My Washington DC trip, July 6-13, 2008

Travel Log

It isn't often that I get a free ticket to DC, so even though the main purpose was a work conference, I was going to take advantage of it.

I flew in Sunday, early enough so I could have most of the day to play. Well, after waiting 40 minutes for luggage, then a fairly long cab ride and finally a long check-in, turns out I didn't have all that much time. Still, I hurried to the room, determined to make my way to DC. After shelling out $28 in cash to the cabbie I was left with just coin, so I made my first stop finding an ATM. I had planned to check out this Moonlight Walking tour of DC, but I needed cash to do that. However, my beautiful sense of direction sent me off in opposite direction of the monument the tour was to start from. Next thing I know I am seeking shelter under a tree near the WWII monument getting soaked. I even had an umbrella, but it was of no matter, this storm was not one to be caught outside in. Having this moment to reflect on my situation, forced me to come to terms with the fact that my feet were not sore, they were profusely bleeding -- cuz I decided to wear brand new (super cute, I might add) shoes that are not made for walking miles. Plus, well a glance at the cell phone clock confirmed that I had completely missed the walking tour - if it was even happening due to the storm. I found a cab and got the hell out of dodge.

Leaving DC meant I had to return to the conference hotel: Gaylord National Hotel. It was a monstrosity. One of the only hotels open in a brand new development in the middle of nowhere. It was like being stuck on a cruise ship. No options, over priced food ($7 for a muffin and a bottle of Coke???) and generic everything. Plus, for a brand new hotel, I really disappointed in the lack of "green" - no motion lights, they replaced my towels every day even though I hung them up and I am sure there was other stuff! I went completely stir crazy in this place! Not to mention the fact we had to wear giant nerd beacons during the conference (I have had this problem before at IT conventions), our "name-tags" were really mini-computers (the size of TV remote controls) that contained our agendas for the week, online survey forms for classes we attended and a way to transfer contact info between fellow colleagues. I am filing worker's comp for a sore neck.

Thankfully I was able to get away from the hotel and conference nonsense in the evening. The first night my co-workers and I took a water taxi and headed to Old Alexandria. Cute old town, filled with historic buildings that now contain Starbucks and Gaps. While there I did tour an Apothecary Museum that I found oh so charming. Another night a fellow co-worker discovered that the Nationals were playing while we were in town. So even though I am not a fan of baseball, I had to get off "campus" and the Nationals are playing in a brand new outdoor stadium so I really wanted to go. The stadium was filled with all sorts of activities to keep you from watching baseball so that was interesting!

The final day of the conference arrived and I was fried. Some of it was interesting, but for this anti-social girl it got to be stressful. It was time to return to DC. This go round, I had a co-worker with (I could split cab fare!) and some company so I think that is what I needed to turn things around. I got to see the sites that I wanted: Lincoln Memorial (and the theater and house he died in), Vietnam Memorial, and Old Post Office (some great views of DC and it is free and it has no line like Washington Memorial).

Finally! We could leave Gaylord and National Harbor! The plan was to pick up the rental car and then head to Harper’s Ferry. Well maybe an indirect travel path to Harper’s, I wanted to check out some Virginia wineries. My research sent us to Leesburg, not really as charming as I thought, however, we didn’t spend much time there. Probably the most time was spent at the Visitor Center where they told us to head to Hillsboro if we want to go to wineries. Before alcohol we needed some food in us, so we stopped at Fire Works (a Visitor Center suggestion) that was just inside town. They mainly do oven baked pizza, it tasted yummy! Now we could get down to business and do a wine tasting. We stopped at just one: Hillsborough. They only do blended wines. Rarely do I like every wine in a tasting, but these wines were nice… and free shipping!

Climbed back in the rental for the last stretch to Harper’s Ferry. The mountains were in our view the whole time. They were magnificent, full of green and lush. I knew we had arrived at a special place, but nothing prepared me for the B&B that my coworker had found. It was really special, Laurel Lodge, built in 1914 by a fellow that had a thing for the Civil War and collections. Scattered through-out the entire outside of the house are relics from the past. Messages stamped in the concrete. Bottles, dolls, gears and “junk” incorporated into the stone pillars. Gun and bullets, now mostly plundered, adorning the doorways. The real pièce de résistance is the view from the back porch. Stretched out before us was the Potomac River and view of the mountains in next door Virginia.

Joan and I took a trip into downtown Harper’s, but by the time we got there the stores had mostly shut down. 7 pm is late for such a little town! Not wanting to retiring and wanting to see more of the town, I decided to stay for the Ghost Tour. I went into it knowing it would be cheesy, but still hoping to gleam some local lore and maybe a history lesson. It lived up to all that. Once the tour ended I had to make my own way back to Laurel Lodge, located on the opposite side of town. I started my trek, and up ahead of me I saw a person walking the same direction me. I think living in MPLS you learn to fear people on the sidewalk when the sun is starting to go down. It was all fine until this person crouched down, right when downtown ended and the woods began. Great. This meant I was going to have to pass them, something you should never do! However, once I got close enough I realized it was a woman trying to hand feed a baby deer. Ok, that is not scary!! And then the next thing I knew, I was sipping wine on her porch and being entertained by my new friend and all her neighbors. The sun kept dropping though and I really had to leave before my coworker called out the state troopers to look for me!

Saturday morning and I pulled myself out of bed, ready for a little breakfast. I had no idea what kind of feast was in store; dill scones with salmon cream cheese, strawberry parfaits, French toast bake and soy bacon. This gourmet breakfast was what I needed before heading out to hike Maryland Heights. We had plenty of warning, it was going to be strenuous, but the view was to make it all worth it. Well, it was strenuous and the view was breathtaking. However, the view was clouded by the fact that I would have to return down the trial. I had a power nap that rejuvenated me that afternoon, then I could think about dinner. We thought we would travel to nearby Shepardstown, the oldest town in West Virginia. As soon as we pulled in town, I asked to stop at the General Store – I needed caffeine or some kind of beverage. I walked into a guy behind the counter playing a crazy looking instrument. I wheeled around and ran to the car, Joan had to see this, I knew she would appreciate it. Well, I just wanted her to see the instrument and hear the performance, but the next thing I realized was that she was buying the instrument!! Joan was now the proud owner of a Hammered Dulcimer. Well, I never did get my beverage at the General Store, so I was dying for a Sangria when I ordered one at 3 Onions.

The last day of my trip arrived, like it always does… but not before another feast: coffee cake, broiled grapefruit, frittata, hash browns and soy sausage. Side note, this soy meat business is really weird. It actually tastes like meat. Why would I want that? After 15 years or so, you really lose the taste for muscle. However, there was something about that soy bacon…maybe you never do lose the taste for bacon. So time to pack it up and thankfully we could fit in one stop before my flight out of town and that ended up being, Frederick. Not all that charming, but still historic. We visited the Civil War Medicine Museum, very good display and quite sobering. It was good to get some official Civil War memories instilled in me since I was in the heart of it. Quick stop for lunch at Nola and then off to the airport for me to sit for 3 hours.

~Posted by Ann