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mathmama
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| Posted: Dec 27 2006 at 8:02am | IP Logged
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Hi Ladies,
I am part of a group that wants to go to the March for Life this year. None of us has ever gone. We live in NEPA so we are about 4-5 hours from DC. We are most concerned about logistics. We hope to all ride together in a big van or some vehicle like that. Where do you park such a thing? We were wondering if there was a way we could drive to the outskirts and then ride the Metro the rest of the way. If that is a good possibility, what station would be a good one to park at? Remember we are coming from PA, so I think it would be better for us to stop in MD as opposed to VA. One thing I should point out is that we will have children with us (at least a 1yo, 2yo, and 3yo, along with other older ones). Thanks for any suggestions!
Beth
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mathmama
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| Posted: Dec 28 2006 at 8:55am | IP Logged
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bumping this up in the hopes of getting at least one reply 
Beth
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Dec 28 2006 at 10:41am | IP Logged
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Beth,
I don't really have any concrete answers for you. Although I did have an idea this morning. Our parish charters a bus, as do most. They drop the marchers off downtown and then are routed to a parking area. I think they go to the Pentagon parking lot, but I am not sure. I could check with my mom as she arranged her parish's bus transportation for years.
Anyway, my idea was that if you only have a small group perhaps you could find a local church in MD that you could tag along with on their bus. That way, you could leave your van at the church. Many churches have trouble filling their buses and might appreciate a little help with the cost.
As for the Metro, I don't know if you could find a station with available parking. Most lots are full most days. and parking downtown would be a nightmare!
Good luck!
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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mathmama
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Thanks Molly. There are buses running from our area, I just don't feel comfortable traveling on a bus with my 2yo. There is no way to strap her in and I would think that the other mothers in my group would feel the same. There has to be a way to get there other than by bus. There was a thread a while ago and there was no mention of riding a bus. Where do those ladies park?
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 28 2006 at 11:04am | IP Logged
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The Pentagon parking lot isn't a good place. My husband works there...it's all permit parking.
You might consider the Greenbelt (MD) Metro station. I will ask dh about the clearances in the garage. New Carrolton also has a garage but they are usually full on weekdays. Greenbelt never fills up. It's just a matter of making sure you know that the van you bring will fit there.
Also, you will need to buy a SmarTrip Metro card to park there. It's $5 but it can also be used for Metro fare, which you'll need anyway, and you can add money on to it should you use up all the $5.
I would plan on getting a fairly early start...to get to the rally site by 11:30 AM as the organizers suggest, you will probably want to be parking at Greenbelt an hour or so before that. This will also help you miss the I-95 rush hour traffic (usually eases up around 9:00).
In theory Metro stations have elevators as well as escalators. In reality about 20% of the above are broken at any given time...just in case you're planning on bringing a twin stroller or something like that.
Metro stations don't have bathrooms. (Stop at the rest area on I-95 near Laurel for a potty break!) You can't eat or drink on them either. (You will get a ticket.) The Metro station attendants can open the handicapped entrance to the track for a stroller and will usually do this without being asked. The weblink for Metro is
here if you want to check fares and look at a system map.
I'll try to ask dh tonight about Greenbelt's parking...if you can give me some idea of the van size, that will help a bit.
Let me know if you have more questions...it's been a while since I did the Metro With Toddlers thing, but I'll try to give you as much info as I can!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Elizabeth
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We drive to the Metro station in Vienna and then take Metrorail in. Be prepared for VERY crowded trains, though.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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guitarnan
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Beth,
My husband says you can easily park at Greenbelt because it's a huge, open lot. I guess that means you should plan for lots of weather contingencies, as well as extra time for the trek to the station from your van.
If I were you, I would probably drive right down to Greenbelt. Dh says you should get to the Metro station by 10:00 at the latest, to take that walking time into account and be sure you're in the District by 11:30 as the March for Life organizers suggest.
I hope this is helpful...you're more than welcome to PM me for info on little details, or if you think you might need an emergency contact on the big day. I live about 1/2 hour's drive from Greenbelt (non-rush hour!).
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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mathmama
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| Posted: Dec 29 2006 at 8:51am | IP Logged
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Nancy,
Thanks for the great info. That is what I was looking for. I am glad that it isn't a parking deck as we are not sure exactly what vehicle we will be bringing and may not know until the last minute.
Beth
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 29 2006 at 9:43am | IP Logged
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Beth,
Great...let me know what else I can help with!
Also, if the weather is bad on that day, you will need LOTS of extra driving time. DC-area drivers aren't too good at driving in wintry conditions (well...in pretty much any conditions...)  .
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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momtomany
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Nancy, as the one who will probably be doing the driving, thanks! The Greenbelt parking lot sounds wonderful!
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Mary Ann in PA
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momtomany
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Nancy, just wanted to come and thank you for all your help with the info on the Greenbelt station. Everything went very well for us! Greenbelt was a great idea! My kids loved the Metro! Thanks again!
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Mary Ann in PA
wife to MIchael, mom to Elizabeth, Becca, Tim, Peter, Andrew, Sarah, Matthew, John, Leah and Joseph
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: March for Life
