I'm guilty of being fickle. I make extraordinary plans that sound incredible in the moment - kayking, golfing, camping, yes, yes, yes! But when the time comes to execute them, I occasionally err on the side of, "But it's raining a little? I mean, I think I felt a drop of rain. And Netflix has movies, you know, that we could watch inside. And I hear pizza places deliver these days." For instance, Zander and I have been together for almost a year and a half, and we've seen a grand total of two movies in theaters. It's not for lack of trying - we plan to go to movies all the time! But when the Friday evening comes, and we saddle up to a bar for a pre-feature flick happy hour drink and snack, it's suddenly 10:00pm, and where did the night go? And I guess we missed the movie. I can be fickle, and I'm working to change that.
Zander's helping me. This past Friday night, we had planned to go out to Hains Point, a beautiful park peninsula that is so peaceful and quiet and outdoors-oriented that it doesn't seem to belong in DC, but that's what's so great about this city - there's always something new to discover and relish. We grabbed a drink at Dino first, and after one glass of Prosecco, I yawned and protested: "Are you sure we don't want to just stay in and order a movie and dinner?" Zan didn't flinch when he said, "Nope, we decided to go, so let's go." I've seldom been more attracted to that man.
Hains Point is all the way past the National Mall and across the water from the Southwest Waterfront. It's the southern tip of East Potomac Park. It's under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. There's an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, a mini-golf course, a public outdoor lap pool, trails for running and cycling, and stunning views of the Potomac River and planes landing and taking off from Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Zan and I tried our hand at the driving range. I learned a few things...
1. Zan owns golf clubs. He played golf when he was younger! He'd like to take lessons and improve his stroke.
2. Hand-eye coordination is not, nor has ever been, my strongest suit.
3. But with a little instruction, I can hold my own (read: hit the ball and not just air).
4. Driving ranges make for great dates! You can buy beer and there are plenty of opportunities for hand-over-hand, get-you-in-the-correct-position guidance.
5. There are lots and lots of double entendres in golf.
There are times when I mentally and physically need to take a break and relax, but from now on, I'm going to be more discerning about it and stick to my plans. They make for the best, most memorable weekends, after all.
Now, when's the next showing of Blue Jasmine?
If you go...
Hains Point overview
You make me smile! Now you just need to convince them to serve Prosecco at the golf course and it will be the perfect date spot!
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