Week 9 - Washington, DC (Chocolate City)

Hello Family and Friends,

Guys, we have been on the move this week. We have now checked out nineteen elementary schools in the DC area as compared to our five schools last week and we are feeling it. Prior to being in DC, I averaged about 70,000 steps/week. Over the last week I have completed 100,000 steps. This is the first location we have been to that has a very robust metro system. Since our ER visit with Atlas last week, we didn't move our vehicle until his follow-up visit this week. Of course, Atlas ripped of his bandages the day before his follow-up. I guess he got tired of it. At the follow-up they gave him a hard cast that encloses all his fingers so that he can't get it off. The PT in me is very concerned about atrophy and learned non-use, but Atlas was so brave and did excellent with all the wrapping. With his cast, he now has a hand and a weapon. We're training him to use it for good and not destruction. The NP told me to try to keep him relaxed for the next 10 days, I laughed out loud.

Atlas getting a full hand cast for a fingernail injury.

We did get to visit Ben's Chilli Bowl while touring neighborhoods. This place is a historic establishment of DC. Most presidential candidates stop by here for a meal when on the trail. The food was only ok, but the vibe was cool.

Ben's Chili Bowl with an active jukebox

We went to the Sakura Taiko Fest, which is a big taiko drumming event. Taiko drums are a type of Japanese drumming. It's probably one of our favorite parts of the cherry blossom festival. However, getting to the national mall on a Saturday during the festival was an absolute nightmare. Returning via metro was even worse. A stroller got stuck on the escalator, because there were so many people that it literally couldn't exit off of the escalator. And as we all know, escalators don't stop. The crowds in the metro felt like those old school Black Fridays where you here about people getting trampled to death. Back when Black Friday was one day after Thanksgiving with real deals instead of this month long event with fake discounts (I digress). Brett told an attendant that the escalator isn't working anymore because a stroller got stuck and the attendant replied by saying thank you for telling me and then proceeded to do absolutely nothing. I guess the DC metro takes it cues from the federal government (Let me not start).

Brett also took us to Shenandoah National Park, Luray Caverns and Skyline Drive . He wanted to show me that we could easily get to the mountains as a day trip or a long weekend. We attempted to visit the caverns, but got too late of a start to actually explore in the off season. To be honest guys, I was not very impressed with the foothills of these Appalachians. The Great Smoky Mountains in TN are so much grander. When visiting the Smokies I feel like I should take my son camping. When visiting the valleys in Virginia, I wanted to return to my running water and a hot shower.

Brett and Atlas outside of the caverns on our day trip to the countryside.

Our next location will be returning to Arlington, VA. Brett was sick our first time around and we didn't get to explore the area. We'll check in with you guys then.