Chesapeake Bay Swim and Civil War History Night

Saturday night, we did an event at Antietam Battlefield, at the old field headquarters of General McClellan.  The home served as a field hospital during the Civil War, and a bunch of retired military officers hold an annual event there to commemorate the spot.

We provided the whisky, while others provided cigars, folklore, and food.  It was a really great night, and though I am not a smoker, I did enjoy the scent of cigars wafting in on the light evening breeze.

Then, this morning, a bunch of folks from our Masters Swim Team and I took off and did the Chesapeake Bay Swim (1 miler).  It was a splendid day for the swim, and it was a great excuse to enjoy some bloody mary's after the swim!

Burns Party

Yesterday evening we celebrated our annual Burns Dinner, our intimate midwinter holiday when we enjoy a sumptuous meal of lamb, neaps, tatties, and of course, a haggis! The lamb this year was roasted with a Kauaian coffee spice rub that was outstanding. Sharon and Desi brought smoked salmon with dilled cream cheese on brown bread, and a berry trifle for dessert. Pam and Phil, not to be outdone, also brought a trifle, soaked in Amaretto.

We enjoyed a more subdued holiday this year, but still with the requisite Burns' poetry--the Address to the Haggis--plus the toast to the laddies, and a few love poems. And as usual, some of the older girls shared their original prose. It was a very enjoyable time, and a great excuse to get the friends together.

How We Spend Our Saturdays These Days

We always get to meet many nice people, and they have a great time helping us get our whisky bottled.

More Photos and Video from the Spirit of Washington Dinner

Here's a video from the Loudoun Times-Mirror on the distilling... a decent video, but I don't like myself on screen!

Check out the bar of the big boys, compared to us small fry. We've got a long way to go!

More photos from dinner at Mount Vernon last night. Seven hundred people in attendance last night.

Tour of George Washington's Distillery and Grist Mill

Now, THIS is my kind of history tour!  A tour of the distillery at Mt. Vernon, plus a private demonstration of the grist mill in action!  Very cool day, and some very good peach brandy being made today.