Washington D. C. CBHS band Tour
Thurs 3/13
Our full flight to Baltimore left about an hour late. We knew early that morning that we would already be having a 30 min. delay. It's interesting how SWA does their open seating. We learned not to delay in checking in online! Hopefully we'll do better on Monday. We got the Embassy Suite shuttle from BWI to the hotel and had a late dinner in the bar. Crab cake sandwich-after all we were in Maryland, had to try it.
Fri. Mar 14
I was the early bird and went down for breakfast, which they do so well. Before going, I found myself stuck in the bathroom. The inside handle would not engage. Glad I wasn't traveling alone! Back in the room we loaded up and took the shuttle to the train station. What a great way to travel. It took a little over 30 min to Union Station. Then we walked. And walked. The path to the hotel was less then two miles. So even though we were dragging our bags behind us, it wasn't a bad walk. Chilly, breezy, but mostly sunny, plus it was nice to get out and move. We were able to check in at the Crown Plaza Hamilton at 14th & K a little early and unpacked. Our room was small due to the king size bed, but no complaints from me. Our room overlooked Franklin Park, not as rewarding as it was portrayed on the website. It is small, made more so by the large number of homeless residents. Just an observation, not a complaint. We were on the third floor near the intersection so the street sounds were pretty noticeable.
So after unpacking we trucked on down to The Mall via 14th to Constitution. It was quite a hike to the Lincoln Memorial but well worth it to see the CBHS Band perform at such a historic site. It was also nice to see the Slavick family stop by when they heard the band would be in town. Also there were several parents on the trip. The crowd at the site were appreciative of the music which was difficult to play with the strong breeze knocking over stands and scattering sheet music. Afterward the boys loaded up their instruments on the buses and Steve and I made our way back to the hotel. We were worn out! Dinner was at the hotel because we were too tired to go anywhere else.
Sat. March 15
I was up early, but Steve wasn't budging. I went to the lobby where the boys were gathering to head out to the Capitol. Mr. Bolton said it would be ok for me to tag along. I'm glad I did! It was impressive to see the band standing on the Capitol steps. Br. Joel surprised the boys by flying in and coming in on the train this morning. The tour was nice, but limited. After viewing a 15 min. film we were guided through the crypt, rotunda and original house chamber which now has many statues. Each state is represented by two statues placed around the building. At the end we took the tunnel to the Library of Congress. It is beautiful, ornate. We saw an original Gutenberg bible.
At this point I split from the band.
It was 10:30 or so and I was hungry! The Rock and Roll Marathon was going on down Constitution Ave. so I had to wait briefly for a break in action to cross. I was headed to Union Station where I got another crepe from Crepe Lena. Then I took the red line back to Metro station and walked back to the hotel. By this time Steve was up showered and out getting his own lunch. I took care of some Rosary praying, got in touch with him then planned to meet up at the Smithsonian American History Museum. Fabulous! So much to see-we couldn't look at everything. I really liked seeing the actual flag that flew at Ft. McHenry that inspired the Star-Spangled Banner. It is massive! I also loved the Hall of Presidents and especially enjoyed the First Ladies' inaugural gowns. And Dorthy's ruby slippers.
We walked back toward the Crown Plaza, stopping to buy a new scarf for me (I lost the one Garrett gave me 😢). I didn't feel much like sitting in the room, so I went to Starbucks for a chai and read my book I'm the lobby so I could see Garrett before they left for the Hard Rock for dinner. Once they were gone, Steve and I walked to Fire and Sage, at 12th & H. More crab cakes for me.
Sunday, March 16th
We missed the bus to the Basilica with boys. I guess they left earlier than what was on the itinerary. No big deal. Steve and I walked to St Patrick Church via the McDonalds on 13th where the homeless hang out. I needed breakfast and he needed coffee. Well, me too. I've given up coffee for Lent so I took the Sunday exception. One lady had a little schizophrenic break and stormed out. We got to St. Patricks on 10th St. About 25 min. early which gave me time for a rosary. It is a really old church with normally a small congregation. Their numbers apparently were much larger today because of the city's St. Patrick Day parade in the afternoon. Nice mass, small but strong choir, beautiful church, interesting Jesus-rising-off-the-crucifix-with-his-imprint-left-behind-on-the-cross. Afterwards we walked the the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Lots of planes and engines. I really liked the spaceships and rockets. We saw some of the CBHS guys there, but not Garrett. As we walked to the museums we were able to catch several floats, bands, car groups, fire engines and several Irish step dancing flatbeds. An assortment of ethnic representations-very American! Think Asian Irish steppers.
Our next stop was the Castle, the first Smithsonian building. Interesting fact: James Smithson was an Englishman who funded the start of the museum, but never actually came to America. I liked the architecture of this building and the small sampling of all the offerings from the many museums. Our last stop was the Natural History Museum. My goal was to see the Hope diamond. Mine and everyone else in the museum. Definitely the gems were the most popular display of all.
Then the main event. It started snowing around 5:00pm, light, but steady. We took a cab to the Kennedy Center and got our discounted tickets for the first tier so we could look down and see all of the band. We found the band at a reception/dinner for them and area alumni up on the second level. We grabbed a light dinner at the casual restaurant before heading down to our seats.
There were 2 choral groups and 1 ensemble before our boys as the finale. So much talent and the acoustics were perfect.
But our guys...thrilling!
They nailed all 5 of their arrangements! The one song commemorating Gettysburg is heavy on percussion and was their most challenging at the Lincoln memorial. But in the concert hall you could tell the story series so well. I know the guys and Mr. Bolton were pleased. Steve and I took a cab back to the hotel and had a celebratory drink and snack before packing up to be ready to leave early on Monday. It was still snowing, but the roads looked good.
Monday, March 17
So now we are headed home. This should be the end. But the adventure may have just begun. Still snowing. It only took about 5 min. to hail a cab and we got to Union Station in time to catch the 5:50 to the BWI station. They're running a limited schedule, but we are arriving with plenty of time. Except we just got a text that our flight has been canceled!
We were lucky to be able to reschedule our flight to one going to Little Rock leaving around 11:00, getting in at 12:30 and Steve has lined up a rental to drive us home. The boys as of right now are on there way to BWI with no idea how they're getting home.
Things constantly change. Our hero is Frances Goldstraw of SWA who was able to get us back on our original flight when it was reinstated then took her lunch break to track down our bags so they would be in Memphis, not Little Rock.
We got back to Memphis about an hour and a half later than originally scheduled. Not too bad considering the earlier chaos! No bags--they ended up in Little Rock. But, they were delivered to our door the next day.
