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On The Road With Fastfreta...Back To California

Updated on October 3, 2011
One of the Smithsonian Buildings?
One of the Smithsonian Buildings?

Washington DC...The Smithsonian

I'm finally on my way back to California, for awhile. Anyway as usual I have to go through Washington, DC. This time I decided to do something different. So I went to the Smithsonian. I was so impressed with what I saw, which wasn't very much, because I didn't have much time. There are 19 Museums and Galleries that make up the Smithsonian, however I only visited two. I wanted to see the Hope Diamond, and The First Ladies Dresses. So that is what I photographed, also a few fossils along the way. I hope you enjoy my pictorial explanation.

I was so fascinated with the natural stones, and gems that the earth produces, which explains why there are so many pictures. At every turn I was floored, I just couldn't stop photographing each display. All I could think of was, "this beauty is actually growing right under our very feet. All before man can get in, and change their makeup." Please enjoy them vicariously through my efforts.

The Smithsonian and other pictures of Washington, DC

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Smithsonian groundsMe on the Smithsonian groundsMy new "friend" who shall remain nameless, (don't know her name)The Castle at the SmithsonianShrine for James Smitheson, the founder of the SmithsonianInside the Castle, visitor center of the SmithsonianThe grounds of the SmithsonianCan't remember whose this is, but this is an inaugural gown of another first lady???Another view of Michelle Obama's gownMichelle Obama's inaugural outfitThe inaugural jewelryThis was a film being shown in the vicinity of the inaugural outfit, dedicating the outfitNancy Regan's inaugural gown
Smithsonian grounds
Smithsonian grounds
Me on the Smithsonian grounds
Me on the Smithsonian grounds
My new "friend" who shall remain nameless, (don't know her name)
My new "friend" who shall remain nameless, (don't know her name)
The Castle at the Smithsonian
The Castle at the Smithsonian
Shrine for James Smitheson, the founder of the Smithsonian
Shrine for James Smitheson, the founder of the Smithsonian
Inside the Castle, visitor center of the Smithsonian
Inside the Castle, visitor center of the Smithsonian
The grounds of the Smithsonian
The grounds of the Smithsonian
Can't remember whose this is, but this is an inaugural gown of another first lady
Can't remember whose this is, but this is an inaugural gown of another first lady
???
???
Another view of Michelle Obama's gown
Another view of Michelle Obama's gown
Michelle Obama's inaugural outfit
Michelle Obama's inaugural outfit
The inaugural jewelry
The inaugural jewelry
This was a film being shown in the vicinity of the inaugural outfit, dedicating the outfit
This was a film being shown in the vicinity of the inaugural outfit, dedicating the outfit
Nancy Regan's inaugural gown
Nancy Regan's inaugural gown

Chicago Again

Okay, now I'm in Chicago again. This time the weather has changed, but not too drastic, that is to me. But you wouldn't know it by the way Chicagoans dressed. Take a look at the photos. Get this, I was dressed the way I was all across the country, "capris, sandals, etc. I was actually the only person I saw dressed that way. Now I'm normally cold most of the time. Even though this day was a little nippy, It wasn't cold, so I don't understand the mindset of the Chicago residents. I need to go back and check the temperature for that day, but believe me it wasn't that cold. Maybe later that day it was scheduled to get really cold. I actually got a little warm walking to and from Union Station. Sorry Chicago, I guess I've lived in California too long. Because September is still shorts and sandals weather here. I'm actually afraid to go through Chicago in the winter, from all the cold weather stories I've heard. Anyway the photos I took verifies my story about the dress of the day.

Oh, another thing, living in California made me forget that water comes in other colors, LOL! See the green water in the photo, I'm glad to see this, and those muddy streams we passed on our way across country. This is truly an educational trip. Remember, back when I was in Oklahoma, and learned that the cows don't go in every night. See I told you, I am getting an education. I'm so fascinated with everything I'm learning, that I want to continue doing this for awhile. I mean traveling across country.

