golfkat Travel Blog

It has been over 30 years since I spent any time at all back east during the winter.  This should be rather interesting and different.  Not just sitting outside (in the cold rain) for the Niner-Raven game, but just negotiating my way through the turmoil of DC in winter.

It is enough of a mess in the White House, and all that noise.  So, no visits, as if I was invited anyway.  But it might be best to just stay inside and take a deeper and more thorough visit into the Smithsonians.  I love them anyway, and the cold weather outside is a great excuse to stay inside.

So, I need to pack clothes for the game.  And I need to pack for traipsing around DC.  And I need clothes that I am comfortable wearing.  And most of all, I need to stay warm!!!!  But then I am headed to Atlanta to see my buddy, Ken Bob.

I vividly recall having rental cars, and trying to drive in the snow and ice.  Fortunately, I always asked for a front wheel drive car.  And a windshield scraper.  I always packed gloves, a wool cap, and a big muffler.  Most likely, I prayed a lot back then!

But most cities tend to shut down in big storms.  DC is no different.  The government employees generally get a free pass when the weather gets too rough to commute.  We should be so fortunate out in sunny California.  Typical DC weather is a high of 48 and a low of 30, with SEVEN days of rain (or maybe snow).

When you google “DC in December”, it says the Smithsonians are open every day, and they are FREE!  And it says it only snows one or two days in the month, with up to an inch of snow.  And every five years, it snows 3 inches.

I will try to hit a few of my favorite places, like Momofuku DC.  Last time, I was able to get a great seat in the kitchen bar area, and observe all that action!  It turns out the best action was at this great filtered water spigot, installed right into the kitchen bar.  It was the most popular spot in the entire restaurant!

Fortunately, the Metro runs underground, mostly.  So, I can get to places like the airport, and Union Station.  Buses also seem impervious to even the heaviest snow and rain.  And if I bring my snowshoes, I can walk to dinner.

What do the experts tell us to do when visiting DC in December?  First, visit Union Station.  Their model train display is among the best.  Other suggestions: the Smithsonians, of course, theater, dinner, Chinatown and the Holiday Market, the famous Christmas tree at the Willard Hotel (afternoon tea), shopping in Georgetown, and one of the many tour buses around the DC sights.  Just make sure you sit inside, near the heater!

And with the plethora of bars and restaurants, it is easy to find a respite from the bad weather.  That is, if they are open!  So, I will find a nearby bar, and just camp out there until the weather clears.  The cutest one is just a few yards away, called Sweet Georgia Brown!  If I get really bored, I can visit the National Christmas Tree, or the Capitol Christmas Tree, or the Union Station Christmas Tree.

The last time I was caught back east in a big snow storm, I ended up staying an extra day to due cancelled flights.  I ended up at a movie with a co worker, and then hung out in the bar all night.  Let’s hope I do not have to do that again!  Somebody told me that Grandfather Frost shows up in DC during the month of December.

Perhaps I can best summarize this trip to DC.  I am headed to Atlanta, and hopefully warmer weather.  And of course, Go Niners!!!!