Busing in the Rain

Big Bus routes Washington DC

The skies opened shortly after noon on Thursday, when we were waiting for the bus to Arlington National Cemetery. I had been there twice before, once in extreme heat and then again on a chilly February day in 2003, so I wasn't that keen on slogging through the pouring rain and neither was Bob. In the end, we stayed on the Arlington loop bus when it stopped at the cemetery. Bob regretted missing the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, of course, the Kennedy graves.

After missing a bus just leaving the curb not far from Washington Memorial, we waited for what seemed like an eternity for the "red" bus to Union Station. In retrospect -- and even at the time -- I know we should have either walked to a stop for the Circulator Bus or a regular city bus. We had a little shelter under the eaves of a news and snack kiosk, but not enough to keep us dry. My hair curled crazily but I guess it's better than droopy, sopping straight hair.

We made conversation with a young man in the U.S. on business. He was hoping to get to the Capitol for the last tour at 3:30 p.m., but the bus arrived so later hat he gave up on that plan and got off at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum instead.

Fortunately, the rain stopped when we were on the bus and the late afternoon sky was clear by the time we finally arrived at Union Station.