Neighborhoods of DC: Shaw

Scroll down for the lazy man's walking tour of one of DC's most interesting neighborhoods...



One side of the block...



...and the other side, same block.



Row house at high noon



#$%^& the man! Mid-tour, a less enthusiastic resident made his opinion on gentrification known. He politely approached our group, asked for a tour booklet, then hurled the booklet a good 10 feet. Our good-natured tour guide remained remarkably non-plussed.



Given the right context, even a Dentyne poster can look edgy



Look quick - soon this will be a Marriott...



By the Convention Center. Outside of the frame: two teen entrepreneurs sell CDs and representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation elevate convention attire to a new level. (Not a ratty tote bag or Birkenstock to be seen for blocks.)



Saturday was chilly in the shade, warm in the sun and...always HOT at Beauty Town!

McLost in McLean

Oh, the dubious joys of navigating Fairfax County! Ultimately I found Dolley Madison Boulevard, dismayed to not find it lined with pastries. I drove back and forth trying to stumble across a major thoroughfare, preferably the Beltway. Then I spotted this sign…

“Next left: George Bush Central Intelligence Agency”

What if I “accidentally” took a left and disingenuously pretended to be lost? How cool would that be – better than the Spy Museum!

ME: “I was just looking for the 7-11.”

SPECIAL OPS GUARD (narrows eyes):

ME: “Or do you guys have Wa-Was here in Virginia?”

SPECIAL OPS (cocks weapon):

ME: “I-I-I don’t hate freedom; I’m just not very good with directions.”

SPECIAL OPS (sighs): “Go back to Maryland.”

Lancaster County, PA: Rumspringa!



From the moment I arrived in Lancaster, I knew I was amid a modest, self-effacing people who shun bodily adornment...




Most Amish people ask that you not take their pictures. This family, however, didn't mind.



"Stuff" also includes several magnets from Intercourse (heh heh), PA.

See more from Pennsylvania...

Olde Towne Lancaster, PA



All creatures are welcome (though fortunately not served) at the Saturday market.



Bringing the Laz-e-boy outdoors ... not always a decorating "don't."


See more from Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania: On the road



Chia factory




See more from Pennsylvania...

NOT Fallingwater, PA:

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has strict stipulations controlling how and where visitors publish their photos of this legendary Frank Lloyd Wright house.

So here are some pictures of Cumberland, Maryland instead. It's sort of similar, only the tours are free, the town's construction didn't go 500 percent over budget and cantilevered limestone terraces aren't the distinguising architectural detail.