W A S H I N G T O N   D . C .   -   D A Y   # 1

Monday, October 25, 2004

After buying my ticket and deciding to take the train to L'Enfant Plaza Station on the Green Line, the Transit Authority spits me out, and I find myself outside again on the other side of the tracks.

The tracks are electrified, so it's best to stay on the platform. I wonder, is the camera here to capture idiots who venture into places forbidden? Maybe the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority submits such videos to America's Funniest Home Videos?

Eventually my train arrives and wisks me off to my intended destination, L'Enfant Plaza Station.

From the depths of the train station I emerge to the surface where I'm quickly overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. In regard to photo opportunities, I'm like a kid in a candy shop. And just like a kid, the first thing I take a picture of is a construction site. It reminds me of a book I loved as a boy, it was called Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel.

Finding myself sufficiently geographically challenged, I drop by the Forest Service Headquarters and grab me a map! Since there's so much to see and do here, it's vital to formulate a plan of attack. Using the map as my guide, I soon determine the best use of my day will be to stay outside and bag as many sights as I can.