City Break in Washington DC

February 1997

Of all US cities, Washington DC is one of my favourite places. It might not have the charm of Naples FL or the interest of Santa Fe. It hasn't the weather of San Diego, nor the scenery of Seattle. But the people are friendly, the vistas wide, the Metro efficient and cheap, and most of the sights are free. This selection of photographs shows what can be done in a weekend. It is not intended as a guide to Washington, nor even a recommendation of places to visit. If you take my advice though, you'll have fun. I guarantee it. First let me show you the River Potomac and the bridge leading over to Arlington Cemetery. Take the Metro for $1.10 or a day ticket for $5, rent a car for $49 a day, or walk. Worship at the tomb of JFK - he wasn't even a great president, but dying helped a lot.

If you haven't already been there, the best place to start is with a White House tour. I say if, because you might have been fortunate enough to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom if you donated enough to Clinton re-election funds, but let's assume you are just a regular guy like me, and wait in line for the privilege. Get your ticket early from the ticket booth. 7.30 am should do. The passes are timed, but unlike Buckingham Palace they are free. Something about a democratic right to see the President's home... (Oh, so we don't have the right to traipse around Buck House then?) Well, no but there's a lot more to see in the Queen's pad.

Whilst you're getting the White House tickets, why not ask for the Washington Monument too? It's free, and an elevator takes you to the top, roughly 550 feet or 890 steps up. There are great views in good weather. Each side of the entrance door are lines of benches where you wait your turn. At the top, take a camera with a 200mm lens. You can take some fine shots of the White House, the Capitol, the Lincoln and Jefferson buildings and some tatty looking grass in the ellipse which is constantly being dug up for various occasions. There is a line half way up where they ran out of money and stopped construction. When it was restarted, the stones were a different colour. Pity really.

In Summer, the frappuccino is an interesting variant on mere iced coffee. They also sell biscuits, muffins and pastries, as well as coffee and the equipment to make it any way you want. I rather like the little thermometers you stick on the lip of your milk frothing can - you want get the temperature to an exact 150 - 170F. The people are quite nice in the one around L Street near where you rent your Budget car. Here's a snap to prove it. By the way, all the roads in one direction are numeric and in the other direction alpha, so tell your cab driver to take you to L and 15th (he won't speak English, of course, but you can't have everything can you?)

OK so you're revived and ready for a walk. A long walk. Back to the Washington Mall, which isn't a shopping centre. If you want that, try Tysons Corner on the way to Vienna VA. Sorry, there's no Metro there. You'll have to go by car, or try the much smaller one at Georgetown, or even Crystal City. No, the Mall is a massive open space running down from the Capitol. All along the sides are the Smithsonian Museums. There are the usual selection, like Natural History, Portraits, Fine Arts, Technology, but also NASA. Lots to see and sore feet to boot. Ha! Yes you can go into the Capitol (Radio Hams can admire the bust of Morse, one of the greatest inventors of all time and forerunner of all digital modes). So this is the real Washington and you can spend almost all the rest of your time in this area alone.

Not all of Washington is quite so grand. Some of its parts are not grand at all, and I would not recommend you go there at all. But Georgetown is the gem, and if I lived in Washington, I would definitely make my home there. If I could afford it, that is. You get there on foot or by bicycle along the river towpath. Or you can take the Metro to the oddly named Foggy Bottom, then walk or ride the bus with a free "add on" ticket. Georgetown is the Kensington of Washington. There are smaller scale houses, some colourful and some brick or brownstone. The Kennedys lived in Georgetown and Dumbarton Oaks can be visited. There is a zoo nearby, and the Georgetown Park Mall is one of the best of its kind, a converted wharf building. Docklands eat yer heart out.

If you have time left, why not visit a friend? Here is Bernie Keiser in his shack. Bernie lives in Vienna VA and travels to London several times a year. This was our first trip to his house, and we found him sending fast scan television pictures to fellow members of the local radio club. For the technical, the picture is input on 70cm with a 33cm output, and voice on 2m. Naturally the call sign NV3Y and G4XDD soon appeared on the ATV repeater. The airport is a long drive out of Washington, and as you leave, the best way is by shuttle bus from 16th and K Streets, the Washington Flyer for $16 one way. Buses leave every 30 minutes, but be sure to go to Dulles because there are 3 airports serving the capital in all. Dulles is the one with the strange "mobile lounges" which unload you from the plane, then sink gracefully and drive you to the terminal building. You might not be as lucky with the weather as we were on this visit, but even if it rains, you'll have plenty to keep you busy.

Last updated: 23/11/05