Sept 15, 2014 Yes, I'm way behind posting but making a strenuous effort to catch up. We're currently on a mooring ball in Annapolis, MD. Planning to head back down the Bay towards Norfolk this Thursday.
In the Washington Channel anchorage, we had only 60 feet of chain out with a snubber but even though there was rain forecast, the winds were supposed to be light and variable. So no worries! And the channel, although maybe a few hundred feet wide, is deep all the way to each bank. It was a good night even though it rained heavily all evening.
In the Washington Channel anchorage, we had only 60 feet of chain out with a snubber but even though there was rain forecast, the winds were supposed to be light and variable. So no worries! And the channel, although maybe a few hundred feet wide, is deep all the way to each bank. It was a good night even though it rained heavily all evening.
 |
| Tied up at Capital Yacht Club |
This morning, figuring the rain would end and the winds would pickup we pulled up the anchor and went on the T-head of B dock. Great folks here. The docks are a little old but the people are wonderful. We had to get keys since you can't access the docks in or out without a key. And along with docking fee and paperwork, the Club automatically sets up and account for the boat so the club bar knows who to charge for drinks. They don't accept cash, credit cards.
 |
| Red balloons show where we are. Close to most everything |
 |
| Waiting for the Metro |
Next day we slept in and with the boat as cleaned and
prepared as we could make it, hopped on the Metro to Reagan National Airport where we met the Hagens, David, Jen, Jack and Jonah .
We all took the Metro back to L'Enfant_Plaza Metro Station which was the closest station to the Marina. It left us with about a ½ mile walk to the boat.
 |
| L'Enfant Plaza |
After everything, (luggage, toys, clothes, auxiliary stuff) was put away we ate lunch (pulled pork in the crockpot) and then took a stroll around the Tidal Basin and saw the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial and MLK Memorial.
 |
| Convincing Jonah to pose for a family picture at Tidal Basin |
 |
| At the FDR memorial. My favorite place |
 |
| MLK Memorial |
 |
| David and Jonah at the club bar |
I got my bike down and peddled to subway about ¾ mile away and brought back for dinner. And, since the Safeway grocery store was right ext door I stopped there too. Easy errands on a bike. The poor folks driving around here crawled through all the construction.
Did I mention the oodles of construction and resulting traffic clogs? Glad we dont have a car!
 |
| Jack weaving through the construction |
Next day we all slept in. "Slept in" is a relative term. From our vantage point we were up really early!
 |
| Really good guitar player at the head of the Metro Escalator |
It's perhaps a 1/2 mile to the Zoo so we decided to eat at the McDonalds next to the Metro entrance. I ended up buying a homeless guy a Big Mac meal.
On the way back Mary stopped and bought some herb plants at the Ace hardware store next to MacDonlds. Displaying her penchant for leaving things on trains she forgot the plants so they're probably still riding around Washington
 |
| Sorry, no room on the boat for all that paper |
On the way we passed the backside of the Holocaust Museum where Chip was one of the principle designers. Chip was part of the gang we cruised down the rivers with last year.
The tour itself was rather interesting. Mary asked an astute question about other types of printing besides money. And yes, they do.
The staff running the presses were kind of funny. One had a sign hanging over a desk bemoaning the fact that he was printing the total of his entire career earnings in less than 5 minutes. Another guy held up a sign explaining that the tour guide had free samples. Other than that all we saw were printing presses and huge stacks of 20 dollar bills.
We ended up in the gift shop at the end of the tour. I should point out those who might not know this, but tours always end in gift shops. Right Jack?
We walked a few blocks over to the National Mall and the Washington Monument. They have since removed the barricades present several years ago. Now you can run and lounge around the monument which is exactly what we did. Well, children ran. We lounged.
