Trip to Washington DC

[CycleJay]

Hi guys,

My M1009 "RumbleLina" and I may be (not confirmed yet) taking a road trip to Washington DC,
June 26th, 2013.
So I can be in Washington June 27th, 2013 for a possible meeting at 11am.

Any advice, hints, contact info., anyone have, so I can make sure I get there and back in good shape?

I will be going from Atlanta, Ga. to Washington DC, then staying there 1-2 days, then back to Atlanta by Saturday,
or the latest, Sunday night. That is if I do not get myself killed or arrested when I am in Washington.. LOL.

Any information would be greatly appreciated, especially contact info. along the way, in case of roadside breakdowns.
(But I will not need that contact info. yet, as I have not confirmed the trip yet. )

Thanks guys...

 

[CARNAC]

Many of the streets are no right turn on red. Leave any guns at home--they have special detection devices. Stay low profile and low key. Don't draw attention. Plan everything out before you go and ensure you have an alternate plan and an alternate to your alternate. Worked there for 2 years when it was the murder capital and survived. If you plan ahead and know where not to go you;ll survive 2 days.

 

[marchplumber]

Carnac, is a M1009 really "low key"? Can it "stay low"? "Don't draw attention."???? Hmmmmm, maybe Cyclejay should think about flying there and,,,,,, I don't know,,,,,, rent a car? Just a thought! Hope your trip is safe and has a pleasant outcome, Cyclejay.

God bless,
Tony

 

[wreckerman893]

What CARNAC said. Heed that advice. If you do the tourist thing do not stray too far from the Mall (where most of the attractions are).
If you are meeting with someone local they can tell you which areas to stay out of.
You might be better off to park outside the DC area and take the Metro (train/subway) into DC. It is (surprisingly) a pretty easy system to use.
Traffic sucks, parking is expensive and hard to find. If you are driving you are more likely to end up in a bad area in a vehicle with GA plates on it......this will not endear you to the natives.
DC is a gun free zone which means only the criminals, cops and hundreds of federal agents have guns. If you are caught carrying a gun (any kind of gun) you are going to jail where you will meet some very scary people (and I use the term people loosely).
There are metal detectors all over the place too. Do not carry any knives either. You might get by with a Swiss Army Knife or a Leatherman but I wouldn't bet on it.
Let me say this again....do not carry a gun to DC.

PS. I just re-read your post. This is just a suggestion for what it's worth. You are going to use a lot of diesel to get to DC. It gets more expensive the farther north you go. I would check bus and train fares. If you timed it right you could leave Atlanta and be in DC on the morning of your appt. Both the bus and train will put you in DC without having to navigate traffic (terrible even on a good day) or having to worry about mechanical issues going or coming. From the bus or train station you can take the Metro (if needed) to your meeting. Once you have accomplished your mission you can get back on the train/bus and head home. Peace of mind is worth a lot.

 

[swbradley1]

Geez, you guys will have him scared to death to even go. I have driven in all but one time and parked on the street. Never felt unsafe in any neighborhood except maybe from the squirrels at the mall. I do NOT carry anything construed as a weapon though.

 

[MWMULES]

Last time I was there we parked at an outlying Metro station and rode the subway in, cheapest way to beat the parking fees.
http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm?

 

[HonkyCat]

...You might be better off to park outside the DC area and take the Metro (train/subway) into DC. It is (surprisingly) a pretty easy system to use.
Traffic sucks, parking is expensive and hard to find. If you are driving you are more likely to end up in a bad area in a vehicle with GA plates on it......this will not endear you to the natives...

This is right on. Last time my wife and I went we stayed at the Marriott Courtyard next to the ATF Headquarters and parked the car in the hotel's garage (a little expensive, but super nice and it was our anniversary)...didn't drive it again till we packed up to leave. I'm not crazy about leaving my car in a valet's hands, but they were very cordial and security escorted me to the garage any time I wanted to get something or just check on it. After getting downtown on the subway (my first time) I can see why driving down there would not be worth the hassle...I could enjoy the sights and museums and such without having to worry about it being there when I get back, or travel back to get the car if we had parked it somewhere inconvenient since there are subway stations all over the place. Another benefit of the subway is Union Station. There were many popular fast food places (Bojangles!! which I don't have at home) to eat at for cheap...I find that a lot of places in DC are closed on the weekends and what is open is expensive. We were also lucky to have a 7-11 convenience store in the bottom of our hotel and the just past that was the subway station...all in a 1/2 of a block. I would check to see if a M1009 would fit in a parking garage if you go that route and also bring a spare key (they keep one).

 

[EMD567]

I would also stay outside the beltway, and ride the metro in to town. Much better parking, and you have a decent chance that the tires will still be on your vehicle when you return.

