May 6, 2023
When I planned this trip, I noted that I'd change trains in DC. I'd done so before, and and recall that I had a frustrating time figuring out which gate, because like Chicago, there are many, and the Metro connects there as well.
This time, however, when I stepped out into the great hall, I was overwhelmed. I was amazed, and exhilarated. And it was much more than just the sheer grandeur of the building that I was in.
Nothing could induce me to just sit in the lounge and wait for my train to be called. I was going to explore. I know that this newfound confidence was born of the recent trip with son Jarret and his family. We had hopped on and off the Metro like commuters who'd lived there all our lives, so there was no reason for me to wimp out now.
With my bags safely tagged and stashed, I stepped out the front doors into the sunshine, and there, right down the street was the Capitol building.
Not having lunch on the train, I knew I needed to find food before I could explore. It didn't take long to realize that there wasn't anything close by, so I walked back to the food court in the station for a sandwich.
Right next to Union Station is the National Postal Museum, which I've never visited, so I started there. For some reason my camera on my phone glitched and most of the photos are gone, but that's okay, because museum photos are a bit boring anyway. There were several floors of the museum, depicting postal history, like how it all got started, as well as different modes of transporting the mail and all the mechanics and technology involved.
One exhibit that caught my eye was regarding the mail taken by rail car. There was a train car set up with the sorting boxes that they would use en route. There was also this cute story of a little stray dog that adopted the rail mailmen. Everyone was so fond of him and considered him good luck, that they hung special tags on him. Someone made him a harness to attach them to.
When he died, they pooled their money and had him preserved. That taxidermy is now 126 years old, so it must have been well cared for.
Once I was done with the museum, I still had several hours available so I decided to go to Arlington National Cemetery, as we hadn't gone there last fall. I went several years ago with daughter Alyssa.
Since it was Saturday, the Metro was just $2 for any destination, and not very crowded. I bought a Smart Card with a trip there and back, then found my train.
It was really pretty easy. From Union Station, take the red line towards Shady Grove, not Glenmont. Get of at Metro Center. Go up and down the right escalators to find the blue line, heading towards Franconia-Springfield, not Downtown Largo. Wait for the right train, and get on. Pretend not to be nervous that you just made a really dumb mistake. Remind yourself that you have more money and if you go to the wrong place, you just figure it out. All seems rather silly, but I'm really just a country girl, and have never ridden the Metro all by myself. I've always had someone with me to double check that we're jumping on the right train.
All went well. The Metro Center station wasn't at all busy on the way there so it was easy.
Later, when I returned to Union station it was much busier and I had to reverse all the names in my head. I also had to make sure that I didn't jump off at Foggy Bottom by habit, as that's where we got off on our family trip. Only once on my return I had to assert myself to actually get on at a stop, as it was that busy.
On my return I went back to the food court and ordered a Hawaiian crepe from a crepe stand, and took it back to the lounge for my supper.
They had about 30 different kinds of crepes on the menu, both sweet and savory. Mine was perfect, as it had a touch of sweet pineapple so it was like eating dessert too.
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