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Hey, DC, Do This: Visit The Yards Park

THE YARDS PARK: ALONG THE ANACOSTIA

To visit The Yards Park has been on my "to do" list for quite some time. Yes, I go to Nats games, but when I do it's strictly to the stadium and then back home. The other day my colleague and friend, Denise Wills, talked up The Yards Park and the fun she and her husband had there with their daughter. It jumped to the top of my list and I'm glad. My friend Christopher DePaola and I visited on Sunday. Here are some of the photos. It's important to note that we went on a Sunday morning, with no baseball game happening at that hour, and thus finding a parking space was possible. I'd made an attempt once before, two full hours before a game, and it was pointless -- unless I wanted to pay $20 for a surface lot.

THIS IS A WADING POOL. AT ONE END IS A WATERFALL, THE OTHER END THE ANACOSTIA

Apart from having to find a parking space, it was an interesting exploration of another well developed part of the city. We were so enthused we then went and explored the H Street corridor, the DC "neighborhood of the future." What that means is most of the people who live and work there now will move to PG or Montgomery Counties and H Street will become "the new 14th Street." I have no political opinion about that, because I'm a big fan of what's been done to 14th Street, especially in the vicinity of Logan Circle.

CHILDREN LOVE THE WADING POOL

It's easy in Georgetown to feel park-satisfied, because The Georgetown Waterfront Park is exceptional. The Yards Park is, too. Hooray for DC and the National Park Service (and the others who were involved) for getting this done, though it took almost 30 years to see the Georgetown park to fuition. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Nationals Park stadium development was an impetus to get the Anacostia project done faster. The Yards Park runs to and from the stadium.

THE BOARDWALK THAT LEADS TO AND FROM NATS STADIUM, IN THE DISTANCE

Given that the park adjoins the actual Navy Yards there is a lot of nautical atmosphere. Old docks, now home to Ospreys, Seagulls and Herons; lots of handsome chain and rope. There is the Navy ship, the Barry (not named after the former Mayor), no longer in service except for tours and events, but which once plied the waters off Korea and Vietnam. There is a Swift boat (dedicated, no kidding, by John Kerry), and there's the Navy barracks (home to the Navy band).

THE BARRY, COMMISSIONED IN 1956, DECOMMISSIONED IN 1982. BUILT AT THE BATH IRON WORKS, MAINE.

SWIFT BOAT PCF-1, DEDICATED IN 1998 BY JOHN KERRY AND ELMO R. ZUMWALT, A RETIRED NAVY ADMIRAL.

NICE NAUTICAL TOUCHES ARE EVERYWHERE AT THE YARDS PARK

What I like best about The Yards Park are the walkable spaces, the greenery, the exposure to waterfront, and the history. There are some beautiful old buildings there that I hope get preserved and transformed into something useful. Near the Department of Transportation, along the so-called "transporation walk," a vast retail development is underway.

THE YARDS PARK IS WELL LANDSCAPED WITH LOTS OF GREEN AND CONVENIENT TEAK CHAISES AND BENCHES

A FEATURE ALONG THE "TRANSPORTATION WALK" OUTSIDE THE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

With The Yards Park, and the eventual renovation of the Southwest waterfront, we're nearly at a time when it will be possible to walk, bike or run from Key Bridge to the Douglass Bridge. Bravo.

Hey, DC, Do This: Visit The Yards Park

THE YARDS PARK: ALONG THE ANACOSTIA

To visit The Yards Park has been on my "to do" list for quite some time. Yes, I go to Nats games, but when I do it's strictly to the stadium and then back home. The other day my colleague and friend, Denise Wills, talked up The Yards Park and the fun she and her husband had there with their daughter. It jumped to the top of my list and I'm glad. My friend Christopher DePaola and I visited on Sunday. Here are some of the photos. It's important to note that we went on a Sunday morning, with no baseball game happening at that hour, and thus finding a parking space was possible. I'd made an attempt once before, two full hours before a game, and it was pointless -- unless I wanted to pay $20 for a surface lot.

THIS IS A WADING POOL. AT ONE END IS A WATERFALL, THE OTHER END THE ANACOSTIA

Apart from having to find a parking space, it was an interesting exploration of another well developed part of the city. We were so enthused we then went and explored the H Street corridor, the DC "neighborhood of the future." What that means is most of the people who live and work there now will move to PG or Montgomery Counties and H Street will become "the new 14th Street." I have no political opinion about that, because I'm a big fan of what's been done to 14th Street, especially in the vicinity of Logan Circle.

CHILDREN LOVE THE WADING POOL

It's easy in Georgetown to feel park-satisfied, because The Georgetown Waterfront Park is exceptional. The Yards Park is, too. Hooray for DC and the National Park Service (and the others who were involved) for getting this done, though it took almost 30 years to see the Georgetown park to fuition. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Nationals Park stadium development was an impetus to get the Anacostia project done faster. The Yards Park runs to and from the stadium.

THE BOARDWALK THAT LEADS TO AND FROM NATS STADIUM, IN THE DISTANCE

Given that the park adjoins the actual Navy Yards there is a lot of nautical atmosphere. Old docks, now home to Ospreys, Seagulls and Herons; lots of handsome chain and rope. There is the Navy ship, the Barry (not named after the former Mayor), no longer in service except for tours and events, but which once plied the waters off Korea and Vietnam. There is a Swift boat (dedicated, no kidding, by John Kerry), and there's the Navy barracks (home to the Navy band).

THE BARRY, COMMISSIONED IN 1956, DECOMMISSIONED IN 1982. BUILT AT THE BATH IRON WORKS, MAINE.

SWIFT BOAT PCF-1, DEDICATED IN 1998 BY JOHN KERRY AND ELMO R. ZUMWALT, A RETIRED NAVY ADMIRAL.

NICE NAUTICAL TOUCHES ARE EVERYWHERE AT THE YARDS PARK

What I like best about The Yards Park are the walkable spaces, the greenery, the exposure to waterfront, and the history. There are some beautiful old buildings there that I hope get preserved and transformed into something useful. Near the Department of Transportation, along the so-called "transporation walk," a vast retail development is underway.

THE YARDS PARK IS WELL LANDSCAPED WITH LOTS GREEN AND PLACES TO SIT

A FEATURE ALONG THE "TRANSPORTATION WALK" OUTSIDE THE DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

With The Yards Park, and the eventual renovation of the Southwest waterfront, we're nearly at a time when it will be possible to talk, bike or run from Key Bridge to the Douglass Bridge. Bravo.

Baby Animals, Or, My Day @NationalZoo

NOT A BABY ANIMAL, BUT A MEERKAT, WATCHING WASHINGTONIAN PHOTOGRAPHER ANDREW PROPP PHOTOGRAPH THE BABY HOWLER MONKEY...ACROSS THE WAY

My job provides regular fascinations, but there's not much to compare with spending much of a day with baby animals at the National Zoo. The story is on washingtonian.com. For now, I offer a few of my own photos from the day. I'm not much of a zoo person, (and definitely not a circus person), but this was a special occasion.

THE COOLEST DUDE AT THE ZOO, A TOTALLY CHILL FROG

I'm all about animals in the wild rather than in captivity.Today I experienced a positive side to having animals in human care, especially when one zoo official said that -- given all -- at this stage in their development it was safer for the baby cheetahs to be in the zoo rather than in the wild, that this is when they would face the most peril. I appreciated that argument while watching their handlers feed and nurture these two 7-pound babies. That's not all. We spent time with turtle babies, insect babies, chicks, monkey babies ... and more.

ANDREW PROPP PHOTOGRAPHS A TURTLE BABY. WAIT TILL YOU SEE THE PHOTOGRAPH!!!

I returned home so happy to be living among animals, a dog and parrot, even though this morning began inauspiciously with the demise of a mouse. I hated that. All day long I hoped the zoo animals would not pick up on the vibe and consider me the enemy. 

BABY RHEA CHICKS WITH THEIR PROTECTIVE DADDY

WHAT ARE ZOO WORKERS AND PHOTOGRAPHER PROPP LOOKING AT? 

...THIS LITTLE BABY CHEETAH

AND BOTH BABY CHEETAHS, KILLING A PAPER BAG AFTER LUNCH

A WEEK OLD BABY FLAMINGO

If you haven't yet, please read the full story: baby animal boom at National Zoo. 

Back Home from AUSTIN, Home Away from Home #KeepAustinWeird

GOTTA LOVE AUSTIN'S ATTITUDE

I'm back in DC after a terrific week in what I like to think of as a home away from home, Austin. I can't recommend this city enough as a fun, interesting, relaxing and especially declious getaway for people over age 21. There will be more later. Now I have to get into gear after flying in late last night to BWI, made brave by my usual combo of one Attivan and one vodka.

Actually the flight was smooth, but I think that's because of the cowboy reading the Bible conscientiously for a full hour before take-off. Or, maybe it's because Karl Rove was on board and the air Gods didn't dare get him upset. Actually, he was lowkey, sat on the aisle in the exit row, and didn't draw any attention to himself ... except for reading the Wall Street Journal. I did want to know why he was there. Making up with Rick Perry? Visiting W? A client in the Austin mayor's race? 

ME, FLYING, ACCEPTING IT'S ALL OUT OF MY HANDS

In addition to a holiday for me the trip was a reunion with my son, just finishing up exams in his sophomore year of college (and, yay, still holding at a 3.7 GPA). We are equally food nuts, and relaxation was a daily exploration of Austin's many excellent restaurants. They are not formal, but they are fabulous or enchanting and always authentic and the food is reliably innovative or classic and good.

I will write more about that, later...

Robert Ballard Intends To Return To Titanic for A Fix-Up

MODEL OF TITANIC WRECKAGE USED IN THE FILM "TITANIC"

At the National Geographic Museum this evening Robert Ballard marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic by saying he intends to return to the ship to do some fix-up. We talked about his plans at a reception before a lecture he gave to an audience of invited guests. There was also an unveiling of a new Titanic exhibition, which features items from the film "Titanic." The whole story is here at washingtonian.com.

 

Stranded (Updated) (Back In the USSA)

 

STRANDED ON A BEACHED BUOY, LONG BEFORE BEING STRANDED IN MEXICO

My son is stranded in Mexico City tonight, due to an Aeromar flight from Manzanillo that departed almost two hours late, causing him to miss a connection back to the U.S. Remember being 20 years old and out in the world? It's the best. Stranding, under the right circumstances, is an adventure. At least back in my day. I hope it's the same for him. 

There were so many times in my life when I was "stranded," in one form or another, out in the world, in various countries and cities, at airports, at train stations, at boat docks, whatever, not sure what was next or how I'd get there, but figuring it out, and here I am.

Maybe I'm envious, missing my vagabond days, but I'll also be happy when he texts to report he's home in Texas.

UPDATE SATURDAY MORNING: My son's group, four of them, hung at the Aeromar counter for three hours last night to try to set things right. Aeromar said they had booked them on the United flight to Houston this morning. The kids were at United just after dawn, but there's no such reservations. 

UPDATE: They are being told by United that they can't fly out until Sunday evening, but I see open seats online!

UPDATE: Just spent the last hour on the phone, actually two phones. On one phone I had an agent at United, on the other my son at the airport with a United ticket agent. Both ends of United had different information. United on the phone showed available seats for 3 different flights today, United at the gate did not. Back and forth, back and forth. At one moment they were offered free seats, the next the same seats were $898 each. Chaos. 

UPDATE: My son just said, "we'll fly to anywhere in the U.S. Just get us out of this airport." Ha. 

UPDATE NOON: Three of the four of them have made it onto a scheduled flight that departs in two hours; one is on standby but at the top of the list. They were given access to a club lounge and provided with breakfast. 

UPDATE: Thanks to phone calls to United, getting (politely) up in their grills at the Mexico City ticket counter, and patience, my son and his three friends got on a flight late this afternoon. They have arrived in Houston. Back in the USSA.

What Reckless Fun Looks Like

 

A Long (and Sentimental) Night At Dulles

DULLES, LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Have you ever wandered in a great airport late at night? I got that opportunity tonight at Dulles, waiting waiting waiting for a loved one's flight to come in. The airport is full of memories. I remember when it opened. I remember going there for the first time on a dinner date when I was a teenager. Yes. True.

Dulles had an elegant white tablecloth restaurant, overlooking the runways, with waiters in black tie. Back in the stone age it was considered quite cool for us city folk to go out there, sit by a window, and watch the many 747's take off for Europe and the West Coast among the cornflower blue runway lights. Dinner of Chateaubriand with Pommes Souffle accompanied by fine wines. It was a great place hang with friends before their flights.

OH, TO BE ON THE 10 PM FLIGHT TO PARIS

Now all they have is one pre-security greasy spoon, Harry's, where I had French fries for dinner, and some newsstands. (Though, if you go down to international arrivals, it is possible to get a salad and sandwiches, yogurt, fruit and See's candies. I learned this too late!)

THE LONELINESS OF THE EMPTY AIRPORT

Dulles was the kind of airport where seeing a friend off, or welcoming them upon arrival, was a big deal. It was so damned glamorous. Difficult to describe to those who don't remember the glory days of flight. I recall my whole family going out there to see a couple of writer friends off to L.A. That was all the excuse we needed. Same elegant restaurant as with that date mentioned above, but this time Sunday afternoon champagne brunch. The friends heard their flight called, said good-bye, and then we watched their 747 taxi and climb into the sky while finishing the champagne. 

I'd sieze any opportunity to greet an arriving friend, even once booking a town car to take me out to meet a boyfriend returning on the Red Eye from L.A. He was surprised and delighted.

THE SAD LOST BAGS ("I'M SUPPOSED TO BE IN HOUSTON!")

I suppose my most mournful moments are when walking by where the Concorde lounge used to be, if I may be allowed that memory. Concorde was almost affordable in the mid-80s, especially when buying one ticket here and the other over there, where the exchange rate was hugely favorable to the dollar. The lounge was in the lower concourse, tucked away, a simple unmarked white door.

Oh, my Lord. What a treat that lounge was, especially for a white knuckle flyer like me, not to mention the thrills of that sleek supersonic bird. In the lounge British Airways served Dom Perignon while you waited for the flight to be called. Hosts and hostesses escorted passengers from the lounge to the gate. It was all about ease. The flight was one long meal, and passengers left with good swag: Concorde baggage tags, notebooks, travel kits. Upon landing in London or Paris, customs was all about open arms, and chauffered cars waited to deliver passengers to their hotels or other destinations. (All 100 of us were usually, well, smashed after a three hour flight/meal with multiple courses and wines plus cognacs.)

A YAWNING WIDE OPEN DOOR AT A SUPPOSEDLY SECURE CHECKPOINT

The massive, intense, tight security of today has changed everything about the airport experience. Back in the day you could say "good-bye" or "hello" at the gate. Just like in the movies. It could be so romantic. Now friends and lovers part at the TSA entry points. Not so romantic. I don't know if any of this security is going to stop the bad guys. If it doesn't, the next phase will be inducing all passengers into a coma during flight so no one can pull a stunt (hello Alec Baldwin). 

MODERN DAY AIRPORT DINNER: GREASY FORMERLY FROZEN FRIES AT HARRY'S

I know. I know. Airports will never be what they were. No more than it will be possible for citizens to walk right up to the front door of the White House. But as I walked the shiny, spit polished floors of Dulles, mixing among the departees and the arrivals, I felt the enduring elixer of travel's magic. At International Arrivals families reunited in warm embraces. Drivers held signs with names that were from Europe, Asia, Latin America. The mix of languages made an audible tapestry.

A SLICE OF THE DEPARTURES ROSTER

Then there was the happy end of the story. After walking hither and yon in the terminal, and my dismal potato dinner, and an hour or so of memory lane, my darling loved one arrived, most of all safely, and we did as so many others do round the clock at the world's airports: we took it all for granted. 

Washingtonian magazine takes a special look as Dulles celebrates its 50th anniversary. 

Spotted on 31st Street: Somebody Had Some Fun

THIS IS NOT A PAINT JOB. IT'S MUD, AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS ACQUIRED IN GEORGETOWN. LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY HAD SOME FUN, AND HAS A STORY TO TELL.

From Austin to Vicksburg to Chicago and Home, on NYSD Today

 UNDER "THE BEAN" IN CHICAGO'S GREAT MILLENNIUM PARK

My weekly New York Social Diary column today is the wrap up to our Texas road trip, this leg bringing us home ... through Shreveport, Vicksburg, Jackson and Chicago. There was so much to cover: the beauty of the open road, touring a historic Civil War battlefield in Vicksburg, "the best" fried chicken, some real Coca-Cola, an interlude in Jackson and a glorious day in Chicago. Read it here. Apologies to the Daley family for confusing Richard and Bill. It will be corrected. 

TEXAS, PART 1, On New York Social Diary Today

Dealey Plaza

 INTO THE HEATWAVE

Some people drive away from a heat wave. We drove into the heart of it. A week’s road trip – mother and son -- Washington to Texas.  We made a mid-way stop in Nashville. The trip was always hot, temps rarely under 100 and once or twice as high as 112  - but it was also always interesting. I love America’s open road. There’s so much to see, hear, experience and, of course, eat. Road food is no diet but it would be a crime to count calories within 50 yards of a dry ribs place in Memphis or a Filete Cantinflas in Texas. It’s that simple.

Best of all, it’s healthy to get out of Washington. The city, the official city especially, is so into itself and alternately guilt-ridden or letting itself off the hook for bad manners, bad leadership, bad decisions. The power base (elected officials, media, lobbyists) inhabit a cocoon of each others’ voices, and that’s the disconnect. In the midst of the debt-ceiling crisis I attended a dinner of Democrats, a few hundred of them, many members of the House and Senate and other big names in the party, and the speeches (and there are always speeches) barely touched on the crisis happening just outside the auditorium where we feasted on catered food and good wine, as if the mess was not happening. Like, “if we don’t talk about the sky won’t fall.” I laughed to myself but it wasn’t funny.

