Hello from Southwest Virginia! And a belated Happy New Year to all of you!
2018 is starting out much like the last few months of 2017 ended: full of travel. We are just 8 days in and I’ve already spent both weekends on the road, including New Years Eve in Washington DC and Alexandria, Virginia.
Despite the subfreezing temperatures, we spent several hours of the weekend out of doors. We visited National Harbor, a multi-use waterfront development on the Potomac River in Maryland. With temperatures hovering around 20 degrees during the day, we did not take the opportunity to ride the Capital Wheel, but it made for a great photo subject.
It was a beautiful evening!
Someday, in warmer weather, we’ll come back for a ride,
Later that night, we went to the National Mall to see the National Christmas Tree and the 57 trees that surround it, one representing each US State and Territory. With the wind whipping about, it felt colder than 17 degrees and these next images were taken with my cell phone, held by my shaking, freezing cold hands.
The National Tree
The Virginia Tree with the Washington Monument in the background.
Selfies are a challenge when one of you is 6’4 and one of you is 5’0.
On NYE, we counted down to midnight on the Alexandria, Virginia waterfront. The subfreezing temps kept some folks at home, but the atmosphere was festive and there were still hundreds to celebrate with.
(More cellphone photography)
Check out that frozen water!
Happy New Year!
Unlike 2017, the beginning of this year is filled with hope.
Last year: devastation. This year: motivation to continue the resistance!
I am ready!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Love the selfie! Wishing you an awesome 2018 LB😘
Thank you, Lynn! I feel much more hopeful this year, as I’m sure you do as well.
You need a selfie stick! Kelly bought me one for Christmas. We’ll practice on our next visit. 🙂 Good for you for venturing out into the cold. Your poor hands. I’ve read that your body will naturally pull your heat to the center to keep all your major organs warm, so the colder you get, the more the heat diverts inward…or something like that. Your photos are gorgeous and inspiring. And I’m so happy seeing you two in a smiling selfie.
We are having so much fun, and yes, a selfie stick would help given the height difference 🙂
PS Three cheers for hope and resistance.
Yes, yes, yes!! Friends and I will be doing a local march this year since the official one is in Vegas. For some reason, all my time off from work will be taken up by another trip.
Now what could that trip be? 🙂
I’m glad to hear you are marching locally, Laurie. Gosh, it’s been an entire year. I am so looking forward to our time together.
Looks like a fabulous time! And as usual, gorgeous photos. I usually see that ferris wheel from a kayak or sailboat on the river. I’m told it’s a great view from the top.
Oh I do love a ferris wheel! I had a blast on the one in Atlanta, and do plan to get back to ride this one.
I love these!!
Jan E. Simonsen
Member and Shareholder
Carr Maloney P.C.
2020 K Street, NW
Suite 850
Washington, DC 20006
202-310-5522
We have a blast and next time, hopefully we can see you!
Great pictures! It sure has been a cold start to the year, but looks like you are not letting it hold you back. Can’t wait to catch up with you.
It was 17 degrees on the Mall and in Alexandria, but it was SO much colder on the Mall. BRRRRR!!
Good for you to get out and enjoy the beautiful lights in such cold weather. That image of the perfectly lit tree is so lovely. I love the bridge for scale too. Wow. Looks like a magical beginning to 2018, may your momentum continue! Enjoy,
It really was magical, Carrie, and a great way to beging this year.
Beautiful Laurie – especially liked the selfie 😀. I see you’re enjoying some of the arctic cold that we’ve had. Happily I think we’re getting a break this week; hope you are too.
Yes, we are at a balmy 48 degrees today. wow, what a change!
Love it! Happy New Year to you and your family Laurie.
Thanks Edith. Feeling more hopeful this year for sure!
Lovely shots, especially the selfie. That poor mermaid looks frozen. Happy New Year to you, too
That mermaid DOES look frozen 🙂
WOW looks like you had a very busy few weeks Laurie, Happy New Year 🙂 These are great shots. I think Alys is right you need a selfie stick or start hanging out with shorter dudes. I am so impressed with your cell phone images also you really know how to get the most out of that camera (I hate when people ask what kind of camera you used for that shot. Its like going over someone’s house and saying wow these are great cookies, what kind of oven did you bake them in).
One of the first things I was told when I started shooting, years before WP was to be prepared for all of the people who would say “that’s a great shot; what kind of camera do you use” 🙂
Hope you are managing to find warmth up there in NY!
Glad you had such a good time and shared your photos with us!! Thanks.
You are so welcome and thanks for commenting … I know you have many, many followers!
You have been one of them for quite a while, I should be commenting far more than I do!!
How dedicated you are, to take photos for us, even though your fingers were freezing! It’s all beautiful–makes me want to go to DC at Christmas. And, yes, here’s to a new, better, hopeful 2018~
By the way, I was visiting a smaller town art museum this past weekend and one of the exhibits was appalachian and local crafts (furniture, linen). I thought of you when I saw the linens. Beautiful work … but not as beautiful as yours.
That sounds great–and I love that you thought of me!
GREAT photos!!!! I would not go on that Ferris wheel in the best of weather. It’s beautiful though as is the Christmas tree. Your new year looks so filled with fun that it has to carry into the whole new year. You are a brave person to be out in that weather. Wishing you all the best in this new year, Laurie.
Thank you, Marlene. Despite the temps, we really did have fun. Although I would have hung around the National Tree longer if not for that biting wind! Brrr …
I really did laugh out loud at the selfie. Too funny! Just so cute! LOVED your photos and I say good for you for being out in that cold. OH how I pray 2018 is better then 2017! Wishing you and your tall handsome man a very Happy New Year, Laurie! 🎉🎉🎉
Amy, thank you so much for that fun comment 🙂 Knowing that 2017 has been hard for many, including you, I’m hoping for the best in 2018 for all of us!
Wonderful photos. I was shivering along with you just looking at them. Glad you had such a great time. Onward and upward in 2018!
Fabulous images, Laurie. Love the ferris wheel, holiday lights and your silhouetted trees. Terrific post and hope it’s warmed up for you. Here’s to hope, change and resistance in the New Year! Here’s to the 20th!
Loved all your photo’s, especially your selfie! LOL! You couldn’t find a taller dude? You’re so cute, I can’t wait to see you xoxo
Happy New Year! National Harbor looks very festive this time of year.
The selfie is hilarious, Laurie. You could have used a box or made your friend kneel. LOL!
Travel may be tiring, but it comes with so many opportunities for adventure. I hope your 2018 is filled with wondrous adventure!