Yesterday in DC...

So I drive up to DC with my friend yesterday and the drive up is fun but unremarkable. We got there in time to play the "find a parking space in the monument district of DC on a Saturday in the summer when there is also a rally going on" game! The joys (I actually enjoy it, what can I say!).

We found one, like 12 blocks from where we wanted to be, but it was in the shade, so that is always nice! We get out and we have like 20 minutes to get to the Washington Monument in time for our tour. We make it and then we get to wait in line for our turn (you go up in groups of 10-12). It finally happens. We get inside, make it through the metal detectors and get in the elevator and up we go! The views were fantastic (to see pictures go to my webshots page)!

After the Washington Monument it was time to walk back to the car and drive over to Union Station to pick up another friend (the whole reason for the trip in the first place). That went off without a hitch. And then we drove from Union Station over to Chipotle (on R and CT- right off of Dupont Circle), and actually found a great parking job (and I paralleled great, thank you very much!) about a block away (I know, rock star parking!). We met Lee's sister and brother in law (they live in the area) for lunch. Lunch was fun.

After lunch the plan was to head back to the monument district (as I call it) and take pictures, see the sights, etc. and then head home (to be back for the Saddleback political forum). Well, we say good-bye to our friends, and head to my car (that had been working great- even the a/c was putting out some cool air- which hardly ever happens). We get in, and NOTHING! So I pray and try again, NOTHING!

So we call Lee's family to see if they can come a jump the car (I keep cables with me). We jump it and...yep you're exactly right...NOTHING happens! So we give it a few minutes to rest, and try again. It didn't work, so then we have to call Triple A (we had looked for other problems, but there was nothing apparent that was wrong with my car). We call them and get a tow truck scheduled (it was going to take about an hour to get there) to come, so Mr. Roboto could get towed back to the burg.

We are waiting and about 10 minutes later we think (after praying again) that we have nothing better to do, so we might as well try one last time. So I get out my cables (I had put them away) and we hook them up and we try one last time. SUCCESS! The car starts! Way to go GOD!!!

We then decide that I have about half a tank of gas, so filling up would be a good idea. We get in our cars and drive away (we do drive by the National Cathedral and the bells are going off and it is music to my ears). We get gas and are on the way south! Things seem to be looking up!

We exit 66W for 29S as we needed to. There are 2 points at which 29S meets up with 66W. I chose the northern point because 66W was stop and go the whole way, and I thought 29S might be less congested. For the first few (I'd say about 20) it was smooth sailing. And then we hit a detour. The detour is taking us W and I want to be going S, but I can only go on the roads they take me, so I deal with it. Well then our detoured route gets detoured (go figure!) and we are heading N now! NORTH- I love DC, but I want to be going HOME!!! Well, what can ya do about it!?! And it was bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic for 11 miles.

To make a long story, a wee bit shorter, we end getting taken back to 66W where we got onto 29S!!! So a 3 hr drive took over 4 hours! But finally we made it and I parked in front of my house! I was so excited to be home and give my Queens a hug!

I'm disappointed that we didn't get to see and tour much of DC and I didn't get many pictures at all (and I looked cute too since I was planning on getting lots of pictures)! But we are home and my car eventually worked, and I can take it to my mechanic tomorrow to make sure everything is ok. So it ended fine, it was just a day to remember. A day that tested grace under pressure and stress management!

My next trip comes up soon and will be taking me to NC. Hopefully that one will be just as memorable, but in a less stressful way!

I have today and tomorrow to recover and ponder my weekend and then classes start for me on Tuesday!

Have a blessed week!

-JLK/PRT-