Emerging stealthily from the Reagan National Airport parking complex, where I dropped off my sister Cassie on Friday afternoon (no easy feat, let me assure you), I furtively/ever-stealthily searched for signs of the Mt. Vernon Trail.
And there it was, hidden cleverly (but apparently not stealthily) behind a big brick wall
And off I went, to Old Town Alexandria, following such signs as this, which indicated bathrooms, telephones, flatware, and who knows what other mysteries!
Here we are, in Old Town Alexandria. What I quickly discovered is that this town is chock-full of specialty dog treat shops. Cowboy would love it.
It also has a fair amount of bike shops, being, as it is, along the Mount Vernon Trail (which, as we learned last month, is on a hill).
Big Wheel Bikes was nice, but the more cleverly named bike shop, which I didn't feel like stopping to take a picture of, was "Wheel Nuts." (A little farther up the trail... I was doing a steady 15 mph at that point and couldn't be bothered to be stopped. Shame. Next time.)
(Reason why Caitie should visit me... since we've been to the "other" Champs Elysees together... Caits, you do read my blog, right?) ;)
This was one of the stores I went in. The old man's fishing vest is actually a cupboard that opens! Wow! What will they think of next!
I like shiny colorful things. In this way I am very much like a 6-month-old.
Why not? ...
Because stuffed woodland creatures dressed up as children riding bikes are creepy, that's why not. :-\
Fortunately for Candi, her name was also a career path. If only the rest of us could've been so lucky...
Wouldn't I love to dash about...
Historic info, should you be interested. I was, at least enough to take this photo.
But I was at least as/if not more interested in this lollipop.
Remember this label?
They've got a shirt I want.
Maybe two.
Old Town Alexandria has horses! And carriages!
But I didn't ride one, because I have a bike, and bikes are more fun. And also, bikes are free. And they last as long as you want. But they don't mandate that you spell "towne" with an "e", so that's kind of a bummer...
If there's one thing I love, it's step-by-step picture instructions on how to wash your hands. Amazingly, this paper-towel dispenser expanded on the standard five steps and added a sixth - use a paper towel to turn off the water faucet. Brilliant.
Brought to you buy Starbucks, a smoke free environment. I intended to buy a latte after this lovely bathroom experience, but the line was really long. Like, out the door long. And no one needs a latte that badly, not even me.
Old Town Alexandria (OTA?) is right on the Potomac River and has a nice dock area....
... some very fashionable bike racks...
... and a torpedo factory (???)...
... not to mention some absolutely stunningly posed seagulls.
(close up on a stunningly posed seagull)
(very close up)
there is a boat in OTA
... they call the Rising Sun... (everybody now!) And it's been the ruin of many'a poor boy, and god, I know I'm one...
Oh hey! It's the beltline! Pretty! Oh... wait... not very pretty... what can I say, I'm partial to people who commute on two wheels.
The Torpedo Factory, as it turns out, is actually an art gallery that displays works of local artist, some of which are really fantastic. So fantastic, even, that I felt rude taking a picture of them. So I don't have many pictures of the fantastic things. But I did take a picture of this giraffe, not because he's not fantastic, but because he was created on my 23rd birthday. Lovely, giraffe, just lovely.
Also, this was in the stairwell. Ok.
Ever since Li'l Dais got stolen, every time I come out/back from where I was and see Skippy still locked up with her kick-ass awesome Kryptonite lock, I get really excited. See, here, look, my bike hasn't been stolen AGAIN! What a great day!!!
I just love that Reagan National Airport is a legitimate stop with a legitimate exit sign on this wonderful and well-maintained bike path. Now if only there were some reasonable way to tote your luggage on your bike... then I'd be set.
Skippy and I at Gravely Point. See? She's doing really well. Or he. I haven't decided yet... :-\ At any rate, it will be a great place to play frisbee and watch the planes take off, once the weather comes and the company arrives... let me know when you'll be here!
Oh, also, a couple days later, Mac and I went to see the orchids at the National Botanical Gardens.
And they were pretty. Really, really pretty.
And I took pictures.
... but flowers are really too beautiful to photograph. That doesn't stop me from trying, but really, really though, you should just come see them yourself. Really. And then we can go play frisbee at Gravely Point.
:)
