ISS Detector - give you lat/long/degrees elevation and time of viewing.  Alarm can be set to warn of impending visuals.

Google Sky Map - there are several varieties of this type map available.  I've found this to be my go-to and have since dumped any others.

Meteor Shower - gives you an idea of what routine meteor showers can be viewed throughout the year.  Ie, Perseids, State Tue Jul 17, Peak Sun Aug 12, End Fri Aug 24.

The bus comes right to the CG.  It'll drop you off to catch train/metro into town.

While the CG is definitely commercial, it had a very friendly staff, excellent cancellation policy, site moving policy and the facilities were well maintained.

I'd definitely highly recommend it to anyone wanting to go to DC.

And you know what???  One of my highlights was having lunch at the Library of Congress.  Pretty cool.

Other places that are great to go but need to be planned in advance are the White House and Capital.  You have to write to your Representative or Senator to get on a tour.  Both are something to see (the buildings that is).

I've wanted to write about visiting Washington DC for a while and there is no better time than the Celebrating the 100 years of the Gift of Trees.  There is so much to see and do in Washington, DC that you can't see it all in just one visit, it's best to just know that upfront.  A well-rounded trip should include exploring some of the most popular attractions and culture with some relaxation too! Here are some tips and information to help you with what to see, how to get around and the best places to camp in the region.

Tour the National Monuments & Memorials Landmarks & Historical Buildings
Washington, DC is a city of many monuments and memorials which all have a great stories including those who helped shape our great nation.  Although the most famous are on the National Mall and Tidal Basin, you will find statues and plaques on many street corners around the city.  The best way to see all the monuments is to take a sightseeing tour. Many of the monuments are open late at night and their illumination makes nighttime a memorable time to visit them. Here is a list of just a few of the most visited:
The Lincoln Memorial, The Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and much more.

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Visit the Museums
The National Museum of Natural History is part of the Smithsonian Institution and houses a national collection of more than 125 million natural science specimens and cultural artifacts.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum maintains the largest collection of historic air and spacecraft in the world.

The Holocaust Memorial Museum is a memorial to the millions who died during the Nazi regime in Germany during World War II. The museum is located just off of the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The Newseum in Washington, DC is a six-level, high-tech and interactive museum tracing the history of news reporting from the 16Th century to the present day.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate is located in Mount Vernon, Virginia along the shores of the Potomac River and is the most scenic tourist attraction in the Washington, DC area. The 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family includes a 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's

The International Spy Museum showcases more than 200 gadgets, weapons, bugs, cameras, vehicles, and technologies used for espionage throughout the world.

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Tour the Three Houses of Government
The Three Houses of Government are key places to visit when sightseeing in Washington, DC.  The White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court are impressive buildings and visiting them will help you understand more about the U.S. government and its history. Plan ahead and find out about how to take a tour of the three houses of government in the nation's capital.

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, serves as a cemetery and a memorial to America's war heroes. More than four million people visit Arlington each year, attending graveside services and special ceremonies to pay tribute to veterans and historical figures.

The Pentagon
The Pentagon is virtually a city in itself. Approximately 23,000 employees, both military and civilian, contribute to the planning and execution of the defense of our country. 

National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. The gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries.  In a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees from Japan on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.
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How to get around:
DC by Foot
Trolley Tour
DC Duck Tour
DC Metro Subway
there is also Bike Tours, Segway Tours, Ghost Tours and many other options to meet your needs.

We took the Trolley Tour which was very convenient.  For one fee, we first road around town and than you can get off and back onto the trolley all day.

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Where to stay:
Aquia Pines
Duncans Family Campground
Capitol KOA
Harpers Ferry KOA
Cherry Hill Park
Greenbelt Campground

Have you camped in the Washngton DC Area, share your experience and tell us about the campgrounds?

http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/e.....-galleries

So what's a star watcher to do? The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) recommends visiting a national park. But there's a catch: not all national parks have crystal clear skies. Instead, you really have to go camping at the remote national parks to truly enjoy an evening of stargazing. Here are a few national parks that are known for breathtaking magnificence of the stars in a clear, dark sky.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is considered to be one of the last great refuges for stargazing. On a clear, moonless night, it is possible to view around 7,500 to 10,000 stars scattered across the sky. This national park has an active astronomy and night sky program that is run by a special group of volunteers who call themselves the Dark Rangers.

