More DC

We took our first 7K walk, returning to the historic Adams-Morgan district.  This was a prominent African American area where such notables as Frederick Douglas, Duke Ellington and
Paul Robeson lived.  Today it is a great neighborhood that takes pride in its history.  Some of the pride is shown in murals such as this one of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, one of the first African Americans to gain a national reputation as a writer and poet.

This is the actor/activist/singer/expat Paul Robeson.

Spanish themes can also be seen.

 We passed a couple of embassies, including the Cuban.

We had not previously visited the Folger Shakespeare Library where a charming docent gave us a tour that included a discussion of Shakespeare First Folios including this one printed in 1623, one of their collection of eighty two of the surviving 233.

Each folio differs slightly because proofing took place during the printing process and spelling was not standardized.  Scholars use them to analyze dialogue and direction.  The Folgers spent their fortune amassing an outstanding collection of Shakespeare items and we look forward to a longer visit, maybe during this trip.

This bust of Edwin Booth (John Wilkes brother) stands beside a lock of his hair that his mother wore as a bracelet.

We met hometown friends, Eddi, Dorit, Daphna and Bruce for lunch at the train depot and enjoyed learning about their grandson/son’s life working for a Congressman.

Bennett says "Thank You" for the treats.

 Bennett is a soccer star, well maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.  He does enjoy playing at the game and we were happy fans.

With energy to burn,  he and his friend Norah played on the playground after practice.

He is also a theater buff.  The three of us enjoyed a puppet show in Glen Echo, Maryland.  The rain limited our time at this wonderful amusement park built in 1891 as a Chautauqua Assembly.  We will have to return for the carrousel, bumper cars, playground, arcade and more, all part of the National Park Service.