Click thumbnail to view full-size

On the train for two days

Because I'm an outside person, I'm dreading these two days. I actually like being able to stop over in the different cities, never mind the fact that I've been through some more than once. Just to get out, and explore is so much fun.

Now on to my adventure, as such, these two days. What I did was take a truck load of pictures. I made "friends" with several people those two days. Two of which were two very nice young men.

One being Brian, whom I sat with in the observation/lounge car for hours. We became fast friends, because he, like I had no fear of strangers. Brian turned out to be one of the most interesting people I've met on the journey, probably because we spent many hours together. He introduced me, through pictures, to his lovely wife and beautiful daughter. I even eavesdropped on a couple of their conversations, which I found to be heartwarming. Brian was on his way to a conference for City Assessors, and although he had loads of work to do, he took his precious time and entertained me, (the old lady on the train), LOL! Thanks, Brian. Of course we had similar interest, the landscape and terrain through which we traveled.

Speaking of terrain, some of the rock formations of New Mexico were too fascinating to pass up, although in hindsight I don't know what in the world they are, interesting nevertheless, but unknown. Not just the terrain, but the sheer awesomeness of the scenery, the highways, the various and sundry dwellings, all made for a most interesting leg of my journey. I hope you enjoy the pictures the way I enjoyed seeing it firsthand.



Two Hour Layover in New Mexico

This was a very needed detraining, I was beginning to get claustrophobic. We were free to roam about for awhile, so I took the opportunity to explore. My first stop was to this very nice restaurant close to the depot. The name was Tucanos, a Brazilian restaurant. If you ever find yourself anywhere near there, please stop and eat. Not only was the food nice, but the ambiance, and service, was superb.

Next, I roamed around close to the depot and took a few pictures. I didn't stray too far, because I was doing this solo, I say this because my family reads these and they're always worried about me being alone.

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Two beautiful young ladies of the wait staff, at Tucanos, Albuquerque, NMTucanos, restaurant, in Albuquerque, New MexicoTevana, Brazilian restaurant, Albuquerque, NMTucanos restaurant insideManager, Tucanos, restaurant, Albuquerque, NMWait staff, TucanosWait Staff, TucanosTrain depot NMRestaurant entranceTrain depot
Two beautiful young ladies of the wait staff, at Tucanos, Albuquerque, NM
Two beautiful young ladies of the wait staff, at Tucanos, Albuquerque, NM
Tucanos, restaurant, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tucanos, restaurant, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tevana, Brazilian restaurant, Albuquerque, NM
Tevana, Brazilian restaurant, Albuquerque, NM
Tucanos restaurant inside
Tucanos restaurant inside
Manager, Tucanos, restaurant, Albuquerque, NM
Manager, Tucanos, restaurant, Albuquerque, NM
Wait staff, Tucanos
Wait staff, Tucanos
Wait Staff, Tucanos
Wait Staff, Tucanos
Train depot NM
Train depot NM
Restaurant entrance
Restaurant entrance
Train depot
Train depot

Okay, so I don't know why I took some of these pictures, they seemed interesting at the time, so just sit back and enjoy them!

