Kicked my cold from the Boston trip, just in time for the DC trip.
My first find: Manila John, Johnny B. Raised in the next Central Jersey town from me, he was a one-man wrecking crew.
Jim was my buddy's dad's roommate at Annapolis, Class of 1951. And the 8th man to walk on the moon.
Gus and Roger, from the Apollo 1 fire in 1967.
Challenger, Iran Hostage Rescue, and Columbia.
Mike drives me to the Lincoln Memorial, and I spend the next few hours walking the Mall. Still pouring.
In college, I briefly dated a girl who never knew her dad, Charlie Bowersox, KIA Vietnam. Found him on the wall.
I try for several museums, but there are long lines outside. American History has no wait, so I stroll around.
Metro to Greenbelt, then 1.5 miles on foot in the same downpour to the first apartment I ever rented. I wouldn't have come here, but my roommate George passed away this year, and he always told his wife of the hell we raised there, so I made the trek for Judy. Bottom floor, right. 438 Ridge Rd #1. I hope they finally cleaned up the water heater leak on the carpet!
George and I ran many lap at the lake across the street.
Tuesday morning’s breakfast is a bagel with lox, every bit as good as yesterday’s dinner, and a fifth the cost. It’s all good.
Of course, it’s raining again. The evening’s plans include a trip to the Pentagon Memorial….except it’s closed for construction. I’m able to see a tiny bit.
Navy '87 classmate Ron and '86 friend Billy D...
Off to Arlington to see classmate Bruce and his lady K. 3+ hours of laughing….
Final day in Bethesda, and it drags a bit. The course instructor is trying to cram two years of statistics theory into 8 hours, and eyes are glazing over. Then it’s back to the hotel.
DC tally: approx 170 miles of Metro train rides, and 16 miles of soaked walking. Every mile of it was awesome, too.
Back to Oregon, and laying low for awhile. Or until I hit the numbers and can fund the next round of trips to see classmates! Having too much fun reconnecting (and in a lot of cases, connecting) with fellow bearers of the Naval Academy Ring.
D-Mac, you might be next. Maybe Maggie up north? And a return visit to Winston’s owners, purveyors of the best home-brewed coffee in the world.
Tired of waking up early; eyes open at 0230, alarm at 0315. Oh well.
My first flight lands when second flight starts boarding, so a frantic run thru SLC.
DCA has a nice approach, right down the Potomac. Great view of the Mall…
First order of bidness: a 7-day Unlimited Metro Pass. I’ll reduce it to ashes in short order….ride to North Bethesda Marriott, check in. Some kind of raucous party in the lobby, so I ask for a room far, far away. Dinner: I find a highly rated ramen place in Chinatown. So good…
My first flight lands when second flight starts boarding, so a frantic run thru SLC.
DCA has a nice approach, right down the Potomac. Great view of the Mall…
First order of bidness: a 7-day Unlimited Metro Pass. I’ll reduce it to ashes in short order….ride to North Bethesda Marriott, check in. Some kind of raucous party in the lobby, so I ask for a room far, far away. Dinner: I find a highly rated ramen place in Chinatown. So good…
Sunday is my big tourist day, so I’m up early. But the Metro isn’t: it doesn’t start running until 0800, so lame!!! And by the way...it’s pouring. All day. First stop: Arlington Memorial Cemetery. Can’t believe I’ve never visited until now. Haunting, beautiful place. Immaculate landscaping.
My first find: Manila John, Johnny B. Raised in the next Central Jersey town from me, he was a one-man wrecking crew.
Jim was my buddy's dad's roommate at Annapolis, Class of 1951. And the 8th man to walk on the moon.
Gus and Roger, from the Apollo 1 fire in 1967.
Challenger, Iran Hostage Rescue, and Columbia.
CC was supposed to be the fourth man on the moon, right after Pete Conrad on Apollo 12. But CC died in a training flight accident, so Al Bean stepped up. Beano left CC's wings on the lunar surface.
Major genuflecting for Uncle Hymie, here. Cranky old bastard and genius, all at the same time.
Metro back to Foggy Bottom, then a walk to Georgetown to meet Navy classmate Mike. We converge on an Irish pub, very quiet...until the Man U soccer match starts, at which time the pub becomes a cacophonous maelstrom of screaming drunks who just left church. But my eggs are good, not to mention the hot tea that helps me thaw out.
Mike drives me to the Lincoln Memorial, and I spend the next few hours walking the Mall. Still pouring.
I try for several museums, but there are long lines outside. American History has no wait, so I stroll around.
Yikes...I remember when this bad boy came out
Metro to Greenbelt, then 1.5 miles on foot in the same downpour to the first apartment I ever rented. I wouldn't have come here, but my roommate George passed away this year, and he always told his wife of the hell we raised there, so I made the trek for Judy. Bottom floor, right. 438 Ridge Rd #1. I hope they finally cleaned up the water heater leak on the carpet!
George and I ran many lap at the lake across the street.
Rest easy, George.
Back to the Greenbelt Metro, then to Takoma Park. My dad lived here in the late ‘70s, across the street from the Coolidge High track where I first ran 12 laps on a track. I remember watching TV at his place when the story broke about Elvis’ death by peanut butter.
Dad rented the lower floor....
Two more Metro rides, and I’m back at the hotel. The tally: 60 miles by rail, 13 miles by foot, and one very soggy guy. I take a scalding shower, and then my reward…
I like the spicy a little better than the mild.
Monday, my corporate training starts. When I told my hotel server that I was going to walk the mile to the office, she warned me that it’s pretty cold outside. A bitter, blustery 55F….Yes, If i was running, there would be no shirt involved.
Dinner? Oh yes. Metro Red Line to Yellow, down to the Waterfront and the Intercontinetal Hotel. An up and coming chef from Trinidad has new place, so I give it a shot. Incredible oxtails….though I still don’t know what they are.
Dad rented the lower floor....
Two more Metro rides, and I’m back at the hotel. The tally: 60 miles by rail, 13 miles by foot, and one very soggy guy. I take a scalding shower, and then my reward…
I like the spicy a little better than the mild.
Monday, my corporate training starts. When I told my hotel server that I was going to walk the mile to the office, she warned me that it’s pretty cold outside. A bitter, blustery 55F….Yes, If i was running, there would be no shirt involved.
Dinner? Oh yes. Metro Red Line to Yellow, down to the Waterfront and the Intercontinetal Hotel. An up and coming chef from Trinidad has new place, so I give it a shot. Incredible oxtails….though I still don’t know what they are.
Tuesday morning’s breakfast is a bagel with lox, every bit as good as yesterday’s dinner, and a fifth the cost. It’s all good.
Of course, it’s raining again. The evening’s plans include a trip to the Pentagon Memorial….except it’s closed for construction. I’m able to see a tiny bit.
Navy '87 classmate Ron and '86 friend Billy D...
Off to Arlington to see classmate Bruce and his lady K. 3+ hours of laughing….
Final day in Bethesda, and it drags a bit. The course instructor is trying to cram two years of statistics theory into 8 hours, and eyes are glazing over. Then it’s back to the hotel.
DC tally: approx 170 miles of Metro train rides, and 16 miles of soaked walking. Every mile of it was awesome, too.
Back to Oregon, and laying low for awhile. Or until I hit the numbers and can fund the next round of trips to see classmates! Having too much fun reconnecting (and in a lot of cases, connecting) with fellow bearers of the Naval Academy Ring.
D-Mac, you might be next. Maybe Maggie up north? And a return visit to Winston’s owners, purveyors of the best home-brewed coffee in the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment