Crime detective tour of Lincoln assassination

by Jamie Rhein on

I am fond of tours. Not each and every time, but often. Tours can be a terrific way to find out information you might miss as you’re trying to navigate a city on your own–or have stopped paying attention to signage because you just can’t read one more line.

Here’s a tour in Washington, D.C. I read about that ties in with my trip to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Museum last week. I’m picturing the drawing of Lincoln on his deathbed, and the photographs of the conspirators.

With Ford’s Theatre closed for renovations this summer, the Walking Monologues that Bring History to Life tour fills a gap in Lincoln lore. Led by an actor dressed as James McDevitt, one of the police detectives who worked Lincoln’s assassination’s, the tour brings people to the various sites of significance of that fateful night. Along the way, you can get the scoop about what is true and what has been sensationalized. This is a living history type tour where the actor takes on the persona of McDevitt.

This walking tour is throughout the summer, and as tours go, it is cheap–$12 a person. If you can’t get on that tour, the Ford Theatre has a private tour option. Since it’s a $500 flat fee, gather a lot of people together. You can take up to 40 of your closest friends.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Changing of the Guard

by Jamie Rhein on

At 3:00 p.m. today, there is a supposed to be a moment of silence to honor those who have died in war. I’m not usually one to be moved by pomp and circumstance, although, during high school graduations, the song “Pomp and Circumstance” played by a high school band does tear me up. Even though this is how I am, the “Changing of the Guard” at the Tomb of the Unknowns, another name for the memorial in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., is an experience I’ve never forgotten. There is something tender and honorable in the gesture of remembrance. So, here is my 3:00 p.m. EST offering.

The laying of a wreath at the tomb is one in which the public can participate. Here are four middle schoolers doing just that. Ignore the kid at the end of the video. The person who shot the tape was not too pleased, but in a way, that’s how life is. As we travel about, those we come in contact with don’t necessarily see life–or memorials, the way we do.

Tips for taking photos of memorials on Memorial Day

by Jamie Rhein on

Perhaps you’ve been one of the people jockeying for position to snap a photo of a memorial that other people are also trying to capture. Getting a photo that looks different than what the person standing next to you has taken can be a challenge. Plus, memorials are inanimate objects that might not look all that interesting in those vacation photos after all.

I came across these photo tips for taking photos of memorials from Rambling Traveler . Each are simple to follow and effective. The focus of her shots are memorials in Washington, D.C., but would work anywhere you happen to be.

One of the tips I particularly like is to take photos with people in them. Notice that these are natural shots. There are none of those types where family and friends are looking at the camera.

If you want shots of people reading quotes, don’t think it’s cheating to move someone reading a quote to get a better angle and tell them to stay still while you’re focusing. You’re creating a composition. Sometimes this is necessary to make sure a person isn’t hidden in a shadow, or that the quote is visible. Take more than one shot to make sure you get one that you like.

This photo by David Paul Ohmer on Flickr of the Vietnam War Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery the National Mall has the added detail of the wreath and the small flag. The white hat and the raised arm with the pen pointing at a name also add visual interest. If you look at the larger version, you’ll see reflections of other people. Well done!

Pay what you want (or not!) cafe in Washington

by Abha Malpani on

What would you do if you went to a cafe and didn’t have to pay unless you wanted to? Would you pay? Or take advantage of free food and coffee?

Terra Bite Lounge in Washington is one such place. This “upscale voluntary cafe” has no price-list and no cash register. You can eat and drink whatever you like, and pay if you want and when you want, by putting the money in a slot by the counter.

The cafe has been running for two years now, with surprising success. You’d think they’d have gone bankrupt by now, but they are actually breaking even.

Some people pay less than they should, some pay more, but most people do land up paying. According to the owners, its success boils down to peoples honesty, and the fact that this policy makes most customers feel trusted and valued. Also, the freedom of paying when they want (for example) just once a week has been a big contributor to its prosperity.

Their site screams that they are not a charity, they are not saints, and not activists. By maintaining an upscale decor and flexible payment system, they attract a decent and loyal crowd.

If I went to such a cafe, I would pay what I’d pay for a coffee anywhere else or I’d feel like a cheapskate. However, if the coffee was bad I’d have to force a penny out, and I’d never go back. What would you do?

Extreme Geography in the United States

by Justin Glow on

Catherine’s post on the not-so-well-known geographical center of the United States got me thinking: there’s something fun and intriguing about visiting, say, the northernmost point in a country, or perhaps driving eastward until you can drive no further — if only so that you can say, “There’s no one further east than me,” unless there’s someone else standing next to you. If so you’ll have to say, “There’s no one further east than me…and this other person.” But somehow that’s not quite as romantic. Unless it’s a girl and you’re a guy and there’s a bit of chemistry going on. Anyway. Here we go:

All 50 states:

48 Contiguous:

P.S. This is my 500th post with Gadling. Woo!