Thursday, January 8, 2009

Road Trip



I hardly ever leave Washington DC. My secret theory is that this city, by virtue of its Masonic designers, is surrounded by some kind of magical force field. Any time I get into a train or car and get beyond the boundaries of the DC diamond, it's always such a surprise.

Outside of DC, my jaw relaxes, my adrenal glands calm down and I breathe just a little bit easier. Why this always comes as a surprise is a mystery to me. I can't explain it. All I can say is that getting out of town is always a Very Good Idea, even if it's a day trip, as was today's roadtrip to Annapolis.

I'm back in the thick of this powerful, wounded, beautiful city, but I feel renewed, reglued, refreshed. How soon will I forget the benefits of getting out of town? Almost immediately, most likely. Weird, isn't it?

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34 comments:

  1. rutibeggaJanuary 8, 2009 at 7:49 PM

    Hi. I just added your blog, mainly because you're a girl in a city with her dog and her camera. And well, same here. I've read back a bit through your blog, and it's interesting. So... hi! Nice blog. And cute dog.

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  2. UnknownJanuary 8, 2009 at 8:28 PM

    It is weird how life grabs a hold of us and let's go as we drive to the country and then back reality. Glad you got to take a day trip. Good for you.

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2009 at 8:34 PM

    Nice post :)

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  4. JOYJanuary 8, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    Reya - Love your pictures. I feel the same way about leaving town. When I get away, the part of me that fits inside the structure of my daily surroundings and routines breathes a sight of relief and unrolls its tongue, starts to babble on. I write more prolifically too. So yeah for getting away! How is your hand? Hope it's feeling better.

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  5. Ronda LaveenJanuary 8, 2009 at 11:00 PM

    How far is Annapolis from DC?

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  6. ValJanuary 8, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    I will try to remind you :-) how is the hand? xx

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  7. http://www.mostemailednews.comJanuary 8, 2009 at 11:13 PM

    I would assume you'll need to hit the road again to recover from the Inaugural festivities.
    Lee

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  8. JanelleJanuary 9, 2009 at 4:53 AM

    yeah its sooooooooo good to get away from our everydays...and go along a different road and see different things..preferably wide open spaces...its sooooooo good! HOW IS YOUR HAND BY THE WAY??? xxx

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  9. heleJanuary 9, 2009 at 5:15 AM

    Have a wonderful time. I suspect the city misses you while you are gone - which is why it weaves a magical net around you :)

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2009 at 6:38 AM

    I'm still in the city force-field. Have to break out soon. Just have to!!

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  11. LMJanuary 9, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    lovely picture!!!
    and yeah, cute dog : )

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  12. UlrikeJanuary 9, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Hi Reya. I love the way you write, and your photos are awesome. Poetic.

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  13. CatherineJanuary 9, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    Hmmmm .......... big cities are always scary .....

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  14. Reya MellickerJanuary 9, 2009 at 8:29 AM

    Thanks for asking about "it."n My hand is much better, though still puffy. I'm seeing my doc this morning. She goes by the book so I bet "it" will be x-rayed.

    I'm not as mad at "it" as I was.

    Ronda - Annapolis is close - about 45 minutes driving time unless there is traffic.

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  15. UnknownJanuary 9, 2009 at 9:49 AM

    i love getting out of town on the weekends...I like in the city of providence, RI so my husband and I try to go skiing in VT on the weekends. Its a whole other world!! Nice post!

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  16. Butternut SquashJanuary 9, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    I lived inside the beltway to for 13 years. It is a strange enchantment and once you leave you wonder what is reality? Is it the farm or is it the city? I am constantly surprised by what my neighbors don't know and don't care about politically out in the country. I guess reality is only where you are in that moment...I miss Starbucks.

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  17. CocoDivaDogJanuary 9, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    Hey girl,
    Lots of people share your secret theory. I even saw something about it on TV not too long ago.
    If you google "masonic symbols washington dc", all kinds of stuff will pop up.
    BTW, how's "it"?...Your hand?

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  18. BeeJanuary 9, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    I like the idea of that "magical force field" -- so well put.

    I always feel the same when I go into London. I am energized when I hit the city, and then my whole body relaxes when I get into the countryside.

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  19. scarlethueJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:04 PM

    I live in a bubble-like town too-- we forget there's life outside of it sometimes. I never realize how much stress I'm actually carrying in me until I get out of the bubble either.

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  20. Steve ReedJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    I feel the same about NYC -- it's great to be here, but it's always so terrific to get a break!

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  21. Reya MellickerJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    Butternut - I was never so interested in American politics until I moved here. One of my many fantasies is a required national service during which people have to come live here for two years. They can do anything - work the for govt. or be barbers or mail delivery people or whatever, but just be here in the midst of the Masonic grid.

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  22. HilarywhoJanuary 9, 2009 at 1:29 PM

    Hi Reya. I recently started following your blog & enjoy it - great pics. I've also had this experience, this feeling of a weight gone, breathing easier, when getting away from one place and being in another. But I don't think it has anything to do with the size of the city or place that you've left. I think it just has more to do with change - a different perspective. I love DC, but have only visited there a handful of times. At heart I'm a big city girl, but currently stuck on an island south of Detroit.

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  23. ChJanuary 9, 2009 at 2:04 PM

    I love your photos in your Blog (:

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  24. Cheryl CatoJanuary 9, 2009 at 2:04 PM

    Beautiful countryside. Reminds me of the area around Austin, TX. The "get out of town" syndrome seems to be going around. I can only imagine what it's going to be like in DC in a couple of weeks. Think you'd better get TWO cases of wine to tide you over!
    I love following your blog and hope the hand gets better. I too have a camera & a dog (also a great husband) and we hang together taking photos.
    What is your favorite camera? Mine is a Leica V-Lux (2 years old) & I'm loving it!!!

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  25. bluepoppyJanuary 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    lovely photos and your last post on the presidency was awesome!!

    Bisous, bluepoppy

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  26. suezoos1January 9, 2009 at 2:56 PM

    Haven't been to DC in quite a few years but what a wonderful place. I would love to be able to live there...could live in the Smithsonian buildings until caught because I love them all. Still so inspiring, regardless of all the uninspiring stuff that goes on in the name of government..

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  27. bethJanuary 9, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    Breaking the routine can be very stimulating, wherever you roam.

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  28. streetmachineJanuary 9, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    Hello I really like your blog, I would like a link exchange with you, I insert your blog to my favorite blogs ;)

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  29. Reya MellickerJanuary 9, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    So it's not just DC? Another one of my secret theories - down the drain!

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  30. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    GREAT POST!

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  31. Mrs. EJanuary 9, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    You last pic could be Kansas, except for perhaps too many trees?! ha!

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  32. darkmanJanuary 10, 2009 at 6:40 AM

    I like VW vans.

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  33. CarolynJanuary 10, 2009 at 5:47 PM

    Hello. I too have just added your blog. I am enjoying your commentary on your "home" place and feeling the vibe way up here in Canada! Have fun.
    Great photos and read!

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  34. lettuceJanuary 11, 2009 at 5:33 AM

    i love london, but love getting out of town into the countryside too...

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