The DC Traveler

Believe it or not, there’s a club called the HighPointers Club, who’s mission is to encourage people to climb to the highest point in every state in America. Additionally, the club aids in the preservation and conservation of all 50 highpoints across the nation and educating the public about preserving these landmarks.

Last year, the District of Columbia Association of Land Surveyors formally surveyed Washington, DC’s highpoint, located at Fort Reno, and discovered the marker was not positioned at the correct location. In April, a rededication ceremony placed the marker at the exact high point in Washington, DC, at an …read more

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By definition, the word ballyhoo means flamboyant or sensational advertising or promotion. Today’s infomercial might fall into that category, or perhaps anything promoted by Donald Trump.
Around the same time as the word was coined, in the late 1800s, the walls of Paris streets began to be plastered with colorful art nouveau advertising posters. Since then, the promotional poster has become as mainstream as the 30-second TV spot.
Examples of how these posters have influenced society as part of the collection on exhibit in Ballyhoo! Posters As Portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
The 61 classic posters were created …read more

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Now that the weather is warm (or perhaps hot), it’s time to enjoy a casual and relaxing cocktail outside, overlooking the Potomac River.
One of my favorite places to do just that in Washington, DC is Cantina Marina.

Okay, the above photo was taken in early April, on a Sunday morning, so the place looks dead, but it really does get a big crowd most evenings in warmer weather.
Situated in the Southwest Waterfront District, at the Gangplank Marina, the ultra casual and laid-back Cantina Marina offers 2,400 square feet of outdoor patio overlooking the Potomac, along with a small stage that has …read more

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Controversial novelist and British knight, Sir Salman Rushdie became known around the globe in 1988, based on reactions to the release of his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses. The book received critical acclaim in Great Britain, yet in other parts of the world, it was received with anger and hatred.
Within months of its release, the book was banned in numerous countries including India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, South Africa and six other nations, due mostly to complaints from the Muslim community regarding controversial characters. Additionally, the story line of the novel, considered provocative by some, noting how some Muslim characters …read more

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In one lab, a 60s-era rocker geneticist takes the DNA from Bob Dylan, Question Mark & The Mysterians (“96 Tears”), and The Seeds (“Pushin’ Too Hard”) and mixed it up in a test tube and lets it ferment for a while.
In a second lab across the hall, an 80’s-era mod-punk-garage band rocker geneticist does the same with DNA from Iggy Pop, Lenny Kaye (of Nuggests fame), and a sampling of early Kinks DNA.
Curious, and for the sake of science, the scientists mix the content of the two test tubes to see what results.
When the kid grows up, you might have …read more

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The Love Goddess, Judy Tenuta graces her loyal subjects and slaves with her silly, unique persona along with her accordion in suburban Washington, DC, for three upcoming shows.
The Aphrodite of the Accordion will, as usual, attempt to convert to her fans to her own personal faith, the religion of “Judyism”.
If you don’t know Judy, perhaps you’ve been living in a cave, because according to her website…
Judy Tenuta is the most famous person that ever lived. If you don’t believe it, just ask her!
Who knew?
It should be an entertaining show….

Judy Tenuta
The Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike, at the …read more

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Heather, who writes The New York City Traveler, uncovered another new I-95 corridor bus line, operating between Washington, DC and New York City.
While I wasn’t able to find the  $1.00 fare she mentioned, I did find several one-way tickets in the $5 - $8 range. 
In order to be more cost-effective in a car driving alone, you would need to get about 112 miles to the gallon. 
Even the top fare I was able to find ($15), requires a single driver to to get at least 60 miles per gallon to be more cost effective. And that doesn’t …read more

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Love a chilly Pilsner? Enjoy the creaminess of a Heffenwiesen? Can you differentiate a Dry Stout from an Imperial Stout?
If so, then the Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest in Leesburg, Virginia is for you.
And with beer being the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage, and possibly, the most popular, in parts of the world it was drank more often than fresh water, back when water supplies were not all that safe.
But don’t expect polka music and waitresses carrying 15 huge mugs of beer at once at the festival. Just enjoy the outdoor booths and sample up to 40 different U.S. microbrewers. With …read more

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The wharf at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia.

Images - from personal collection - © 2008 - Jon Rochetti
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National Memorial Park is one of the more interesting and newer cemeteries in the Washington, DC area. And it’s worth visiting. 
The parks many acres of mostly open a rolling hills, in nearby Falls Church, Virginia are tranquil and relaxing. And with all the sculptures, if you aren’t paying attention, you might think you were transported to the National Gallery of Art sculpture garden or the Hirshorne sculpture garden.
There are numerous benches where you can sit and reflect, and I assume no one would mind if you brought a blanket to relax on the grass.
I recently took a …read more

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