That was what instantaneously grabbed my attention as I walked along the waterfront on a beautiful, 70 degree and slightly breezy Sunday. Getting off the Circulator at the SW Waterfront, well south of Georgetown if you've been here, I walked up along the marina, thinking about how amazing it would be to live on a houseboat on a day like this. Then realizing that there are some storms that would make that closer to hell.

So I walked up, remembering home maybe more than I have since I got here because it smelled like Puget Sound, not like the river that it really is. The water was still and the boats ranged from very small to Paul Allen-yacht size. There were house-sized house boats docked right next to sailboats.
Just before walking under I-395, you see crowds of people, not tourists, just people hanging out by some stands. Then you hear it, "free steamed shrimp. I got free steamed shrimp right here." Can't even pretend I wasn't excited. Practically ran up to get a couple, with were perfectly cooked and dipped in an incredible cajun rub. The rub lingered for a while, making me more hungry, but really just making me crave that rub more than is really healthy.
Then I looked around. I've never really been to a seafood market. This wasn't like Pike Place Market. It was more like a series of fireworks stands for seafood. Some had cooked shrimp and gumbo, some fresh fish. There were boxes full of live crab that they would just throw in a basket and kill before selling. Certainly there was a lot of bartering going on because there were probably 10 different stands. And it smelled amazing.

Unfortunately, I had already planned a dinner trip to Olive Garden for the neverending pasta bowl. So, Adam, this weekend, that's where we're going.
Needless to say, since I wasn't eating, I couldn't stand there anymore. So I embarked on the mile or so walk to the Jefferson Memorial, the only one of the major ones I had yet to visit. And, possibly the best. It is cavernous and the outer area is amazing. Since it is somewhat off the beaten track and mostly because us locals don't play football or softball over there, the grounds are very well kept. And in the basement of the monument there is a small museum. It is the type of place where you can just sit on the stairs feeling like you are no longer in the city. I could've sat there forever.
Instead, more walking was in order. The plan was to go from the memorial to Arlington Cemetery. Unfortunately I ran out of time, but I still made the walk, across the Potomac and up river to the entrance of the cemetery. Probably two miles. Just an absolutely gorgeous walk. The river was calm, even out in the middle. The cars seem much more separated from the walkers than they do walking across I-90. If it wasn't for the abundance of every chemical you can name it would be a great place to swim.

It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday, full of more walking than I have done in a long time. I even walked home, two miles, from Olive Garden after three pasta courses, salad and breadsticks. Talk about a solid finish to a relaxing, fun day.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.