On Tuesday, August 23, 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, occurred 84 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., damaging the Washington Monument. The National Park Service has temporarily closed the Monument and is assessing the damage to it.
Repairs will soon be underway. These headlines bring to mind a previous incident of mine involving repairs and maintenence to the iconic monument.
A few years back we had decided to visit colonial Williamsburg with our friends Gary & Rosie. Since we also planned on Gettysburg, I suggested a quick stop in Washington D.C. to see the new Holocaust Museaum before heading on to Virginia. We camped in Maryland the night before and then took a van into the Metro Station. The train dropped us off underground of the Mall in Washington. This is where it went downhill quickly. My only excuse for what happened next is that (1) it had been a few years (actually my high school senior trip) since I'd been there, and (2) I'm a little slow coming to full consciousness in the morning, especially in a new or changed environment. Yah sure!
Anyway, emerging from underground onto the Mall, I looked right and then left to orient myself, whereupon I said, quoting from memory, "the Washington Monument is gone! And there replacing it with a blue, skyscraper motel." Spouse and friends looked at me with open-mouthed astonishment and then burst into laughter. I took a second look and my too quick erroneous conclusion became readily apparent. The momument was surrounded by scaffolding and much of that was covered by a blue tarp. I didn't get a picture of the blue tarp covering it but you get the idea. How come people never let you forget these kind of moments?
Repairs will soon be underway. These headlines bring to mind a previous incident of mine involving repairs and maintenence to the iconic monument.
A few years back we had decided to visit colonial Williamsburg with our friends Gary & Rosie. Since we also planned on Gettysburg, I suggested a quick stop in Washington D.C. to see the new Holocaust Museaum before heading on to Virginia. We camped in Maryland the night before and then took a van into the Metro Station. The train dropped us off underground of the Mall in Washington. This is where it went downhill quickly. My only excuse for what happened next is that (1) it had been a few years (actually my high school senior trip) since I'd been there, and (2) I'm a little slow coming to full consciousness in the morning, especially in a new or changed environment. Yah sure!
Anyway, emerging from underground onto the Mall, I looked right and then left to orient myself, whereupon I said, quoting from memory, "the Washington Monument is gone! And there replacing it with a blue, skyscraper motel." Spouse and friends looked at me with open-mouthed astonishment and then burst into laughter. I took a second look and my too quick erroneous conclusion became readily apparent. The momument was surrounded by scaffolding and much of that was covered by a blue tarp. I didn't get a picture of the blue tarp covering it but you get the idea. How come people never let you forget these kind of moments?
That is a good one! I am enjoying a good chuckle over that.
ReplyDeleteEasy mistake, tho....
right.
If I didn't have MY coffee, I wouldn't be allowed out on the street. Much less trying to find something as small as the Washington Monument. Good story! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your blog as always. But I often read it on my phone, so leaving a comment isn't easy. Honestly, your comment about the monument sounds like something I would say. In Mpls, now, visiting relatives.
ReplyDeleteI do remember that when they were working on it. I haven't been to DC since 1980's and I am sure it has changed more. I want to see the WW 2 memorial.
ReplyDeleteI'm smiling. Good one!
ReplyDeletethanks for allowing us to snicker at you, too! :)
ReplyDeleteI am sure they will talk about it for years..that's what friends are for:)
ReplyDeletelol That is a good one!
ReplyDeleteBecause they are funny, that's why. Pretty sure coffe would have helped:))
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! Even I get a kick out of it!! No excuses allowed:)
ReplyDelete*giggle* don't you just love it when friends are our witnesses to our little 'brain cramps' through life? Haha!
ReplyDeleteToo cute!
xo Catherine