Laureen, my lovely wife, and I have a deal. Being avid travelers, we decided years ago that every other year we would travel out of the country, and the following year, within in the country. 

That worked for decades: England and then South Dakota. Fuji and then Texas. Ireland and then Oklahoma. Peru and then Oregon. Seemed pretty simple and straightforward. The year 2023 meant out of the country. Though we did travel to Austria in 2022, but that was an anomaly since we hadn’t been able to travel much during those restrictive COVID times, in or out of the country. Besides, we just wanted to travel, and got a killer deal.

Vienna, seen from the River Danube

Though I did travel secretly, not letting anyone know of those travels during the restrictions certain entities put on their citizens. I had a travel column to write. It was my duty to throw caution to the wind. California was so restrictive that I read about a dolphin that was arrested near the Santa Monica pier for swimming without a mask. 

Visiting Hardyville cemetery during COVID

“Scotland it is,” I stated one early morning.

Laureen Beyer ready for our trip

“How about Washington D.C. instead,” Laureen countered. 

Nope, it was the ‘out of the country year’ - I knew who would win this discussion. 

A few weeks later, we were headed to the Los Angeles International Airport for our booked flights. And soon, we were landing at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Most would think that this would be a quick layover to the next flight which would deliver this traveling duo to the Edinburgh Airport in the area once known as Caledonia. Nope, we were staying in the swamp of Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. - the Swamp

“You know it really wasn’t built on a swamp,” Laureen stated as we waited for our car to take us to the hotel.

I had heard, from unreliable sources, that the capital of the United States had been built on a mosquito infested, alligator overrun swamp that oftentimes the likes of Sasquatch would snatch lawmakers out of their Congressional seats. 

Just a myth - but a good one. George Washington, the first president of the United States, envisioned this city on the banks of the Potomac River since it was so close to Georgetown, a strategically important locale at the time. The town was probably named after King George III (whom we pummeled), or either George Gordon and George Bell who first owned the land. 

Does it matter? George Washington just wanted the land to be away from the swampland that surrounded Chesapeake Bay. 

It is rumored that the future president said, “I hath thought of a most opportune locality for the splendid capital of this country we are striving to complete.” 

His assistant may have replied, “Hath you?” 

“Yeth, I hathhh,” Washington started but stopped, as his wooden choppers fell into some swampy ground at his feet. 

Being from a drier climate than Washington D.C. is during July, I felt the sweat start rolling down my back like a leech that has attached itself to your body while swimming in a not-so-clean lake. 

Actually, leeches don’t move much, they just burrow into your body searching for blood. I’ve had a few in my time adventuring here and there in remote locales. But my sweat rolled down from my back like the Potomac River making sure everyone knew I was a sweat attractor. 

And we were barely out of Terminal 2 at that point. “It’s humid,” I said. 

“The car is air conditioned,” Laureen replied, as our driver showed up. “Aren’t you sweating?”

“Women glisten,” she said. “Men sweat.” 

Thus began my adventure where three separate branches of government rule this great land of ours. The Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judiciary Branch. All separate but equal. I would be the judge of that, by the time this trip to the swamp was complete. 

U.S. Congress - one seat of power

First, to the hotel and a cold adult libation. It was awfully muggy. How muggy? A person could wear this weather. 

I had never been to Washington D.C., and I was looking forward to all the sites to be sought. 

George Washington, besides being the first president of the newly formed United States and the Hero of the Revolutionary War, actually chose the location of the nation’s capital. The future home to the Republic was to be between the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, above the shores and away from any of the swamp lands that are often present in slow brackish water located in eddies or estuaries. 

Potomac River looking toward Washington D.C.

The states of Maryland and Virginia ceded the land to build the capital, and according to the newly written Constitution, the area would be referred to as a ‘district’ distinguishing itself from belonging to any particular state. Thomas Jefferson and his fellow signers knew that the nation's capital had to be independent and never given state status, since that would imbue the small state an immense amount of clout that the other states would not have. 

Pierre L’Enfant, clearly a Frenchman, drew up some really cool plans for the new city.

“I, Pierre L’Enfant,” announced L’Enfant in a perfect French accent, “will make something you Americans could never think of. Because I am French.” 

Rumor is that a howling wind was sweeping along the Potomac and an aide to President Washington cupped his ears and said, “What did he say about an elephant?” 

The center of this new city would be the Capitol building where all the important issues would be decided by those elected by their constituents. Washington D.C. was off to a roaring start, but then the British invaded during the War of 1812 and burned down the White House, the Capitol, and the Library of Congress in 1814. 

That was very rude of them, and to this day no true American will ever learn the rules to some silly game called cricket. 

The new white house was designed by an Irish-American by the name of James Hoban and was rebuilt in 1817. He passed away on December 8th, 1831. I only mention this since I was born on December 8th and wonder if I may have gotten some of my building talents from my fellow Irishman. Aye, we Irish are a bit superstitious and believe in tall tales and conjuring of the spirits. 

One view of current White House

The town did not have much of a population and in 1847 grew smaller both in folks living there and actual acreage. The area, now known as Alexandria, left the district since they felt as though they were not being treated well by those across the wide Potomac River. 

