Murray Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 My wife (Jan) and I are planning our trip to the TCA show at Fairfax in August. We need some help on some things. Can any one tell us where the Comfort Inn refered to in the TCA news letter is located , what town? city? and does anyone have an e-mail address for it. Seeing we will be travelling more than half way around the planet to get there, what other places should we visit near Fairfax. Jan can drive on the wrong side of the road so we would be mobile. We are very interested in Civil war sites and Jan wants to see some quilting museums and quilting shops, (girls gun shops). We also believe the Blue Ridge Parkway would be worth driving, & thought that colonial Williamsburg or James Town might be interesting. From LA or San Francisco, which airport would be the best 'hub' to fly into - Richmond VA, Baltimore MD, Arlington VA, or Alexandria VA? Many thanks to anyone who can help. Best wishes Murray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 Murray, I'll send you all the poop via email tonight. Hope to see you there. Remember, over 600 black powder shooters here in Indy on the 20th I believe. It should be a hoot. 23 countries will be represented in this deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnipman Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Murray, if you have a choice, fly through SF. Cool airport and good food. Buy some Parisian sour dough bread tthere to take home with you. Eat at the Crab Pot restaurant in the main teriminal. Get one of their sour dough bowls, made from a bole of sour dough and filled with clam or crab chowder. Fly into Dulles International Airport if you can. It's only 15-20 miles from Fairfax, and no megalopolises between the airport and fairfax. All the things you said you might do are cool. It's a beautiful part of the country. Get a good road atlas of the area and take secondary roads to and from the BRP. You might even just explore bitty back roads in the BRP area as the BRP itself can be pretty crowded sometimes. In D.C itself there's a world of great things to do. The Smithsonian Museums on the D.C. mall are literallhy world-class. One thing in the area that is very worthwhile doing is to tour George Washington's Mt. Vernon plantation. It's been remarkably preserved and restored. Naturally, I assume you'll be touring the NRA's National Firearms Museum in Fairfax http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with. Basil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fencer Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Gettysburg and Antiem are must visit sites. Gettysburg is wonderful. Antietam Gettysburg QUANTICO AIR/GROUND MUSEUM, Virginia, USA Aberdeen Proving Ground, Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen MD I could go on http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter63a Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Murray, I've been to Washington, D.C. and can say, without qualification, it is a spectacularly interesting place. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif There are also some very eccentric people living there. For example, when I was last there, I saw a very dapper man, wearing pants with legs of two different colors (cream white and green), a cane and very expensive looking shoes, walking down the Mall. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif Within the downtown area, and all within walking distance of each other, you will find the Smithsonian Institution (a museum which has no equal in the World), the White House, the Supreme Court, the Capitol Building (Congress), FBI Headquarters, and Ford's Theater (where Lincoln was assasinated). On almost every monument and important government building you will find references to God and quotes from the Holy Bible, reflecting the Founding Father's religious beliefs (ideals) and their conviction that the experiment in self-government (self-rule), which they founded, would only succeed if the American people remained a religious and moral people. Even, and especially, the Supreme Court building (completed in the 1930's) has Biblical references all over the exterior and the interior, including the Ten Commandments carved into the heavy doors and sculptures, as reminders that our legal system and our government were founded on the Christian Bible. To deny this would be, historically, inaccurate! The Smithsonian, which I believe both your wife and you, will enjoy immensely, now encompasses the Natural History Museum, the Air and Space Museum, the National Archives, the American History Museum, the Corcoran Gallery (renamed Renwick) , etc, all located on (surrounding) the Mall. You will probably want to spend a few days along the Mall. If you, or your wife, can't walk long distances, are not fit, you may want to try hitting certain locations only. Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes. It is very hot and humid in D.C. during the Summer, so dress accordingly. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif There is also the National Gallery. I'm not sure if it is on the Mall. Also on the Mall are the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Reflecting Pool, and the cherry trees donated by Japan, etc. In the Air and Space Museum you will find one of the Wright brother's planes, space capsules, Charles Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis, etc. I don't believe the White House gives tours, since 9-11-01. The FBI still gives tours, but you may need to make reservations. Also, I believe there was a recent expansion of the Air and Space Museum, opened in 2003, in Chantilly, Virginia (near Dulles). Check out Washington, D.C. and Smithsonian Institution on the internet. I hope this helps. