Atlanta detour

At the urging of De Anne's sister, De Linda, we took I-85 home instead of I-95. That allowed a detour visit to Atlanta and got us off the traffic hell that I-95 has become.

De Linda and Lisa had completely remodeled their kitchen last year and this year the major project was a new deck. We arrived as the finishing touches were being done.

New back deck:

From the front  yard:

We have rejoined the beach crowd and look forward to getting some of that white sugar sand between our toes tomorrow.

Homecoming

Tristan is home from his Afghanistan tour. We were amazed to meet his Commanding Officer from Washington DC at the International gates in the Baltimore airport. His first CO from his Afghan tour also appeared. The four of us compared notes on Tristan while waiting for the delayed flight. That two Navy  captains would travel to Baltimore to welcome Tristan home was very special.

De Anne, alarmed at his skinny condition, has been feeding him non-stop.

Three whirlwind days of unpacking, furniture buying, and (since it is IKEA furniture) a lot of assembly. He is now stationed in DC and his new assignment is getting a master's degree in International Relations.

DC 4th

One last beach walk before traveling north to greet Tristan returning from his tour of duty.

We are now in Arlington VA at Tristan's apartment next to the Potomac River. He was in this building last year and wanted back in again, so he rented it, sight unseen, over the Internet - from the other side of the world.

Tristan does not land in the US until Tuesday, but De Anne and I came early to set the place up, avoid Fourth of July traffic, and play tourist.

The bad weather yesterday scared us away from the Mall festivities; however, from the raised Freedom Walk we had a great view of the fireworks and dry weather for a while. Tristan's building is on the left of the picture and the Washington monument is to the left of the fireworks.