Christmas Eve Day in Georgetown

Since it was too cold to walk outside yesterday we took a turn in the condo garage. It takes about eight times around the three story structure to reach two miles. But it is rather dreary! We always like to take a short ride after the walk but decided to wait until later in the day to see if it would warm up at least a little bit. The sun was brilliant so it seemed better than what it actually was. And since we were getting anxious from being cooped up we decided to give it a whirl. We started out heading in the direction we usually take on a Saturday. But rather than turn right towards Arlington we took the bridge over the Potomac river and drove to Georgetown - a place we haven’t been to for quite some time. There were plenty enough people milling about on M Street - including the Grinch with a big red bag slung over his shoulder. We turned down Wisconsin avenue and saw Martin’s Tavern - famous for the “famous” people who frequented it. We have been there several times for brunch. I actually got my first pair of glasses in DC at Georgetown Optical. The overall vibe always felt like a tourist trap to me, but it is definitely worth seeing. It has all the inconveniences of Capitol Hill which we are all too familiar with. The homes are really lovely but impractical, and obviously much more expensive than we could ever afford. And of course you can’t leave town without checking out the steps made famous in the Exorcist movie where M street and the Key Bridge meet. After that we drove through thee  Palisades down to Clara Barton’s house, then turned around and started home. It was nice way to break up the day since we don’t have any plans to see anyone this weekend. Holidays can be a two edged sword - some are better than others. 

A Ride In To Georgetown - Not a Good Day for Photos

After our morning walk we always take a short car ride to cool off in the air conditioning, to see the outside world from a distance, put a few miles on the car, and entertain ourselves in the morning hours. Rather than take our usual routes today, we headed toward Georgetown. It’s really just five miles away from our northern Virginia neighborhood. I was hoping to get some great photos since we haven’t driven that way for quite some time. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Every time I aimed to shoot, a car got in the way or I wasn’t quick enough and we passed by the subject of interest. We were behind a truck for most of the way up Wisconsin Avenue so my view was blocked. We have never seen Georgetown this quiet. Many shops were boarded up. Most everyone was wearing masks as it is required in the district. There was fake wisteria hanging on many shop windows. The car windows are absolutely filthy so we were hoping to get caught up in the expected rain and storms today, but that didn’t materialize. On the way home a huge evergreen tree was blocking one lane of the road. It must have just happened because I could smell the scent of Christmas. So it was a bust as far as pictures go, but a great diversion otherwise. 

GW Parkway Ride

As is true with every Saturday morning, we take a ride to McLean Family Restaurant followed by grocery shopping at either Safeway or Harris Teeter. This morning was no different. Because it rained very hard last night the sun seemed even brighter this morning, the wind was ferocious, and the clouds were dancing! The George Washington Parkway along the Potomac River is our favorite route there. The season, the fall colors, and the cooler temps made the usual ride more enchanting. What we now take for granted is seeing some of the most recognized buildings, monuments, and places in the world. Starting with the Capitol Building right after we get on the freeway just a few blocks from our house; the Jefferson Monument; the Washington Memorial; Memorial Bridge and the Lincoln Memorial; Kennedy Center; Roosevelt Island; Georgeteown University; Potomac River; and scenic overlooks. There’s even more on the way back, but I’m driving so I can’t take photos - I missed a wedding shot at the WWI Memorial on Independence Avenue. We had a few other errands this morning but made good time getting home. Sometimes I’m not sure how and why we moved to DC from the Midwest, but it’s days like this that remind us it wasn’t such a bad idea. 

Ride Home from Yekta Kabobi in Rockville

There are only a few times a year that we can open the car moonroof and let the fresh air in. Last evening happened to be one of them. On our way back home from Yekta Kabobi in Rockville, we drove along the Clara Barton Parkway along the C and O Canal after taking the Cabin John exit. The ride takes you from a park like setting with overgrown grass and trees and trumpet vines clinging along the barrier stone walls to the big city. You pass under railway tresses and old brick buildings that are scattered by the canal route. Passing through the Pallisades is the exit for Sibley Hospital - our go to place when in need. Further down the road approaching Georgetown we almost ran into a few deer literally walking along the side of the road. Getting on to the Whitehurst Freeway is the full view of Arlington across the bridge. The country begins to look more like city once we see the Watergate structures. Passing by the Lincoln Memorial steps were several people enjoying the best evening we’ve had for over a week since the rain finally stopped. The final turn is at the US Botanic Garden with the Capitol in the background. We know we are about three blocks from home and are hoping to find a parking spot close to our house. It was a lovely drive and so much nicer than on the way out to Rockville having been caught up in the snarling after game baseball traffic. It was well worth the trip on a lively Sunday evening. 

Calligaris Enterprise Glass Extension Table and Philadelphia Chairs for the Living, Dining, Sleeping, and Exercise Room

For the last year or more, we have been trying to reconfigure our studio condo to better meet the needs of the room. After all, it is a bedroom, living room, dining room, and exercise room all in one. It is also the space where our visitors stay, and we then retreat to the "other side." We finally got rid of the king size sofa bed that took up the entire room. It was a monster to deal with and was replaced with a wall bed. That new configuration dictated the size of the much smaller sofa that would replace it, but also the dining table that was very worn and space occupying. What we needed was an extension table for occasional use, and a good size for every day. After countless hours of hunting on line and around town, we finally found the perfect solution in the Calligaris Glass extension table. I contacted the Calligaris store in Georgetown to see if they could locate one, along with the preferred Chicago chairs. They located a table in Italy with a solid glass top, but we had to go with the Philadelphia chairs instead. It took about six weeks for the furniture to arrive, and I was glad we requested that they deliver and assemble the pieces. We haven't used the extension feature yet, but we are quite pleased with the look and space the table takes. Now I think and hope we are about done redoing the studio apartment. Now we can start to finally enjoy it - and it all coincided with my retirement! 

Teddy Roosevelt Island

Just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway near Arlington/Clarendon is the exit for Teddy Roosevelt Island. We missed our exit coming home from lunch this afternoon so we decided to make a stop there on this simply beautiful day - plus it is a lot less busy during the week than on the weekend. We have been here a few times before. It's such a great unexpected hideaway right outside the busy city and freeway. There is a long history about this place, and it includes a 1.3 mile "swamp" hiking trail around the island. Since we just watched the Ken Burns special about the Roosevelt's, I wanted to see the "memorial" to Teddy again anyway. Views from the bridge offer Georgetown, turtles, kyakers, and the city of Clarendon/Arlington. The path to the main event located in the center is quiet and peaceful...very serene. Then you come upon his huge personality represented as a giant surrounded by pools of water, huge trees, and key elements about the man, including nature. My husband prefers the city scene to the country. Once in a while it feels good to get away from that. We had Grant Park in Milwaukee, but we have Teddy Roosevelt Island here.