Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2017 14:24:26 +0000
Reply-To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Friday: Need help planning camping adventure to Smithsonian
In-Reply-To: <CACK29ck9aCDKkuApxNL6DXVqWLEgZiKytNoWJFdQ1G1DHa=L7Q@mail.gmail.com>
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D.C. parking. You will be graded.
Disclaimer: I once parked my Westy on the Mall (actually on a side street, 12th?) and survived.
As mentioned, parking near the Mall can be a hassle. Try to get there early (~0800-0900 for 1000 openings) and don't expect to find a spot on the Mall; more likely on a side street or behind one of the museums. Also, the meters are devices invented and managed by demons. Have a roll of quarters and a credit card; if using coins prepare for the meter to be stuffed/jammed/inop and if you do pay with coins and the meter works be prepared to send one of your party back every two hours to feed the beast, and if using a credit card be prepared to be driven mad by the app on the payment kiosks if you can find one. Expect to be ticketed if you go over by a minute. Expect to be ticketed if you park at a meter that is obviously out of order and will not even let you pay but which is next to an open space. Expect to be ticketed in any situation in which there is any latitude for sign interpretation but in which you chose the other.
No kidding. If you want to enjoy your day at the museums, do yourself and the family a favor and take the metro from the campground.
Stephen
On Saturday, January 7, 2017 8:34 AM, Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
When we were in DC several years ago it was very difficult to find a
parking place anywhere near the National Mall. The clearance in the parking
decks was too low for the Westfalia. I finally found a lot that would let
me drive into the exit ramp to park in a slot next to the exit. I don't
know what the situation is now.
On Fri, Jan 6, 2017 at 9:17 PM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
> While Cherry Hill RV Park may be closer, I would recommend Greenbelt Park
> campground instead. It’s not all that much further out, and a drive into
> the city from Greenbelt, via the BW Parkway, is pretty straight forward.
> Alternatively you could take the subway from either the Greenbelt or
> College Park stations.
>
>
> > On Jan 6, 2017, at 9:29 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> > This upcoming spring break (don't know exactly when it will be) I would
> > like to take my grandson to visit the Museum of Natural History in DC and
> > maybe others. We are in North Alabama, it's a two-day trip if nothing bad
> > happens.
> >
> > I'm looking for information as to what might be good places to stay
> > overnight on the way, and also what campgrounds might be available
> outside
> > DC. And then there's the problem of where to park and which trains to
> take
> > into town.
> >
> > Anyone with experience in the area, I would like to hear suggestions.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jim
>
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