Dulles Airport Cell Phone Waiting Area

Whenever we have guests visiting, they typically arrive at Reagan airport. If the traffic is good, it takes about 15-20 minutes to get there from our house - about the same time it took for us to get to Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee when we lived in Wisconsin. Sometimes we wait in a small parking area along the GW Parkway. It's all very familiar. So when a friend said she would be visiting her niece in Virginia, she said she would be flying in to Dulles. We wanted to meet up for lunch during her short weekend here and it worked out that picking her at the airport would work the best. We only use Dulles for international flights and rarely drive there. So we needed to research the process before we left. Plus the hoopla with the I-66 tollroad started this week and we didn't know if that would affect the drive. Luckily we weren't coming or going during rush hour times. So we drove to Virginia and followed the signs to the airport and the cell phone location and waited for the call. There was constant movement in the lot at this time of the day. So when our friend arrived she needed to tell us the specific door number she would be near so we could drive by and easily find her. It all worked out nicely and we had a lovely time catching up on things. Once we got her to her final destination it would be a long commute home. We didn't mind because we set aside the day for this excursion. But pity all the people who have to make this commute every day. It took over an hour to get back home - and that wasn't even during rush hour. 

A Trip To Dulles Airport

The only time we go to Dulles International Airport in Virginia is when we are traveling abroad. And the only way we get there is by super shuttle bus or cab. It's about thirty miles away, and on a good day takes a good forty-five minutes. And since most flights leave in the evening for Europe, we end up stuck in some sort of rush hour traffic making it all the more longer. For all other national flights we use Ronald Reagan airport that is just over the bridge from our house. It just so happened that our friends were taking an overseas flight last Saturday, and were thinking of taking the bus from L'enfant Plaza here in DC to Dulles. Since we had no plans for the day, we offered them a ride so as to avoid the hassle of lugging around a lot of baggage. It was a relatively quick trip and along the way gave us an opportunity to catch up with one of the parties who lives in Florida. Eventually there will be a metro that will extend all the way to the airport, but that won't be for quite some time. On our way back home there were signs of construction all along the Dulles Access road. Luckily we didn't have to pay any tolls while on this road, but we do have a transponder in the event that we ever have to. I can't help but think the metro will have a big impact on a lot of things - especially super shuttle and cabs. But since we travel so infrequently, I much prefer them to the metro. I didn't grow up in the city and just don't care for mass transit. And, by the way, I still love our Subaru. I'd prefer that any day. 

The Mall from the Plane

Having just returned from a trip to Milwaukee, where we lived for thirty years before moving to DC, the view from the plane can be memorable depending on the flight pattern, and obviously from where you are seated. I remember long ago we could easily see either Mount Vernon coming up the Potomac River, or the Mall and all the monuments landing from the other main flight path. When sitting on the Capitol steps, or driving along the George Washington Parkway, one can see a continuous run of airplanes as they head towards Reagan National Airport. Because of the location of the airport, some of the landings and touchdowns are enough to make you never want to get in to an aircraft of any kind again. It seems lately though that no matter what way we are landing or taking off, we seem to be on the opposite side of the action and scenery down below. Luckily for us, we have seen it all before. The nicest part of where we live is that the airport is about the same distance from our house as it was in Milwaukee. But the view in between is so very different.

From Milwaukee to DC

After spending a long weekend in Milwaukee to visit friends and attend
a wedding, we are waiting at Mitchell international Airport to return
home to DC. We moved from Milwaukee to DC a few years ago. I'm sure
whenever someone goes back to a place they lived for awhile- in this
case 30 years- it brings back a lot of memories. For the most part
they are generally positive. I personally do not miss the winter, but
do miss the two car garage and the conveniences of living in the
suburbs. But there is something about living in the Capitol City even
if the car gets parked on the street. Both are completely different
places and for as long as we can we will try to remind ourselves of
those differences. Nothing takes the place of good friends and family.
The best part is that we have them in both places. Now I just need to
figure out how I can quit work and retire so I can enjoy our friends
and family on a more frequent basis.

Back in the Midwest

We are back in Milwaukee to visit good friends and attend a wedding.
What strikes us immediately is the contrast in our previous lifestyle
to our current way of life in DC. I can honestly say I miss the two
car attached garage that was traded in for street parking; the shed in
the one acre back yard is bigger than our entire apartment; our big
borzoi; and the little kids selling lemonade down the street had a
visit from the local police- but rather than shut the stand down, he
got out of the patrol car and bought a lemonade. We had coffee this
morning with the dearest group of colleagues and friends you'd ever
want to meet. And our next door neighbor hosts are as ever so kind and
gracious. I do miss this part of living in Milwaukee. But can't stand
the winter. It's nice to know we can visit and still feel at home. My
husband prefers the urban environment to the suburban vibe any time.
But our friends are true treasures and not easily found in the
nation's Capitol.

Michele Obama's Target

We were in need of a mug/drinking glass that has a cover. After lunch, we went to Crate and Barrel where we had found one that we liked when we first moved here. But, they did not have anything. As we were also in need of fish food for Moby, we then drove to Crystal City/Alexandria to the Target and PetSmart in the Potomac Yard Retail Center. This is the same place Michele Obama did some undercover shipping a few months back and is also the location of the PetSmart that the President did some dog supply shopping/photo op. It's probably the closest Target to the White House and easiest to get to from DC. As usual, we had luck finding what we were looking for- in fact, there was a huge selection. Since we are not Costco customers,  Target is the next best thing for good buys. That was the same in Milwaukee as it is here. We did not however, happen to run in to anyone incognito. But I guess that is the idea.

