After our big day of walking yesterday we decided to try the subway. An easy walk of about 15 minutes and we were at the Mt Vernon Station. We worked out the ticket system, not the easiest we have encountered, and made our way to the platform. There was a train about to leave so I jumped on and managed to leave Ken behind. I waved and figured I would get off in 2 stops and he would join me. I did get off in 2 stops but I was heading in the wrong direction! Back I went, he joined me and we finally got off at the Archives station.
We joined the queue waiting for the doors to open at the National Air and Space Museum at 10am, not a big crowd. It is part of the Smithsonian Museums and therefore free. It didn't take long to get through security and begin marvelling at the exhibitions. There are a lot of planes and space craft hanging from the ceiling. We had a bit of a wander and then joined a tour. Our guide was an 83 year old retired medical professor who was really interesting and informative. He could move quite quickly too! He told us about the history of the space programme and showed us the most important exhibits, including the Wright Brothers' actual plane and the real space modules.
Some of them look like badly put together school construction models, but they were actually capable of making it to outer space and back. The tour lasted 90 minutes and by then we figured we had seen all the important stuff so we headed to the shop and Ken bought a t-shirt. We felt we needed to buy something to pay for the free entry and free tour!
Nearing lunch time we made our way to the South East Waterfront which was a bit disappointing. We thought we would have a quick look at the Titanic Memorial (there really is a memorial to everything here) but there were 6 police cars there to check out a Rasta guy sitting all alone. He looked harmless enough to us. The level of police activity in the city is amazing. They are everywhere. This morning there were 4 cars in our neighbourhood to knock on the door of a house. There was no urgency, but definitely a show of numbers. So we kept moving. Our neighbourhood doesn't feel all that unsafe, but there are often police around and the signage makes you worry. It is fine to walk during the day and early evening, we won't test it later at night.
After a quick Google consultation we worked out that we should have been at the Wharf on the Southeast Waterpark. We found a really cool restaurant on the water, Cantina Marina. It was busy and loud with a fun summer's vibe. The food was Cajun, really delicious, (I had blackened fish, Ken - calamari) and the beer was cold as we sat looking over the Potomac River.
A coffee at Starbucks (yuck) and back on the subway to relax at home before heading out again for the evening.
Back out again to see a comedy show at the Draughthouse Comedy Theatre. We walked for half an hour, passing many people returning from the Gay Pride March. We didn't realise that until later, but there were a lot of people decked out in the rainbow flag. The show was good, lacking a little in atmosphere as there were only 13 people in the audience. But both acts were funny and we managed to stay out of being the butt of the jokes, so all good.
We left and tried to find somewhere to eat. The restaurants were few and far between. We walked around many blocks before finding a Japanese place, Zentan, which turned out to be fantastic. It was tapas style and all our dishes were really good.
We Ubered home, ready for a good night's sleep, before another day of exploring.
Steps 16,406
kms walked 12.4
2025-02-15