about quitting their jobs and surfing year-round. 
Fast forward about 40 years and follow two aspiring 20-something indie filmmakers as they ditch their “soul-sucking cubicle jobs” and chronicle their coast-to-coast Segway ride and attempt to find the American dream along the way. (Check out my recent post about my recent 3-hour Segway tour of …read more

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In 2005, the National Museum of African Art was given an extensive collection of 525 African art objects from the Walt Disney Company.  Covering a wide period of African history and regions, mostly from western and central Africa, the collection is dominated by masks and large-scale figures and sculptures.

Some of the pieces also provided Disney animators with inspiration for the movie The Lion King.
The current exhibition of 88 pieces includes carved ivory, wooden sculptures, and a wall of masks from many regions of African.

African Vision: The Walt Disney–Tishman African Art Collection National Museum of African Art 950 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, …read more

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UPDATE - This restaurant is now closed.
In the heart of Tysons Corner, somewhat appropriately located next to Tiffany’s is the Colvin Run Tavern. And I recently had the opportunity to dine at what is considered, one of Washington’s top places to dine over the past few years by Zagat, Washingtonian and the Washington Post. It’s sister restaurant, Kinkead’s on Pennsylvania Avenue, is also a DC award-winner, notably for its seafood.
The highlight is the over-the-top decadence and richness of the modern American food along with it’s stunning presentation. If you are counting fat grams or watching your cholesterol, stop reading now as this place will …read more

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Smithsonian magazine asked its readers to submit personal photographs to their 4th annual photo contest.  The competition covers 5 categories - nature, travel, Americana, people, and images that have been altered or manipulated.

Of the almost 8,500 submitted from across the U.S. and 85 nations,  the top 27 are on display at the Smithsonian Castle (officially called the Smithsonian Information Center), including the grand prize winner and the winners of each category.

The “Castle” as it’s called, opened 15 years before the start of the Civil War, when the Smithsonian Institution consisted of only a single red sandstone building that resembled a …read more

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A lone gardener, caring for his park.
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Return to the times of 1785 and take a 30 minute tour the historic Gadsby Tavern by candlelight, complete with costumed guides.
Located in the heart of “Old Town” Alexandria and near the banks of the Potomac River, the tavern buildings were build between 1785 and 1792. 

With a taproom for to enjoy a drink, a ballroom for parties, a dining room and an assembly room, it served as a meeting place, trade center, hotel for guests that arrived by stagecoach or boat and all important community tavern for the area’s farming communities.  
Stay for lunch or dinner and try George Washington’s …read more

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What better way to celebrate the discovery of the stunning Luray Caverns 127 years ago than with a blues, bluegrass and balloon festival?
A dozen brightly colored hot air balloons will launch en mass from Shenk Farm at Luray Caverns on Friday evening and then again twice daily on Saturday and Sunday.
Listen to blues and bluegrass bands including blues guitarist Eddie Kirkland, “retro surf” blues from Danny Morris  and some Piedmont style bluegrass from the Misty Valley Boys.
The festival also offers food and beverages, and crafts from local artisans.
Hot air balloon rides flights and tethered ascensions will be available during the morning and evening …read more

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Starting Monday, August 6th, 167 of DC’s most popular restaurants are offering 3-course dinners for $30.07 and a 3-course lunch for just $20.07.

DC’s Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to try that new place you’ve never been to or visit an old favorite.
The list of participating restaurants includes high-end ($$$$) dining at places such as Oceanaire, The Caucus Room and Kinkead’s can be affordable. And don’t miss hitting some of DC’s hip and trendy places like Acadiana, Butterfield 9, Zaytinya, TenPenh, Firefly in Dupont Circle, Mie N Yu on M Street and IndeBleu.
There’s also a group of a few of DC’s great stand …read more

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With significantly more security on flights originating in or departing from DC, this couple would probably been in much more trouble had they been headed to Reagan National.

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With a couple thousand bars in the DC area, a place truly needs to offer something different to stand out and keep customers coming back. At the Brickskeller Inn Dining House and Down Home Saloon, they have found their niche – beer lovers.
With a beer list that could take you ten minutes just to read, beer lovers should be in beer heaven.
The list of beers… all 917 of them at current count, come from all corners of the globe. The countries of origin sounds like a UN role call, but with more exotic destinations, including Zimbabwe, Trinidad, Ghana …read more

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