The weather forecast promised a few more days of non-sailing weather, so rather than attempt a trip bashing into high seas off the Atlantic coast, we opted for a faster, dryer mode of transport – the train - and roared off down to Washington DC. Washington is on the Potomac River, a goodly way upstream and we would need time (a week) to get WJ3 up there. So, two returns on Amtrak, thanks. No luggage for Red Caps (porters) either. (This train system puts ours to shame, thanks for asking!). We stayed centrally (easy walking) at the Crown Plaza and had a few days to do the sights & sites!
Aussie mates, Warren & Dominique took us on a drive out to historical Bull Run. Virginia is just steeped in history and the effort made to conserve it, both by government & local interest groups is noteworthy. We took a guided tour around a battlefield smaller than most farms before sneaking past W&D’s house (not to disturb their dogs guarding his Corvette), then headed off to Oldtown for a few quiet ales in a character Irish pub.
Over the next few days, Cap’n & crew managed to sit together on an informative trolley tour of town, then head their separate ways. Cap’n Bond went straight for the Spy Museum, ended up at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery, then went all military again; over to Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. The First Mate made a b-line for the Textile Museum and had a sneak peek at an upcoming ikat exhibition; from there to another boutique museum, Women in Arts, then over to the Renwick Gallery and finally a stroll around The White House perimeter. Cap’n & GS met each day to exchange noteworthy frippery over a few ales at the Capital City Brewing Company, one of few “shopfronts” in a city seemingly of government offices and museums. The Prez couldn’t make it to drinks; he had a bit of a bash going on at ‘ome…
We caught the subway over to the Pentagon and, through a barrage of security warnings and great lists of don’ts, visited the 9/11 Memorial. We had come to pay our respects to friend Yvonne Kennedy, who was on the aircraft that crashed into the Pentagon in 2000. This memorial is a fitting and subtle homage to those who died. It is hard to believe ten years have since passed.
Over the next few days, Cap’n & crew managed to sit together on an informative trolley tour of town, then head their separate ways. Cap’n Bond went straight for the Spy Museum, ended up at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery, then went all military again; over to Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. The First Mate made a b-line for the Textile Museum and had a sneak peek at an upcoming ikat exhibition; from there to another boutique museum, Women in Arts, then over to the Renwick Gallery and finally a stroll around The White House perimeter. Cap’n & GS met each day to exchange noteworthy frippery over a few ales at the Capital City Brewing Company, one of few “shopfronts” in a city seemingly of government offices and museums. The Prez couldn’t make it to drinks; he had a bit of a bash going on at ‘ome…
No comments:
Post a Comment