Tuesday: So I have been out of town

So in a last second whirlwind, I headed off to Washington D.C. on Sunday afternoon where I stayed at a hotel that DID NOT HAVE WIRELESS IN THE ROOMS.  It was stunning, and I felt like a caveman.  All I could do was read my book, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and eat my turn down service chocolates.  All in all, it was not a bad night.  I had a dinner of beet gnocci, which was a lovely crimson color, but really did not taste like beets, a couple of salads and some delicious stewed tomatoes.  I toured George Washington University the following day, shopped a bit in the afternoon and headed home in a thunderstorm to arrive in Nashville in the driving rain.

Now, as I have read way to much about Abraham Lincoln, I was very excited to hit the Lincoln Memorial at night after dinner.  Now in a bit of disappointment, the reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument is drained, because it was built in the 1920's and apparently has all sorts of homemade swimming pool issues.  It is going to be completely ripped out, and when something that big is going on, don't you sort of feel that the tourism board in Washington D.C. should phone you personally to let you know that it is not the best time to plan a trip.  That aside, I had not seen the Lincoln Memorial since I was in 8th grade, and I somehow remembered that Lincoln was more accessible, like that maybe I could sit on his knee.  Sadly, Lincoln is way too tall and the greatest photo-op of my life was denied me.  Anyway, it was a great chance to re-read the Gettysburg address and Lincoln's second inaugural.

In the morning, I felt a slight cold coming on, I skipped track practice and realize that I have had a full three days off.  It is unheard of.  Tomorrow, I think I am hitting the pool, assuming no cold, and I might reward myself with an iced soy latte.