From the main house, there was a path to the lower part of the estate.




On the way more stables.

You then pass the original vault where Washington was first buried. The conditions must have been terrible, with bones lying around and everything in disrepair.

After Washington was initially to be buried in the Capitol (there is a crypt for this purpose), a burial site was created on Mount Vernon in accordance with his will.

Like most of the founding fathers of the United States, Washington is also burdened by the fact that he was a slave owner. Today, a great deal of effort is being made not only to turn Mount Vernon into a place of pilgrimage for George Washington, but also to honor the slaves. Part of the commemoration is the slave cemetery near Washington's grave.

Nice report, as usual.

I was not aware that the National Cathedral had an entrance fee or was i just for a tour and/or elevator? This was my grandmother's church. I've been there several times (other than for a church service) and the only time I recall a fee was with my pre-COVID travelers' group - a member of the group got us a supposedly rare 'insiders' tour and I think it was only $25. And re: parking there is plenty of free on street parking within a couple of blocks at no cost as long as you follow the two hour limit.

My grandmother lived near Dumbarton Oaks and took us to the park many times. I thought I've done just about everything there is to do in WDC, but apparently I was not aware of the museum. Time for a visit, So, thanks for that!

I've never been in Hay-Adams. I do enjoy an occasional drink at Willard's Round Bar or at the St. Regis. Pricey, but a nice atmosphere.

The entrance fee was not only for the tower, it was for the entire church. You could have found a parking lot for sure, but if you don't know your way around, it can also take a lot of time.

The Hay Adams also has a well-known bar called Off the record. We were also in there briefly, but it was totally overcrowded, so we left again.

The estate extends to the river, where there is a jetty.






In addition, the various economic sectors of the Washingtons, such as fishing, are explained. The latter also served to feed the slaves cheaply.










The slave families lived in small huts where they could keep chickens and grow some crops. So, in addition to the hard labor, they also had to provide for their own food.






You return to the upper part through a forest.

Finally, we treated ourselves to a real meal at the restaurant. Two ice creams, a water and a coke! Total: $17. A bargain, don't you think?



The shop sold all kinds of things, none of which were cheap, of course. Finally, a look at the entrance.

Earlier that day, we had visited the Kreeger Museum. It is an architecturally interesting building, with Impressionists and Expressionists on display inside.




















Outside, there is also a sculpture garden.

In the evening, we went to Kinship for dinner.

The cuisine is described as �American�, it has been awarded a Michelin star. We liked the menu in advance.




The interior is modern and everything is very relaxed.

Bread and butter


Chesapeake Bay Crab Salad - Watermelon, Cucumber, Avocado, Cilantro and Old Bay Sorbet


Confit Rock Shrimp Salad - Fried Medina Farm Okra, White Corn, Tomato Concass�e and Butter Pickled Watermelon Rind Emulsion


Sauted Bluefin Tuna Steak - Warm Medina Farm Bean Salad, Aji Dulce Aglio e Olio, Blustered Shishito Peppers and Pommes Pailles



Dessert Menu

Raspberry Knafeh - Ricota, Pistachio, Raspberry Confit and Lychee Sorbet


Black Sesame Chocolate Torte - Valrhona Blanka 67% Cremeux, Whipped Ginger Ganache, Compressed Plums and Black Sesame Ice Cream

I was very satisfied with the meal. Definitely soul food, but of a very high standard. It was simply delicious. In contrast to other experiences during this vacation, the bill was also quite reasonable.

Time for breakfast again. Pancakes and omelette with avocado.

The Old Stone House dates from 1766 (so it's very old for the US) and used to be a watchmaker's shop. Now it has been renovated and is a kind of museum with a shop. There is a garden behind it.





The parking lot next to it should be used with caution. You pay by credit card and have to set the time with strange touchpads. In no time at all, you triggered it 3 times and because that means you have reached the maximum fee, the machine conveniently prints out the parking ticket. There is nothing to cancel, so 15 minutes costs $30. Thanks, Colonial Parking. Normally, you would have to smash the machine with a baseball bat. But it is wisely monitored by video.

The rest of the day was spent in Baltimore. I had done quite a bit on my last visit, which I now wanted to catch up on. First, the Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower.

And a few impressions from the old center. The Washington Monument.



Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church


Park

Marquis de Lafayette Statue

One of the main reasons for visiting Baltimore was the Walters Art Museum. It is a fairly large museum with an extensive and remarkable collection.

The next stop was Baltimore Cathedral. This is a Roman Catholic church, the full name of which is: �Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary�. It is considered America's first cathedral because it is the first cathedral built after the adoption of the Constitution. It was built between 1806 and 1821. Since Baltimore has the Cathedral of Mary, Queen (a building from 1959 that I have left out), it is now only a co-cathedral.

Last but not least, the Baltimore Museum of Art. This is another amazing museum. Picasso, Monet, Raphael, Botticelli, Rubens, Rembrandt � it's all there.

In the evening we went to Rania. This is an Indian restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin star. But first we had to park, of course at very reasonable prices.


Now for something that really gets on my nerves. You book the restaurant, for which you have to leave a credit card as security. Fair enough. You have to confirm the reservation the day before in case you are senile or whatever. Sometimes you also get a call in addition. Fair enough by me. But then, three minutes before the reservation time, you get a text message saying that the table is ready now. Thanks for the info, otherwise I would have driven around the block three more times. What's the point? This is annoying for everyone and not particularly professional, either.

What happens if I don't let them know that I'm on my way? Will someone from the long line in front of the restaurant get my table?


Of course, it was rather empty inside and it remained that way throughout the evening. Perhaps a third full.





The menu


Fun mocktails.



Amuse Bouche


Shrimp Koliwada, sweet pepper chutney


Prince Edward Island Oysters, Amritsari hollandaise, citrus podi

Chana Masala Panisse, green garlic chutney, tomato tukku, grilled spring onions

House Paneer, grilled runner beans, pecorino romano





Ghee-poached Verlasso Salmon, moilee, spinach kaipu, La Ratte potatoes

Shrikhand Mousse, Makrut lime tapioca, cape gooseberries




Chocolate tart, masala chai ice cream

The bill

I was very satisfied with the meal, it was all very good. The price was also reasonable.