UPDATED JUNE 18 Edit made: added new info for the Union station group
Date: June 23
Time and meeting place: See below
Sunset: 8:36 pm
Moonrise: 2:22 pm (half moon)
VERY IMPORTANT: I need a PM from everyone even considering coming so I can plan dinner. If you're definitely coming, say so. If you're not sure, say so. If you might come, but probably not, say so. :)
I also need you to confirm how many spaces you'll have in your car (if you're bringing one) so I can try to coordinate rides.
Please also tell me which group you plan to join in the morning.
Finally, please include a real email address so I can send out any last minute info without having to create a bazillion PMs.
We're going to buy enough to feed everyone, so I need a decent head count.
Speaking of which, this will be an informal "chip in" situation. I'm happy to host, but I'm also happy to have folks throw in contributions. The one thing I don't tend to buy in quantity is beer, just because I rarely drink it at home, so if you want something specific, let me know.
Meeting times and places: We'll have two groups.
Group 1: National Zoo I'll meet people at the Zoo at 9 am. That's the entrance on Connecticut Ave. at the top of the zoo, which is on a big hill.
The grounds will be open by then and the buildings open at 10.
What to bring: The zoo is on a big hill, so bring comfortable shoes, plenty of water, and be prepared for some decent uphill and downhill walking.
Getting there via Metro: Take the Red Line to Woodley Park/Zoo. It's a short walk to the entrance from there.
Parking: I recommend paying for one of the lots. There's street parking in the neighborhoods nearby, but early on a Saturday, I'd bet there won't be many spaces open. Alternatively, park near Metro Center on the street, since that's where we'll end up later. It'll be free, and you can take Metro out to the Zoo.
Timing: I think we'll easily spend a few hours there until lunch - it's a big zoo, with a lot of exhibits. Then I'll drive up to 6 others downtown to Metro Center to meet Dahkota's group for lunch. If we can't all get in cars, it's easy to take Metro back to Metro Center.
Group 2: Union Station and morning on the National Mall Dahkota will meet people front of Union Station, at the fountain, from 9:00-9:30, then head towards the Capitol Building. That will put the group at the US Botanical Gardens around 10AM for anyone who wants to shoot inside. The line might be long to get in, but it is really quick - just a bag check. Anyone who doesn't want to go inside will have lots of people watching and the Capitol Reflecting Pool to shoot.
From there, they'll head down the National Mall towards the Washington Monument. Eventually, they'll end up at metro center for lunch. Metro has added performers at many of its stations so they could also be interesting to photograph.
Parking: Union Station has pay lots; street parking will probably be very limited.
What to bring: Comfortable shoes, plenty of water, and be prepared for a fair amount of walking; the Mall is a big chunk of real estate.
Lunch Not quite sure what we'll do for lunch, but we'll all meet in a spot Dahkota and I will pick (for you locals, we'll post something in plenty of time so you can meet us if you don't come in the morning)
Afternoon After lunch, Dahkota and I will again split up into two groups and lead people wherever consensus dictates. I know many good spots to shoot various monuments if that interests people, or we could go look for some of the interesting goings-on she mentioned earlier. She can also drive people over to Arlington Cemetery.
I don't know whether we'll have enough car spaces for everyone at every point, but Metro (our subway) goes everywhere and is fast, clean, and safe. If we can't fit everyone to get to some monument or memorial, I'm willing to do shuttle runs. I've seen 'em all before, and nothing's very far from anything else.
Depending on the temperature, this might be a good time to shoot some of the great angles available in the Metro or visit some museums.
Dinner BBQ at my house. Menu:
BBQ chicken
BBQ steak
Hot dogs
Potato salad
Cole slaw
Soft Drinks, water, lemonade, etc.
Beer (we'll probably have wine, too)
Cake
I'll send my address to everyone who PMs me; don't want to put it up on the Internet. We live 1/2 mile from the East Falls Church Metro, in VA about a 20-minute ride from downtown, so it's easy to get to my house.
Night shoot We'll start at the Iwo Jima Memorial, which is a beautiful statue and provides great views over the city, then go from there wherever people are interested.
Here's the view of Washington from there:
To whet your appetite, here are some shots I've taken from spots we can visit:
The rest of this post is what I first put up, with general ideas about shooting locations and who initially indicated interest in joining us.
^ that's okay, I'm having generally crappy timing trying to hook up with a GTG. Missed the recent Shenandoah GTG by hours (didn't see the thread until that morning), trying to get in on a GTG in southwest Ohio when I'll be there for a weekend (but that will probably land on a different date), and now this one (I'll be in Maine). Time to go see if maybe there is a Maine GTG happening the weekend of the 23rd. :-}
I beg you, in the name of all that does not suck, to please pick somewhere other than Smithsonian station as the meet point.
~Terry
I'm open to suggestions. :)
I was actually thinking of the Iwo Jima Memorial. It's close to the Rosslyn Metro, has plenty of parking, has a great statue and a great carillon to shoot, along with a spectacular view of DC, AND we likely wouldn't go out there if we started in DC proper.
By the way, can folks please let me know whether they can drive and what kind of car they have? I can bring a 7-person minivan.
Terry, as to the overnight question, I guess it's up to you!
