Leesburg, VA (USA)

[Last day for training... - arrived early enough to have breakfast at Anita's (New Mexico style burritos) - my friend, Lee, had recommended it - I had a breakfast burrito with green chili sauce (mmmm) - felt "very safe" while I ate, since the entire local police department seemed to be there... - class started on time (0830) and I even got to meet Arun, someone I've been working with (virtually) for several months - he had coordinated a tour for me, Jim and Sabrina (to begin after class) - several other folks also expressed interest, so I couldn't wait to be done with the class... - we finished around 1200, and then a few of us had lunch at Jimmy John's (again - OK - so it is good) before the tour began - began in the Test and Training Lab - great experience (included me getting to "control aircraft" - all virtual - best thing I've done in this new job) - we spent a while there (Arun demo'd some issues that we've been discussing - after that, we headed out on the Ops Floor and listened in and observed Sector activities (Arun showed us a lot of quick looks to explain things that were happening) - wow! - what a perspective, compared to my 35K experiences to this point! - we ended the day listening in to a traffic management TelCon (really put things into perspective) - after that (1600), left for home - as I got to Westfields again, hit a HUGE traffic jam - so, for the third day in a row, I stopped at HQ to get some more work done - I feel like I'm getting the hang of "flexible workspace" - didn't stay as long, though - made it home around 1830 tonight - what a great week away from Downtown!]

Leesburg, VA (USA)

[Another day of training in Leesburg... - up around the same time as yesterday - made it to ARTCC early - had breakfast at McDonalds again - class from 0830 until 1130 - ate at Jimmy John's with Matt (discussed CAP and other safety work) - back to class after that - we finished around 1530 today - one controller (Dominick) took me on a tour of the operations floor (great to observe) - still was able to leave for Chantilly before 1600 - drive was a little easier this time - made it with a little time to spare before class began - finished at 1815 and then spent another hour taking care of work emails - home via VA-28, I-66 and Fairfax County Parkway - arrived very late - tired...]

Leesburg, VA (USA)

[I had to go to Leesburg for training today (something I've been trying to get for several months) - I was glad I had been there earlier in the month (with Carolyn) and I knew what to expect (commute wise) - started at 0645 and made good time to Leesburg Pike (VA-7) - lots of lights and traffic (but nothing like what was on the other side - yikes!) - made it to the ARTCC early enough (0745) that I was able to get my visitor badge and then head into Leesburg for breakfast (McDonalds) - made it to class on time (0830) and had several hours of interesting instruction (also met several controllers - a good thing after all these months on TelCons with them) - a few of my classmates suggested we have lunch at Wegman's (a high end shopping center nearby) - it turned out to be really something! (Nicky would love it) - discussed various work issues throughout the meal - back to class for the rest of the afternoon - finished around 1600 - used VA-7 to VA-28 and was doing well until I got to Westfields (traffic jam) - decided to stop at the HQ to get some work done - found out about the flexible work stations and internet connection (good stuff) - after the traffic had settled down, I headed home via Fairfax County Parkway again - home around 1930]

Rockville, MD (USA)

[up early - drove out to Rockville - had small breakfast and eventually saw Jim, Sabrina and Al - meetings began around 0900 - working lunch (but Schwann's truck was there, too!) - finished meetings at around 1415 - followed up with some work Jim needed completed - departed for Chantilly around 1500 - used I-270 and I-495 to get to I-66 (traffic wasn't too bad, except through Tyson's Corner construction...) - used VA-28 to get to our company headquarters - met up with Kim and got some career counseling before my class - first time I've been able to attend in person (usually conducted via teleconference) - interesting (with networking opportunities) - finished relatively early (1800) - used VA-28, I-66 and Fairfax County Parkway to get home (stumbled on our company's satellite office in Lorton on the way home - good to know...) - relaxed after a busy day...]