We eventually made our way down the slight hill to the WWII memorial in front of the reflecting pool. There is a large cement pond as part of the memorial where you can't wade. But, you can dangle your feet. It was a hot day, so what the heck. We (most of us) dangled our tootsies in the cool water.
 |
| Washington Monument |
We eventually made our way down the slight hill to the WWII memorial in front of the reflecting pool. There is a large cement pond as part of the memorial where you can't wade. But, you can dangle your feet. It was a hot day, so what the heck. We (most of us) dangled our tootsies in the cool water.
 |
| Cooling our heels at WWI monument pool |
 |
| View of the Capital |
 |
| Looking toward the Lincoln Memorial |
 |
| Popular sea food market |
But on this visit, the subway guys were not quite proficient enough in English for us to communicate effectively. Thus it was with some trepidation that I paid for what I thought was the correct type of sandwiches but which ultimately turned out to be quite different than what I had ordered. Even though I could see what they were doing it was difficult to keep track of which sandwich they were working on since I wasn't the only one in there. So it was not a rousing good dinner.
 |
| What? No mints on my pillow? |
 |
| In line for checkpoint #1 |
The White House tours are self guided meaning that you, and a small multitude of others go through three security checkpoints before wandering along a pre-described path through the east side of the White House exiting through the big reception area on north side where your ushered out onto Pennsylvania Avenue.
 |
| Checkpoint #2 |
The security checks are thorough with not a few large young men in suites and those dangley ear pieces you see in the movies. At the last check point your directed to stand on two foot marks on the floor and raise your hands while some sophisticated scanner investigates your innards. Interesting contrast from when I went through here some 50 years ago where we just walked up to the gate house and gave them our names. Some large man than looked you over and and mumbled welcome to the White House and in we went.
 |
| End of tour spills you out under the portico |
It was interesting though.
I recall it being rather rundown when I was here in the very early 60's. Reminded me of a flat in downtown Milwaukee with some peeling paint. Now its
perfect. Cant even see any brush marks on the painted surfaces. And there appears to be a sizable staff to keep it that way. One viisitor, a kid, was
touching the walls in the Green Room to feel the wallpaper texture and was
immediately warned to, "NOT TOUCH ANYTHING". Poor kid. Bet he'll be audited by the IRS for the next few years.
Interspersed in the rooms we were able view were staffers, some of which would provide a short explanation of the room and interject a few fun facts. I never knew, for example, that the White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
Interspersed in the rooms we were able view were staffers, some of which would provide a short explanation of the room and interject a few fun facts. I never knew, for example, that the White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels. There are also 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators.
We only were able to tour the east side so didn't get to pilfer any official White House M&M's from the West Wing. We did go through the Red, Blue and Green Rooms. And walking down the Cross Hall hallway, the East Room and State Dining Room. And we were able to see the Library and China Room. Cameras, of course, were not allowed. In fact you couldn't bring anything with you except for ID and a cell phone. There were enough beefy guys in suites to catch anyone breaking the rules.
One of the most memorable things was a sizable collection of very interesting photos in the East Hallway. I took a long time looking at those thus assuring I would be the last one out. And I was.
We ended up in Entrance Hall and exiting we milled around under the large canopy. And then we walked out on the circular drive and almost ran into these two rifle barring guys wearing all black and sporting stern expressions. I'm happy to report I overcome the temptation to crack a joke about caps and toy rifles. But I wonder what would have happened if someone had popped a bubblegum bubble?
We ended up in Entrance Hall and exiting we milled around under the large canopy. And then we walked out on the circular drive and almost ran into these two rifle barring guys wearing all black and sporting stern expressions. I'm happy to report I overcome the temptation to crack a joke about caps and toy rifles. But I wonder what would have happened if someone had popped a bubblegum bubble?
We left the grounds walked to a sandwich shop, Pot Belly's on New York Avenue. The Hagens had left the White House earlier and had already eaten so they went wandering off and Mary and I had a sandwich there. We met up again near the Metro station and went back to the L'Enfant station.
But this time we exited out the other side of the station and ended up in the L'Enfant plaza itself. And there was a large mall/food court area where, what else, we had ice cream at McDonalds. Yummy. But on the positive side we found several eating establishments which we could use instead of that icky Subway.
But this time we exited out the other side of the station and ended up in the L'Enfant plaza itself. And there was a large mall/food court area where, what else, we had ice cream at McDonalds. Yummy. But on the positive side we found several eating establishments which we could use instead of that icky Subway.
 |
| Heavy engineering design going on at the bar |
 |
| Nothing like a cool drink after a tough day |
We came back to the boat and with most everyone beginning to wake up we decided to try the newly discovered treasure trove of restaurants at L'Enfant Plaza. Dave and I started walking there but ran into a local guy who directed us to a much quicker and shorter route up the hill to the backside of the Plaza where all the restaurants were located.
