Hats and hikes

As noted previously, there is general agreement that the heat and humidity of Washington in summer make it unfit for human habitation, forcing inhabitants to dart from one air-conditioned space to another. But there are urban escapes to be had. Two photos from a family hike on the wooded hills of the National Arboretum. When Utahn field geologist par excellence David Dinter paid a visit to the swamp, Bea attempted to mirror the rake of his weather-beaten hat with her own and then tried the real thing. And speaking of hats (if not the urban experience), the girls sport a pair of Shaker bonnets, a look not to be passed up.

Summer out of the city

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in DC, our fair city in a swamp. So trips to the country are a much-needed escape from the humidity if not the heat. Visits to Grandma Joan feature as much time as possible out on the porch and in the grass. The girls quickly got the hang of their new rainbow tube under the supervision of their grandmother, but their father's attempts to join in the fun were less successful. Aunt Nessa can be seen demonstrating her famous knee tickling technique on Bea with the desired effect. In other photos, the family unit is bathed in late-afternoon sun, and the little girls play with big blocks.