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We worshipped twice at the National Cathedral. We also took a tour of the gargoyles and grotesques. Did you know that there are over 1700 gargoyles and grotesques on the cathedral and no two are alike? There is even one of Darth Vadar.

We saw many family members and friends while we were here, some aboard Liberty, and some off the boat. We enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Cohen's, a wonderful Ethopian meal with Ray Be, great BBQ ribs with the Kendall/Slivkas, and many memorable evenings of cocktails aboard the boat. We hosted Nancy's mom for a few days and also Dorine Olive and her son Derek while they were in town for two days. Unfortunately, we do not have pictures of everyone, but the fun times we had will remain in our memories.

Both Christopher and Joshua celebrated birthdays while we were in Washington DC. Christopher officially became a teenager! Joshua turned 10 and left behind the days of being a "single digit midget!"

Both boys also had a special weekend away. Christopher flew to Texas (by himself!) to join his Texas grandparents and the extended Gohlke family for a Ranch Work Weekend. Joshua also travelled by himself, on Amtrak, to New Jersey to visit his Jersey Grandma. Dave and Nancy, of course, also enjoyed a wonderful weekend together - every night was like "date night."

After two months in Washington DC, we explored the sights of the Potomac River as we sailed back to the Chesapeake Bay. First stop... Mt. Vernon.

The following are a few pictures for you to enjoy that do not really fit into any of the sub-sections of Washington DC above.

Patito was only a chick when we arrived in Washington DC. By the time we left, he had grown up and was on his own, fat from all the crackers we fed him and all the other ducks that came to Liberty daily for a meal.

Dave's cousins, Keith and Pat Bauer, met us at Mattawoman Creek with their SeaRay for a day of water fun. After jumping off the halyards on Liberty, Keith pulled us in tubes behind his boat at speeds Liberty can't come close to reaching.

St. Clement's Island is the site of the first landing of Governor Calvert and the Maryland Colonists in 1634 and the first Catholic mass held in the British-American colonies.

When the colonists left St. Clement's Island, they moved to St. Mary's 8 miles up the St. Mary's river, our next stop.

Chris listens carefully to the argument before sending Dave to the stocks. Josh records the verdict.