Alexandria Evening Tide

View from the Alexandria waterfront toward Maryland, just across the Potomac, and northward toward Washington DC. Alexandria was established in 1749 and forty years later found itself surveyed into the boudaries of the new federal capital of the United States of America, the District of Columbia. Originally surveyed a square, ten miles on each side, taken from the states of Maryland and Virginia on either side of the Potomac River, the new 'federal city' established its core at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, several miles north of Alexandria. In 1846, Congress heeded the petitions of Alexandrians and the Virginia state governement and returned the former Virginia territory within the federal District to the state of Virginia and local jurisdictions. Alexandrians celebrate their founding with a grand fireworks show and concert on the waterfront a few days after July 4, following the nation's Independence Day celebration. The heavy flight path to/from Reagan National Airport (see airplane above) and the heat lightning added to the light show in the sky as the constant moon beamed, only changing color slightly throughout the evening.

The fire engines are poised for action, doors ajar, uniforms set for slipping on as the firemen jump into the truck.

Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks.

We felt like we were in Savannah, walking around on a summer night, catching a breeze on the riverfront, peeking in windows of historic homes, seeking the warm lights on brick and following our curiosity.