Out on the American open road the sound track is sometimes akin to beaming in voices from alien planets. My rental car had satellite radio, enabling me to switch between outer space, I mean the mainstream (CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews), and the local terrestrial stations. You have to search hard to find those stations that aren’t overrun with syndicated conservative rant, such as Rush Limbaugh, who spews and sputters, near ready to implode from the frustration of his self-proclaimed wisdom. 

Authentic, regional local radio is quieter. People are talking – about themselves, to each other -- about fear, honest frustration and anger toward Washington, and telling personal stories. The husband who lost his job a while ago and now the wife has lost hers. Or they can’t refinance the mortgage. Or, they are living almost entirely on credit cards. Health care. Education. Retirement funds, college tuition? Is anyone in charge? Do they care about us out there?

Outside the car windows, beautiful America rolled by.

Read the full story at NewYorkSocialDiary.com  Click on the Elvis!

NYSD Today: Summer Pursuits

My regular Monday  New York column has a little something for everyone, beginning with the American flags distributed throughout Georgetown this past weekend. Interesting where one ended up. Also Washington Kastles tennis begins today down at the team's new stadium on the Maine Avenue waterfront, where a week ago I boarded Jeff Pfeifle's yacht Sea Loafers for a lovely cocktail gathering, a prelude to surgery for Jeff's friend, Adam Mahr. Reluctant to give up the watery theme, I also attended a fascinating gala for explorers and exploration hosted by, (who else?), National Geographic Society, and featuring a humble James Cameron. Read it all here on New York Social Diary.

TAKE A TRIP TO BERMUDA

 CORAL BEACH, BERMUDA

Last July my son and I took a trip to Bermuda. It was a wonderful getaway. We celebrated my birthday and enjoyed pleasant hours doing not much more than swimming, sunbathing and reading. USAirways made it an easy trip; we flew out of Reagan, nonstop round trip. Alas, those flights don't exist anymore, which is a drag, but Bermuda's still there, and I imagine the water temperature is at the 80 degrees it was last July. Simply perfect and crystal clear. 

During our trip we stayed at the beautiful Coral Beach Club. I took photos and wrote a story for New York Social Diary. I noted that the CBC was about to be taken over by Four Seasons Hotels, that it was scheduled to be renovated to fit the chain's standards. Members of CBC were not happy. Now that deal has gone away, and NYSD today re-posted my story with an update. It's the next best thing to actually being in Bermuda. But be warned: it will make you want to go tomorrow. Read it here. 

What's It Like to Party In An Aquarium?

I found out tonight at the annual gala of the National Geographic Society, @NatGeoScoop. Best of all, it was about explorers and the room was full of them. If there were politicians at the table, who cared? Not when in the company of explorers who take actual risks, and by that I don't mean tweeting privates. Gorgeous party. Interesting moment: a humble James Cameron.  More later on New York Social Diary. 

NYSD Today: LEARNING TO DRIVE

THE DAY WE ARRIVED AT THE PACIFIC OCEAN, JULY 2005

Life forced me to learn how to drive, at age 47, but learning how to drive gave me new opportunities and personal strengths, and made possible the best summer trip ever, driving cross country and back with my then 13-year-old son, Spencer.

From LEARNING TO DRIVE: "By the time this long-haul journey happened we were veteran road-trippers, a mother-son team who found emotional recovery and an eternal bond on the highway and, in particular, in a car. It was a milestone on many levels, but especially because I was in so many ways a new driver."

Read more here. 

Down IN The C&O Canal

THE C&O CANAL FROM "SEA LEVEL"

If it seems like I spend a lot of time wandering Georgetown and taking photos its because I do spend a fair amount of time doing just that. Its what I do between bouts of writing and job hunting. Sometimes I go out with a real camera, but most times it is only my Blackberry, as with the photos here of the C&O Canal. At the moment it is nearly drained and the canal bed is frozen, making it easy to jump down into it and take a walk, as I did today. Fascinating what you see. Lots of shells (I assume deposited by birds), and lots of human detritus (a shoe, a pair of eye glasses, a plastic bracelet, and so on).

I recommend this walk. I found an easy place to crawl down into the canal near the Key Bridge crossing. There are a couple of other places, too, and near Wisconsin there is a ladder. While the bed is firm it is not rock hard. You don't need mud boots but you do need sturdy hiking shoes. 

 LOOKING TOWARD WISCONSIN AVENUE BY THE WATER STREET APARTMENTS

In some patches you may have to scramble over ice or stay close to the wall, but for the most part there are wide swatches of canal to walk upon. Its fun. Do it. A unique Georgetown experience. 

Swimming in Quicksand

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