Washington, DC (USA)

[got up early - Carolyn slept in - at work for several hours before Carolyn called - she dropped off her bag with me and went over to the Smithsonian again - I worked until 1400 and then met her again - took her on Metro to Union Station - after making sure her train was on time, we explored the marketplace - ended up having cake (key lime) and a drink at a bar there - around 15 minutes before she was supposed to leave we got nervous because no "New York" appeared on the board - but an Amtrak employee pointed out that her train continued on to Boston (which was posted) - abruptly, it was time for her to go (sad...) - went back to Metro station and made it just in time for my Red Line train (later paid for that good luck with a long delay for the Yellow Line, though...) - it was getting HOT by that time, so I was glad to get into my car (air conditioning) and make my way home - this was the least activity for a few days, so I ended up going to bed early]

Washington, DC (USA)

[Up at my usual time - Carolyn not happy about early... - stopped at Dunkin Donuts for her and then got my drycleaning nearby - drove to Metro Station - ride into the city was easy - dropped her off near the Mall (we then learned that things don't open until 1000 - oops...) - I went to work for a few hours - met her for lunch at the Bistro in the Holiday Inn - back to work for the rest of the afternoon - met her again around 1730 - we toured the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (open late for the tourists) - they have changed it a lot (nice Wright Brothers exhibit) - spent about an hour there and then walked over to China Town - had dinner there (after having a tough time picking a restaurant) - enjoyed ourselves until after dark - walked around with nice weather - headed back to Mall to take pictures of the monuments by dark - Carolyn wanted to see the White House, so we got on the Metro at Archives (after seeing the Navy Memorial) and rode over to McPherson Square - it had started to rain as we came out of the station - not many people there (where did the "Occupy DC" folks go?) - back on the Metro (Blue Line to Pentagon) - waited a LONG time for trains - eventually got back to our car - I was exhausted by that point, but drove us home (no traffic) - went to bed almost immediately]

Washington, DC (USA)

[early bird gets the worm - in city by 0845 - cherry blossoms at Tidal Basin - great walk around and nearby (including Mall) - weather misty - drove over to my office and parked there - had early lunch at Holiday Inn on 6th Street - took Metro to Foggy Bottom and explored GWU and Georgetown area - walked down to Potomac River (saw Watergate and Kennedy Center) - the place was sort of deserted (found out later that there was a major flood there last year) - found a nice little hole-in-the-wall bistro (Snap & Fettucine, with Fox on sign) to eat a mid-day snack - enjoyed the pleasant weather as we dined outside before departing to walk some more - circled back around (through Georgtown proper) to Foggy Bottom stop - took train back to L'Enfant and walked back to my car - drove out of the city around 1300L - took I-395 to George Washington Parkway, then to I-66, VA-267 (part of Dulles Toll Road - free) - I-495 and then got off on VA-193 - found our way (passing fancy houses) to Great Falls Park (this time from Virginia side - see APR 2006) - nice waterfalls - kayakers - enjoyed the weather (lots of people picknicing) - drove west on VA-193 until it joined VA-7 (more fancy homes) - continued to Leesburg - explored the town a little bit and then stopped for an early dinner (1500) at an interesting burger joint called Tenderjack's - spent some time there (chatting) before driving out of town again on VA-7 - noticed the FAA site as we were leaving (checked out that out for a future trip...) - connected with VA-28 and drove south until we reached I-66 - drove one exit to Fairfax County Parkway and took it to Pohick Road (after crossing I-95, stumbled across a back way to Lorton Station and a big Catholic Church) - got my bearings again and then took Carolyn to visit Mason Neck (including National Wildlife Refuge) - we enjoyed the nice weather and got some great views of the River - nice talking all day - headed back to the apartment around 1830 - Carolyn updating photos and watching movies ("Something Borrowed" - uuuugggh...) - bed late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[errands - drove into DC (via I-495, Braddock Road, Little River Parkway and I-395) - picked up Carolyn (in my car) at Union Station (red light camera ?) - had some trouble with traffic, pedestrians and construction areas, but eventually drove out of the city - lunch at Macaroni Grill - relaxing at apartment - drove to Huntington Metro and took train to King Street - walked down entire length of street to waterfront (stops at Las Tapas, souvenir shops, etc.) - lots of green - warm, pleasant - long wait for train... - home after 2200 - Carolyn on computer and TV shows - bed late]

Rockville, MD (USA)

[Rockville early - helped Marquitta get her badge and find offices - technical interchange meeting all day (Japanese Restaurant for lunch) - met up with Pat, Mike, Aileen and Alanna later (had dinner there) and even saw (Cathy) - left around 2100]

Great Falls, VA (USA)

