[sneakers]

Yes, I'm driving down from western Pa. I'm most nervous about getting around in DC and where to park. There may be another group from western Pa going but don't know if I'll be able to hitch up with them somewhere. How much is parking, and how much is the metro, if we need to take it?
Please help!

[FreeTheHostages]

Here's the bottom line: public parking on the street in DC may be hard to find that day. There could be some near 13th and Independance NW, *BUT* we're going to get a tad bit of snow (like 4 inches) so that sends the whole city into a panic, LOL, so the streets may not be plowed.

I think your best bet is to park your car in one of the downtown commercial parking places you'll find near the mall and then walk to the Washington Monument. If you want to park "further out," the metro stop is Smithsonian.

And, importantly, I'll email you my cellphone and leave it on that day, so you can call in and say "I'm here, how do I get there." I know the city well.

I ways up in the thread I posted a link to a map of the mall and the Monument which could be useful to orient you. I got it off the "maps" link at www.si.edu (the Smithsonian website).

We went out leafletting tonight and got a lot of positive response! See you there!!

[kristinn]

Go to the Metro website here for more info. There are parking lots at Metro stations just off 270 in Rockville. That might be your best bet. From there, plan on a 30-40 minute trip to Smithsonian station.

[FreeTheHostages]

And here's a map of the mall area with the washington monument on the lower left in the map.