Foggy and Silent Sunday on Capitol Hill

Sundays are usually a lot quieter than during the rest of the week in our Capitol Hill neighborhood. But today was eerily so. Maybe because the fog is very thick. The statue of freedom is almost invisible atop the dome this morning. The flags are all at half staff. The Capitol building is being prepared for the head of state funeral of President George HW Bush. The barricades are going up around the perimeter. The last funeral we attended at the Capitol rotunda was for President Ford when we first moved to DC twelve years ago. It was cold then too. We went to pay our respects in the late evening - I remember standing in a line that circled the Capitol building. As we passed by the Supreme Court and the Senate Office Buildings the streets were still empty. Then we headed towards Union Station. The large Christmas wreaths were in place at the front entrance. The large lighted Christmas tree was where it was last year and the many years before that. The train set was placed in the middle of the main lobby with little traffic around it. Somehow it just didn’t feel quite right to be celebrating. When we headed back home we kept hearing what sounded like cannon fire every once in awhile - a salute prep for the days ahead? When you live in the Capitol city you can’t avoid the news and events of the day but you can always decide which ones are worth taking note of and going to. I don’t think we will miss this one. 

A Visitor from the Midwest

After twelve years, a colleague and friend of ours had a reason to visit us in DC. He had business with the University where he works and would be meeting with graduates who live in DC in search of donations. So he contacted me a couple of weeks back to see if we were up for it - and we were. Whenever we have gone back to Milwaukee to visit we always got together at least for a drink. So we have stayed in touch since we moved to DC. We picked him up at the airport Tuesday afternoon and drove him to the Mayflower Hotel for the first scheduled time slot. After that he was visiting  with some friends in Potomac, and they drove him back to our house. (Of course, we had a flat tire - great timing- when we got home that afternoon and had the spare tire put on at the gas station down the street.) We had a chance to catch up that evening and planned for the next day. It started with a drive to the National Press Club in the morning, then we picked him up so he could make a conference call from home, and then a trip to Union Station for another meeting in the afternoon. We picked him up around 5:30 and took a ride around the neighborhood to see the sights, came home to change and then headed out for dinner at Ambar - he happens to be Serbian, so why not? Then we took an evening ride to Georgetown and saw the monuments at night, came home, and chatted some more. The next morning was an early one for another morning meeting at Union Station at 7:30 followed by a train trip to NY. All I can say is that it was great to see him, we had a nice visit, and were happy to bring him to wherever he needed to be. It felt weird to see someone working and in a suit since my husband and I are both retired. Perhaps the next time both he and his wife can visit and enjoy the city more. Regardless, we had a lovely time! 

Union Station Labor Day Weekend Begins

We usually walk to the air conditioned Union Station when it is too hot. To get there today we needed to pass through the blocked off streets around the Capitol Building set up for Senator McCain’s funeral services. I always ponder what the business is for people coming and going to and from the trains. Some are obviously dressed for work with suits and business attire and hanging identification tags. Others are tourists and visitors getting ready to spend a few days in the city while others are heading back home just having finished theirs. Suitcases come in all shapes and sizes. There are always those running late and scurrying through the place. The food court on the lower level has something for everyone. There are shops and restaurants on the upper level. The main terminal, ticketing, arrival and departure gates are all on the main level with metro stations accessible on the west end. A lot of people have made their way to this destination over the years. It’s within walking distance from our house with a lot of things going on in between. So I hope everyone coming and going has a safe weekend ahead. It is quite a scene to observe. 

Shake Shack Breakfast and Wine Pick Up at Schneider’s

Our usual morning walk started out the same. But we were on a mission as well. Because the HVAC people were coming in to check building filters and pipes, we knew we would have breakfast while we were out. And since it was a scorcher - again - we headed to the air conditioned Union Station. After walking all three levels twice around we checked on Chick Fil A, but decided on Shake Shack instead. So we sat in the main hall and watched all the interesting sights. Then we went outside in to the dreadful heat and walked a couple of blocks to Schneider’s of Capitol Hill Fine Wine and Spirits. For being just 1030 in the morning, the place was crawling with activity. We were asked by our daughter in law (who now lives in Virginia) if we would mind picking up a bottle of wine that they would be needing in time for a wedding this weekend. She had made arrangements with the place to let them know we would be there. So when we arrived, the bottle was ready and waiting. We have passed by Schneider’s many times during our walks in the neighborhood but had never been inside. I guess it is a landmark of sorts and the family history goes back to 1917. Yesterday was a weird day with the building washing machines needing service, planning a last minute get away to see Billy Bob Thornton’s band play in Virginia, and digesting a very large bill about a water leak. So today was much more pleasant, but different from, our usual routine. 

Union Station Breakfast Spots

When it is really hot outside, we take our morning walk in the air conditioned Union Station. Once in awhile we will also head there in sub zero and high wind scenarios. Luckily that doesn't happen that often. While we are there we sometimes stop for breakfast. Then we don't have to think about cooking or preparing something when we get home. There are a lot of options in Union Station. But we generally prefer sitting somewhere to grab and go. Over the past year we have tried Johnny Rockets and Thunder Grill. We stopped at Au Bon Pain and picked up pastry. In the last two weeks we tried Le Pain Quotidien and Einstein Bagels. We have also been to Shake Shack for hamburgers and a few other spots when we have ventured over for the rare dinner. I can't say any of these places are anything special. But most people are there for something quick while on the way to somewhere. The most fun is the people watching. When you go there as often as we do you begin to see familiar faces. You could say it's a nice diversion - in more ways than one. 

A Sunday Morning Walk to Union Station

It poured last night. So this morning, the humidity was 200% - higher than all week. But at least it wasn't in the 90's - yet. When it is as unpleasant and soupy as this, we walk under the shade as much as possible to Union Station. Then we walk in the air conditioned three story building, then head back home under the shade. I always bring a small cold water bottle that keeps my hand cool until it too succumbs to the heat and becomes tepid. The water is essential to have in hand to stay hydrated in this hell! However, in the morning and after the rain, the flowers always look so fresh even in the hottest days of the season. So as we were walking to and from our destination on this typically quiet Sunday, the raindrops on the flowers in the gardens shined in the rising sun. From the hostas to the myrtles it looks like summer has peaked. I'm just glad we have this option available to us. Otherwise, I'm not sure I would venture out. In the Midwest, it was the same - except the snow and ice kept me from going out. Yesterday we walked in the mall at Tyson's after we went for brunch. But it's just not as pleasant as staying the the neighborhood.