Mall Reflections

I spent a lovely day Sunday out exploring our nation's capital with friends walking here and there and to and fro. Couldn't think of a better way to spend what seems like the first real day of Spring we've had.

I've always found one of the best parts of D.C. is showing it off to visitors, and while I wasn't in charge of this expedition, I was a willing follower. Also, I got to test out my spiffy new camera bag. Sadly, my old one, after more than two decades of faithful service, was on its last leg, and that one was artificial.

Anyway, taking advantage of the balmy weather our party of intrepid adventurers did a short loop of the Mall, from the World War II Memorial, down to Abe's house and back via the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This was, of course, before heading off to see another masterpiece, Carolina's mighty defeat of the minions of evil. (Not kidding about the evil part, they're even nicknamed the blue devils. Blue from another beatdown and from lack of sex. Especially the basketball team.)

The only thing missing to make the journey complete? Pink fanny packs. Then all of us would have looked like we were from out of town, rather than the one legitimate guest in our noble homeland. But I digress.

Imagine if you will, the excitement of a family from far, far away, scrimping and saving in these difficult times for the trip of – if not a lifetime then certainly of the their most recent memory. In their heads they have visions of our gleaming white capital, monuments glowing in the sun (OK, it was a bit overcast today, but that's not the point, I'm getting to it), and reflecting in placid pools of water.

Something like, say, this (taken on Veterans Day 2008):

Now, imagine how you, and more importantly, Daddy Jimmy, Mommy Sandi, Little Susie and Little Johnny in town for the weekend from some place that's not here, would feel looking out over this panorama* (taken March 8, 2008) of our fine city:

I'll bet, when they saw this mudpit on the Mall, Jimmy, Sandi, Susie and Johnny were crushed, just crushed at what they saw (and Little Johnny even cried a bit). Their faces must have looked a lot like Clark, Ellen, Audrey and Rusty's when they got to Walley World and Marty Moose told them America's favorite family fun park was closed for two weeks for cleaning and repairs.

Well, at least there's still a glimmer of a reflection for them to see before loading up in the Wagon Queen Family Truckster and heading back to wherever they came from.

*Yes, yes, I know they have to do maintenance on the Reflecting Pool every once in a while, and it's better to do it in March rather than, say, July or August, but it's still a bit of a drag.