This was originally written on February 12, 2006. But, we've been unable to post on a daily basis--enjoy catching up on our adventures!
Day 9
2-12-06
Start: Intersection of 197 & 450, MD
Destination: South end of Greenbelt Park
Miles: 18.3
Weather: SNOWY! 10” of it (They weren’t kidding!)
We went to bed with a very small accumulation of snow last night, and rumors of up to 15” of it by morning. We weren’t worried, all we had to do was walk through it.
We woke up at 4:30 am to our wake-up call – a knock on the door! The power and phone was out in the entire hotel! We opened the curtain, and there was a heavy blanket of snow on everything. It was a winter wonderland! Even the smallest tree branches were completely covered in snow and hanging low from the weight.
Like every morning, our first thought was coffee. We couldn’t use the coffee pot, so we pulled out our Jetboil stove and brewed some up. We both put on our headlamps and were able to maneuver around just fine. We called a cab which, surprisingly, was running in the weather. The cab driver whipped us around like nothing was different in that snow. He drove with one hand on the wheel and was singing away to himself the whole time. What a free spirit! He had a good voice, too! It was a wonderful way to start our day. When we got a little stuck, he’d just sing louder and hit the gas harder until he was able to move the car how he wanted. We never did get stuck!
We got onto the WB&A bike path and trudged through all the deep snow. It felt actually kind of good on our feet. And it was BEAUTIFUL out. Everything was completely white, and there were several bright red cardinals fluttering by and perching themselves in trees in front of us. They’d stay there just until we got the camera out and turned it on. Then they’d take off. I guess they’re camera shy.
Then we were later walking down a very rural road. Everyone was out shoveling, building snowmen, and sledding. We got to a section of the neighborhood where the houses were a little more spread out and there were sections of forest in between. We smelled something burning, and we saw smoke and thought someone must have a burn barrel going in the woods. When we got closer, the fire had a bright blue glow to it. We stepped a little closer and it made a “BUZZ,” then “SNAP!” Mom and I screamed and jumped/ran back a little ways. It was a downed power line in the woods and the phone pole was on fire!! It was sparking and the flames were probably 3 feet high! We got out the phone and called 9-1-1 to let them know about the situation. They sent someone right away, and not soon after the call, a fire truck passed us on the road. I hope they got the fire put out okay.
From then on, the day was just walking on snowy roads. We walked through Greenbelt Park, and when we got through that, Deanna Darlington picked us up and brought us to her D.C. apartment. What a cute place – and a beautiful view! She and her husband brought us to dinner at Outback Steakhouse where mom and I had a great chunk of protein – steak! We certainly had wonderful company, and now our tummies are full, so we’re off to sleep!
Thank you Deanna!!!
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