Cobblestone road in Alexandria

It wasn’t until the Civil War that Washington D.C. increased in size, partly because all enslaved persons in the district were emancipated on April 16, 1862 - nine months before President Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. 

It became the hub for free slaves and the city flourished. Frederick Douglass, who met with President Lincoln on three occasions, made Washington D.C. his home. 

The Lincoln Memorial

The federal government grew during the war and a large army was barracked there to protect, not only the president but the rest of the United States Government. 

A good decision, since Virginia joined with the Confederate States of America and the state can easily be seen by the naked eye from the White House. 

The history of the United States is jam packed in Washington D.C. from the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, and beyond. This is the centerpiece for all the action this wonderful country has seen. 

It was about time I visited and learned first-hand what this mecca for democracy had to offer. After changing out of my thoroughly wet clothing in the hotel and feeling a few pounds lighter from water loss, Laureen asked what I wanted to do first. 

“There is so much to see and learn,” I replied. “I’m not sure where to start.”

“There’s the National Mall, the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument,” she said. “Or perhaps we could just saunter through some of the Smithsonian Museums until we get our bearings.”

So much to see, and so little time. We had nine days to take in 247 years of the unbelievable history of triumph, defeat, wonder, hope, imagination, despair, struggle, argument, world aggression, and the rest that makes the United States what it is today. Where to start was a question I pondered for a moment.

But as I stood in the comfort of the air-conditioned lobby of our hotel and looked across the street. I knew where I wanted to start this new adventure to learn about those who not only built the history of our beautiful country but the city itself.

“There.” I said. 

“Where?” Laureen asked. 

 “Across the street, at the Capitol City Brewing Company.” 

And our adventure began. 

Giving Thanks - Around the World

Forty-three years before the Pilgrims sat down for their feast of thanks with their Native American neighbors in 1621 the tradition had already begun in 1578 on the North American continent. It was in that year that explorer Martin Frobisher held a ‘thanks giving’ in October – his thanks? Surviving the arduous sea voyage from England to his new home in Canada. Thanksgiving started as a harvest festival to celebrate the bounties of food stuffs that would maintain the settlers through the cold winter months.

Though most resident of the United States may believe Thanksgiving is a unique American tradition it is not.

The celebration of the previous year and hopes for a good harvest is an ancient rite but the more modern concept of Thanksgiving really is a Canadian and American tradition. Canada holds this holiday on the second Monday in October and we of course the fourth Thursday in November – wouldn’t want to cramp our cousin’s style to the north.

But in fact, dozens of countries around the world hold the idea of giving thanks as so important that they too have specific declared dates for such an event. It is a time to celebrate the good fortunes of the past year as well as prepare for the upcoming year with family and friends. To sit down together at a feast and count the blessings seem to be a constant around the world – sounds very familiar.

It is. From ancient times people gathered about the hearths and tables laden with all sorts of yummy foods to give thanks for what they had and for what they hoped to have as winter came and then turned into spring. Forever hopeful - those humans no matter what century they belonged.

The grass is always greener.

President George Washington proclaimed it should be observed yearly in 1789. It wasn't every year the giving thanks day was celebrated - no, that didn't occur until 1863 when President Lincoln declared it a federal holiday. President Abraham Lincoln declared that Thanksgiving would be held always on the fourth Thursday of November after being persuaded by a letter written from Philadelphia on September 28th of 1863 by Sarah Josepha Hale -  author of the 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' story.  She was a very astute and convincing woman since the president ordered that Thanksgiving would begin that very year. She knew what she wanted and got it.

Though not to be too nationalistic, though there is nothing wrong in that, other countries as mentioned earlier celebrate similar holidays.

In China the eating of moon-cake during the August moon festival which falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of their calendar is an extremely important tradition. It is the time when lovers tell each other their deepest felt emotions and women are considered similes to warm and compassionate virtues - fertility is a big thing mentioned here - albeit the lover issue.

Brazil celebrates something very similar to the United States due to the fact that an ambassador once visited the United States during Thanksgiving and believed it to be such a wonderful expression of thanks he brought it back to his own country. Carnivals, sports and great harvest celebrations are held there each year in thanks for what the Brazilians are thankful for.

And on October 4th in Rome is celebrated Cerelia - in honor of an ancient 'goddess of the corn ' Ceres. Musical events, parades and sporting events are conducted to keep this ancient custom alive.

So, around the world there is always time set aside each year for peoples to gather among each other and give thanks for what they have and give thanks for what they may receive in the coming year.

Good food, great family and friends are more than anyone could be thankful for and for that uncertain future - give thanks and a few prayers may serve the purpose also. Perhaps Thanksgiving should be looked at as a time when friends and family visit - put away past troubles and look to the future. A momentary respite from a hectic year when we all look into our fellow humans eyes and say we are thankful they are with us. Life is often too short so this year, as every year we should make an effort to be thankful for all we have.

We at J and L wish all a wonderful Thanksgiving no matter what country you call home..