The DC Traveler

There’s so much hullabaloo and disaster mongering going on about the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The list of potential things that “might” happen is getting longer by the day. 
If half a million people show up, the infrastructure should be okay, except for major issues such as transportation and dining near the mall.  But if a couple million people converge on the Mall, the infrastructure, along with the food service industries will be pushed to their limits.
So here’s a few of the potential “disasters” that might occur due to massive crowds attending the inauguration celebration, and my estimation of …read more

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A Merry Christmas to one and all from The DC Traveler.

Image – from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti _______________________________________________________________

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Images – from personal collection   ©2008, Jon Rochetti  _________________________________________________

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District of Columbia city officials, Metro officials, and the national news media are all changing their estimates as to the number of people who are expected to attend President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration on January 20th, in Washington, DC.
I’ve seem estimates ranging from about a million to over 5 million.
So what do you think?  Take the latest poll and tell us…
How many people will attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009?

Less than 500,000
500,000 to 1 million
1 to 2 million
2 to 3 million
3 to 4 million
4 to 5 million
over 5 million

For some …read more

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During the Christmas holiday season in Washington, DC, the Washington Region Alcohol Program operates it’s SoberRide free taxi program.
Drivers that may be alcohol impaired or unable to safely drive can request a free taxi ride to their home, up to a maximum cost of $50, through January 1, 2009.
It’s never wise to drive after indulging and especially during the holiday season. Again this year, area police will be establishing sobriety checkpoints around the region.
Most years, Metro DC police set up approximately 30 during holiday season, including some surprising locations. One year, I saw a check point in …read more

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It time for a new poll on The DC Traveler, but let’s recap the last poll. First, the last poll asked…
Will  you be attending the Inauguration on January 20th in Washington DC?
Here’s the results:

Yes, wouldn’t miss it!! – 32%
No,  I’ll watch it on TV. – 32%
Planning on it, but still working on details – 18%
I’m going to Disneyland, no crowds that day – 18%

So it looks like a good number of people who voted (50%), have plans to attend President-elect Obama’s Inauguration on January 20, 2009.
And here’s the new poll…. and in
Should Washington, DC officials allow restaurants, bars and night …read more

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Mary Jo at Fly Away Cafe hosts the monthly Carnival of Travelers, and this month her theme is, what else…Holiday Travel.
With posts submitted from around the globe, here’s a few of the highlights.

Audrey at Cracks in the Sidewalk tells us about a bunch of things to do in New York City, including attending Tuba Christmas at the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink.
Spending Christmas on the road? Read what a travel pro Mary Jo recommends at Fly Away Cafe for enjoying Christmas dinner away from home.
Byteful Travel presents The Annual Holiday Music Extravaganza in Dallas.
Finally, if you haven’t made your holiday …read more

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Today, Washington DC’s Metro subway and bus system launched a new and much improved website (www.wmata.com) for riders.  Their old site was clunky, difficult to navigate and was missing many rider-focused features.  And with ridership up, 5% over the same period – July – October of last year, the transportation system and website is sure to see new riders.
The new Metro website includes:

A new interactive subway map that provides a pop-up with the station’s address (great for GPS users), link to Google maps, arrival times for the next few trains and any service alerts for that station.
Real-time subway and …read more

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Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Image- Flickr ____________________________________________________

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After 8 years of construction, the much anticipated, costly ($600+ million) and highly needed U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center is scheduled to open on December 2, 2008.  The grand opening date is exactly 145 years to the day, after the placing of the statute, the Statute of Freedom, was placed on the top of the completed dome in 1863.
The new 580,000 sq. ft. underground center will offer visitors two orientation theaters, showing a 13-minute video about the Capitol Building and American democracy.   Additionally, the building hosts several gifts shops and multiple (and much needed) restroom facilities.
A few of the notable artifacts …read more

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