Strolling in Old Town

We've enjoyed the perfect week here in Alexandria. The temperatures have remained in the low to mid 70s, not a cloud in the sky and no humidity. Wow. Almost like we've exchanged climates with California... for a week. Andy and I have taken advantage of the weather lately by engaging in one of our favorite pastimes... taking long walks in Old Town.
Down on the Potomac, we were able to get a rare glimpse of... *gasp* the other side! Not that there's much to say about the other side... mostly just Bolling Air Force Base (Andy's office is there) and the sewage treatment plant. Luckily we were standing upwind.
Speaking of everyone's favorite secret agent and rare sights... a picture of him with a genuine smile on his face. Sure, he was laughing at me at the time, but the picture is priceless nonetheless.

The Christ Church (original name, eh?) in Alexandria is supposedly the oldest building in town, though sometimes I have a difficult time believing that. Both George Washington and Robert E. Lee attended church here in their respective eras; each row of pews on either side is named for either Washington or Lee, depending on where the families sat. Pretty neat, really.

The cemetery at Christ Church is (surprise!) one of my favorite spots in Old Town. It is so peaceful now, though it hasn't always enjoyed that serenity. The Union troops used it as a campground when they occupied Alexandria during the Civil War. You'll notice that the headstones are blackened... apparently the soldiers found it advantageous to build their campfires right up against the headstone. That black is the soot from their fires...

Did I mention that we LOVE history? Hmmm...