As we strolled the lineup of restaurants in became painfully apparent they were all closed Even the much desired Five Guys was closed! All that was open was Sandellas. So we ordered a bunch of sandwiches and pizza from them and lugged it all back to the boat. Once we arrive back aboard, it took mere minutes and it was all gone. So after a little TV we all went to bed around 9:30 again. 9:30 for us is almost dinner time.
As we strolled the lineup of restaurants in became painfully apparent they were all closed Even the much desired Five Guys was closed! All that was open was Sandellas. So we ordered a bunch of sandwiches and pizza from them and lugged it all back to the boat. Once we arrive back aboard, it took mere minutes and it was all gone. So after a little TV we all went to bed around 9:30 again. 9:30 for us is almost dinner time.
Today's plan was to be up in time for the Yacht Club breakfast
before catching the Metro to a location where
the Fairfax flyer 101 would take us to Mt. Vernon
So we indulged in the Club breakfast which consisted of some of the members cooking up omelettes, bacon and keeping the make-your-own-waffle station well stocked. It was remarkably good.
Alas, the Metro was undergoing some planned maintenance over the weekend which resulted in reducing the frequency of some of the lines so that we would see a train every 20 minutes or so. And that meant very crowded. We would have to take the Yellow line all the way to the end and then take a bus to Mt. Vernon. The buses also ran on a schedule too. Coordinating all this seemed a bit much especially considering the buses only ran for a certain periods of time during the day.
So we scrapped Mt. Vernon and went to Arlington National Cemetery. The Metro stops right close to the entrance and its a short walk to the visitor center. From there we hiked up the road to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a long hike.
We stayed through the Changing of the Guard and then after, wandered up towards General Lee's house more officially known as Arlington House. That was another long trek on a sunny, hot day.
I was going to take the tour of the house but they only let in about 8 maximum and the line was particularly long so we passed. We did get to look through some of the house though. I was able to see an expansive wine cellar! And also the slave quarters on the grounds.
We left there and walked down towards the Kennedy grave sites. Still, a haunting experience.
We meandered our way back down to the visitor center and then to the Metro station bound for Union Station. It's more like a giant mall than a train station but there are trains running through here and rather busy Amtrak counter. The big main hall is still sort of intact but I miss all the wooden benches from yesteryear.
We ate lunch at Uno's Pizza up on the second floor. It's the same place we ate at 10
years ago when we were all here.
After lunch what else could we do but head next door to the National Postal Museum. What? A museum about the post office? Yup. And they, like everything else in Washington, has a security checkpoint.
So we indulged in the Club breakfast which consisted of some of the members cooking up omelettes, bacon and keeping the make-your-own-waffle station well stocked. It was remarkably good.
Alas, the Metro was undergoing some planned maintenance over the weekend which resulted in reducing the frequency of some of the lines so that we would see a train every 20 minutes or so. And that meant very crowded. We would have to take the Yellow line all the way to the end and then take a bus to Mt. Vernon. The buses also ran on a schedule too. Coordinating all this seemed a bit much especially considering the buses only ran for a certain periods of time during the day.
So we scrapped Mt. Vernon and went to Arlington National Cemetery. The Metro stops right close to the entrance and its a short walk to the visitor center. From there we hiked up the road to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was a long hike.
 |
| Guard emerging from the guard house |
 |
| Dendrological study during a "time out" at Arlington House |
I was going to take the tour of the house but they only let in about 8 maximum and the line was particularly long so we passed. We did get to look through some of the house though. I was able to see an expansive wine cellar! And also the slave quarters on the grounds.
 |
| View of Washington from Arlington House |
 |
| Bobby Kennedy grave. |
We left there and walked down towards the Kennedy grave sites. Still, a haunting experience.
 |
| Jack and Jackie Kennedy Grave site |
We ate lunch at Uno's Pizza up on the second floor. It's the same place we ate at 10
years ago when we were all here. After lunch what else could we do but head next door to the National Postal Museum. What? A museum about the post office? Yup. And they, like everything else in Washington, has a security checkpoint.
 |
| Postal Museum |
We tore ourselves away after an hour or so because they were going to close. I think we were the only visitors left in there.
 |
| Its a long way down to the station! |
 |
| One of the Metro Stations |
I think we are becoming "that" couple.