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif Best Regards, Walter P.S. I hope to make it to the TCA Show And Shoot this year. I look forward to meeting you, your wife, and many of our members! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp40 Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Hey Walter, remember, rich people are eccentric and poor people are crazy! I too have been to Washington D.C. (the District of Columbia) Actually, scary is more like it! The center of D.C. is beautiful, but the outer parts...Anyways, the Smithsonian museum is not to be missed..As for the rest, I can't quite remember it as I haven't been there since 80' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter63a Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Yes, certain areas are, like those of many large cities, dangerous, because law-abiding citizens can't own handguns. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/sad.gif However, the area I mentioned is very safe. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Regards, Walter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Posted February 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Well thats it! we are coming! I telephoned the Comfort Inn this evening and booked and paid so we will be there. Many many thanks guys for your excellent help. Your descriptions helped convince Jan that it will be a buzz. Kind wishes. M http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Iannamico Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Metro DC is a wonderful place! If I had the money I would live there in a minute! (well, alexandria virginia for sure!!) There is too much to see and do down there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnipman Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 PhilOhio is dead bang on about autos vs. the Metro in D.C. Murray, drive to the end of the Orange line (Vienna Station), about 6 miles NW of fairfax at I-66 and I-495, park your car there and use the Metro for your D.C. tour. Do be forewarned that there will still be quite a bit of walking. The D.C. mall itself is a couple of miles long, with all the museums strung out on both sides. A little known adjunct to the Metro subway maps is the StationMasters guide, which is a booklet worth its weight in gold. You can buy one during business hours at the ticket office at Metro Center subway stop. It is essentially a complete compilation of the big subway street maps that you see posted at each subway stop. It has street details surrounding every subway stop, with hotels, stores, and points of interests marked. Also, has an alphabatized indexed list of categories of points of interest that lets you locate things like grocery stores, drugs stores, etc. by subway stop. Also, get a tiny compass you can put on your keychain so you can get orientied quickly when you emerge on the street from a subway stop. There are indeed some very bad sections of D.C., mainly located to the west of central D.C.,so don't take the western legs of the Orange, Blue, or Green Metro lines beyond the central D.C. area. Too bad D.C. doesn't have concealed carry permits for honest citizens. If it did, most violent crime would evaporate there in about a month. Criminals are only stupid to a degree, and after a few were dispatched in the act, only the occasional druggie or criminally insane would need to be persuaded the hard way. Instead, the criminals are armed and the honest citizens are disarmed. Clearly a receipe for disaster, as witness the crime rate in D.C., and the unbelievable crime wave sweeping the UK during the last 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter63a Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Murray and Jan, although all of the guys are trying to be helpful, don't let anything scare you off from visiting downtown D.C., while here. It is a wonderful, historical, educational place, not to be missed. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Regards, Walter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickyard Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 Murray: Well, there's little I can offer to what's already been said by others, that's for sure. DC is one of the MOST wonderful places to visit. There is so very much to see. Someone commented on a week ... that's for sure too. I pulled my son around in about 99 for 4 days and still didn't see 20% of what we (I) wanted him to. The crime while off the beaten path is a reality but as others have stated, it's not something you'll have any problem with now that you are aware. Let me make this perfectly clear. IT'S GOING TO BE HOT (potential for 90 deg. F +) . Not just hot but very humid. at least 85% or better so dress with that intent. Walking is the best way up and down the mall and, the mall is probably 2 miles long. At one end is the Lincoln Memorial and and the other, the Capitol Bldg. Everything in the middle is great. Don't forget to back pocket a bit of time for the Vietnam and Korean memorials (Korea is especially