At any given night, the Dark Rangers guide some 100 to 300 people who come to visit the park just to view the night sky. These visitors are treated to multimedia presentations and are given free use of 40 telescopes placed across the park. These presentations are usually delivered at the Bryce Canyon Lodge. Be sure to check out the Visitor Center first for any venue changes. Bryce Canyon National Park also hosts an annual astronomy festival that attracts thousands of people from across the globe. This year, the festival will be held from June 29 to July 2.

Campgrounds at Bryce Canyon National Park:
Bryce Canyon National Park North Campground
Bryce Canyon National Park Sunset Campground

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is famous for its dramatic landscapes at night. On a night with a full moon, the moonlight creates eerie images on its famous rock formations. On moonless nights, you'll be able to see the Milky Way sweeping across the dark sky against a backdrop of thousands of glittering stars.

Stargazing is not part of the Grand Canyon National Park's guided tours, but you can do so on your own. There are trails along the north rim and the south rim of the canyon where you can enjoy a marvelous view of the stars. You can also attend the annual Grand Canyon Star Party hosted by the National Park Service in coordination with the local astronomy clubs of Tucson and Phoenix. This year, the party will be held from June 18 to 25, and will include slide shows and interactive lectures about the stars. You can also make free use of the telescopes provided at the Grand Canyon Visitor Centers and the Grand Canyon Lodge.

Campgrounds at the Grand Canyon National Park:
Grand Canyon National Park Desert View Campground
Grand Canyon National Park Mather Campground
Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park Trailer Village

Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Away from the bright city lights of Las Vegas is the Great Basin National Park. Despite its proximity to Las Vegas the park is home to one of the darkest skies in the United States where all that glitters are the stars. Thanks to the low humidity and low light pollution above Great Basin National Park, you will be able to see thousands of stars, man-made satellites, five of the planets in our solar system, and the vast Milky Way Galaxy.

The Great Basin National Park has its own troop of Dark Rangers who guide visitors on their stargazing adventures. These tours are held every Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The best spots to gaze at the stars at the Great Basin are the parking lot at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, the Mather Overlook, and the Baker Archaeological Site. The National Park Service has also recently started hosting a star party at the park. Now in its second year, the Great Basin National Park's Annual Astronomy Festival will be held on July 28 to 30, 2011.

Campgrounds at the Great Basin National Park:
Great Basin National Park Baker Creek
Great Basin National Park Lehman Creek Campgrounds
Great Basin National Park Wheeler Peak

Joshua Tree National Park, California
In the daytime, Joshua Tree National Park is a dry desert; at night, it is the playground of stargazers. Within Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park offers the best opportunity to find pure dark skies. Regardless of the season, the skies of Joshua Tree are typically clear, thanks to its low desert humidity and the surprisingly low levels of light pollution there.

This summer Joshua Tree is offering Night Sky Programs from May through July. Joshua Tree rangers encourage visitors to "tour" the Milky Way by following its path with binoculars, where you're bound to see vague star clouds burst into thousands of star clusters.

Campgrounds at the Joshua Tree National Park:
Joshua Tree National Park Belle Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Black Rock Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Cottonwood Spring Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Hidden Valley Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Indian Cove Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Jumbo Rocks Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Ryan Campground
Joshua Tree National Park Sheep Pass Campground
Joshua Tree National Park White Tank Campground

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
The Natural Bridges National Monument holds the distinction of being the first park in the United States to be declared a Dark Sky Park by the IDA. According to intensive studies by the IDA, the Monument is the only place in North America to have a Bortle Class 2 sky. The Bortle Class system is a measure of the sky's darkness at night, with Class 1 being the most pristine and Class 10 being the most polluted by artificial light.

To maintain the purity of the park's skies, the Monument's management replaced most of its outdoor lighting to make it friendlier to stargazers. Its efforts have paid off, making the park not just perfect for stargazing but also safer and more energy efficient. The sky at the Monument is truly marvelous, its beauty magnified by the fact that the park is located at an altitude of 6,500 feet. Although the park is open year-round, the rangers hold their stargazing tours only in the summer.

