Kristina and I took a trip back in time when we visited the Maryland Renaissance Festival this past weekend. There were many sights and sounds to take in from the throngs of eager guests decked out in 15th century wear, to the numerous shops selling all kinds of hand made crafts. The festival was littered with performers involved in plays, musical groups, and even a jousting match.
This jester was a hoot doing visual gags with his fingers.
We saw a glass blowing demonstration and these were some of the finished products hanging outside of his shop.
The jousting match was the most exciting part of the event. One of the knights even fell off his horse during one of the routines.
This queen was one of the many different costumes we saw people wearing throughout the day.
The longest line at the Maryland Renaissance Festival was for the ATM though some shops accepted credit cards.
Kristina sure had a fun time! I did too I just couldn’t get a picture of myself enjoying everything.
I can’t believe how far some people get into the renaissance time period but it is fun to experience a bit of history for yourself. And we didn’t have to worry about fighting a dragon and crossing a moat to get back home!
The cash for clunkers program was made for someone like me. My hand-me-down 1994 Mercury Villager minivan just barely qualified for the program by 1 mpg. I had always been contempt with my loveable clunker as I don’t drive very much. But when I started hearing hissing sounds when driving around in my van, I knew the cash for clunkers was the ideal way out. Unfortunately I came to this realization the week before the cash for clunkers program was scheduled to end.
Russell saying his final goodbye to his old minivan.
Cutting it close is an understatement as I was finally able to land a deal on Saturday morning, August 22nd. The cash for clunkers program officially ended two days later but many dealers were stopping Saturday night. Russel Toyota (no relation) was able to get me a Pacific Blue Rav4 that was in transit but still qualified for a $4,500 discount. Needless to say I jumped on the offer as every dealer within 100 miles was absolutely sold out of Rav4s.
I signed the paperwork, handed over the keys to my clunker, and updated my insurance in a 4 hour process. Since I no longer had a car, and my new one wasn’t there yet, the dealer gave me a loaner.
A Toyota Camry hybrid was my temporary ride until my Rav4 came in.
The loaner car was nice with leather seats and a built-in GPS system, but there were a few quirks. I was happy to part with the loaner car once my Rav4 was ready. Kristina and I picked it up last night just as the sun was setting.
The first morning home with the new car.
I’m happy I came out on top and I love my new car. The van did have one feature that I do miss: it was paid off!
We met up with friends and their toddler at the DC Zoo last Sunday. The sun was out as well as the animals which allowed me to get some great shots.
We had to take the tourist shot of sitting in the zoo sign.
Baby Ella enjoyed posing for pictures in her stroller with her favorite hat.
She also brings a spare when walking around.
This lioness was out from her den to see all the people gawking at her.
I never realized tigers have such beady eyes which makes them look like they are always staring.
This baby elephant took a dip in the pool to play with the giant floating ball. At one point it jumped on top of the ball turning it into a floating device.
Kristina captured some moments in the ape house. This little guy was playing with his mother.
And this orangutan wanted everyone to see his teeth.
This past Sunday Kristina and I visited the Brookside Gardens in Glenmont, Maryland. The park is a mere mile from our apartment so we enjoyed a brisk walk there. The last time we visited was almost exactly one year ago but this time we decided to check out the Wings of Fancy live butterfly exhibit. I lugged my big macro lens around to get some close-up shots. I ended up taking close to 600 by the end of the day.
Stepping into the butterfly habitat was overwhelming as it was impossible to avoid groups of butterflies zig zagging all over. Some would even perch on your shoulder. Places like this are great to practice macro photography. Here are some of my shots.
After an hour of dodging various winged creatures (and packs of people for that matter) we decided to continue on outside. There was plenty of different wildlife hanging out around the pond. Like this family of turtles…
Kristina spotted this big, black, Rat Snake and while she wanted to run away as fast as she could, I wanted to take it’s picture.
We found a tree that was a caterpillar hotel. This one was chowing down on a green leaf.
The highlight of our day was spotting this Great Blue Heron up close. I stalked it for a long time and managed to snap 200 pictures just of this guy alone.
Of course we had to take a picture of just the two of us. In the background to the left is the Japanese Teahouse on the other side of the pond.
We had a great day visiting an exhibit we had never seen before, getting plenty of exercise in, and even enjoying our packed picnic lunch in the Japanese Teahouse that Kristina packed for us. It was just what we needed to get a break from the wedding planning.
Last Saturday I picked out and purchased my wedding dress at Brides Against Breast Cancer. Brides Against Breast Cancer is a non-profit organization that sells discounted wedding dresses to benefit the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. I was able to not only find my wedding dress there, but I found a veil and tiara to match. I found out about the event in an article in The Washington Times which went on to explain “Brides Against Breast Cancer gowns typically sell for $400 to $800, a fraction of the retail price. Some gowns are worth as much as $8,000 … Many brides are looking for a deal, as well as a way to help someone. “ Finding my wedding dress is truly the icing on my wedding cake. Oh yeah cake … I still have a lot more planning to do!
This is just half of the dresses they brought to the event at The Westin Hotel in Arlington, VA.
This is my Mom getting my dress, veil and tiara! The man in the back is putting my dress in the protective cover! NO peeking!
I got my wedding dress and we helped Brides Against Breast Cancer! ( From Left to Right: Me, my Mom and Dad)
