Aloft

God provided this amazing modern hotel, Aloft, right on the Potomac River, smack-dab in the middle of a little corner of Prince Georges’s County, Maryland, called National Harbor.

It’s an old-school, meets new-school 3 block area replete with cobblestone crosswalks, gray haired gentlemen playing chess in the middle of the square, quaint little shoppes such as “Hats in the Belfry,” “Charming Charlie,” and a gorgeous view across the Potomac. 

 I know, I know, I just couldn't stop taking pics!!!!

Gorgeous trees that have turned for fall glistening bright red in the sunset, an awesome 70 ft. statue of a giant attempting to free himself from the ground called “The Awakening” by J. Steward Johnson Jr.

  

I am sitting in my very vogue purple striped chair ready to snuggle into my cozy platform bed. My husband and I watching Live Free or Die Hard on our wall hung flat panel TV, as we both work on our computers. One of our fav things to do.

Windows look out over the tree-lined square with the gray haired gentleman playing chess, the cobblestone crosswalks and the quaint little shoppes like “Hats in the Belfry” where I tried on one hat after another - my fav being this $350 beauty. Between that and the gorgeous fascinators I tried on, I’m convinced that either I was born in the wrong era or on the wrong continent. 

Dinner is a Philly roll and a yummy all natural Ginger Punch for me and Lemongrass Chicken for him at this great Thai place just up the block. Lights twinkle in the trees, but these aren’t your grandma’s twinkle lights. These are little box lights fading slowly from one soft shade to another wrapped tight to the branch in perfectly random order. While speakers on the lamp posts quietly emit tones of smooth jazz that almost make you want to dance. like a party for your eyes and ears. 

I love this little slice of heaven. I love how God knows exactly how to wink at me and calm my heart in the midst of one of the most difficult months of treatment thus far. I love that I am not forgotten. I love that every tiny little detail of this place speaks to my soul, sparks my creativity, awakens my senses that have long been craving to be aroused.

Then the dawn. Moving silently down the square as it lights up one golden tree after another with its brilliant light. No sleeping in here - between that and the clattering bell of my alarm - I am wide awake. The same can not be said for the man snoring next to me. Apparently he is immune to both.

The cute apartments across the way boast french doors and wrought iron balconies, their multi-colored brick facades trying to replicate cities of old like New York and DC - now I am really jealous. There is even a rooftop garden. Imagining the parties and the urban chic get togethers they have up there makes me painfully aware of my sweet little home (that I do unabashadly love) in suburbia. I feel like we are in an episode of Friends - updated for 2011 of course, and much, much cooler. This place is magic. A tiny mock city. These are popping up all over the nation - I want one.