It’s been a good ride for us Red-Line-from-Van-Ness-UDC-to-Metro-Center-transfer-to-Orange-Line-in-the-
direction-of-Vienna-to-Virginia-Square-GMU, but I writing to say it’s over. This morning was the last time that I will squish myself into a a car and fight my way to the middle amidst protests from all the “doorkers.” (Yes, I even picked up some of your phrases during our relationship.) This morning was the last morning that I will run with hundreds of other people to the one escalator that takes us downstairs to choose our fate of Virginia or Maryland.
I know I owe you an explanation of what’s changed… Don’t worry - - I still love you and all the things you’ve let me do: read lots of books, not have to worry about a car, not have deal with driving in DC traffic… And no, I haven’t sold you out to the suburbs, I’m still a city girl and we’ll be seeing each other, just not every day.
This summer I’ll be enjoying a city retreat. I’m swearing off my underground commute to the freedom of a bicycle on the wide open paths of the C&O Canal,Capital Crescent Trail, and W&OD trail.
Yes, I’ll lose a little in convenience, but think of what I’ll gain - more shapely legs, a healthy heart, and the pomposity that comes with knowing that I am not contributing to global warming.