With Gus

Gus did arrive, approximately on time.  I met him with no problems.  He said the delay involved a change from a larger to smaller aircraft, with re-assignment of seats.  We feel lucky that, flying stand-by, he still got a seat.  

After a quick dinner, we took the Metro train into the District and walked down to the west end of the the Mall.  Nice evening, clear, wind had dropped.  We encountered many other visitors, particularly kids as part of organized tours.  

We visited the two hallowed places, in my opinion, in the city: the Vietnam Memorial and the Lincoln Monument.  We talked about our understanding of the history and impacts of those times and events.  

Today we went back to Dulles, by Metro and bus, to visit the Air and Space Museum housed in an enormous hangar out there.  We spent several pleasant hours wandering through the exhibits of more than 100 aircraft - gliders, fighters, jets, pedal-powered, commercial, military, experimental, including a full-sized space shuttle.  Our knowledge of aircraft (especially mine) and our knowledge of history both improved.

We traveled back into the District for some father-son shopping.  We realized that I have probably bought Gus a new pair of shoes almost every time I have seen him over the past 3 or 4 years, approximately every 9 to 12 months.  Not often enough, from the condition of his current shoes!  He buys model airplane parts in preference to footwear - who could disagree with that?  We also visited a bookstore and a bakery.  A little further out, into Maryland in fact, on the Metro and we reached an REI store, where we bought him a new tent for his summer hiking and bicycling.  Another Dad to Gus treat.  

Tired, we traveled back through DC to Arlington.  We ate at a family roast chicken restaurant around the corner from this hotel, with hundreds of chickens rotating over charcoal fires in several big ovens.   We had smelled their product from our balcony.  We enjoyed very good very friendly food in a very popular local establishment - long lines of customers came for take away as we ate.   Fun.  

I will travel again to Baltimore tomorrow for a day of meetings, followed by a dinner meeting once I get back to Washington.  Gus plans to visit the White House and perhaps, if it doesn't rain (but it probably will) ride my bike.