HoHo-HoHo All Around The Town.

Settle in for a long one Dear Hearts and Innocent bystanders, the last post was just a tease.

In spite of a late snuggle after a hectic day, dragging HIM from the Soft, Cozy, Warm, Cuddling {Enough already} bed, was surprisingly easy. 

Of course 4 little boys screeching not quietly at their respective video games and TV, right outside his door may have helped a bit.

Morning ablutions done creakingly and we find a bright eyed Angie whipping up Bacon and Eggs, Biscuits and HOT coffee from her Nespreso machine.  

This is one Helluva B’n’B!!! 

Getting 4 boys upstairs to breakfast, prying them grudgingly away from dueling with Gorgamell and the trolls…or whatevah, was a chore but after all were sated, dressed and organized, the seven of us were headed to town to Hop On/Hop Off the “D.C. Trails” HoHo bus and See D.C. like the proper tourists that we are.

Getting to L’Enfant Plaza where the Bus' load up was easy, getting into the parking garage, was a challenge but soon overcome and we get parked in the far corner from the office where Chucky needed to take his SpotHero reservation for validation. 

Chucky Note:

Two Parking Apps will play a critical part this week, Parking Panda and SpotHero.  The original plan was to park at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station [20 min from the house] and train in. But... after calculating the costs for round trips plus parking, driving in an extra 10 minutes  and reserving spots in key locations came out much cheaper, than the train thus the 2 aforementioned apps were downloaded before we left Hollywood. 

Since the HoHo bus is right outside the Plaza building, we were on top of the next bus and on our way in less than 10 minutes.

   “D.C. Here We Come”,

shouted Dave and Jon.

   “D.C. Here We Cooooome”,

Echoed Michael [who parrots everything he hears] a 3 year old with a pretty impressive vocabulary.  The product of having an older sibling and very engaging parents.

We were able to snag the very last seat which held 5 of us with DL and Chucky in the next seat.  The guide was wired and we were off.

You can trace our route on this map from D.C.Trails website  DC Trails Tour Map

First Stop was actually#2 the Capitol followed by obligatory stops or waves at the various Museums and monuments on the way to #9 on 7^th street NW, where we got off to find a spot to feed our hungry little travelers.  After searching in both directions, we settled on an interesting BBQ Joint, [which Chucky later realized he had bookmarked for such a need, but as usual, neglected to check his Trip Notes].

Now Here This: 

When in D.C. and hankering for some REAL DOWN SOUTH BBQ, HillCountry BBQ is THE SPOT.

Known in the old days in the restaurant business as a “Cut Your “Own Throat” joint, [not as gruesome as it sounds] you step up to the counter, and pick your favorite Que and they’ll carve it right there, throw it on the scale and wrap it to take back to your table where you unwrap it in the middle and everyone digs in.  I won’t got into the menu, you'll find it via the link, but I will tell you:  Some of the Best QUE this side of Austin, Texas I have ever wrapped a lip around.

The boys were elbow deep in greasy goodness with BBQ sauce, ear to ear and pardon the pun, In Hog Heaven… YUM!

Sighting the bus passing by and figuring we had 20 minutes to saddle up and get back to Stop #9 before the next ride, we hustled to the restrooms to clean up, etc, and raced down the street to Stop #9.  

So much for a bus every 20-30 minutes.  

D.C. Traffic has us standing on the corner for close to an hour before a VERY Crowded bus showed up.  Seating was only scattered downstairs inside and Chucky wound up sitting on some Handicapped Lady’s Rolling seated/walker.  Not to worry a few stops later we were able to get back up top when half the bus unloaded at the White House Stop.

Waving at the Jefferson [we’d catch that another day] and FDR memorial’s, the plan was to stop at Lincoln, catch the Korean and Vietnam War memorials and catch the bus on Constitution.  And that’s what we did.

You really can’t digest the awesome magnitude of the view down the mall from the top steps of the Lincoln Memorial in pictures, movies or newsblips.  And of course, staring up at what is considered the BEST likeness of Lincoln ever captured through moist eyes brings a real Tug to the heart strings. 

Pictures all around [with the obligatory David holding the Washington Monument in the Palm of his hand] was followed by the trudge first to the Korean Memorial where it is stirring to see a combat patrol formation in such stunning relief.  [I was previously alerted to the significance of this stunningly portrayed formation by longtime friend, MHS '60 classmate and Vietnam war Army Journalist Capt. Henry Bassman]. We were advised by residents that the individual lighting reflecting off the Juniper ground cover at night is an eerie representation of a fog covered Korean Battlefield.  

Then came a not so brief and fruitless stop at the Vietnam Memorial index books to try to locate another MHS ’60 classmate that didn’t make it home.  After a brief prayer at this Granite Gash in our nations heart to mourn the loss of so many bright stars, too soon extinguished, and we were off to find the next bus.

A longer than expected ride back to the car due to Rush Hour Traffic got us there after 5PM.  On the way, our Tour Moderator introduced us to “The Wharf” as we made the U turn back to the barn and we decided to find our way down the hill and meet Danny there for dinner.  WRONG!

While our Guide extolled the virtues of the freshest seafood, tastily prepared to order, he neglected to mention there was no place to sit our troop, and to be honest, not a very appetizing venture at that.

A long slog, back up the hill to the car, an exciting adventure exiting the city and we were off to drop Danny at the Metro.

After a short stop at the GIANT Supermarket for supplies we made it home in time to cook up some “Dis ‘n’ Dat” for the troops before everyone scattered to Video Games and shortly thereafter showers and bed for the Kiddies and camaraderie over Much Wine for the Adults. Perhaps a tad Too Much Wine… but it WAS sooooo good.

Tuesday is gonna be another challenge with the plan for Postal Museum at 10AM [yeah right], followed by Lunch and then the CAPITOL building tour at 2:30PM.  What follows that will depend largely on the waning attention span of the smaller members of our expedition.

This got waaaay too long, but it saved breaking it up into 2 parts, so until Tuesday AM… G’night! 

Now where's that Cozy, Warm, Cuddly, Soft.....Zzzzzzzzzzzz...  

Ciao 4 Now

Uncle Chuck & The In a Fine Wine Comma,

Dragon Lady