Doing The Tourist Thing!

Week two down and Larry is still enjoying his new position at North Star. I think the big issue is getting used to a schedule of getting up each day and getting out on a regular basis. After five years of no schedule or a very loose schedule, this was a big change. I put in my second week at West Marine, only two days but I'm not used to standing all day for 8 hours on a concrete floor. I walk a couple miles in the morning and evening to get to and from the Metro. In the morning I don't mind the walk but at night my legs don't want to cooperate. Larry and I both are very tired in the evening and are waiting for this syndrome to expire, hopefully the day will soon come.

Tomorrow, Saturday morning we are taking a motorcycle ride to Front Royal near the Blue Ridge Mountains. The weather is supposed to be in the 90's and partly cloudy, a perfect day for a ride. We'll spend the night and return on Sunday. It will be nice to escape the city with the high temps but we do really love being here.

Last weekend, on Saturday we hung out on the boat, read and napped. We both needed the break after a very busy week. On Sunday, we played tourist and took a walk around the Tidal Basin and visited, along with all the other tourists, the monuments. It rained on us a few times but it was a delightful day. We ended the day at Trader Joe's for some much needed food and took the Circulator Bus home. We decided we liked taking the subway better. It is faster and no need to wait for a transfer. We did although use the bus on Friday night when we went into the city on 9th St to Ella's for a pizza (gluten free). That worked out, it was a straight shot, without the need for a transfer. The picture at the top was of the arch at the beginning of Chinatown. Chinatown was only a two block long area not as big as Chinatown in NYC.

Larry's First Day!

Monday morning, rise and shine! Larry had his first day back in the corporate world. He looks pretty good in his sports jacket, shirt and tie and slacks. Oh don't forget the shoes, I don't think his feet will be the same again. After wearing sandals for five years and now dress shoes. He did clean up pretty good though. I can't wait for his Dad to see this picture, it's been so long for this type of dress, I don't think he'll recognize his son.

After a few hours of showing him around and introducing him to his coworkers he got thrown right into a meeting. Not just any meeting but one he is to be the lead. They gave him a break for this one but I'm sure not the next one. They kept him busy for the day and it sounds like today will be much of the same.

On occasion the owners give a happy hour after work for their employees and spouses. Larry just happened to start on the day they had one scheduled. They stopped work at 3:30 and went to the roof patio of the building for drinks and snacks. I forgot to mention this roof has a splendid view of the Capital building. I think this will be a good place for Larry to come out of retirement for a few years. They not only compensate their employees well, they recognize a need for occasional breaks from the norm.

Larry arrived home excited to tell me the days activities, a good sign. We both agree we love the city thus far and now it looks like he will love his job. We have been down to the yacht club several times now and each time feel very welcome. With all that we should have a good few years here semi on land in Washington, DC.

Your probably wondering what I did all day when Larry left. Fear not I had plenty to do. The boat was in desperate need of a cleaning in and out. I didn't want to waist the last few days before Larry went to work doing tasks on the boat so we didn't. I sat for a few moments and pondered being all alone for the day then went to work. I cleaned done below and threw things no longer of use away and packed away the rest. In Spring in DC the bug population is immense and our cockpit was just plastered. I set about scrubbing the cushions and fiberglass. It looked good when I got done but this morning there are more. Hopefully when spring ends so will they.

Today I start my training at West Marine I have to be there at 2 PM but will leave the boat at 12:30 PM. It will take me about an hour walking to and from the transit and riding on the transit to get there. I do the same thing on Thursday and next week I'll be put on a regular schedule of two days a week. I don't have to dress up like Larry but will wear a West Marine shirt and khaki shorts or pants. Larry already gave me a shopping list of things we need. The discount sure does make a difference. I'm sure I also will enjoy working, so far everyone there seems friendly.

Trip to New York!

We left early Thursday morning a week ago to travel by motorcycle to Rochester, New York. Getting out of DC was interesting, even early in the morning the traffic is dense and bumper to bumper. I don't know how anyone survives driving in DC. I will much rather take the public transit, which we have all week since our return. It took us nine hours to get to Rochester and ten to return. My hind end may never recover.

The picture is of the party at our daughter, Jennifer's house on Saturday. It was good to see all the children having so much fun. The day was beautiful and the company and food were also good. Our grandson, Jonathan celebrated his 10th birthday on this day as well.

Sunday we visited our son, Dan and his family. Our granddaughter, Kira got to sit on her papa's motorcycle but as soon as the engine was started she was ready to get off.

Monday we hung out at Jennifer's house and had a visit from our daughter, Patience's best friend Kristen and her children. You can see Patience pictured here doing what she loves best playing with the kids. Left to right Kristen's son, Nick and Jonathan and our other grandson, Joseph.

Tuesday morning we left very early before the grand kids woke and they wake up very early. It was just beginning to become daylight. I thought for a moment we were still traveling by boat. Oh and yes of course it rained for our trip home. We wouldn't have felt complete if it didn't rain, it always rains. With the rain and decreased visibility it took us an hour longer to get back and we got back just in time for rush hour traffic.

We have spent most of this week discovering the transit and getting Larry's last minute details for work ready. I also, as Larry puts it am gainfully employed by West marine. Larry starts Monday morning at this job and I start Tuesday afternoon. He will be working five days a week while I only work two.

Our friends Greti and Richard M/V Uschi are here in DC for the week and we have gotten together on several occasions. I made for them a canvas hatch cover today and tomorrow the four of us are going to take the subway to Trader Joe's. They plan on leaving Monday morning to travel to Block Island for the Summer but plan to stop back in September. It has been good seeing them.

Well it's getting late and time for bed, tomorrow will be another day.