Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

After a few weeks of saving up hours, I was able to take a day off today. Actually, it ended up being a "scouting day" - looking at schools in the area where our family could eventually live. Before that, I got an oil change on the Richmond Highway (US-1) and explored ways to get around Fort Belvior. It was pleasant in the morning - just a little cool. Later, I had an appointment at an Elementary School (K-6). Sounds and looks like a good place for Mollie... Had some fish sandwiches at McDonalds and explored neighborhoods in the Virginia Hills area (south of Telegraph Road), the Rose Hill area (between Franconia and Telegraph) and the Bush Hill area (north of Franconia). Found a couple of places with potential. After noon, I visited the first (of two) High Schools for the Twins. The first offered the International Baccalaureate curriculum - very academic oriented. But no one could ever say that the kids weren't ready for college! A little later, I drove over to the High School that is closest to Bob's apartment. It is huge, actually, since they run Junior and Senior High there. I actually got to take a tour of that school, since the kids had already been released for the day. The place had a planetarium! I also saw evidence of cosmetology, fashion, marketing, cooking and other non-academic classrooms in addition to the traditional course offerings (it was clear that the school was trying to help students who hadn't made up their mind about what to do after school). At both schools, I met people who had attended as students and couldn't speak highly enough about the superior quality of the institutions. Came out of the building around 1515 and found it was POURING... Ended up seeing Bob when I stopped off at the apartment to change and rest. Tim called and I later (1800) drove over to see him, Kathy, Bonnie and Katie at National Harbor. We ate dinner at McLoones (on the riverfront) and then stopped at the Peeps Store (for jellybeans !). Tim and I walked back up the hill to get a car, since it was now rainy and very windy. On the way, we saw a huge statue on the beach that he called "The Awakening" (huge sculpture of a man, half buried). Visited at Tim's for several hours before driving home (tired)... Bed around 2330.