 

[DieselBob]

Well all the important parts have been pretty much covered. I worked in DC for 28+ years driving from site to site during the day everyday and I vote for taking the metro into town. Parking can be a real crap shoot. I have driven to a site in the middle of town on “K” street and pulled right into a spot in front of the building I was going to and other times it has taken over an hour to find a spot. Parking garages fill up quick and are then limited to card holders only. Also if you drive into town Be Very Careful of the height restrictions in the garages. Right now diesel is running about $4.09 ~ $4.29 a gallon in the area. If you are going to be staying overnight I would recommend a hotel either very close to your destination in town if you can afford it or staying outside the beltway in northern Va or Maryland in the Gaithersburg/Rockville area. If you do stay in DC itself stay away from any accommodation located in areas referred to as North East, NE or South East, SE Washington. These areas are right on the fringe of the section 8 areas and you can find yourself in a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] world environment real quick.

 

[Firejareen]

Ladies and Gentlemen please. Just across the Potomac is Crystal City/Pentagon City in the northern most area of Arlington, VA. A good place for not too expensive hotels. A little further south of that on 395 is Springfield, VA. Also inexpensive place to stay outside of DC. Metro Rail from Crystal City or Metro Bus from Springfield. Ronald Regan Washington National airport is in Crystal City/Pentagon City so if you fly in you could rent a car and stay at a local hotel. Also in Northern VA but west of Crystal City/Pentagon City is Roslyn, also just across the Potomac from DC. The District is not a dangerous place nor is it hard to drive in. That being said, for outsiders it can be difficult to get around. Research where you need to be at what time; lodgings, appointments, meals, entertainment. And you will be fine.
If you need any further assistance or suggestions let me know.

 

[DieselBob]

Ladies and Gentlemen please. Just across the Potomac is Crystal City/Pentagon City in the northern most area of Arlington, VA. A good place for not too expensive hotels. A little further south of that on 395 is Springfield, VA. Also inexpensive place to stay outside of DC. Metro Rail from Crystal City or Metro Bus from Springfield. Ronald Regan Washington National airport is in Crystal City/Pentagon City so if you fly in you could rent a car and stay at a local hotel. Also in Northern VA but west of Crystal City/Pentagon City is Roslyn, also just across the Potomac from DC.

That was the area I was thinking of in NoVa. For some reason in my mind I saw 395 as the beltway. Pretty much all you need in a good location.

 

[porkysplace]

If you do drive get yourself some kind of road service that dosen't require you to pay, then get reimbursed . Something along the lines of AAA.

 

[CycleJay]

Hi guys,

Thank you for all the information. It is greatly appreciated.
The trip is not confirmed yet, since it is way down there on June 27th.
But if I do go, all this information will be duly considered.

It sounds as though it would be alot of trouble to get around.

But If I do go, I will keep it at the hotel that may be arranged for me, and use the public transit as you guys mentioned,
or my contacts may help me get around, and then there is always walking, I like to walk.

I will also keep in mind, what you guys said about guns. I will leave them at home.
Even though I am so used to carrying it now, that when I do not, I feel very uncomfortable.
Like I forgot some article of clothing or something. LOL...

I shall see what happens between now and then... By the way, I already do have AAA.

Thanks....

 

[papabear]

CJ if you DO go, please let me know a week in advance as I have some important documents i need delivered to Congress. If my plans are instituted, the national debt will be erased immediately and we will all be prosperous again!
Thank you in advance!

 

[swbradley1]

Of course CJ will imprisoned at Gitmo but that's a small price to pay for a debt free society.

 

[marchplumber]

Can you share those documents PB? What is "prosperous"? Rings a bell, but can't quite put my finger on it. Good luck CJ. (your imprisonment really is a small price to pay for "prosperity", don't you agree) LOL

Hope it all works out for ya! You are right, it is a ways away.

God bless,
Tony

 

[wreckerman893]

CJ if you DO go, please let me know a week in advance as I have some important documents i need delivered to Congress. If my plans are instituted, the national debt will be erased immediately and we will all be prosperous again!

Papa Bear...while your intentions are good I don't thing charging anyone a large fee for each lie they tell will work since no one in Washinton DC can tell the difference between the truth and a lie.

 

[Scarecrow1]

I don't see the problem in DC. I broke down ( a flat tire on my bike put me on the street ) I had a policeman lead me to a 24 hour tire shop only problem was they didn't fix motorcycle tires. I had a 12 inch knife on my side across from the fifth street market down town DC on a Sunday night. I had to be in New Castle Delaware to pickup my truck the next day.
Even though the guys couldn't fix my bike one of then called a guy who gave me a ride to New Castle for a very reasonable fee. A guy and his wife lived behind the station and after just a friendly conversation about our Bikes he let me push my bike into his back yard for the night . I picked it up the next day on the way through.
All and all in spite of of being an outsider and in trouble I was never in a position where I felt the need to defend myself . The people were all helpful and even the policeman was nothing but kind. I got turned around in the five ton more than once and ended up in some colorful places but still got directions and made it out better than when I went in ........
I have found that in general if you treat people the way you should often they do the same ....You will be fine..