As we had done most, if not all, the main battle sites yesterday we decided to head straight for DC.
Breakfast of fruit and yogurt was followed by eggs Dijon (a very thick small pie-sized omelette with a fancy name, as far as I could see). Then we were asked to make a choice of breakfast dessert. The options were Shoofly pie (that Pennsylvannia speciality), cinnamon cupcake slice, or lemon tort sponge. Rejected the Shoofly as we have yet to see one so not sure we want to take that risk. A fellow guest had it and less said the better - good decision made that time. Rejected the cinnamon slice as we seem to have had a surfeit of cinnamon, it appears to be a major ingredient in many American cookies, muffins and cupcakes. Also couldn't figure out 'cupcake' and 'slice' until we saw it, and it must have been an enormous cup to be able make a slice that big. So the lemon it was and it was delicious, very light and fluffy, though it felt like it was four in the afternoon already and just finishing a high tea.
Then it all got a bit hectic. Certainly glad we decided to ditch the car for the days we are here. Concentrating on who's doing what in front, behind, and either side and just listening for directions from the SatNav and copilot we arrive at Union Station just fine, but who knows where the rental car drop off is? Certainly not us, so we ask a friendly security guard (well two actually, as the first guy was just a bit vague) and go around Columbus Circle a second time, and this time into the parking lot. At the very top of the ramp the signs for car rental returns are all over the place (not visible from the road). We may suggest they put some up outside the station just as a hint for the tourists. I guess if you picked the car up there it would be obvious, but for our one way drop off it was anything but obvious. The sun is shining and it's hot! Car sorted and eventually finding our way out of Union Station it's a brisk walk across to our borrowed apartment. It's on the sixth floor and has everything we need. A cup of tea later we set out for a quick orientation stroll about town just to get the feel of where we are.
Inside the main lobby of Union Station.
Outside in the sunshine Union Station looks just as grand.
Mmm - it would take me three or four leaps before I could get to see Bo and Sunny the Obama's Portugese Water Dogs.
Scary to think who might live here next. As we have been driving around there are many many signs in people's houses for Trump-Pence, whereas we've hardly seen any Clinton-Kaine ones. It's been fascinating listening to all the election news while we are here. Someone at breakfast this morning told us that they don't believe their media channels and if they want to find out what is really going on they watch the BBC!
Next, a distant view of the Lincoln Memorial and one of the Reflecting Pools. Definitely need a closer look at this, will save that for tomorrow.
This Joan Miro sculpture was too scary for Eric. So we left.
Yet another distant view - this time of Capitol Hill.
