You're Fired

When the election was called on Saturday afternoon, four days after we voted, I admit I broke into tears it was such a relief. People in cities around the country, including DC, poured into the streets to celebrate. I wanted to hop on my bike and head downtown, but we were cooking for mom's birthday, so there wasn't time. We had a lovely celebration on the deck that evening, then I took to the W&OD the next day. I wanted to see the wall Trump had erected to protect himself from all of us crazy rioting liberals. Apparently, it had been covered with protest signs making fun of him for cowering.

I took the W&OD all the way to Shirlington, then the connector to the GW Parkway trail to the 14st bridge, then up 15 St. to the White House. 

Below is the wall from the back side. I got disoriented by the wall and ended up inside, roaming around trying to find my way out. 

I took this from the lawn on the inside of the wall. The Christmas tree was already up - but I don't think they'd lit it yet. 

Finally I found my way to the other side.

There was a lot of press milling about, waiting for something to happen.

Many signs of protest and celebration...

It was heartening to see Black Lives Matter Place. Honestly, I teared up a little at all of the support for Black Lives Matter. 

Most of the people around the front of the fence were tourists - no protest happening today. The mood was celebratory.

You could just see the White House through the signs.

This is the side of St. John's Episcopal Church across Lafayette Square where Trump walked to hold up a bible after having the peaceful protesters tear gassed and beaten. Leadership in the church condemned Trump's actions and the church's boarded up windows are painted with murals of support for BLM. 

Back behind the Lincoln memorial, I stopped to enjoy the water.

Then I headed back by the Lincoln Memorial, over the Memorial Bridge, and up the GW Parkway trail to Roosevelt Island.

From Roosevelt Island, I took the Custis Trail through Rosslyn and back toward Vienna. On the way down, I had cut through Merrifield on my way to the W&OD, but on the way back I went into Vienna. From there, my usual way home except I took the cut through from Thaiss Park to Prince William Road, and home.

Distance: 49 miles

Speed: 12.5 mph - lots of urban riding and weaving among crowds. much faster on the trail.