Inauguration Day in D.C.?

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[futurexpat?]

It would be terrific if those of us who are in relatively easy reach of Washington could get together for the inauguration. I'm in Pittsburgh, and the drive isn't too far from here. There must be many other Mudpuppies who could make the trip. I'm sure it would be complicated to set up a get together in D.C. at that time, but I'm just wondering how many people think they could try to do it.

[TRConnie]

I'm thinking about it, but the situation is complicated and I will not know if I can go until almost the last minute.

Connie, complicated life

[Icy]

It would be terrific if those of us who are in relatively easy reach of Washington could get together for the inauguration. I'm in Pittsburgh, and the drive isn't too far from here. There must be many other Mudpuppies who could make the trip. I'm sure it would be complicated to set up a get together in D.C. at that time, but I'm just wondering how many people think they could try to do it.

Not easy to reach...I'm on the left coast, but very interested.  Did you post this on AKM's blog too?  I know quite a few people were talking about this during a chat.  Perhaps post it there with a link to this topic so they can respond?

Let's do it!

[Cassie Jeep Pike Palin]

As of today, hubby and I are planning to drive up from NC to be part of this amazing and historic event. I'd love to meet up with some Mudpuppies!

Finding an indoor place---coffee shop, restaurant-- will likely be next to impossible. It will be quite wonderfully chaotic, I expect.

Chat conversation last night mentioned meeting at the Lincoln Memorial and then finding a place in line....

Keep me posted

[Deep Blue]

Cassie,

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm all in favor of setting up a DC Mudstock for the inauguration. I live in Alexandria, VA, and I hope I can get something going on this front. It will be really helpful if folks can let me know ASAP how serious they are about coming, and for how many days.

My gut instinct is that we may be better off meeting up on Sunday or Monday, rather than on Inauguration Day itself.

I have set up an email for people to contact me directly about this: dcmudstock AT gmail DOT com

I hope to be seeing many fellow mudpuppies in the not too distant future!

Deep Blue in VA



<<Modified to make email link less easily spamable (is that a word?)>>

[rf11]

Hi all,

We're planning to make the trip, so count me in!

[Lucy]

I'd love to come.
I wonder if we can find a meeting place far enough away from DC, but with good enough transportation.  I assume that might mean an hour or more, but if we travel in together it would be two parties in one.
  Maybe some of the locals could let us know if this is feasible and how it might work.

[S_in_CA]

I live in CA now, but my family still lives close to D.C., and I've been pondering a return on January 20th!  Hmm...

[Deep Blue]

I'd love to come.
I wonder if we can find a meeting place far enough away from DC, but with good enough transportation.  I assume that might mean an hour or more, but if we travel in together it would be two parties in one.
  Maybe some of the locals could let us know if this is feasible and how it might work.

I"m more familiar w/Virginia locales, but in terms of transportation, I would say take a look at VRE train schedules. Fredericksburg is on the VRE route and is about 45 minutes from DC. The train in MD is called the MARC, and I know it goes straight from Capitol Hill to Baltimore.

Of course, anything Metro accessible is great but for more availability and lower cost you may have to go further afield.

I would also add that if you're serious you should start planning right away. I'm sure stuff is getting booked.

[Steve]

I'd love to go, and get together with other Mudpuppies, but don't know yet if I will be able to. Nevertheless, a few suggestions that don't depend on my presence.

A bunch of us are in NYC or nearby. Perhaps a carpool? If not that, catching the same train down would be fun.

Meeting place: A hotel room anywhere close to a train station in VA or MD, cost to be shared. No doubt a reservation would have to be made soon.

[TiredMom]

Hi guys,

I already emailed Marty.  My hubby and I live in Richmond, VA and immediately upon That One's win said we wanted to go see the inaiuguration.  Thanks Marty and Deep Blue for trying to set things up for our little Mudstock.  We look forward to meeting the wonderful folks who got us through this crazy election.  Please keep us informed.  Can't wait!!

[A Blizzard of Words]

I'd love to come.
I wonder if we can find a meeting place far enough away from DC, but with good enough transportation.  I assume that might mean an hour or more, but if we travel in together it would be two parties in one.
  Maybe some of the locals could let us know if this is feasible and how it might work.