Campground at the Natural Bridges National Monument:
Natural Bridges National Monument Campground

Stargazing is an enjoyable summer activity. A view of the stars in a pristine dark sky is truly marvelous to behold, bound to fill us with awe and wonder at the beauty of the universe beyond us. Sadly, we have lost the ability to view the stars at most of our own backyards. But all is not yet lost. As long as the skies are still dark at our national parks we will always be able to go camping at these parks and enjoy stargazing in summer.

1.  Chattooga River, Georgia
A designated "Wild and Scenic River" by the US Congress, the Chattooga River is considered to be the premier destination for whitewater rafting in the southeastern states. Running a total of 56.9 miles, the Chattooga River is the main tributary of Tugaloo River and cuts through Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The banks of the Chattooga River are famous for their dense, untouched forests and their scenic views.

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Rafters can enjoy the Chattooga River from March to October. The Chattooga River is a free-flowing, drop-pool river, meaning its rapids are always followed by calm waters. The river is divided into three sections: Section II for Class II or beginner rafters; Section III for Class III or intermediate rafters; and Section IV for Class IV or experienced rafters.

Businesses running rafting trips on the Chattooga river:
http://www.noc.com/ - 1 to 2 day trips
http://www.southeasternexpeditions.com/ - 6 hour to 2 day trips
http://www.wildwaterrafting.com/ - 1 to 2 day trips

2.  Colorado River (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, California)
The Colorado River is simply legendary. It is a river that every avid rafter should visit at least once in their lifetime. Once there, rafters will be treated not just to a thousand-mile course of challenging rapids but also to ever-changing dramatic scenery created by canyons and desert landscapes along the river's path. The Colorado River begins as a tiny stream at La Poudre Pass in Colorado and crosses the states of Utah, Arizona and California before it meets the Pacific Ocean northwest of Mexico.

The Colorado River is an extremely popular whitewater rafting destination. Parts of the river are gentle enough for beginner rafters to float or paddle through, while some parts are difficult enough to challenge even the most experienced of rafters. The most visited portion of the Colorado River is at the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, where a 280-mile course runs through spectacular desert landscapes. The best time to visit the Colorado River is from May to September.

There are numerous put-ins and take-outs along the Colorado River. Most short rafting trips along the river begin at the Glen Canyon Dam and end at Lee's Ferry. Those who want to explore the Grand Canyon start their journey at Lee's Ferry and end it at Lake Mead.

Businesses running rafting trips on the Colorado River:
http://www.raftarizona.com/ - 3 to 13 day trips
http://www.mild2wildrafting.com/ - 4 hour to 3 day trips
http://www.westernriver.com/ - 2 hour to 7 day trips

3.  Gauley River, West Virginia
The 105-mile-long Gauley River in West Virginia is one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in the world. The highlight of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, this river is not for the fainthearted as it boasts of over a hundred steep and swift-flowing rapids with huge and often treacherous waves. The most notorious of these rapids are Pillow Rock, Insignificant, Sweet's Falls, Iron Ring and Lost Paddle, all famous for the challenge they pose even for highly experienced rafters.

The Gauley River is a popular site for whitewater rafting competitions. It is only open during the "Gauley Season," which is six weekends from Labor Day to mid-October. Due to its dangerous nature, the Gauley River is recommended only for experienced Class III to Class V rafters. Beginners and intermediate rafters should try gentler waters before trying out the Gauley.

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The Gauley River is often divided into three runs: Upper Gauley, Middle Gauley and Lower Gauley. The Upper Gauley run begins at Summersville Dam and ends at the Mason Branch. From the Mason Branch begins the Middle Gauley, and it ends at the Bucklick Branch. The Bucklick Branch designates the start of the Lower Gauley, and this run ends at the Swiss.

