WASHINGTON DC – Cruzin’ down the river

Being a lovely afternoon we opt for the upstairs seats and off we trundle through the Autumn tree lined streets. I have to admit that DC is a wonderful city.

The outlay of the streets and the little cafes that line the footpaths look so welcoming, the trees are beginning to dress for Autumn and the weather is great.  What more could I ask for?  Snow maybe?  No, that’s going a bit too far.

Past the dreaded roundabout of Dupont Circle and its many confusing exits and the Washington Hilton where the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan took place on 30th March 1981, 69 days into his Presidency.

While leaving a speaking engagement at the Hilton, President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jnr.  Ronald Reagan was shot in the chest and in the lower right arm. He suffered a punctured lung and heavy internal bleeding, but prompt medical attention allowed him to quickly recover. Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity (that’s a surprise) and still enjoys the hospitality of a psychiatric facility.

After a nice leisurely tour we arrive at Washington Harbour to board the river cruise.   Unfortunately we have just missed a cruise so we have to wait about an hour for the next one.

This is good because it gives us a chance to enjoy coffee at Starbucks and have a bit of a look around.  The harbour is a wonderful place – come to think of it anywhere near water is a wonderful place and across the way is the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts otherwise known as The Kennedy Centre.

It is the busiest performing arts facility in the US and annually hosts approximately 2,000 performances for audiences totaling nearly two million; centre-related touring productions, television, and radio broadcasts welcome 20 million more. Now in its 44th season, the Centre presents the greatest examples of music, dance and theater; supports artists in the creation of new work and serves the nation as a leader in arts education.

As both the nation’s public memorial to President John F. Kennedy (a fitting tribute in my opinion) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts, it includes educational and outreach initiatives almost entirely paid for through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.

As we stand looking out over the water we hear the hum of helicopters above.  Looking up there are two heading our way accompanied by the Seagull guard – definitely a Kodak moment. Yes, I know it is not the best photo but I like it and I think it is cute and the three of them line up rather well.

Our boat – The Nightingale – arrives, looking a little the worse for wear and not exactly what I imagined but I am sure we will have a good time.  Hopping on board we grab a seat (plastic chair) at the back of the boat (there is no shade) and once everyone is on board we set sail.  The thick patches of grey cloud cover disappear and the skies come out nice and blue AND HOT.  Certainly not what I imagined for Autumn weather – but no complaints.

Past the Lincoln Memorial (you can never have enough photos of the Lincoln Memorial) and underneath the Arlington Bridge and whilst I would like a nice chilled wine at this stage, the bar area leaves a little bit to be desired so I pass.

There are lots of people inside and looking at the queue I think I would much prefer to be out here, but I am sure I will make up for it at dinner tonight!

The Potomac River is huge and there are many bridges for both traffic and rail.  It is lovely sitting here just listening to the water lap the sides as we continue on our journey.  There are many points of interest on both sides of the boat – it is hard to decide where to look next not to mention getting the camera from side to side without going dizzy!

This is turning out to be most confusing so I decide to concentrate on one side going up the river and then the other coming back with the addition of scenes out the back.  Sounds like a plan to me.  Unfortunately, once past the main part of the city there are not many Kodak moments.

We travel as far as the bridges commonly known as the ‘14th Street Bridge‘.   A complex of five bridges connecting Arlington with Washington DC, they are a major gateway for automotive and rail traffic.  There are three four lane car bridges and two rail bridges.

It is now time to turn for home and we go past all the usual suspects – Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and the Kennedy Centre.

Speaking of suspects we sail on past the Watergate Complex.  Renowned for the setting of the break-in that led to the downfall of President Nixon. I always find it strange that nothing ever looks like what you imagine it to be although I must admit I do not know what I imagined it to be – maybe not just like a tourist hotel complex.

Did you ever see the movie ‘All The President’s Men’?  It is a great watch and explains what went on from the break-in to the resignation of Nixon and then the outcome of the sentencing of the guilty parties.

But I digress and it is time to arrive back at the dock.  We have had a wonderful hour on the Potomac – this place seems to be full of activity with people jogging, putting sculls in the water and restaurants getting ready to trade for the evening.

We now have to make our way back to the Big Bus stop for our return to the City.  We are planning on having dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe so we have to get the Yellow Line back to Union Station and then change to the Red Line to take us to the closest stop.

What a wonderful afternoon – the weather could not have been better and as we pass parks and buildings we catch a glimpse of the Old Post Office.  Completed in 1899, it was used as the city’s main Post Office until 1914. Used primarily as an office building afterward, it was nearly torn down in the 1920’s and nearly demolished again in the 1970s to make way for completion of the Federal Triangle.  Major renovations occurred in 1976 and 1983 with the addition of a food court and retail space.  An addition was added to the structure in 1991.  See the link above for more information.

Well, the best laid plans etc and when we arrive at Union Station we are informed that ours was the last bus on the tours today – there are no more.  A rather lively discussion between Kylie and the Big Bus people takes place and they decide for the sake of all concerned to put us on the Night Tour Bus and drop us at Ford’s Theatre (our original plan) – problem solved.

This gives us a great opportunity to take photos of Ford’s Theatre and also where he died without tourists popping up photo bombing.  The HR Cafe is only a 5 minute walk down the hill from here so in we go and there are not many people but it is only early – about 8pm.

I start with a very welcoming Margarita – always a good way to start then we get to some serious eating.  Crumbed steak, mashed potato and seasonal veggies (which turns out to be broccoli) all covered in a heavy gravy sauce.  Not the best meal (or the cheapest) I have had but it fills the empty space.

Time to walk back to the hotel and prepare for another big day tomorrow – it also gives us a chance to walk off the incredibly heavy dinner that I feel could lie like lead in my stomach all night.

On the way we go past the J Edgar Hoover FBI Building (left) and the Robert Kennedy (RFK) Building (right).

We also get a last chance to see the Capitol Building by night as tomorrow we head for Gettysburg.

Highlight of part 2 – seeing Watergate for what it is.