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@drevil 209407 wrote:
3/9/21 – “Amerigo Vespucci” Subanagram (5 letters or more)
Did Amerigo Vespucci improv(ise)?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology. It’s an agency within the Commerce Department whose mission is to promote US innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. In other words, helping to set standards. NIST maintains the US civilian time standards. Some other innovations to have come out of NIST include close captioning, pioneering instrument landing system that is used by aircrafts when flying at night, and developing security protocols like the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) for online transactions.
@drevil 209337 wrote:
3/8/21 – Notable Woman (with her achievement)
Clara Barton, a nurse in the Civil War who later founded the American Red Cross.
A statue in McPherson Square honoring Major General James McPherson who was killed at the Battle of Atlanta. He was the second-highest ranking Union officer killed in action during the war.
Madam’s Organ mural, one of the landmarks of Adams Morgan. The burlesque mural has sparked some controversy with some claiming that it is offensive and the city saying it isn’t but must be considered an advertisement because no permit was issued for the restaurant name appearing on it. It’s still there with the text on it so I guess the owner must have won the case!
Remnants of the old DC streetcar system on P St that ran from 1862 until 1962. They began operation as horsecars and then started operating as electric in 1888. Eventually like any technology they became obsolete and were replaced by buses. Most of the tracks were removed but the ones on O and P St remain and with the cobblestones make for some bumpy riding!
Statue of David Farragut in Farragut Square, one of two sculptures honoring Union admirals in DC. He lead an attack to capture New Orleans, an important port for the Confederates, and helped extend control up the Mississippi River. After the Civil War, he was promoted to Admiral, a rank never used, and became the first Admiral of the US Navy.
Don’t think anyone is going to try moving this mailbox in Georgetown! This one is on P St near the corner of 26th St and across from Rose Park.
@drevil 209271 wrote:
3/7/21 – Cookie Selfie
A good excuse to try the sugar cookies at Firehook Bakery!
Water gate for the C&O canal. Before The Watergate there was this water gate. This was used to transfer boats between the C&O and the Potomac. The wooden structure in the distance and not shown but to the right of this photo were for the Tide lock which I assume is the first lock. The gates controlled the height of the water by either damming the water to lift a boat up if was entering or releasing water to lower the level if it was leaving. Pretty neat engineering!
A couple of mailboxes seen on today’s ride. Was quite excited to find some so close to downtown!
First one is at Capo Deli on U St.
Second one is on 19th St between Q and R St, around the corner from Firehook Bakery.
A statue honoring Winfield Scott who was an important advisor to Lincoln during the early stages of the Civil War. “Scott developed a strategy, later known as the Anaconda Plan, that called for the capture of the Mississippi River and a blockade of Southern ports. By cutting off the eastern states of the Confederacy, Scott hoped to force the surrender of Confederate forces with a minimal loss of life on both sides. Scott’s plan was leaked to the public, and was derided by most Northern newspapers, which tended to favor an immediate assault on the Confederacy.” (Wikipedia) He served every President from Jefferson to Lincoln leading forces in several wars from War of 1812 to the Civil War! His statue is the first of many sculptures honoring Civil War generals to be installed in DC’s circles and squares.
