Day Two Hundred and Forty-Five

The Other Washington

It's technically mother's day right this second for those of us living on the East Coast. I was going to buy you this flower today, Mom, but decided that a picture would last longer anyways. 

(See, I'm always thinking about you...even in DC!)

In forty-two days, I've seen every state on the Atlantic, south of New York. Nine in total. Not too shabby for a West Coast girl. But nothing, not one city, compared to the excitement I experienced in Washington DC today. And to think, it's not even in a state!  

Here's the day's setup:

Alejandra and I began driving from Lakewood, NJ this morning at 9. We had a 9 hour drive ahead of us, but desperately wanted to see Washington, even if for a brief moment. How could you pass through and not stop?! We got lucky and found a parking spot right across the street from The White House. Two dollars. Can't beat that! The only problem? We had a one-hour time limit. If we weren't back by 3:30, our car would be towed. But how do you see Washington in an hour? You run. You run really fast. Good thing we were wearing tennis shoes!

Our first stop: La Casa Blanca. The White House.

I still can't believe that I stood in front of the most famous residence in America today.  I don't quite know what I was expecting, but what I saw was certainly a surprise. So many people. So many opinions. And so much noise. Multiple protests were being held right outside the place our president calls home. I might not be Obama's biggest fan, but still, who would want to come home to that? If I had people outside my front door at all hours of the night, I'd start throwing rocks or something. I can't imagine the life our presidents face on a daily basis. But today, I got the faintest sense of what it might be like. And let me tell you something...I'm not jealous.

Here's what I think: The White House would look good with a red door. 

With thirty minutes already down, we booked it to the Washington Monument. We had to see it up close. Speeding through crowds, we made the half-mile jog with relative ease. I could feel my body temperature rising, but ignored the beads beginning to accumulate on my nose. 

I can't tell you how big my grin was when I first laid eyes on it. Wow. What an immaculate structure! (Unfortunately, the woman didn't capture the entire monument in the photo. Sad day). We gawked at its incredible height, and couldn't help but reminisce in scenes from Forest Gump. So beautiful.

We had twenty minutes to get from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, and then back to the car. Neither one of us batted an eye. We started running. Sprinting, even, at times. I guess I never realized how far Jenny had to run in the water to meet Forrest! Our mile on foot was a sweaty one. When we finally arrived at the Lincoln Memorial, we were drenched. And probably didn't smell too good either. But we just didn't care. Because when we finally sat down on those steps, every bit of our journey was worth it. Together.

I kissed another man today.

By the time we descended the Memorial, we had 5 minutes to make it to the car. The parking sign explicitly said, "Towing enforced after 3:30." Problem. A 5 minute mile? Who, us? In your dreams. But waiting, on the side of the road, was our three-wheeled solution. We hopped in the "Pedi-Cab," and said, "If you want a tip, you're going to have to speed!" The bicyclist raced the mile and a half, but couldn't make our 5 minute deadline. A wretched feeling coarsed through my veins. It's going to be towed, I thought. Our first trip together, and we can't even manage to keep track of our car. Scenario after scenario flashed through my mind. But at 3:36, we caught a glimpse of that shiny silver Toyota, and the smiles returned with a vengeance! The car! The car! No ticket! No ticket!! 

Turns out, the rest of the sign read, "Monday-Friday." Today is Saturday. Oh for Pete's sake! 

In one hour, we made history. Well, I guess not technically. But you tell me the next time you manage to fit in The White House, The Washington Monument, and The Lincoln Memorial, all under 60 minutes. All on foot. Alejandra and I did! And I don't think there's another person in this world that I'd rather have been with. We made the perfect team. And shared some very special memories.

Including this one.

It was a scene you could only imagine in the movies. Or at least MTV. And I've never laughed so hard in my life.

For you, Alejandra:

"Liiiiii. Liiiiiiiii. Liiiiii. Liiiiiiice. Liiiiiiiicense. License."