DCdyssey: Planning is crucial.

[bzarcher]

So, instead of an actual tour, my granma and sister decided they REALLY WANTED to see the national christmas tree on the White House Ellipse. (That's a fancy word for the lawn.)

So, they badgered at my granpa until he had directions, I had a half idea of a map, and off we went.

First detour: Despite "Really, it's just hotels, shopping, and a bunch of defense contractors", my granma decided we HAD to drive through Crystal City when she saw their exit off US-1.

While this really wasn't so bad, it was about halfway through when she said "Boy, this is just hotels and a bunch of offices, isn't it?" and I wore down a layer or two of tooth enamel.

Detour the second: "No, really, go left at Constituion..." I'll let the DC natives laugh or cringe here and leave it.

Third complication: Getting onto the Ellipse, we're stopped by some nice men in Dark Suits, wearing sunglasses at night.

"Sir, this is restricted unless you have a VIP pass."

"We just wanted to see the tree."

"Sorry, it's not lit up yet. (Emphasis mine) You can turn around right here."

Driving back down Constitution, we did see the tree from a distance, and I have to tell you that without lights? Just another fir. Seriously. Pshaw.

Jefferson, Lincoln memorials, Capitol, and the Washington monument are very pretty at night. The Pentagon just looks like a bunch of offices from ground level. Maybe a really whitewashed set of condos.

Oh, and we got lost a couple more times because I was pointing out where we needed to turn, and the car continued on it's merry way, but we did get back now, so we're all alive. Which is good, and certainly better than I expected after we launched onto US 1 with no idea of what we were really doing. (I swear that when my Granma said "Come on! Let's get going!", I stopped hearing her voice, and began hearing the voices of my ancestors, calling me to Valhalla.)

Tomorrow should be, if not structured, at least frameworked? We're going to the Smithsonian for most of the day, then back to the hotel, changing, and up to Farrah Olivia (Why go to an actual Iron Chef's restaurant in Cleveland that's a reasonable trip when we can go to a former IC contestant's place many, many miles away? But seriously I think this will be cool. :D Just maybe a -little- snarky after the ride.)

With luck, we'll all survive until tomorrow, and I will have many more tales of high adventure and culinary artifice to entertain you.

Comments

[dasubergeek.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to think if I've ever driven actually in DC. We always take the Metro.

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

So have I, before, and that's actually how we did most of the stuff that went really well yesterday, since the hotel is a very short drive from a blue line park and ride.

It's either a sea of endless bumper to bumper (especially when we first arrived, which was rush hour...) or a high speed gamble where you try to make sure you get the right lane for the various one way streets and play a bit of chicken with the guy who is clearly in your spot in the lane.

[buschap.livejournal.com]

Yeah, driving downtown is generally a sucker's game. The area you're in isn't so bad after about 8 PM, because that area is mostly offices and museums, which are all closed in the evening.

I tried to walk between the ellipse and the White House after the Tori concert a few weeks ago, when it was pouring rain, and got stopped halfway with a guard telling me it was closed. I explained it would have been nice to have been told that a the corner, but he didn't seem to care.

[mithikall.livejournal.com]

Oooh, go eat at the Native American Indian museum if you're eating lunch up there. Museum food prices, but the food is worth it, unlike the burgers and fries you'll get elsewhere

[bzarcher.livejournal.com]

We ate at the Air and Space, sadly. But it was tasty.