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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Washington, DC GTG in June 2007
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04/17/2007 02:32:55 PM · #1
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.

Directions and more info about the Zoo

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.

Directions and more information about Union Station

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.

Shooting location ideas (links go to samples in various portfolios; please suggest better ones if you have them):
Memorials: Iwo Jima (it has a fantastic view of DC), Jefferson, Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam, FDR, Korean War
Washington Monument
Netherlands Carillon (next to Iwo Jima)
Arlington Cemetery (not sure how late we can enter)
Albert Einstein statue
US Capitol
Union Station
National Airport
Lady Bird Johnson Park
Bridges: Key, Memorial
Metro stations (our subway)
White House
Georgetown (although parking's rough on weekend nights)

Post below or send me a PM to be added to the list. If anyone has any connections to get us into cool, unusual places, please send me a PM.

dahkota and I will co-organize.

Participants:
levyj413 (7-person minivan)
dahkota (4 people)
KaDi (7-person minivan)
Nikolai1024
Maverick
doc_gonzo
ClubJuggle
RainMotorsports
khdoss
vincedoss
NikonJeb
MaryO (7-non-fastidious person minivan)
theSaj (7 people)
LanceW
ragamuffingirl
SJCarter (2 people)
JimyThing
Comeback (7-person minivan)
toddhead
noraneko
mcrochip
krnodil
TLL061
timbrumley
wsl
digitalpins

Message edited by author 2007-06-21 12:24:11.
04/17/2007 02:36:51 PM · #2
I could do the 23rd...but not the 9th.
(So if you want to avoid me plan for the earlier date. ;-P)
04/17/2007 04:05:02 PM · #3
I could do the 9th...but not the 23rd.
(So if you want to avoid me plan for the later date. ;-P)
04/17/2007 04:09:15 PM · #4
I'm in almost whenever as longs as we plan ahead.
04/17/2007 04:37:16 PM · #5
Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

I'm in almost whenever as longs as we plan ahead.


How 'bout the 23rd?
04/17/2007 04:51:55 PM · #6
Originally posted by KaDi:

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

I'm in almost whenever as longs as we plan ahead.


How 'bout the 23rd?


Cool with me
04/17/2007 06:13:26 PM · #7
Put me down as tentative
04/17/2007 06:36:11 PM · #8
I'll be there - if its any other week than June 2-9. I'll be in Florida. I'll also help organize if needed...
04/18/2007 11:56:36 AM · #9
I'm in, either day should work for me.
04/18/2007 03:46:23 PM · #10
Okay, June 23 it is (sorry, Creature) for this go-round. We can do another one in the fall.

I'll edit the opening post to feature details and list participants.
04/18/2007 06:08:06 PM · #11
^ 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. :-}
04/18/2007 08:53:27 PM · #12
Originally posted by Creature:

Time to go see if maybe there is a Maine GTG happening the weekend of the 23rd. :-}


Heh. That's how I attended the Atlanta GTG last September - just happened to be there for a business trip.
04/18/2007 08:55:15 PM · #13
Im in all good things assumed! Im down 3 cars at the moment so im gonna have to catch the metro in.

If anyone has a canon FD lense i could use on the GTG for my film camera let me know. Might be looking to buy it also.

Message edited by author 2007-04-18 20:57:59.
04/18/2007 09:04:38 PM · #14
Count me in. Will this be an overnight deal?

~Terry
04/18/2007 09:07:26 PM · #15
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Count me in. Will this be an overnight deal?

~Terry


Yay i might meet an SC.... BOOOH, i mean yay..... boring.. i mean cool. Yeah im going to sleep now... maybe not!

If anyones thinking we can get a decent half moon shot then Make that Canon FD something on the 300mm end!

Message edited by author 2007-04-18 21:08:07.
04/18/2007 10:08:40 PM · #16
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Count me in. Will this be an overnight deal?

~Terry


If we do night shooting let start 2-3 hrs before sunset.
04/18/2007 10:15:44 PM · #17
Vince and I are in.. Jimmy? Muck? Skip? Come on babies I expect you three to be front and center..

So far no muggings on the mall, maybe it's because its still cold here.

Message edited by author 2007-04-18 22:17:20.
04/18/2007 10:30:52 PM · #18
Okay, everyone so far is listed at the top.

I've sent PMs to a few others.

Nikolai, that's my thought exactly, which is why I suggested meeting up at 6:30. Sunset's at 8:36 that night.
04/18/2007 10:34:59 PM · #19
Originally posted by levyj413:

No meeting time or place chosen yet.


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
04/18/2007 10:37:52 PM · #20
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Originally posted by levyj413:

No meeting time or place chosen yet.


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


As long as its within walking distance from the metro im cool.
Unless a Baltimoron wants to pick me up hehe!
04/18/2007 10:52:34 PM · #21
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Originally posted by levyj413:

No meeting time or place chosen yet.


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!

Thanks!

Message edited by author 2007-04-18 22:56:20.
04/18/2007 11:26:26 PM · #22
I'll take a train DC so easy access from Union stations would be great for me.
04/19/2007 02:38:23 AM · #23
I'd love to come! But I don't foresee being on that side of the pond at that time.
04/19/2007 03:11:01 AM · #24
Keep me posted.....I'd like to be there.
04/19/2007 07:25:43 AM · #25
sorry hubby is vincedoss
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