If you are a friend that I've talked to within the past 4 months or a coworker, you'll know that I've been whining about needing a beach vacation. The last time I was on sand and got to see those beautiful waves break upon the shore was in Jamaica in January. Nonono... that's been too long for moi, you don't understand.
Kyle's in Nags Head, NC right now. Great excuse :) Electronica festival near DC -- on the way. Let's make it a roadtrip.
Left the Cincy on Thursday at 5am. Yes, you read that right. Projected 8 hr drive to DC to pick up Reese who's all into that funky music too. Drive wasn't all too bad, we switched off -- I got to sleep for almost all of the first half. Tried to listen to an audio book. Gave up after disc 3. My mind's too spastic to stay focused on that, talking, and paying attention to signs. Got to DC around 1pm and 1.5 tanks of gas (woopwoop). Picked up Reese and went straight to Bristow, VA for Identity Fest.
Mind you, I'm a complete amateur when it comes to electronica music. I know nothing about the artists, the different styles, or what makes one DJ a genius vs novice. All I care about is if I can dance my booty off to it. Which I did. I'm no smoker, but Camel was doing some promotion at the entrance so we stocked up on menthol cigarettes, mix that with about 7 Rockstar Energy drinks they were handing out for free at the tent, and you've got yourself a "clean" buzz going (well that and the thermos of rum we shot in the parking lot). A crazy storm was a brewing in the not-so-far distance, but we just got some light refreshing drizzle and found cover in time. Dancing my heart out ensued until 11pm.
I've never been to DC before and while I had no intention of getting it all in on this trip, Reese drove me past all the main monuments and buildings on our way back. It seemed unreal. I think because I've always seen these places only in movies and tv, and with them being cast with spotlights in the night, made me believe this was all a movie set and that Tom Hanks or Nicolas Cage must be running around somewhere with a film crew following them. They were overly impressive and I definitely need a dedicated trip to DC some time to fully absorb them.
Got to sleep in the next morning until we made our way to meet up for lunch. Had yummy make-your-own bibimbap before heading out to Nags Head at 1pm. Aaaand hello DC traffic. We hit 3 ridiculous traffic jams. I really don't understand traffic and why it happens... I think that 95% of the time it's caused by one stupid driver feeling the need to slow down for no real good reason and then causing a giant domino effect. We got into Nags Head around 8pm. Grabbed dinner and drinks with Kyle then crashed.
Ahhhhhh beaaacchhh dayyyyy has finally arrived! Another lazy morning, ate at a local breakfast joint (yum grits... definitely back in the South, also conveyed by our waitress's accent), got some beach food at Kroger (hummus?), and found ourselves a spot where we'd bake for the next 5 hours. Water was at a perfect temperature and I made the water-bake-water-bake ritual several times. Read, talked, people-watched, and just enjoyed the rays. I swear, next place I live, better be in close proximity to a life like this. Also, fastforward a few days later, I experienced a "white person problem" for the first time... I was peeling. weeeiiird. After beach? Pool of course. Then got some excellent (free! thanks Kyle's friend) sushi and sake then called it a night.
Sunday morning Jonathon got up at 5 (ew) to train for ironman cycling, while I slept in til 11. Theeen we made the long drive back to Cincinnasti (some more stupid traffic jams) and got in at 11:30pm. Had an interesting pit stop at a gas station in the middle of nowhere with hick telling us to watch out for bears in Washington (state) and carry guns. I think I'm done with driving for a while. Thank god for cruise control. Next time, let's fly.
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