The Travels of "Large Ass" Herzog (photo log)

[Michael B]

I wanted to get in one last adventure with Old Buck before I shipped him off to St. Paul, MN for the All Star game. Buck decided he wanted to connect with some of the past U.S. Presidents. On the 4th of July we took the short drive over to Mount Vernon. The 4th is always a special day at Mount Vernon and Monticello. The line was too long to take the house tour so we just walked out on the great lawn. Later we sat on the grand veranda and spoke with General Washington himself. We walked all over the property – down to the river and through the gardens. We visited the Washington family tomb. Just by asking a rather innocuous question about the inner gates in front of the tomb they decided to open them up. The outer ones are opened any time they have attendants there. The inner ones are almost always locked. They usually just open them for special wreath laying ceremonies. I was there one Veterans Day where they kept them open most of the day and asked about that. They thought I was crazy, but they made the decision to unlock them. Everyone behind us in line also got the special treat.

I work in downtown Washington, D.C. right behind the National Archives. I did not even think of bringing Buck to work since I usually do what I have to do outside of the office – courts and research facilities – and head back to the office. Also, this is tourist season and gets very hot and humid so there are few ‘quick in and out’ places to go. I decided to bring him to work on Monday, July 7th as I had to mail him out on Tuesday. We took the Metro into downtown as I do every day. I had to go do some research before going to the office. There was one place close to my office that was a good stop. We got off the Metro at the Verizon Center and walked the 3 blocks to Ford’s Theatre. Fortunately there was no crowd and I walked right in. Buck got to see the derringer used to shoot President Lincoln. We also went to see the Presidents Box where Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln, Maj. Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were sitting that night. During the tourist season they keep the outer door closed to the box as the balcony aisle leading to it is narrow. They open it up when the tourists go home (Oct – Mar) and you can step into the anteroom and look through plexiglass into the box. We walked across the street to the Petersen House, but there was a wait outside and it was too hot to stand there in business attire so back to the office.

I was glad I got to share some adventures with you ‘card guys’. Thanks to Frank for sending him along. Perhaps some day in the future I will be able to share some more adventures Those who get to travel with Buck will get to see that I was able to add some special items to the pages of the log book. I hope others follow suit.

Buck in now resting in St. Paul, MN with Dr. Ullman.
Cheers!!!

The pictures are as follows:

Buck on the great lawn of Mount Vernon. You may recognize it from 'National Treasure, Book of Secrets'.

Buck and General Washington hanging out on the grand veranda. He asked if it was a present. I told him that the president who said 'The buck stops here' was Harry Truman, not him.

The Washington family tomb. The sarcophogus of George Washington in the background. Mistress B. in the fore. We did not want to be disrespectful so Buck stayed concealed.

Buck takes the Metro into town.

Buck find a seat on the metro and settles into my briefcase.

Buck looks at the derringer that shot President Lincoln.

Buck views the Presidential box at Ford's Theatre

Since I was holding him out, a flash would have messed up by bouncing off of his capsule.