Week 7 - Arlington, VA (DMV)

Hello Family and Friends,

We have officially made it to Brett's hometown. The DMV is the DC, Maryland, Virginia metropolitan area. Then, they get more specific about whether you live inside the I-495 beltway or not. This, of course, is city people being really snooty about who is more city. It was really fun to see some of the places that Brett has talked to me about. He showed me his old high school, Wakefield. He likes to remind me that Sandra Bullock grew up in his town (I think he has a little crush). He says it has been through a remodel as the brick has definitely changed. He also showed me the unofficial path that he would take to school. Now, there is an official sign saying that the path he used to take is unofficial and should be used at your own risk. Of course it would be like Brett to have forged his own path that is so dangerous that the county had to put up a sign that essentially says we don't condone this at all. Brett also showed me the last apartment that he lived in before graduation and moving out on his own.

Brett's high school. Class of '02.

Brett's school trail from the top looking down. There were no power lines in his day and he would ride his bike down.

The sign now in front of the trail that Brett took to get to high school.

This is the stadium of the TC Williams football team from the movie "Remember the Titans", my favorite football movie. Brett's high school, Wakefield, is one of the teams they regularly beat.

Brett's childhood home with a community garden on the front that was there even when he was growing up.

Seeing Brett's stomping ground was the highlight of our week, because then Brett decided to get sick. He of course had to be overzealous about getting sick and make sure that it was something really serious. We went to the urgent care and he was diagnosed with Influenza A, He couldn't just catch a cold or have some allergies, he had to go and get the full flu in March of all times and we aren't even around people. Then he decided that the flu wasn't good enough and went and lost his taste, which means he probably also caught the RONA. The nerve of him to get sick on our travels. Bruce, Atlas and I are perfectly healthy and trying to keep ourselves busy outside of the hotel.

Atlas and I eating by our lonesomes, because Brett is sick.

Atlas and Bruce playing at the dog park, because Brett decided to get sick

After 2 days of being confined to the room, Brett's felt his medicine start working and decided to join Atlas and I on our trip to the gym. I was going for the childcare, steam room and hot tub. I told Brett that maybe he should stay home, but he also wanted to take advantage of the hot tub because all the coughing had his back muscles feeling sore and tight. And what do you know, I had to practically carry him out of the gym because our little outing was too much for him (good thing I've been making good use of the weights at the hotels). All that to say, that I am a petty wife and I told him, "I told you so".

We have decided that we are going to have to spend another week in Arlington as Brett needs time to recover from his sickness. Again, the audacity of that man to get sick and change our plans when we have stuff to do. We are still going to head to DC next week, but will return to Arlington afterwards. That will push back Maryland by a week. I honestly think Brett got sick so we could spend more time here in the DMV. He thinks this place is the best place on the earth and this man has been to 38 countries. Though I did see more evidence for how Arlington is very commuter friendly.

A digital sign located in Target in north Arlington showing the schedule for the metro stops in the area. It's as if they are saying, "We know you don't drive. Here is your up to date commuter schedule".

Atlas and I ventured onto the Metro. One, we wanted to see how it was going from Arlington to the big city. Two, we wanted to prove to Brett that we could do it on our own (I think he was jealous that we left him at the hotel, sick, while we ventured into the city.) The DMV metro isn't set up where you can just use your credit card to get on the metro like NY and Boston, you do have to actually buy a metro card. However, the metro attendant told me that they just got the technology in that week. Hopefully, if we do move to DC, they will have scanning with your credit card all set-up. Other than that, it was pretty easy, but going into the city feels like a whole adventure. It was a 40 minute adventure that included the walking time to the metro. Though if I do it often enough, I don't think it will feel like such a big deal.

The only time Atlas is perfectly still is when riding the train. I think he likes riding forward like a big boy.

We went into the city to visit the National Children's Museum. I must say, the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh has it beat. However, it was big enough for us and kept Atlas plenty busy for a good 2-3 hours. When we were just getting ready to leave this 5yo boy just started talking to us. He was doing what 5yo boys do, sharing way to much information and wanting to show off all the things he knew about the world. He was with what seemed like his grandmother and I think she felt bad for me, but you all know I so enjoyed it. Talking to that little boy felt like a little hug from Nathaniel.

Somethings that I have learned about Arlington while exploring with Atlas without Brett, is that people are really quite kind and gracious when they see a mother with a stroller by herself. They open the doors and are a little more accommodating when they see us coming through. We got a free cookie at Panera and the server at the little Italian restaurant that we went to for dinner was so patient and gracious. Also, cities are just not handicap friendly. As I navigate with a stroller, I need ramps and elevators. All signs and directions are given for people who walk. If you need to use an elevator, you feel a little lost. Like, how do I get down without walking down 10,000 steps (just kidding, but it is a lot). I told Brett to not get old or injured while in the city.

We are looking forward to DC and to having Brett back in commision.