Rambling RV Rat Goes to Washington!

We found ourselves driving in the rain for the first time since we started our Northeast trek.  It was an extremely windy day as well, which was both a bit scary and yet very cool to watch the swells as we traveled across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel.  I tried to take pictures, which was no easy feat through the wet windshield, avoiding the wiper blades, going 55 mph, and hitting rough pavement.  I felt like I was bobbing in a boat!  Though we’ve been on this roadway many times, it was the first time with the RV, and boy, I sure am glad.  It cost quite a bit of cheese to cross with our set-up—a $34 toll to be exact!  But it is quite a magnificent structure, spanning approximately 17 miles and hosting more than 130 million vehicles since it opened in 1964.

A nice diversion during one of our potty breaks

We stopped at Eastern Shores of VA National Wildlife Refuge on Monday, April 1.  Unfortunately, we could not get in the Visitor Center since it is only open Friday-Sunday.  Furthermore, many areas and trails, like Fisherman’s Island, are now permanently closed to the public.  Apparently, guided tours are available to some restricted areas within the Refuge, but only between October and March.  Rats!

Overlooking Fisherman's Island

Never ones to waste an opportunity, though, we explored what we could.  Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the U.S.A.  The Refuge is on lands that once housed Fort Winslow (renamed Fort John Custis in 1942), built to protect our shores against enemy vessels.  Two 16-inch guns with 2000-pound projectiles that could travel 25 miles were housed here (fortunately, the guns never were used in warfare). In 1949, the facility became Cape Charles Air Force Station.  From one of the vantage points, you can see the Cape Charles Lighthouse (it is now solar powered) and the three towers from which soldiers watched for enemy ships.

Lighthouse and towers way in the left background!

The graves of early settlers who farmed the area are also on the Refuge grounds.  They are now embraced in a warm blanket of daffodils.

Our destination for the next few nights was Kiptopeke State Park, Eastern Shores, VA, conveniently located just 3 miles from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel.  We’ve visited here several Thanksgivings in our early days of weekend RVing and enjoyed our stays immensely, particularly since we had the campground to ourselves that late in the year.  On this trip, about ½ dozen RVs were braving the colder, damp temps (high 30s to low 40s throughout the day).  The Park has changed its reservation system, so you can now reserve a specific site, though not the site we stayed at during our multiple visits so many years ago.  Many of the reservable sites are on a bit of a slope, but several can accommodate bigger rigs like ours.

The Park has accommodations for all lifestyles:

secluded tent sites, yurts with porches and great views, rustic cabins, even full-service lodges with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and modern, indoor bathrooms.

Yurt

Multi-bedroom lodge with kitchen and indoor bathroom!

I love the coastal diversity of Kiptopeke!  The more than 5 miles of trails throughout the Park take you through pine forests, marshes, fields, and sand dunes/beaches. 

A whitetail deer peeking out at me!

Though quite chilly with blistering winds, we enjoyed walking along the beach.  Interestingly, the shells along the Eastern Shore of VA were larger-sized and more prevalent than those along the beaches at Gulf Shores and Myrtle Beach.  I spotted pieces of coral, too, and was intrigued by smaller shells embedded in bigger shells, kind of like squatters of the sea world.

Squatters of the sea--shells embedded upon shells

It was too early for the flyover of the migratory birds, but we did enjoy viewing some of the “local” inhabitants, including those who roost on the Kiptopeke Breakwater, a fleet of concrete ships sunk in 1948 to form a coastal barrier that protects the beach from storm damage.  We were blessed with some sensational sunsets.  Red sky at night, sailor’s delight—and mine, too!

No matter how many times you visit our Nation’s Capital, you could never see all it has to offer.  That’s why we added Washington, DC as a stop on our Northeast trek.

We traveled from Eastern Shores along Route 13 to Route 50, the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway.  It is a nice, easy drive, albeit with several traffic lights.  We were tempted by the many seafood huts along the route.  But, alas, they were not open that early in the day.

