Day 171 Baltimore MD-Washington DC

I must say I was happy to get on the road from Baltimore. The was quite odd and the location was in an out of the way sleepy part of downtown. Which was fine for getting work done but not so good for exploring the city. I’m sure a town that calls itself Charm City has more to offer than I witnessed and maybe I’ll be back Baltimore and do your town justice.

It was a great day for riding and only having a short distance to go to get the Washington DC it was a leisurely ride as well.

There was a bit of a mix-up at my hostel I called ahead to verify they have a secure storage place for my bike. Upon arrival that was not the case and against my better judgement I locked it up outside for the night and cut my stay there short and booked another hostel for tomorrow and the rest of my stay that will be more accommodating of my new friend.

One of the benefits of riding shorter distances per day is that I have to to explore the places I get to stay in. So with that mandate I quickly hit the pavement and did a whirlwind tour of the White house and National Mall.

Two things that really struck me were:

The Lincoln Memorial it was absolutely amazing, no words can really express seeing this tribute in person.

And The Vietnam Memorial. Now I have never been one for cenotaphs or war memorials in general, referring a more solitary form of recognition of the sacrifice of my fellow soldiers deceased, disabled as well as the living (with the scars that come with it). But I realized something while slowing walking along that list. I realized that this and all memorials are not just for the soldiers who served to remember their brothers and sisters who have fallen. They are for our fellow countrymen who have lost family in service and to remind us all that these freedoms we hold so dear come a great price paid by a few.

As for me I’ll be in DC till Friday, honoring my goal to slow down, so I’ll post on my DC adventures in a few days, until then here is a bit of what I’ve seen so far.