I"m more familiar w/Virginia locales, but in terms of transportation, I would say take a look at VRE train schedules. Fredericksburg is on the VRE route and is about 45 minutes from DC. The train in MD is called the MARC, and I know it goes straight from Capitol Hill to Baltimore.

Of course, anything Metro accessible is great but for more availability and lower cost you may have to go further afield.

I would also add that if you're serious you should start planning right away. I'm sure stuff is getting booked.

A friend and I are talking about coming down.  This is great info, DarkBlue.  Thanks so much.

I think meeting at the Lincoln Memorial is a great idea.

[A Blizzard of Words]

I'd love to come.
I wonder if we can find a meeting place far enough away from DC, but with good enough transportation.  I assume that might mean an hour or more, but if we travel in together it would be two parties in one.
  Maybe some of the locals could let us know if this is feasible and how it might work.

I"m more familiar w/Virginia locales, but in terms of transportation, I would say take a look at VRE train schedules. Fredericksburg is on the VRE route and is about 45 minutes from DC. The train in MD is called the MARC, and I know it goes straight from Capitol Hill to Baltimore.

Of course, anything Metro accessible is great but for more availability and lower cost you may have to go further afield.

I would also add that if you're serious you should start planning right away. I'm sure stuff is getting booked.

Would it be safe to assume that both the VRE and MARC would be operating extra trains on Inauguration Day?

[futurexpat?]

I'm going out tomorrow to see what info I can get. I think staying out of town on public transportation is probably the best way to go, but, of course, with people coming from all different directions, a central location is probably not so easy to find. This would be great, though. I'll see what I can find out.

[Lucy]

Okay.  And maybe we could all wear an identifiable piece of clothes.  Are t-shirts out for inaugurations?  Besides, it will be cold and all t-shirts will be covered with jackets.  Maybe a hat of some sort? or yellow mud boots (but who wants to walk around D.C. in rain boots? Some of us don't have such great feet anymore.)  I'm thinking a hat.  Easy to see.  Easy to put away.  Not a lot of competing clothing.  Maybe a Mudflaters For Obama umbrella. That might make a cool picture.

[Icy]

Re: identifiable clothing....definitely something from the AKM designer collection!

http://www.cafepress.com/mudflats

[futurexpat?]

Mudflats has a hat and it also has buttons and stickers. Surely, we can agree on and find something. 

[judi]

ok....I just may be able to make it...I was talking with my daughter and she thinks we should make it a mother daughter type of trip...
I know my husband would never come...he does not like crowds of any kind...

we will start checking out costs of hotels, etc....

such a historic day I really would like to be there

last time I went down there for an inauguration was for Nixon...no not inside either, one of those silly demonstrators outside chanting ha ha

yes mudflat wear..hats...would be pretty easy to see...especially if we gave a specific location near lincoln....

I am excited even if we dont make it...will be with all of you and Obama on this most historic day!!

[Lucy]

Mudflats has a hat and it also has buttons and stickers. Surely, we can agree on and find something. 

  I saw those.  I was hesitant because the hats weren't a very bright color that was easily identified.  I was hoping there was a bright yellow one (except that we might not be as likely to wear it on another occasion.)  Maybe the white one with lots of bright buttons added.  I really like the umbrella idea - but probably impractical to get it on the website and have enough traffic for it to pay for itself.

[Deep Blue]

As great as it would be to meet up at the Lincoln Memorial or some other august location on the day itself, my worry is that the mob scene in DC on the 20th will provide a big obstacle. Plus I imagine many people will be coming with their families and will want to have the freedom to negotiate the crowds and the day's schedule without the added stress of an appointed meeting time and place.

So, my idea is that we do our DC Mudstock on the Sunday or Monday before Inauguration, allowing folks to make whatever plans suits them for the day itself. Monday is also a holiday in DC, being MLK Jr. Day.

There are lots of great places to meet that are Metro accessible. I'm sure Marty and I can come up with some good possibilities.

Do others have input on this idea?