Rolling Thunder!

To begin, today's blog-heading is not an indication of the local weather, which has been sunny with temperatures hitting the nineties, but rather it was the 27th Rolling Thunder event in which tens (if not hundreds)of thousands of ex-war vets drive their motorcycles around Washington's National Mall, to protest about the treatment afforded to their comrades. In addition to those taking part in the event ther's an equivalent number of bikers who turn-up to spectate! So, with ninety percent of those involved resembling Leon Russell (of ZZ Top!) and most of the bikes being fat-tyre, flat-head, Harleys, its quite some spectacle!

(Yesterday, we watched one biker flash past with a live parrot on his shoulder!) Refreshingly, there were relatively few Police involved in marshelling the event, as there was absolutely no trouble whatsoever. Earlier in the day we took ouselves to the White House via the Treasury Building and met a longstanding resident peace protester (but not the longest-standing, who's resided there since 1981!)before heading for a spot on the River, close to Georgetown, to people-watch and enjoy an early lunch at Tony & Joe's Seafood Place..... excellent crab sandwiches again!

As we walkeed back towards the National Monument we stopped at several points to watch the motorcade, before joining the audiance at a free event-related concert.

Having hit the streets at 8:30am, we were ready to return to our hotel in the Capitol Hill area, by 3:00pm. (Yesterday, we managed to hold-out longer, by visiting the City's Spy Museum! Actually, a pretty coolplace to visit...... especially if your a James Bond fan!) I guess today's musical choice 'Born to be Wild' is an obvious one!