During this trip to Virginia and the D.C. area, I had the well-rounded experience of riding in several modes of conveyances and I gotta say, it makes you appreciate your automobile – the freedom that you get from having your own vehicle where you are at any given time – well, nothing compares to that!

So, we flew into Norfolk and then I decided instead of renting a vehicle to get to D.C. I would try to save a $110 or so and train it into D.C. Yeah, okay- not fun. I think if the train operated normally and at full speed, they could get you to D.C. in 3.0 hours from Newport News, but no- there was some freight train derailment the night before so from Newport News, I was on a bus to Richmond. In Richmond, the train took off 1 hour late so I ended up waiting at the Richmond station for 1 hour and 45 minutes to board a train that got me into D.C. Union Station in exactly 2 hours. What a pain! But I gotta say, riding the train, once it got going was kinda fun. It was nice to relax, take a nap, watch a movie, and just get things done. It was also nice to see all the scenery – gorgeous views and I remembered why trains are so much fun when they work on time and right.

Riding the metro was fun too – it is so easy to get around the city in a metro but as I ride the metro in D.C. I did start to wonder about how lax security was in it. Of course, people riding it, I noticed were much more vigilant. For instance, a man put his briefcase down behind my suitcase and I noticed the woman I was sitting with immediately stood up and watched what was happening and then made sure the man exited the metro with his belongings. I think that helps but I am always fearful of riding in ground transportation nowadays because I think it is an easier target than airlines. In any case, my transportation woes aside, the trip was good and despite security concerns, I am still a huge proponent of public transportation if a city can install that type of infrastructure. Granted, for me, because time is an issue with the kiddos, I still prefer to get in my car and hit the open road….ahhh- freedom!

I am in our nation’s capitol this week and I always notice the same stuff here- the women here act like they are Parisians- they dress up all the time and are all always wearing boots- no, not snow boots or appropriate weather boots but — boots with heels and no traction. Everywhere I look here women and men are dressed up in their suits, dresses, or outfits that make you wonder where you are sometimes. I think this city is just more formal than say Denver or Fort Collins, or even Phoenix, but come on! After the city had a dumping of over 30 inches of snow, the sidewalks are a mess, and there is no place to walk so you think they would learn from that – but no!

In any case, I am really glad that I do not live here- I put on my Coat- it is a ski coat/jacket not an overcoat, and my tennis shoes, and I can walk like it’s nobody’s business. Sure, I may not look like a sheek Fashion model but I am comfortable and warm, and more importantly, not flat on the pavement.

In any case, I am not impressed with the city and the people are the worst- they are not friendly at all and I really miss home… yes, when you want to appreciate where you live, take a trip somewhere else- maybe to the East Coast… it will definitely make you wanna GO WEST!