(Sung to the tune of “When country comes to town!”)
On Tuesday I took the train up to Washington, DC, for a special dinner with Dietz and Watson. I’ll be sharing more about the dinner in a week or so, but I wanted to recap the rest of my visit with Anne! We spent a lot of time weighing options for accommodation for the night, from sleeping on her couch to going to a Kimpton hotel. There was a conference going on that had all hotels at $700+ so we found a simple little basement Airbnb in the U Street area to crash for the night – close to the restaurant and close to Sweatbox, where we went for an early morning workout. I gave Anne the bedroom and took the futon for the night. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked!
I LOVE Amtrak! My train arrived around noon and I spent the afternoon working in the Airbnb before needing some fresh air and sunshine.
I made my way to Meridian Park and walk/ran around for 3-ish miles, taking running breaks to chat with my mom and sister. My legs were still really tired from soccer, so I didn’t want to push it. I did have fun running up these stairs a few times!
Back at the apartment, I showered and put on my best face!
When bloggers come to town, you help each other take pictures! 😉
We walked to dinner and had a glorious time at Kapnos. I’ll share the what and why soon!
When bloggers come to town, they make you get up before sunrise to exercise!
Anne had an invitation to try out Sweatbox and brought me along. We were staying just a block away, so at least we didn’t have a commute! Anne’s friend and fellow-blogger Chelsea joined us as well!
The class was cool because the studio was dark and the lights gave the room a club effect. I love workout classes in the dark, especially first thing in the morning! We wore MyZone heart rate monitors (we have these at my home gym too!) and used a mounted computer screen plus the light-up bike to motivate us to push into the highest zones. Only about 25% of the class was on the bike, and the rest was done in “boxes” where we had TRX, weights, and room for plyo and planks.
I enjoyed the workout, the class style, and the data! It wasn’t one of my biggest burns because we did a lot of weights, but by the end of it I felt like I got a great total body workout. The instructor, Mark, was great too! Super helpful and nice to us newbies.
When bloggers come to town you have to take them to the best eats!
After quick showers, Anne and I headed to brunch. We walked to Slipstream, which was a cool cafe with coffee, light bites, and cocktails (for the later hours of the day, lol.)
The coffee was INCREDIBLE! Mine tasted like caramel (even with no sugar!)
We each had our eye on loaded toast.
Anne had avocado and whipped goats cheese with egg, and I had smoked salmon with greens, egg, and a potato hash that was too oniony to really enjoy. (I asked if there were onions involved and was told no, but didn’t want to send it back.)
Having blogger friends must be so incredible! I wish there were more bloggers where I live!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
You were in my town on Tuesday?? So was Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle! They were filming an episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee over in Adams Morgan. Chappelle has been in town all week doing shows at Warner Theater.
I love Meridian Hill (aka Malcolm X Park)! On Sundays, it’s a real scene man. Epic drum circle on the top level, couples doing tandem yoga, slack rope walkers, hula hoopers, artists painting, and so much more! LOL
I went to see Chapelle at Warner on Tuesday. He was AH-MAZING!!!! The most fun I’ve had at any kind of performance.
wow I left a really long comment and it seems to have disappeared. Usually i can see it under “pending moderation” until it’s approved….
That brunch spot looks so good! Annoying about the onions though 🙁
Tha lighting in that class looks so cool! Id be ready to dance and party, hah. Its so cool seeing two of my favorite bloggers together!
…I swear I can actually *see* an onion in that picture of your meal. My husband can’t stand onions and is always dismayed if they manage to sneak their way into his food when he thinks he’s in the clear. Sounds like a lovely time with Anne, though 🙂
No way! I live in that neighborhood! I also love Slipstream. Glad y’all enjoyed the trip.
: )
Your brightly colored floral dress is so pretty! Where’s it from?
Thanks! It’s the Renay Cold Shoulder Dress from Stitch Fix.
Yay! So much fun showing you around my city!! Come back and visit again soon 🙂 xo
How did you find these blocker friends? What things in common, or what draws you to their blog? I would love to meet you one day cath, but I have a feeling that you and I are so different in terms of blogging posts that I’m not sure if we would get along? If you know what I mean? I’m not a mother, even though I think you’re awesome being a mother and I enjoy reading your blog. I blog about my university life, and I’m not sure if you dig that so I’m wondering what kinds of logs you do read and what kinds of bloggers you Vibe with?
Looks like such a nice weekend! Totally agree about AMTRAK- love that they drop you right into town and it’s fast and comfy! Too bad about your brunch- salmon toasts are one of my favorite foods. At least the coffee was good…
Blogger friends are truly the BEST!
Looks like you guys had fun1 Love trying new workouts!
HAHA I think I would love the workout and both toasts! How fun! Can I ask a question? This post is so apt timewise for me since just this morning I was tyke to figure out travel to CVille for a coming up business trip! Flight from Boston are outrageous so I’m considering flying to my Grandmother’s in baltimore and then taking Amtrak! Did your train stop at DC OR MAYBE GO ALL THE WAY TO baltimore? I’ve been having problems with the Amtrak site all day day. ( and my phone apparently- gah caps!!) thanks Kath- excited to see cVikke finally!
It does go all the way to Balitmore – and I think all the way to Boston too! I know you can take Amtrak from Boston to NYC and I know you can go from NYC to Cville 😉 Check out the Northeast Regional line.
Looks like so much fun!!
I love meeting and hanging out with fellow bloggers.
Year and years ago in San Fransisco (at the Foodbuzz Festival) I met up with many of my favourite bloggers, and it was so fun to meet so many of them in person. You were there! I remember smiling at you and saying “hi” in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, haha! We never actually got to meet – it was just a quick hello as I passed by you in the lobby.
Aw wish we could spent more time together!