Southern Oregon Living: District of Columbia

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 6.  Today is my last day in DC and I'm going out with a sweet tooth bang.  I'm declaring today... 'Cupcake Day' in Georgetown.

Georgetown is a quaint college town, home to Georgetown University, located along the Potomac River in NW Washington DC.  Aside from the cool restaurants, taverns and shops, Georgetown has an acclaimed gourmet cupcake boutique called Georgetown Cupcake.  A delightful phenomenon to say the least... people lined up out front for 1 block... waiting to get into this place!

Georgetown Cupcake was founded by two sisters, Katherine Kallinis and Sophie LaMontagne.  Katherine and Sophie traded careers in fashion and private equity to pursue something a little sweeter... their passion for artful cupcakes.  Both lifelong bakers, inspired by their grandmothers, Katherine and Sophie opened Georgetown Cupcake in February 2008 as DC’s first and only cupcakery.  Since then, Katherine and Sophie have inspired a new TLC series called DC Cupcakes.  These girls are amazing and so are their cupcakes!  FYI... Susan, I'm bringing you a few tokens from my visit today.  See ya soon!

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 6

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 4.  It was a wild evening with the Supra folks last night... (no silent observers present)... Supra really knows how to throw a party!  Tonight, we gathered with our fellow Oregon (OAR) compadres at a local eatery in Dupont Circle.  They are a lively group and a lot of fun.

NAR's week-long legislative conference is quickly coming to an end and I have mixed emotions.  I LOVE DC!  Not the political landscape but the climate and cool happenings.  It has an LA feel with a cool Portland flavor.  Eclectic eateries line Connecticut Avenue with open air seating and late hours of operation. Everything is within walking distance and I love that.  There are great paths along tree-lined streets with beautiful blue skies. The landscape is truly spectacular. 

After an early morning meeting at the Open City Cafe, I'm looking forward to a play day tomorrow... gearing up my soul to see the Holocaust Museum (had to save it for last... just in case I have one of those moments).  There have been a few events that have moved me to tears during this trip... Arlington National Cemetery and a Girl's Choir singing the National Anthem... both of which were very touching.  I'm getting to be a bit of a sap in my wiser years :) 

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 4

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 2.  Sometimes, disappointment is my closest friend.  Many who know me, know that I enjoy engaging environments.  Today, I found myself in situations that fell quite short of that.

My morning started off in a meeting with some folks from CMLS.  The topic of conversation was IDX Data Feeds and the dialog centered around data accuracy and industry compliance.  This isn't a topic you find rolling off the lips of most Realtors... in fact, most Realtors don't know how the MLS data gets from one point to another.  Frankly, they simply don't care, which I get.  For those of us who are managing a MLS delivery system, the topic is HOT and is sparking a lively debate between Realtors, Providers and Syndicaters.  There are security issues, breach of contracts and a lot of policing going on behind the scenes... and someones gotta do it.  

I wish I could say that I set sail to meet with world leaders to discuss hunger in Haiti or child trafficking issues in Asia... but not today.  If only!  Instead, I effortlessly moved from one meeting room to another in mindless meditation on absolutely nothing!  Disappointing.  Time is precious... which is precisely the reason I'm conscious of every moment I spend in meetings wasted.  Perhaps I've become incredibly selective in my 'wiser' years.  I can't help but wonder... in the end, who's really going to remember that I showed up early to warm a chair at the front of the class while taking copious notes?  Probably no one.

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 2

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 1.  I arrived in DC late yesterday afternoon for the National Association of Realtor (NAR) Midyear Legislative Conference.  Fun and games (meetings really) are planned for the remainder of the week.  But today was a play day with friends.

After a cool tour of the Capitol, we made our way to Arlington National Cemetery.  Initially, I wasn't terribly excited about visiting a graveyard lined with tombstones.  Today was different.  The sight was purely overwhelming and I found myself teary-eyed along the way with many others as we walked the grounds.  For me, that doesn't happen often.  Perhaps my tough upbringing  has something to do with it.  Not now, not today.  I was clearly moved by the experience and I wanted to feel every bit of it.  

As I looked over the lush green fields lined with simple white markers, I began to reflect on the personal sacrifices made for our country by the many great men and women  who  were laid to rest there.  I was blown away.  The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a monumental moment.  Silence claimed the audience of onlookers while a final act of respect was paid to those who had fallen.  It was a defining moment which rendered me speechless.  That rarely happens.  But today, I remained silent as I paid my respect to those who paid with their lives.  It was an honor to be there. 

Melinda Peterson's Adventures in Washington DC - Day 1

The Best Place to Stay in Washington DC - Embassy Circle Guest House.  I can't say enough about my stay at the Embassy Circle Guest House, a beautiful Bed & Breakfast in the heart of Dupont Circle in Washington DC.  There is simply no better place to stay.

The owners, Laura & Raymond Saba, pay attention to every detail.  Aside from rebuilding an old Embassy and creating a warm and welcoming home with gorgeous architectural detail, these folks also know how to make you feel right at home.   Every morning I enjoyed a lovely complimentary breakfast of fruit salad, pastries, yogurt, cheeses, etc.  And every afternoon they serve wine, coffee, tea and home baked goodies like chocolate brownies and lemon cake.  It's simply devine.

I chose a Bed & Breakfast over a hotel for my stay in Washington DC.  Over the years, I have grown tired of the sterile enviorments of hotels.  Bed & Breakfasts are typically very engaging with conversation and warmth of hospitality.  I highly recommend the Embassy Circle Guest House in Dupont Circle in Washington DC.  You will be glad you stayed there! 

Here are some pics of the beautiful art that is displayed on the walls of the Embassy Circle Guest House in Washington DC.