We arrived at Cherry Hill RV Park in College Park, MD.  We stayed here in 2009, when we were still weekend RVers, and loved the fact it is owned and operated by the fifth generation of the Gurevich family.  Most of its employees have been here for a decade or more, too.  In fact, café manager Susan and her husband John, whom me met here on our 2009 visit, were invaluable to us in imparting their full-time RVing experiences/knowledge, for which, nearly 8 years since becoming full-timers ourselves, we are eternally grateful.  Cherry Hill is a full-service resort with every amenity you can think of: from splash parks, miniature golf, and playgrounds for kids; to swimming pool, sauna, and hot tub for adults; from an informal café to large event center.  It has two laundry rooms and game rooms (I’m getting hooked again on Ms. Pac-Man).  We had a big pull-through site with paved patio, wrought-iron outdoor furniture, and fire pit.  Best of all, there is a stop right at the Park for the bus which brings you to College Park’s Metro Train Station for easy access into DC.  Metro pre-paid cards are available for purchase right at the RV Park (and the RV Park has a bin where we donated our cards with remaining value for use by local Veterans).  All of these amenities and conveniences come at a premium, though:  $88/night WITH a Good Sam or FMCA discount.  East Coast prices are really putting some holes in my cheese!

We timed our DC visit perfectly:  the cherry blossoms were in full bloom!  We got up before dawn each day and got off the Metro in the city before 8 a.m., which proved fortuitous—we were at the heads of the lines for entrance into various museums and we avoided the crazy drivers!  Funny, we everyday folks are encouraged to use mass transportation, but the muckety-mucks were all in single-passenger cars, making traffic horrific!  Seems to me a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do”.

Jefferson Memorial in background

Capitol Building

We stopped at the World War II Memorial to say a prayer for my Grandpa in heaven who was in the Armed Forces within the Pacific theater.  We paid our respects to those who perished in the Vietnam War.  Did you know that 265,000 women served there from 1956-1975?   Most of them were nurses who tended to the more than 300,000 wounded. The Korean War Memorial was very dramatic with the shadows of the statues reflected in the surrounding wall.

World War II Memorial with Lincoln Memorial in background

World War II Memorial

Statues honoring women who served in Vietnam War

Korean War Memorial.  Notice the shadows of the statues reflecting on the wall.

As we visited other memorials, I was filled with emotion: the inspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King, the resolve of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the eloquence of Thomas Jefferson, and the fortitude of Abraham Lincoln.  We viewed the Washington Memorial from afar, since renovation/construction prohibited us from going inside.

The Smithsonian, with a total of 19 buildings (2 of which are within New York City), is the largest museum and research facility in the world.  The Institute houses over 156 million objects, 145 million of which belong to the Natural History Museum.   And if you want your name on the list of distinguished donors, you only need to shell out a measly $1 million.

Smithsonian Castle

We took a guided tour of Smithsonian Castle, the first building for the Institute.  We learned the unusual circumstances under which the monies to start the Institute were bequeathed to the U.S.A., as well as how the remains of James Smithson, the quirky benefactor, landed in the Castle.  Thoroughly intriguing!

The remains of  James Smithson

We spent considerable time wandering through the Institute’s Natural History Museum and its variety of exhibits.  From seeing how my rodent ancestors evolved, to viewing the magnificent Hope Diamond; from discovering the religious beliefs of the Egyptians (They were so adamant they needed material things in their afterlife, but sadly reside under a glass case!), to observing the world’s largest tree nuts and seeds.  So much to do, so much to learn!  My cotton-stuffed brain was ready to explode from all the stimuli!  Fortunately, they also had exhibits of “lighter’ fare like the giant fish tank representing the oceanic waters.  This was right up my alley, since we owned salt water aquariums in our sticks-and-bricks homes that had many of the same inhabitants:  Yellow tangs, hippo tangs, clown fish, blue angels.  Though the size of this tank far exceeded our small 55-gallon, it contained no seahorses, octopi, lion fish, or bat fish like our home aquariums did.  (Sadly, we don’t have salt water aquariums in our full-timing lifestyle—but we do have two 7-year-old traveling goldfish!) 

My rodentia ancestors.  Did you know rodents are the most abundant mammals?

Hope Diamond

Wonder what it is?  Get your mind out of the gutter!  It is a giant coconut palm seed!

This reef display was made of garbage/trash!

Since we enjoy viewing architectural design and religious artifacts, we decided to visit the National Cathedral (Episcopal).  But I immediately nixed the idea when I learned we must pay for admission.  There is something inherently wrong paying an "admission fee"  to enter a house of worship.  (PLEASE, have some decorum and at the very least, call the set amount a "suggested donation".)  And this, in a city where the majority of museums are free of charge.  This really grates my nerves and cheese.