nice in the evening, just after dark. A couple of other things I've really enjoyed over teh years are the Jefferson memorial, The Supreme Court Bldg., Obviously Air and Space, and the American History Museum (lots of WWI / WWII guns). The capital blg. itself is beyond belief. You could go to the Treasury and see them print all that US money that keeps going down in value but, ... I'd spend the time sitting and watching people. Here's the ONE that I wish EVERYONE would make time to see. I've only been once as it's relitively new, but make teh effort to see the Holicost museum. It is beyond words. Enough said. Lastly, many of the bldgs. are best seen if one has some contacts with government officials. I have a couple. I would be more than happy to forward on any requests for you and your wife and perhaps we can get you some tickets to places that would normally not be available to the average visitor on a tight schedule. Please feel free to email me and we can begin to discuss. Again, lastly, many of the more common sights have tickets available on ticketmaster.com, etc. and this is a great time saver. Often, one stands in lines for several hours getting tickets for the viewing tomorrow and those lines are long as well. I'll shut up. I will be there for the show/shoot and look very forward to meeting you and your wife. Kindest reagards, C.J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter63a Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 I just checked out the official Wasington, D.C. Tourism site, and they are touting the new WWII Memorial, which will be dedicated on Memorial day. There will be a lot of WWII-related exhibits, tours, ect. taking place through to Labor Day, in September. It sounds very exciting and opportune! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif I usually stay in Northwest D.C., when there. It is very safe, with nice restaurants, fine hotels, and easy access to the Metro (subway). No driving is necessary, once at your hotel. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Best Regards, Walter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnipman Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 Crap, I meant *EAST* not *WEST* Murray when I was telling you where not to go in D.C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snipershot1944 Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 Hello-I"m a new poster to this site. I live about 50 miles due west of Fairfax Va. Make sure you go to the Air and Space museum on the Mall downtown in DC, and the new annex at Dulles airport. The Land, Sea, and Air museum at Quantico is a must too. Finally, the International Spy Museum in Downtown DC is worth the time too. And for the ladies, truly world-class shopping is available at Tysons Corner, with more malls, stores, etc. than you could ever afford. Now I have a question for you. How do you get invited or information on the TCA show? David snipershot1944@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Crow Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 David, You will need to join the TCA (Thompson Collectors Association) You can do so by sending a check for dues in the amount of $30.00 per year. TCA P.O. Box 8710 Newark, OH 43058-8710 This includes a quarterly newsletter and invites to the shows & shoots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSMG28 Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 Murray, Not much I can add to the excellent information already provided. Yes, Metro is the way to go in D.C. (pun intended!) There was a mention of the FBI Building tour. It is indeed an excellent tour, but unfortunately this tour has been suspended for a while due to renovations. It will not be available again until at least this fall. However, there will be far more things you can do than you will have time for, so you certainly won't be bored. If you are into Civil War sites, I agree that Gettysburg and Antietam are must sees and are only 2-3 hours drive north of D.C. I was fortunate enough to visit your beautiful country 15 years ago and was shown great hospitality. Hopefully we can return the favor for you and your wife on your visit here. See you in August. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1savage Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Don't forget Fredericksburg, VA...about 1 hour south of DC....if you're looking for Civil War sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Posted February 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 Thanks guys for all the great information. As a result of what you have advised, we now plan to spend about a month in Virgina ending up at the Thompson show. I recevied my official invitation from the ExecutiveVice President of the NRA to the offical opening of the "Thompson: On the side of law and Order" display on 18th March but I will have to decline as we can't see us being in Fairfax twice in the same year. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/dry.gif Once again guys, we really thank you for the excellent information and numerous emails we have received from you all. Murray and Jan. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif and we look forward to seeing you all at the show http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/blink.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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