31.05 - Day 137 - Washington to Annapolis
Friday 31st May - Washington, DC to Annapolis, Maryland (Day 137)
It’s another warm day in DC, even when I go for an early morning walk; a lap of the White House, because - well how often do you get to do that? Only those doing exercise or walking a dog out this time of the morning but the police / secret service level is still the same and very visible.
After breakfast and school work we check out of our Embassy Suites and head back to Planet World at the request of Sienna and Seb. They’re happy to repeat some of the voice led activities of spending more time watching karaoke, digitally painting a three walled landscape or reciting famous lines from classic books which causes miniature scenes to come to life within a picture frame.
As Pearl’s Bagels had been a success yesterday, we revisit again today, sitting on the streetside tables and chairs with our scallion and chive cream cheese of Everything bagel, toasted (the kids are happier with plain ham on plain bagel).
We complete the week's schoolwork in our hotel lobby before walking with luggage just a few minutes to catch the 220 commuter bus from DC to Annapolis. It’s a full sized coach with less than 12 folk on board for the 75 minute journey east. There's one stop at the Park ‘n’ Ride and second and final stop in the heart of Annapolis, leaving us a 25 minute walk through town, over a bridge and past some marinas to Dave and Lauren’s house.
Their picture perfect American house complete with US and GB flags fluttering out front in one of 4 houses in a quiet friendly close. Dave and I played hockey together back at UEA (2000-2003) and the core of the team have stayed in touch since even as we’ve spread - two in the US, one in Greece, us in Australia, then rest in the UK. In 2002/03 Kate, Dave and I all lived in separate houses along Muriel Road in Norwich (Kate knows Dave as Dave 25 - his house number).
Now Dave and Lauren have Charlotte (almost 3) and Olivia (7 months) to keep them busy and us entertained. They kindly let us stay with them in the smartly renovated basement, and once Charlotte is over her brief shock and shyness the kids are playing together nicely, all the while little Olivia is laughing and grinning.
A BBQ dinner follows supported with a few drinks leads to catching up late into the night sitting outside on the deck around a glass stone covered gas fire before we settle downstairs for bed.