Mary looses her bag on the Metro and then we leave 3 herb plants on the seat a few days later. Then I loose the marina key on the
Metro. Maybe they have a special Metro Lost and Found bin for us by now.
 |
| The Castle's backside |
 |
| Great Big Bug |
 |
| Apollo 11 display |
I wandered into the deep space area and spent a while in there while the rest of the gang were elsewhere. But I did catch up with them in the gift shop (Jack's favorite place) for a few minutes.
We skipped the Imax movies and ended up meeting in the eating area. The eating area is really the most expansive McDonalds in existence. Huge. I got an ice cream cone ($1.10 here not the usual 50 cents. My appeal for a senior discount was courteously denied). We also never pursued going to the Annex at Dulles which has an array of planes and some space related equipment.
 |
| Yumm... Pretzels |
 |
| National Museum of the American Indian |
Next we went to the National Museum of American History. Great place. We spent hours in here. I wandered off and saw all manner of artifacts from
But we all soon tired and headed back to the boat. Walking was faster than the Metro now that we knew the shortcut.
We made it back to the boat where packing commenced since they the gang was flying back to Wisconsin the next day. Everyone went up to shower using the single key since I did such a good job loosing the the other one.
Before we all went to sleep we discovered the forward head would not flush. I didn't want to tackle disassembling it that at night so we just let everyone use our head (bathroom).
Before we all went to sleep we discovered the forward head would not flush. I didn't want to tackle disassembling it that at night so we just let everyone use our head (bathroom).
We left for the airport around 10am. I checked with the marina office on the way out to see if anyone turned in a stray key. Nope! Also asked if we could stay an additional day so I could fix the forward head and they said fine.
So we headed back to the L'Efant Palze Metro station and boarded the train for the airport. Ate lunch at Bens Chili Bowl then walked them to Terminal A which is way the heck on one end of the airport. They checked their baggage and we walk to the
TSA area and said good bye.
Some random images
 |
| Jack playing and Mary bar tending |
 |
| Our barge neighbors |
 |
| Lots of helicopter traffic to the White House |
 |
| Capital |
We navigated back to L'Enfant Plaza and the boat. I left Mary at the club house and retrieved the first 4 loads of laundry which we started. Went back for the rest so for a time we occupied all the machines.
Meanwhile I took apart the head and replaced the joker valve
and reamed out the hose hoping for the best.
Alas, the plug was still in there somewhere too far down stream for my puny coat hanger to reach.
We managed lug back all six loads of laundry and put it away. I tried a few other things to dislodge the plug in the forward head hose. But no joy on that either.
We managed lug back all six loads of laundry and put it away. I tried a few other things to dislodge the plug in the forward head hose. But no joy on that either.
Mary did a pile of dishes and then we put all the bedding
away which means under the beds. Of
course we have to remove the mattresses and boards which is a real pain. Took us over an hour but everything is stowed where it should be.
I went back to fiddling with this plugged hose and I was straining to remove it from the tank fitting the plastic 90 elbow snapped off. I cant budge the
elbow out of the hose. And I had to plug the broken part of the elbow in the tank end with TP which worked rather well. So for now we only have one functional head (bathroom).
The next day we stayed on the boat all day. I spent several hours trying to remove the
sanitary hose from the forward head to no avail.
Rode to the Safeway grocery store twice to stock up. And left a message with Bill of Boathouse
marina so he knows we’re heading in to his place tomorrow. We are leaving here at 6am so we can make it
there before dark and get some help tying up.
I took a last, late night walk back to the Washington Monument. Its set up on a hill and gives a nice vista
of DC at night. Very neat seeing all the
monuments and the Capital all light up, My phone camera failed miserably. And yes, I did forget to bring our new camera.
There were a surprising number of people out strolling around or running. It was busy even on the dark streets. The Mall was not well light but again lots of people out and about.
There were a surprising number of people out strolling around or running. It was busy even on the dark streets. The Mall was not well light but again lots of people out and about.
Saw the The Commodores, the Navy jazz band in the little
band shell by the Washington monument. It was a warm night and I guess that contributed to the crowd sitting on the lawn listening.
So tomorrow morning we leave early! The yacht club is sending me the bill via email. Itemized, as in dockage fees, and then Club (read bar) charges. Can't wait.
Also met the president of SSCA. He told me me not to anchor between B and C docks because that's where the subway tunnel runs and there isn't much mud covering the concrete. Who knew. Not us because when we came in last week that's precisely where we anchored.
No comments:
Post a Comment