July 24, 2003 - Baltimore, MD

Forecast: 90 degrees high humidity

Road Condition: Good. I–95 N from Roanoke Rapids, NC through Virginia to Washington, DC then onto Baltimore, MD

Fuel: Super Unleaded $1.57

Miles Traveled: Roanoke Rapids, NC to Baltimore, MD: 250 (Total 6,492)

Bike Update: Running good

Road Trip Log Update: The North Carolina weather eased up and we were able to get some sight seeing in around Virginia at the Petersburg battlefield. There was a large group of ravens in the sky that joined us along with an unbelievable amount of dragonflies that were hovering above the grass on the battlefield. The area was extremely peaceful with only the backdrop of the sound of birds and buzzing mid day creatures. During the stop, JillMarie discovered a colorful winged visitor on her gas tank. With the high humidity we chose to discover the rest of the park by driving through the one way long and winding tree lined road. Back on I-95 we headed off to Washington D.C. going through a brief spell of traffic in Richmond. The road was smooth for the most part of the day, with limited construction. As we crossed the Potomac River into D.C. on the George Washington Bridge we could see the Washington Monument. As we came into the city, we were fortunate enough to find a parking spot on Constitution Avenue right in front of the monument. The White House was within walking distance, but in D.C. the blocks are pretty big. When we arrived at the lawn there were blockades, and armed guards on duty, but we were still able to get close enough to take a picture. The nations capital at night was worth waiting for, and experiencing all the sights by motorcycle when everything was lit up was fantastic. While crossing the Arlington Memorial Bridge two helicopters hovered above us and they were absolutely silent. If we had not looked up we would not have known they were there. The capital was certainly on a high level of protection. Touring through the city we had a sense of pride and new appreciation for freedom. Today we heard that 3 more soldiers were killed in Iraq. As we headed off towards New York through Baltimore we recognized how grateful we were for where we lived and that freedom is not free. We will definitely go back to D.C. for a longer visit at another time. Tomorrow we are headed for New York into Manhattan and to visit Ground Zero.

Sugarlips gets a visitor	Ironman and Sugarlips arrive in Washington, DC
The White House
Ironman on the Battlefield of Petersburg, VA
Riding through Virginia
Click to see July 23, 2003	Click to see July 25, 2003