It's been nearly 20 years since I last heard my friend, Kim, play the organ. I can't believe it has been that long, actually, since (for a short time in my life) I heard her every day. Fortunately, she is now the music director for a small Parish in Great Falls, Virginia and I figured it was high time to listen to her play again. I left the apartment around 1630 and drove up I-495 to the Leesburg Pike (VA-7) and headed west. It wasn't too hard to find, although I was surprised to find a one-lane bridge when I turned on to Springvale Road. Mass started at 1730 and I sat with David and Jeremy. I forgot how music is very subdued during Lent, so it wasn't exactly as I had hoped. Still, it brought back a lot of old memories from my time in college and I am glad I got to hear her play - I'll have to visit again. They had a prior engagement, so we parted ways and I backtracked to Kingstowne. I'd been reading about an Indian Restaurant near my house and decided to try it out. The Town Center is always VERY busy over the weekend and this time was no exception. I ended up parking in the garage and walking over to Aditi from there. Had to wait about 20 minutes (it was crowded), but the food selection and prices were worth it. I actually couldn't remember ever eating at an Indian restaurant - though I've had curry before. After I got seated (1915L), I asked the waitress what she recommended - decided on the Korma (almond and yogurt based curry) and garlic pita bread. The dinner was good! There were several funny moments in the place, though, due to the close-quarter seating (incorrect food deliveries without anyone realizing it, some juicy conversations in ear shot, a waiter flirting with a table of young ladies). Very full when I finished. It was actually easier to get out of the parking lot and I made it home quickly after that.

Mason Neck, VA (USA)

Since I first discovered Mason Neck (see JAN 2012), I've been wanting to go back. The rural nature of the area - coupled with many things I enjoy doing - make that area in the southern part of Fairfax County very appealing. However, as much as I would definitely have liked exploring the wildlife refuge, State Parks and the bike trail, I knew they wouldn't be as fun without the kids (sigh...). Fortunately, there was one thing I knew I could do without hurting their feelings: visit the home of Founding Father, George Mason. To get there, I used a scenic route I found on the map - it took me from Kingstowne into the Pohick area on Telegraph Road. I've used the road a lot, but never that far. After I crossed US-1, the pavement became Old Colchester Road, where I immediately noticed the heavily-attended (and historical) Pohick Episcopal Church. After that, I followed a narrow street that went through rolling hills and criss-crossed Pohick Creek multiple times - before hitting Gunston Road. I was glad the landmarks looked familiar after that point... I had noticed Gunston Hall last time and figured it would have enough architectural and historical appeal to keep me entertained for a few hours. It wasn't too warm, but after I got to the grounds (1015), I immediately wanted walk across the pretty fields and up the dirt, tree-lined carriage road that led up to the front of the home. However, when I went inside the visitors center, they told me I had just enough time to watch a movie about George Mason before a tour of the home began. The film was interesting - a great introduction to one of the (normally) forgotten men who shaped our Nation. I hadn't considered many of this man's contributions - I guess I took them for granted. From our family tour of Monticello (see MAR 2007), I knew that George Mason had inspired Thomas Jefferson while he wrote the Declaration of Independence (the statement "they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is a paraphrase of Mason's work in the Virginia Declaration). What I had never known was the extent to which he had staked his reputation and friendships (and lasting fame) on arguments for a Bill of Rights when he attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Of course, he got his way - and we are protected from an oppressive central government because of his efforts. After the film ended, I hurried over to Gunston Hall, a pretty Georgian (brick) home overlooking the Potomac. It reminded me a bit of Stratford Hall (see JUN 2009). It turned out that I was the only person on the tour - very nice! My guide provided an excellent description of architectural features and carpentry (most designed by George and then improved and completed by an indentured servant from England, William Buckland) in the home, along with additional descriptions of the man and his family. After that (about an hour), I walked around the grounds - great views of the Potomac, gardends, orchards and out-buildings (found out later that Gunston Hall, like Mount Vernon, is almost directly across the river from Piscataway National Farm - see APR 2006). I paid my respects at the family cemetery, where George Mason and his wife were buried. Spent a little time after that in the small museum, learning more about the Mason family holdings and I drove away from the place (1300) with a great appreciation for this Founding Father - definitely worth a return visit.

Washington, DC (USA)

[after work, walked to Library of Congress (1330) - renewed my researcher card, since mine expired soon after my last visit (see JUL 2000) - had lunch there - explored tunnels that connect the buildings - went to genealogy and local history room for a while - when I left (1630), it was raining (no umbrella!) - headed south to nearest Metro station (Blue Line) and went back to L'Enfant - back to my car and home - hope to return soon!]