We finally arrived in Washington, where I fell down and thanked God for allowing me to make it...one of those rides which fair weather riders, like me do not like, but once started...
We relaxed for the Friday night, at the Local American legion next to the motel we stay at.
My bike had a loose screw, and it was one other than the one holding the handle bars, so I went to the local garage next to the motel where we stay, and fixed that loose screw..Those guys, at that garage are quite nice.
Saturday we were trying to find, "Georgetown Cupcakes" and after driving for 3 hrs to Northern Virginia, I relised that we were no longer anywhere near downtown DC...
I figured I would punch Pennsylvania into the GPS and go downtown, I got lost that's ok, I figured at this point.
Those GPS folks are smart...There is a big difference between Pennsylvania ave, where the White house is and Pennsylvania Blvd, where the trees are, another hr in the wrong direction.
After cursing up a storm, old Navy cursing, truly the good stuff, Suzy-Q is still reminding me of that...1000 dollars owed to the swear jar ???
Well I finally got ...near downtown DC and went to Walmart to buy things. We also made it to a AAA and got maps.
Saturday in Washington DC for Rolling Thunder and we did Walmart and Triple AAA...uhhh huh.
I hear you laughing out there brothers and sisters.
I decided to spend the Sat evening learning the GPS...enough to say, Saturday night was a complete loss, Saturday itself, was a long drive through very scenic byways around Washington and the surrounding area, not planned but nice all the same, except for the old Navy talk...
Lucky for me I always carry a compass, one I got in Petawawa many years ago. A combination of the GPS, Compass, and Maps, works well for those of us Lone wold riders, who want to meander through and not fly down the Interstates. Works in cites too.
Sunday Morning, off to rolling thunder, made it to the pentagon parking lot.
There we met an Old Trapper and a group of CAV riders who were looking good in their red and black uniforms, as my kids use to say...Representing, yep Proudly representing the Red and White, and those who serve the Red and White, one brother had a big Support our troops flag on his bike. The old Trapper asked a few times of Suzy-Q when the divorce was, as she rode the bike through hell with me. A hard riding lady, for sure.
We went to the wall. and Arlington, Lincoln's memorial, and a few other places, we then went to the Smithsonian Air and space museum, outside DC, the big one where the Shuttle Discovery, and the Enola Gay is.
Try to fit this museum into your schedule...it is well worth it....Oh yea... that "Thank You for your service", thing occurred again only this time the girl was well in her late 20's.
Brothers and Sisters If you make it to Rolling Thunder, and it is a good ride to attend.
While the other Rides are Drunk fests...Rolling Thunder is a Respect fest for the common soldier...which is what makes it so awesome, at least from this soldiers point of view.
Monday we did more museums in and around downtown DC.
We were in the museum so long we missed, the Memorial day parade, just around the corner from the museum we were in? The parade is another slow moving item worth attending, and you can see it from the street the White house is on...I find that quite nice.
Tuesday we attended the Smithsonian National Zoo, in DC, I got to watch a Panda Bear go poop, right in front of my eyes, got to see an elephant do that too,, thrills of thrills, just ask Suzy-Q, we gots Pictures...
Wednesday morning it was time to come back home, after a stop at the Garage near the motel to look over all the little things, we were off, with the GPS, MAPS and Compass, this time it would be different and work well...no Interstates and short but scenic..
We started on route 1 Maryland , then 74 to 94 to 15 through Pennsylvania, then to 104 into New York state and slept in Oswego, NY over looking lake Ontario, then the next day 104 to 15 to 11 back onto 15 and then the 12 and 2 miles of I-81 into the Thousand islands bridge and highway 2 Ontario , Home.
The ride back was as Scenic and Incredible, warm and sunny...one of those rides you will always remember fondly.
Next year when Suzy-Q and I go back we plan on following the same route back to DC, it is an easy 1.5 day ride and really nice.
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"When I was five, Teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said HAPPY, She said I did not understand the question? I think she did not understand life...I am HAPPY"
Cheers and Smiles for Miles and Miles...