The trip to DC for the Inauguration

Can't believe I managed to find a frequent flyer ticket to DC to witness the inauguration.
The flight left late, delayed due to electronic problems. Since the Jet Blue lawsuit, it seems pilots are bound to announce ALL that is wrong with the jets to passengers. Coming home from NY over New Years, we heard "one engine is down, but we can make it without it!"

TMI!!!

After the electronics were fixed, we took off around 9 p.m. Usually, the passengers would have been tired and grumpy. NOT this trip. There is an enthusiasm and party like atmosphere. The diversity one sees in the population is fun. Families coming from Japan, Africa, LA, KCMO, Olathe :-)

I sat next to a beautiful young woman of color who was connecting in KC from Los Angeles. Patrick, she is a writer for Top Chef and Runway. (too bad I am such a geek, I didn't know what the show was...) The Colin Koranda clone sitting in front of us nearly broke his chair to turn around and talk to her. Called his girlfriend to brag about meeting Shannel (sounds like Chanel) (who was such a lovely person!)

Nike (Colin's twin) is an electrical engineer for Garmin. Listening to what he does for a living was a hoot. Fun creations with GPS. He had cool gadgets with him which allowed us to track the speed of the jet we were flying on...

Landed at Ronald Reagan Airport (formerly known as National Airport) at Midnight. EVERYONE there, like being in Grant Park on election night, were so happy to be there, friendly...using eye contact. Hopeful.

Driving my rented Honda Accord to Alexandria was a snap...Like I haven't left here.
Have a great little room @ the Sheraton Suites for one more night. Will meet Mary Ann, Wendy and Linda for a late lunch and then will hook up with Chas and Ali, possibly Stacie later this evening.

Stacie packed up her goods and moved to DC about a month ago. Seano reports she is working on the Inaugural committee...precisely on the train ride from Philadelphia. If you have access to CNN, please turn it on for a glimpse of what I an experiencing. Red, white and blue flags draped everywhere..outside and in...My favorite kind of weather - Cold with crystal, clear blue skies above. DC is glistening and electric with excitement.

Dad arrives tomorrow. We are spending the night with the Kellehers for two nights.
Have to go to Congressman Ike Skelton's office on Monday to pick up our tickets. That will be an adventure. Hope to use our car. DC is shutting all car traffic down on Tuesday. What a trek into our Capital it will be. (Have (ugly) shoes, will travel )