Businesses running rafting trips on the Gauley River:
http://www.gauley.com/ - 1 day to multi-day trips
http://www.rivermen.com/ - 1 to 2 day trips
http://www.songerwhitewater.com/ - 1 to 3 day trips

4.  Rogue River, Oregon
Rogue River in Oregon is considered to be one of the most scenic whitewater rafting destinations along the West Coast. Located in southwestern Oregon, this river stretches 215 miles from Crater Lake to the Pacific Ocean, boasting of lush gorges and rolling hillsides at every bend. As Rogue River is protected from development, its waters and banks teem with wildlife. Black bears, river otters, ospreys and bald eagles call this river home, and its waters are full of steelheads and salmon.

Rogue River is designated as a Class II/III whitewater rafting destination, making it best for intermediate rafters. The whitewater rafting course runs 34 miles and is full of exciting rapids such as the Rainie Falls and the Black Bar Falls. The best time to visit Rogue River for a rafting adventure is from May to October.

The most popular run on the Rogue River is the one from Grave Creek to the Foster Bar Landing. Designated as Class IV+, this run is the longest and most challenging on the Rogue River, often taking three to four days to complete.

Businesses running rafting trips on the Rogue River:
http://www.obriensrogueriveroutfitters.com/ - Half day to 5 day trips
http://www.rogueriverraft.com/ - 1 to 4 day trips
http://www.wildrogue.com/index.htm- 1 to 4 day trips

5.  Salmon River, Idaho
Fondly referred to as "The River of No Return," the Salmon River is considered to be one of the most exciting and idyllic whitewater rafting destinations in the world. Stretching 425 miles, the Salmon River is the longest free-flowing river contained within a single state in the US Lower 48 and cuts through the deepest gorge in the whole North American continent. Most of the area surrounding the Salmon River is designated as a wilderness area, and rafters braving this river can treat themselves to stunning views of natural granite walls and wildlife.

[smg id=264 type=full width=300 align=left] The Salmon River is only open to whitewater rafters from June to September. The portions of the river most popular to rafters and tourists are the river's main stem and middle fork. The Main Salmon River run starts at Riggins, Idaho and ends at the Hammer Creek launch site at White Bird. It is good for beginner rafters (Class II-III). The Middle Fork run, on the other hand, begins near Stanley at Dagger Falls and ends at Cache Bar on the main river. It is a popular destination among the more experienced rafters.

Businesses running rafting trips on the Salmon River:
http://www.salmonriverexperience.com/ - Half to 5 day trips
http://www.salmonriveroutfitters.com/ - 5 or 6 day trips
http://www.westernriver.com/ - 5 or 6 day trips

6.  San Juan River, Colorado
Although the San Juan River is considered to be a tributary of the great Colorado River, it does provide some good whitewater rafting adventures, especially for beginners who are just getting their feet wet.

Stretching 400 miles, the San Juan River runs westward from the San Juan Mountains towards the Colorado River and empties into Lake Powell. The most popular put-in is at Pagosa Springs. This river is open all year-round.

Businesses running rafting trips on the San Juan River:
http://www.pagosaoutside.com/ - 2 hour to 1 day trips
http://www.bikeraft.com/ - Multi-day trips
http://www.riversandruins.com/ - 1 to 10 day trips

7.  Skykomish River, Washington
[smg id=266 type=full width=300 align=right]Fondly referred to as "The Sky", the Skykomish River is the primary year-round destination of whitewater rafters in the North West. The main stem of the Skykomish River stretches 29 miles and is formed just one mile off the town of Index, where the waters of the North Fork Skykomish and the South Fork Skykomish converge. The Skykomish River, in turn, becomes the Snohomish River when it joins with Snoqualmie River at Monroe City.

Most experienced rafters consider The Sky as a very demanding river to cross. Although the North Fork and the South Fork have relatively gentler waters, these waters become very quick and intense as they flow past Index. From then on, these waters become Class III to V territory. Among the well-known rapids of The Sky is the legendary Class V Boulder Drop. The put-in to The Sky is at Index, while the take-out is either at the railroad bridge on Highway 2 mile 32.5 or at the fishing access at Highway 2 mile 30.4.

Businesses running rafting trips on The Sky:
http://www.alpineadventures.com/ - Multi-day trips
http://www.wildwater-river.com/ - 4 hour trips
http://www.riverexpeditions.com/ - 1 day trips