C&O- Day- minus 1
My overnight flight was without incident and we touched down at DCA at 6:40AM local time. I didn’t get much sleep, but rallied with the thought of breakfast. As I walked into the terminal I got a text from Will and we arranged to go out for breakfast when I got to his place. A 15 minute Uber ride later I was at his door.
He and Sinclair live on the top floor of a four story apartment building from 1912. They are only a couple blocks from the Capital in a nice neighborhood. We walked over to an outdoor/indoor market area nearby and got a hardy breakfast. Buckwheat blueberry pancakes for me with a cup of Joe.
We used the meal to discuss our trip and the problems therewith. I called Noble Inventions, our bike trip coordinator, and discussed our situation. Kelly told me they had one couple who rode it this last week and made it most of the way, but were plagued with mud and debris the whole trip. They finally quit near DC. And there are still three major detours due to washout and flooding. Also the NPS just issued a public warning against riding due to hazardous conditions and uncertain weather this week. All of this added up to Will and I deciding to cancel our trip along the C&O. Kelly told us it was no problem, and is now working on undoing and canceling all of her careful arrangements. We may or may not get much of a refund at this late date, literally the day before our trip was to start. But that is because the lodging arrangements, the bulk of the cost, are generally nonrefundable.
So it has turned out to be more expensive than planned, but in the end it has given me a excuse to come out and visit with my son and daughter-in-law and that makes it worth it.
Will and I are planning to ride some local paved bike trails and maybe visit some of the Smithsonian Museums over this week. So, the towpath adventure is over before it began and we are on to Plan B. I will continue this blog daily for the rest of my stay and update it with our activities.
Until tomorrow, Happy Trails…
Native American truth – “What happens is exactly what was supposed to happen.” Another is “When it’s over, it’s over.” A third is “Any time you start is the right time to start.” These come from a service at the Unity of Santa Barbara spiritual practice. Hannah bets that all four bed and breakfasts will give you a full refund. I say at least two. That says something about each of us, I just don’t know what. DC is a city of wonder.
Thanks Dan, I am disappointed and not disappointed if that makes sense. My mantra is “The journey is the reward” which always reminds me to focus more on the now and less on the future. Will, Sinclair, and I will have a great week, no matter the C&O.
As to refunds, there was a time I would have agreed with Hannah, but in this world of Trump I think it best to expect no kind gestures.