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Propeller for a wind turbinewind turbine propellerNew Mexico TerrainTrain stop in Las Vegas, New Mexico, didn't know there was such a town, huh, neither did I.Las Vegas, NMJust great sceneryMini canyons of New MexicoLooks like a volcanic mountain to meAnother, what appears to be a volcanic mountain in New MexicoThe front of the train I was riding onThe front of the train I was riding on, this was a scene all of the photographers were trying to get, and we finally did.Our trainLonghorn steerLooks like New Mexico is crumblingA house built in the hillsides of New Mexicobetter pic of the hillside houseEven better pic of the hillside houseStill more pics of hillside house, okay, that's itAnother house on the hillside somewhere in New MexicoSomeone staked a claim on atop a mountainWhat appears to be New Mexico crumblingNew Mexico crumbling againWell to me it was interesting!I don't remember, looks like water off in the distanceInteresting, huh? At the time I thought it wasThat's just how close we came to this mountainclose call, right next to the mountainNever mind I liked itSeemed interesting at the timeOkay, okay, so, I was just snapping awayBrianPower plant, I guess!Looks like a nuclear power plant in New MexicoMy" train friend" BrianBrian, my "train friend"I know you can't tell what this is, but it is coal pushing up from the ground.vague picture of coal being pushed up from the ground in New MexicoLook a little harder, at the coal coming up from the groundMore coal picsOkay, so I got carried away, but this was fascinating to me.Another rising coal picOkay, this is it.
Propeller for a wind turbine
Propeller for a wind turbine
wind turbine propeller
wind turbine propeller
New Mexico Terrain
New Mexico Terrain
Train stop in Las Vegas, New Mexico, didn't know there was such a town, huh, neither did I.
Train stop in Las Vegas, New Mexico, didn't know there was such a town, huh, neither did I.
Las Vegas, NM
Las Vegas, NM
Just great scenery
Just great scenery
Mini canyons of New Mexico
Mini canyons of New Mexico
Looks like a volcanic mountain to me
Looks like a volcanic mountain to me
Another, what appears to be a volcanic mountain in New Mexico
Another, what appears to be a volcanic mountain in New Mexico
The front of the train I was riding on
The front of the train I was riding on
The front of the train I was riding on, this was a scene all of the photographers were trying to get, and we finally did.
The front of the train I was riding on, this was a scene all of the photographers were trying to get, and we finally did.
Our train
Our train
Longhorn steer
Longhorn steer
Looks like New Mexico is crumbling
Looks like New Mexico is crumbling
A house built in the hillsides of New Mexico
A house built in the hillsides of New Mexico
better pic of the hillside house
better pic of the hillside house
Even better pic of the hillside house
Even better pic of the hillside house
Still more pics of hillside house, okay, that's it
Still more pics of hillside house, okay, that's it
Another house on the hillside somewhere in New Mexico
Another house on the hillside somewhere in New Mexico
Someone staked a claim on atop a mountain
Someone staked a claim on atop a mountain
What appears to be New Mexico crumbling
What appears to be New Mexico crumbling
New Mexico crumbling again
New Mexico crumbling again
Well to me it was interesting!
Well to me it was interesting!
I don't remember, looks like water off in the distance
I don't remember, looks like water off in the distance
Interesting, huh? At the time I thought it was
Interesting, huh? At the time I thought it was
That's just how close we came to this mountain
That's just how close we came to this mountain
close call, right next to the mountain
close call, right next to the mountain
Never mind I liked it
Never mind I liked it
Seemed interesting at the time
Seemed interesting at the time
Okay, okay, so, I was just snapping away
Okay, okay, so, I was just snapping away
Brian
Brian
Power plant, I guess!
Power plant, I guess!
Looks like a nuclear power plant in New Mexico
Looks like a nuclear power plant in New Mexico
My" train friend" Brian
My" train friend" Brian
Brian, my "train friend"
Brian, my "train friend"
I know you can't tell what this is, but it is coal pushing up from the ground.
I know you can't tell what this is, but it is coal pushing up from the ground.
vague picture of coal being pushed up from the ground in New Mexico
vague picture of coal being pushed up from the ground in New Mexico
Look a little harder, at the coal coming up from the ground
Look a little harder, at the coal coming up from the ground
More coal pics
More coal pics
Okay, so I got carried away, but this was fascinating to me.
Okay, so I got carried away, but this was fascinating to me.
Another rising coal pic
Another rising coal pic
Okay, this is it.
Okay, this is it.

Conclusion

Well, this is it for now. stay tuned more to come, I'm still on the road.

If you find this interesting, tell someone, send them over to follow me in my new life journey.

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