Located on Jefferson Davis Highway - we are in Virginia after all

Located at the very end - a new condo/housing neighborhood is
under construction. It is right next to Reagan Airport.

A great selection of whatever you need

Reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit

Gravelly Point

Probably every city has a place where people go to watch the airplanes land and take off. By Washington Reagan Airport is Gravelly Point, where not only do people park to watch the airplanes, but also to bring their boats, picnic, and watch whatever is going on near the Potomac River. In the background is the Capitol and the Washington Monument. Today there was a huge marathon taking place, and folks were lined up along the bike path- which by the way, goes all the way to Mount Vernon- to watch the action. It was an exceptionally gorgeous day, so everyone was out, including us. We've been getting police updates all day about the street closures, so decided to stay away from town as much as possible. There is always something going on here, and it's a good idea to have some clue about it before you get in to the car.

A place to watch the planes come and go

The duck boats come here during tourist season

A great place for picnics

And for watching marathons

DC Bound

After the last two days preparing the Turducken and running around like the rest of the world, we had one final errand to run last evening. Our nine year old grandson was flying alone from California LAX to DC. We had to be sure all the documentation was in order, and started to track his flight as soon as the plane took off. I'm not sure what we would have done without our dear friend - who dropped us off at the baggage claim area, parked our car so we could get to the office on time to pick up the passes to get through security, kept us company until he arrived, and took some memorable pictures. Because it was after hours, the airport was really quiet. There were several snafus along the way, but luckily he arrived in one piece, was able to meet the guests who were still at our son's house just down the street, ended up staying with his cousin overnight, and is off doing who knows what today. We may never hear from him again until the day he goes back! It reminds me of the times I got to fly to Boston from Florida to visit with my cousin, and we have maintained a long lasting relationship since we were their age. I hope that happens to them too. We are doing absolutely nothing today, and it feels great!

Washington Airport terminal on Christmas Day

The flight was ahead of schedule

Potomac Park

Every so often on the way home, we take a detour through Potomac Park. East Potomac Park is sort of an undiscovered place for many - more of a locals place. And West Potomac is better known with the tourists. As you head east off the freeway, you travel on the peninsula along the Anacostia River on one side, make a U turn, then head west along the Potomac River. A lot of different things across the Anacostia River can be seen from this side - the fish market and restaurants, the Army War College and Ft. McNair (where Mary Surratt and the Lincoln conspirators were hanged); and across the Potomac River on the other side are Alexandria, Reagan Airport, Arlington, and the Air Force Monument. On the peninsula itself are are a golf course, a huge park, and cherry trees all along the route. Depending on the season, the activities are distinctly different. Bikers, walkers, picnickers on the holidays, fisherman. The water level often rises above the walkways, and the place gets flooded. East Potomac Park becomes West Potomac Park, where a lot of the more familiar sites are located along the Tidal Basin- the Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King Jr Memorials. It seems wherever I have lived, water has been close by. From the Atlantic Ocean in Massachusetts and Connecticut, the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, and now the Potomac & Anacostia Rivers in DC. The water looks the same, but the stuff around it has a very unique flavor.

Ft McNair Officer housing

Along the Anacostia and the fish market, boats

The Army War College

 

In spring, the cherry blossoms create a fairy land



Ronald Reagan Airport on the Potomac side- about 15 minutes away

The area often gets flooded

Looking West towards Arlington

Heading West to the "other side" and the Tidal Basin

Even the pooches dress up to visit MLK's Memorial

Union Station, Monuments and Snow

Our friend is traveling to California today by way of Baltimore/Washington Airport and needed a ride to Union Station to catch the train to the airport. The main hall of Union Station was closed because the ceiling plaster fell down yesterday from old earthquake damage.  After we dropped her off, we had a few errands to run. Along the way, it continued to rain. The monuments take on a different feel during this kind of weather. Our grandson was hosting a hot dog/barbecue this afternoon for his baseball team, and there was a dog show in Middleburg, Virginia- on a plantation- that we would have gone to. But the rain slowly turned to snow, and we are now back home watching the flakes fall. This is one time that I miss my fireplace is Milwaukee. I'll just have to crank up the heat and pretend we have one- or get an IPad app with a fireplace burning. I am still amazed at all the people who walk around like it's summer time outside- with no jackets and no umbrellas. Those pictures probably would have been more interesting than any of these.

The pigeons are sitting along the window ledges to avoid the rain

Construction around Union Station

Big raindrops on the Capitol

Not a lot of company for Tom today

On the GW Parkway along the Potomac

Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial

Almost home

What the heck is that white stuff in October?

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

The banks of the Potomac are overflowing, a tornado touched down somewhere in Virginia, and there were more storm warnings in DC. Since we have moved here, it seems as though the weather is getting progressively worse and violent. But we needed to get out of the house. Along the way to lunch this afternoon in McLean, we passed by our usual friend- a mattress left on the sidewalk- a rain soaked bike rider, a huge deer carcass along the GW Parkway, and the typical entitled driver who cuts in front of you knowing 10 miles back the lanes need to merge. I could not help but notice the cloud cover and shadow it cast on the monuments below. At least the weather is supposed to cooperate for the Martin Luther King Memorial Dedication this weekend. It was already cancelled once because of a hurricane. So far this year we've had just about everything- including the earthquake. At least we aren't feeling the aftershocks from that. I always thought snowstorms and blizzards and temperatures below zero were worse. Now I'm not so sure.

Not another one

Blue shirt, khaki pants, no rain gear- typical

Maybe it will stop soon

I can't remember ever landing at Reagan Airport without wind & rain -
 it's worse than the worst roller coaster

Memorial Bridge - Arlington & the Lincoln Memorial on either end