Since we did our part to “be green” and hoofed it everywhere within the City, we worked up quite an appetite each day.  But it was easily suppressed by eating lunch most days at the USDA building.  It is a smorgasbord, offering every cuisine you could possibly imagine!  And prices are reasonable, too.  The only drawback is going through security before each chow down.  We deviated by eating lunch one day at the National Portrait Gallery, which had few offerings and hefty prices ($35 for 2 pre-made hummus sandwiches and beverages).

Though lunch there was disappointing, I did enjoy perusing the National Portrait Gallery, which contained paintings of every President and First Lady.  I learned so many interesting tidbits:  Cleveland was the only President to serve 2 terms non-consecutively; John Quincy Adams was the only President to serve in elected office after his presidency; Eisenhower was courted by both political parties to be their candidate; and Trump has lots of company in the category of becoming President despite losing the popular vote. 

      

Not sure why these were in the National Portrait Gallery, but aren't they gorgeous?

Nothing brings more happiness than the fragrance and beauty of plants and flowers, so visiting the Botanical Gardens was a must.  Of course, by the time we left, we were all sneezing, coughing, and sniffling, but it was well worth the discomfort.

We toured the White House Visitor Center.  We admired some of the collectible ornaments (we had one from a prior visit, but we parted with it when we started our full-timing lifestyle).  We learned from a docent that Coolidge was responsible for decorating the first outdoor Christmas tree at the White House, while Buchanan was the first to decorate a tree inside.  The security around the outside of the White House is much tighter now than during our prior visits.  Furthermore, it now takes a month or more to arrange a White House tour.  I wasn’t too disappointed, though, since we toured the White House previously.

We did get a personal, behind-the-scenes Congressional tour by the staff of our House Representative, Dr. Brian Babin.  This was so cool, informative, and much more convenient than standing in the huge lines for regular tours.  The frieze in the Rotunda was impressive and very cohesive considering it took 3 different artists to complete the project!

Part of Tunnel System at Capitol

Texas entry into the Congressional High School Art Competition--A winner in my book!

Old Senate Chambers

Statue of Freedom model--the bronze sits on top of the Capitol

We ate dinner one evening at Old Ebbitt Grill.  As DC’s oldest bar, it is considered an institution, with a real “who’s who” list of clientele.  Because it was a Friday, all the goober-smoochers were gone for the weekend already, so it was just us Every Day Joe’s eating there.

Upon the recommendation of Dad’s Primary Care Physician, we purchased tickets to Capitol Steps, a satirical, musical review of politics.  It earns a 5-cheese award from me--absolutely hysterical!  With most of the cast having worked as DC staffers, aides, or liaisons, they have seen it all and have created an Equal Opportunity show.  Yep, it leaves no stone unturned, no politician unscathed.  It roasts and pokes fun at all Washington insiders: the President, Representatives, and Senators. The show has been around for 30 years, so Washington DC antics have proven to be profitable--not just for politicians!

The most moving experience was our visit to the Holocaust Museum.  Though it is a free exhibit, it is widely attended and very difficult to get in.  We opted to pre-order admission tickets on-line for a service charge of $1/ticket.  This was cheese money well spent, and our visit spanned more than 4 hours.

Because of the solemn nature of this museum, I didn't take many pictures.  The architectural design itself transports your mind, body, and soul back in time.  Each visitor is given a card detailing the life of a person affected by Hitler’s horrific acts. You become one with the persecuted.  From the ghettos, to the train ride, to entering the genocide camps, you walk in their footsteps, feel their fear, their anxiety, their uncertainty of seeing the earth the next day.

I never realized that members of the Gay Community, members of Jehovah Witness, and Roma Gypsies were also targeted for annihilation by Hitler.

Though Catholicism was the main religion in Germany, the Vatican did nothing.  The U.S. did little and much too late.  The world was in denial.    This exhibit is very difficult to see, but it is so important for EVERYONE, regardless of race, creed, or religion, to understand the atrocities that occurred.   May people never forget, and may God forgive us all.

Walls are etched with the names of those who perished at the Nazi Concentration Camps

Our 5 days in Washington, DC were productive and enlightening.  But I returned to the RV each evening completely exhausted.  Some people find the noise level emanating from the highways that surround Cherry Hill RV Park an obstacle to a good night’s rest.  But to me, the swooshing sounds of traffic serenaded like a cascading waterfall.  I soon drifted off to sleep in my bed, with visions of cheese squares dancing in my head.

We would like to thank the following organizations for all the great service and support they offer to the RVing community:

Escapees RV Club

RVillage

RV Dreams