DC - WW2 flyover

Old Mar 29th, 2015, 11:50 AM
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DC - WW2 flyover

Having found about the flyover (http://ww2flyover.org/), I couldn't resist another quick trip.

Coming down on Amtrak on Thursday morning and leaving Saturday (due to train schedule).

There will be static displays at Udvar Hazy I Sat that I may try to go to. But doubtful with a 4:30 train.

Not going to have time for much but the Nats are home Friday.
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Old Mar 29th, 2015, 02:34 PM
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Amtrak Guest Rewards has "Double Days" going until May 15. If you are going to join do it now if you haven't already.
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Old Mar 30th, 2015, 09:52 AM
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Tom, thanks. I double checked and am all set for that.
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Old Apr 1st, 2015, 09:58 AM
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I changed my train ticket until Sunday so that I can go out to Udvar Hazy on Saturday. I also bought a ticket to the Braves @ Nationals game on Friday night.

There are also a few Lincoln Exhibits that will be closing at the end of May so I will be able to squeeze these in too. It will definitely be a quick trip but will be awesome to see that flyover.
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Old Apr 9th, 2015, 06:34 AM
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Here is my itinerary for this much too quick weekend...

Thursday: Get into DC around 1 and to hotel to drop off luggage. Depending on rates we may splurge and actually stay downtown if we get a good deal but its hard to pass up the $100 per night at the Americana.

Go over to Museum of American History - primarily just to see Lincoln's Carriage. We are going here in August as well and the 3rd person (not coming this trip) will want to see it.

Churchkey probably this night

Friday: Get to the Mall early and find a seat. Still trying to figure out our gameplan here of where to aim for (either between Lincoln / WW2) or someplace between the Museums. Any suggestions. How wide open is it between the museums (aka any trees)? I am drawing a blank in remembering...

Flyover is at Noon. At 3, we have timed tickets to Ford's Theatre for the Lincoln Exhibit for the 150th Anniversary of his assassination.

Baseball game at 7 (couldn't avoid it...)

Saturday: Out to Udvar Hazy for the museum and then all the planes from Fridy will be on the ground for static displays. This also frees up time for our August trip.

Sunday: Train home
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Old Apr 9th, 2015, 10:31 AM
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This is a little out of the box, but if I read the arrow directionals correctly on the map (http://ww2flyover.org/wp-content/upl.../02/Slide2.jpg) the Watergate Steps might be a good spot to see the planes come down and cross the Potomac River.

You could walk across the bridge from Arlington Cemetery metro to get there. Or from the Foggy Bottom metro down 23rd.

The WS are between the Lincoln Memorial & the Potomac on the north side of the Memorial Bridge. The steps themselves have an interesting history. I run there and do cardio on the steps. It's also a great place to see the sun set.

http://dctourguideonline.com/2012/10...g-the-potomac/
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Old Apr 9th, 2015, 11:30 AM
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Thats not a bad thought. My only concern is if we would be too close to where they are turning to go down the Mall. With a left hand turn, they would be banking away from us (depending on accuracy of those arrows). But thanks for the idea and I will definitely look into it more.
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Old Apr 17th, 2015, 11:11 AM
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I am beginning to favor that location. Sitting anywhere on the Mall looking west at noon has us most likely looking straight into the sun...while on the river we would be looking north. Am I wrong in thinking we would be facing the sun from the Mall at noon?
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Old Apr 27th, 2015, 11:04 AM
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Just got a great deal on the Washington Grand Hyatt (H Street Northwest) on lastminutetravel.com (then matched by Hyatt and then additional money saved) so we are changing hotels and actually staying in the city for the first time. I cannot wait for next Thursday. Yes, it will be a busy weekend but a lot of fun.

Is it Thursday yet?
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Old Apr 27th, 2015, 11:22 AM
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Weather is looking good for next Thursday.

I am beginning to favor that location. Sitting anywhere on the Mall looking west at noon has us most likely looking straight into the sun...while on the river we would be looking north. Am I wrong in thinking we would be facing the sun from the Mall at noon?

On the steps I suggested you'll also be facing west. I was thinking in terms of possible crowds (I have have no idea what the attendance for this might be) and impediments to the skyline.

Theoretically, at noon you shouldn't be facing the sun in any direction, right?

Hope it's a great trip and you report back on the experience. My DH will be in attendance somewhere on the Mall.
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Old Apr 27th, 2015, 11:50 AM
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We are going to play the flyover by ear and see where we end up Friday morning. I think it would be great to watch it facing the Lincoln Memorial. May just grab a coffee early and find a spot to sit and talk for a few hours. That post was brainless about facing the sun...

I will definitely report back. Will be a fun trip report to write if we pull off all we want to do. Mr Toad's Wild Ride through DC potentially.

Having the hotel right there will be nice and save a lot of travel time for sure.
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Old Apr 27th, 2015, 11:56 AM
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At noon the sun is to the south but high in the sky.
I would try for standing in the shade of the Forest Service Information center (north side). The USFS Information center is the only red brick building in a sea of marble.
Smokey Bear's desk is inside. Smokey is celebrating his 70th birthday.
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Old Apr 27th, 2015, 02:37 PM
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1400 Independence Avenue is the Forest Service info center just north of the Holocost museum. South east of the Washington Monument.
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Old Apr 28th, 2015, 04:27 AM
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Random question: What beer store (preferrably right near a Metro station and around the general tourist area) has the biggest selection of beer? I am looking for a few different bombers (22 oz bottles) to bring home.
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Old Apr 28th, 2015, 06:47 AM
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Make sure you bring them all the way home before opening.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...g-and-drinking
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Old Apr 28th, 2015, 06:49 AM
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Sorry the link didn't work.
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Old Apr 28th, 2015, 07:23 AM
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Tom, that is not an issue for me at all. They are for me to bring home to CT to enjoy with friends here.
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Old Apr 28th, 2015, 11:27 AM
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The Whole Foods on P Street (between 14th and 15th) has a really good craft beer selection. It's not especially near a metro tho -- maybe a 10-15 min walk from McPherson Square Metro. Maybe a 20 min walk from your hotel. It is right around the corner from Church Key.

There is a liquor store on E Street in Penn Quarter (Central) which has been around since the dawn of time. it's much closer to a metro (Chinatown probably?) and to your hotel but I can't vouch for their beer selection at all.
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Old Apr 29th, 2015, 04:35 AM
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We just changed hotels as the deal we had found for the Hyatt fell through (due to fine print that I had missed).

We finally booked our rooms at The Embassy Row Hotel. Any experience there. Looks like a great location and near a Metro stop.
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Old Apr 29th, 2015, 07:12 AM
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I've never stayed there but it's a great location. Recently completed a big renovation. One of the city's best farmer's markets is at Dupont Circle on Sunday. (sorry, I know that's not beer)
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