15 Miles (Part II)

We finally followed through with the canal camping and made it out to Swain's Lock for an overnight excursion.

It's at least a two hour trip with a fully loaded cargo bike. We don't have much lightweight/small camping gear so there was barely room for Oscar to fall asleep on the way out.

Once we made it to the campsite and got set up, Oscar was in charge of meeting the neighbors. There were two bike-based campers and one hiker.

This is Maurice, a biker who was headed west. The other cyclist was headed back to DC.

We cooked a few hot dogs at the neighbor's fire (he had brought hot dogs for dinner too), while discussing the exploits of Admiral Farragut during the Civil War. We had just gotten one hot dog each before the forecasted rain came on suddenly.

 We played "Captain America" in the tent while waiting it out until a wayward thrown shield forced me to take a break from the action. Afterwards, we made a fire that lasted just long enough to cook two marshmallows before it died due to wet wood. We made the remainder of the hot dogs on the stove.

The next day we stopped at Great Falls on the way back and did some exploring.

We had just enough energy to make it back to Georgetown before we needed to refuel. Luckily, there is a conveniently located coffeeshop, Malmaison, to fulfill your pain au chocolat and macchiato needs.

Party Time!!!

Loaded up with all the party supplies. Perhaps we should retain this bike-based tradition so our parties don't get out of hand (sorry, no bounce houses in our future).

A pinata in the front basket.

Doing what Oscar does best, getting everyone's attention. In this case yelling "It's CAKE time!!!"

Ghost cake pops. Oscar led the charge and finished off at least 6, falling asleep and eating one on the way home.

Happy Mother's Day

We had a great mother's day. Rebecca's friend+daughter came over for a visit.

First, Oscar and Co. had to go pick up some plants from our friend in Mt. Pleasant. Don't bother going to Mt. Pleasant without instruments, you'll be run out of the neighborhood.

There were wonderful covers of Erie Canal as well as original songs such as "Ukelele Dukelele No. 3"

Then we went to a restaurant, where there was grilled cheese and peek-a-boo.

Then describing the chef's tasting menu (more gouda on the grilled cheese) on the chalkboard...

Hope your mother's day was special...

15 miles on the...

Oscar and I took a ride out the C&O Canal yesterday as a test run before trying to ride all the way out to Swain's Lock to go camping along the Potomac. We made it just past the Chain Bridge before we decided to do some exploring.

By exploring, we mean "getting so wet, he rode home naked."

On the way back we decided to listen to Erie Canal by Bruce Springsteen and Oscar made up appropriate hand gestures for the various parts of the song..."low bridge, we're coming to a town."

Part II
I took my bike on the towpath the next day for a fast-ish ride and explored a little of the other things available near the path. Like a kayak course...

 ...hidden down an innocuous sidepath...

 And some singletrack, which was fine on my bike...

and I had to remember to capture lots of insect specimens for Oscar. Luckily my hairy sunscreened arms were perfect bug transport.

Oscar at the beach

A quick stop in Raleigh at Grandma and Grandpa's house before heading for the coast...   

Exploring a new house was a blast...
 

 




We even got to vist the NC Aquarium... 

 And of course the beach was fantastic. Oscar loved running around and playing in the sand.





 He wasn't afraid of the water, until the surf got pretty rough.

CSI: DC

Some chocolate has gone missing recently... ...we're interviewing the only witness, but so far he hasn't fingered any suspects.

Happy Birthday O-man

In celebration of Oscar's very first birthday, we decided to make the smart choice and leave the planning to the professionals. Anyone who has a child older than 12 months is a professional to us. Thus, we attended a fantastic party at the home of our friends Kate and Jason (who make kid-friendly parties look easy). Oscar got a chance to practice tying a tie (more often than Jefe in the last 12 months).

He also got to practice walking...

and using a fork.

Everyone enjoyed the sunshine and wonderful food.

Oscar got to play with some wrapping paper and cardboard boxes.

Oscar snacking on some dessert shoes, mmmmm.

Oscar's toy mentor, Mackenzie, helped him find the best parts of his new toy.

And finally, there was cupcakes for all, but mostly for Oscar.