Washington, DC

This past week, from Monday morning to Thursday evening, I traveled with a couple of colleagues and 14 sophomores in the University Honors Scholars Program on the annual pilgrimage to Washington, DC. The weather was great and most of the people friendly. The widespread wickedness of the place remained largely hidden behind and beneath its beautiful monuments to peace and truth and justice.


This year we stayed at the Inn of Rosslyn, and I think we liked it fairly well. Here's a picture. My room is #2, first floor, the doorway of which is just above the blue car farthest to the right. The folks there were nice, and the rooms were clean and adequate. The Rosslyn Metro station was just a couple of blocks away. We could go there and travel most anywhere we wanted to go in the city. We were also within walking distance of Georgetown (via a walk across the Key Bridge). As Joe pointed out, staying at the Inn of Rosslyn--instead of right downtown at the Hotel Harrington--forced the students to use the subway more, to stay out and about once they were out and about. With the Harrington, they didn't have to use the subway--the use of which is a good experience, I think--and they could come back and "rest" anytime they wanted to.


We found a fine restaurant over in Georgetown and ate there more than once. It's called "The Guards," and it's been there on M Street since 1966. I recommend it to anybody going to the area. I had a swordfish steak one night and a filet mignon sandwich another night. And several Sam Adams from the tap on both nights.


All in all, it was a successful trip. I go back in June to catch a train to Brunswick, Maine. And then next year at the beginning of May, just after ETSU's graduation, I'll take another group of honors sophomores. We'll probably stay at the Inn of Rosslyn, and I'll probably eat at least once at the Guards.