I know why Henry David Thoreau went to live deep in the woods. Were he a Washingtonian this weekend, and apprised of the forecasted conditions on Metro specifically and our region more generally, I think he’d return, with me.
Near noon today I’ll drop off a pair of Inaugural Ball passes to a buddy, return to the office to wish my colleagues a pleasant four-day respite, retrieve a chum in Northern Virginia, and with screeching tires move North and West for elevated sanctuary in the deep snows of Western Maryland. I’ve been counting the hours to this sabbatical in the snow all week.
For you see, madness is about to descend on Washington, and I want to experience it from a distance of hundreds of miles, in high definition — when I’m not snow tubing, skiing, and hot tubbing with superb wine and cheerful company. And a few of these. I’ll miss the Saturday date with the Bs, but were I to stick around, there’s no guarantee I’d make it to the rink, short of driving a golf cart into Chinatown.
Inaugurations are always special and necessarily congested here, but there’s something particularly pernicious about the circumstances attendant to this one. It’s historical, obviously, and therefore an inducement, likely, for unprecedented outsider numbers. That’s not so much the problem; our decrepit and dilapidated Metrorail system is. It auditioned its Inaugural readiness with me in it last Friday, at rush hour. I left the office at 5:30 and arrived home via the Red Line some three hours later. Monday night’s commute was nearly as bad. The regular riders I’ve spoken with the past couple of weeks are of one mind about what lies ahead: it’s not a question of if Metro will perform badly, but how badly.
What if one human being among a million next Monday or Tuesday falls ill within the system? Will there even be an Inauguration?
And lest you think there are varied alternatives to getting in and out of the city the next four days, think again. Eventually, all but one bridge into the city from Virginia will be closed. As will no small number of the District’s roads. Hailing a cab with an extra million or more visiting? Hah.
Anyway, the Bs are scorching hot; let’s cool them off by having them try and rail it into the city from Reagan National.
A getaway weekend of R&R by half of the OFB team — Rucki’s actually making a full week of it, and jetting off south toward warmth — affords OFB intern Andrew a prime opportunity to seize the blogging reins. Andrew’s recently returned from AU’s winter break, and while back home in Michigan he had an opportunity to ride the Zamboni at the Joe during a Wings’ game. He has some cool pics of that we should see this weekend. He’ll also be covering the Caps-Bs for us, and his American University women’s hockey team will play at Verizon Center prior to the game on Saturday, and he’ll cover that as well.
He was also a witness to my interview of Peter Bondra at the Phone Booth this past week. I wanted to ask the 500-goal scorer his reflections on Slovakia’s upset of the U.S. at the World Juniors, and Peter the Great graciously answered all of my questions. With big smiles. Andrew will be working on a transcript of that that we may publish this holiday weekend as well.
Incidentally, the C&O Canal is beginning to freeze up. I drove past it yesterday. If it’s skatable come Tuesday that would most assuredly be the best and most reliable transportation route in and out of town.
17 Comments
Hear hear on fleeing the scene! I’ll make the Saturday night date with the Bruins, but I am fleeing for New York and then Ottawa Monday and Tuesday – hey, the Caps made a great excuse to get the hell out of Dodge and tickets weren’t that bad.
Enjoy your resort weekend!
The gf and I will also be heading to Verizon to catch the AU-MD women’s game. My buddy coaches the AU women and my gf went to MD, so I’ll just sit there silently. Then we have three and a half hours to kill before the Caps take on the B’s. If we were bigger drinkers, trying to figure out what to do between games wouldn’t be a problem.
“Eventually, all but one bridge into the city from Virginia will be closed.”
Actually, eventually ALL bridges into the city from Virginia will be closed. Only pedestrian traffic and pre-approved buses and taxis.
Leaving town is not such a bad idea.
Since you’re heading North for the next few days, you should stop by Pine Cliff in Fredneck. I’m planning on skating there sometime this weekend pending conditions of the pond.
I’m actually coming into DC from NYC for the game, but traveling each way by train, and leaving Sunday afternoon. I think I’ll be alright, I hope.
I remember this past summer when a fire started on the tracks around Chinatown or Metro Center and the electricty went out along several blocks in the Farragut North area. Several of you were likely there.
The lights were shut off in the Dupot and Farragut North stations. We were shuttled back and forth before they decided Farragut North would be the least dangerous, dark station to climb out of compared to the Excorcist on steroids escalator of Dupont. It was jam-packed in Farragut and took some time to get out of – the stations emergency lights are nil.
It was disgusting, out on the streets traffic lights were out and no cops around to direct confused drivers at the intersections – and this was a normal workday. Imagine the Inauguaral apocalyptic bum-rush of frightened out-of-towners mixed with pissed-off locals and absent, clueless Metro employees.
It took me 90 minutes to get home from work last night… approximately double the usual commute. I cannot imagine how abysmal Metro service will be for the Inauguration. I am so, so happy to be gettin’ outta Dodge this week. We’ll be watching the Inauguration via satellite on the ship, drink in hand.
Cut the Metro dudes some slack. When I was there they were awesome help, freindly and went out of their way to assist.
I do understand that things could become downright silly, please do not allow this to keep you from being the seventh man!!
Caps 4evs!
I was only refering to the Metro employees running prostitution circles
Seems I may have missed out on a part of the hospitality package?
We are heading up near Wisp as well. Seems like a good idea and it is nice to experience some snow during the winter.
I too will be found on the slopes of Wisp. I will watch out for you on the slopes and more importantly in the bar. We found a cabin with satellite TV and also the have the centre ice package..:)
I am taking 17 hardy souls to the game Saturday night, including some first-timers and a few bright children. A fine time will be had by all. There will then be a few days to recover, the office being closed Monday and Tuesday, and telework an option for Wednesday. I expect Center Ice and the NHL channel will illuminate my toasty sittingroom, in between Obama-watching and bobsledding. Life is good.
Hoist more than a fair share for me Pucks.
Gonna be a while before I can get back to the Land of Alexander Keith’s.
KiltedCap,
I may need to swing by that cabin of yours for the third period Saturday night. I’ll bring a few delicious bottles. I’ll tell the lady friend I’m going on “a firewood run.”
going on “a firewood run” = refilling the Viagra prescription?
We kid ’cause we love.
Theres nothing like watching a caps win from the hot tub after a great day skiing and snow tubing…:P
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