Fun in the Capital City!

Jefferson Memorial from the Tidal Basin




















D.C. Paddleboaters!















How funny is this? (note the boat name - Unsinkable II)


Jeremy came to visit me this weekend and we decided to drive to Washington D.C. on Sunday in hopes of seeing some Cherry Blossom trees in full bloom (no such luck- cold weather = later blooming).

It was a lovely day, nonetheless. We ate lunch at the D.C. marina (which I never realized existed before). It's south of the tidal basin monuments (Jefferson and FDR memorials) right after you cross under the Amtrak line. There was something so real about this place between the smells and the grit and the people of all colors, shapes, and sizes. This market was unusual in that it was level with the ground - basically, there were all these floating barges that had pulled up to the docks and had permanently moored themselves there. The seafood was displayed at ground level, with the workers actually working a level below. Most of the barges sold fresh fish, crabs, lobster, etc., but a few actually prepared food for a tasty fresh lunch. We each ordered crabcakes.

After lunch, we walked back to the Tidal Basin and rented a paddleboat. We spent an hour paddling around and checking out the monuments from the water. It struck me as oddly ironic - there we were amidst stoic monuments in the center of one of the most beautiful, historic, and powerful cities in the world, and we were piloting a robin's-egg blue plastic paddleboat. Maybe that's why I love D.C. - all the little things that make it feel more like a town than a big city.

We walked around a bit longer, ate some dinner, and headed home. Didn't get to see Paul this trip, but planning to visit again in the near future.