I'm taking a little vacation starting today. I'm flying into Washington D.C. at noon. I'm going to try to hit a few museums while I'm there. In particular I want to go to the Spy Museum and if I have time, the National Building Museum. After that I'm driving up to visit my cousins in Harrisburg, PA for the weekend.
Back in the 80s, I lived in Northern Virginia, just outside of D.C. for three years. Before and after that, I lived in the Harrisburg, PA area. Living in the D.C. area was a bit of a pain, with the traffic and crowds. That part has only gotten worse. I used to give a pretty good car tour in my day. Many of the streets on my tour are now closed to vehicles, post 9/11. But still, it's a great town to already know how to navigate your way around. The streets are very confusing. Last year, I was in town staying in Arlington. I made a wrong turn and ended up in the Pentagon parking lot after midnight...twice. I thought I was going to have my tires shot out from under me!
I appreciate all that Washington has to offer more now than I did when I lived there. It's a lot more fun to go back and just be a tacky tourist.
enjoy your trip!
Posted by: debbie | August 18, 2005 at 08:32 AM
I used to live in Philadelphia and Mom and Dad came for a visit and we made the trek to D.C. Dad would not let me drive even though I’d just spent a month in the area covering vacations for other managers in the company (It isn’t easy being a farmers daughter…no jokes please!).
Of course we drove in circles—some of those the wrong way down one way streets—with me stomping on my imaginary brake the back seat and Mom harping on both of us. It’s hard to get your bearings when map doesn’t say things like “‘go south after Jeffy Wiley’s old place.” The type of directions he’s fond of giving me.
Dad finally pulled over in Georgetown muttering that he was never going back there. And he hasn’t.
Things have changed in the last fifteen years…and for the better. He let me drive to the State Fair last night for us to see Garrison Keillor. And those trips close to home are always my favorites.
Posted by: Nora | August 18, 2005 at 09:59 AM
Enjoy your trip. I agree - it a much better place to visit than to live.
Ralph
Posted by: Ralph | August 18, 2005 at 01:37 PM
I was in D.C. for the first time a couple of years ago. There must be a mountain missing somewhere, I think, because of all of the stone buildings lining Constitution Ave
Posted by: cliff | August 18, 2005 at 03:22 PM
I enjoy being a tacky tourist in DC too. I've been there three times, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. We rented bikes and toodled around. The Lincoln Memorial still brings tears to my eyes.
I've been to Harrisburg, PA and toured their capitol building. It is gorgeous!
I also played mini-golf by some water there. I can't remember the place, but it was some kind of family fun center with a ball field and other stuff.
Have a great time!
Posted by: Jamie Dawn | August 18, 2005 at 03:30 PM
OOOOOOOOOOO COME ON!!! I get back in the know and you go on vacation, man what is up with that. Have fun!!!!
Posted by: Just a mom | August 20, 2005 at 11:26 PM
Hope you're having a wonderful time!!!!
Posted by: Jamie Dawn | August 23, 2005 at 02:12 PM
If anyone ever gets a chance, Jerry gives the BEST tour of DC. He even has a DC Oddity Tour!
Posted by: Erikah | August 30, 2005 at 02:52 PM