Holy milestones, Batman -- Washington D.C.!!

Well! This was something -- arriving in our nation's Capitol, sweating and bug-bitten, to be welcomed by my good friend Andrea. Who, among other things, instigated a very interesting meeting for me, with my elected representative, Congress-person Jackie Speier! Without Andrea's encouragement I probably would have been satisfied with parading around the Capitol, my Climate Flag flying (avoiding the White House, in the end, due to the appalling nature - to me - of its current resident!) Why I hadn't thought of this already (calling on our elected officials), I don't know. But it may be because there has been so little media interest in this pilgrimage (at least in relation to the distances covered!) that I had begun to feel it was more a mission I'd been carrying out just for my own integrity's sake, out of reverence for the earth, and for the many amazing contacts I have made with an equally amazing and diverse group of people, so many of whom DO care about the environment... If not for the same reasons, or in the same ways as I do...

BTW, I did end up staying for a night in one of the lock houses I mentioned last post. It was fascinatingly rustic and so hot overnight that it was hard to sleep. But then, my last several days on the C&O Canal were extra hot (90's) and humid. I keep having to re-remember that in an eastern North American summer, it is so green and leafy that you can't see the terrain unless you come to a field or wide body of water, or are climbing/descending a hill yourself. The Potomac was often visible, but not always. Much interesting flora and river/canal fauna.

It looks as if there will be about seven more walk days to go until I reach the Atlantic coast - at Lewes area, Rehoboth Beach, Deleware. There is so much of interest to see and do here in D.C., that I could get immersed very easily. But 'duty calls', as they say - so in a couple of days I will head to Annapolis and another generous host there! I hear that there will be a post on Jackie Speier's FB site, about this trip(!) It should be view-able soon at FACEBOOK.COM/JACKIESPEIER.