My daughter who lives in the town of Fareham in the UK has been plagued by slugs this summer. They are feasting on her vegetable garden and even have found a way to get into the house. Being the kind environmentalist that she is she has been looking for “natural” ways to rid herself of these creatures. When I was young it was the salt shaker and cups of beer that did them in but she won’t go that route.
Here in DC when you hear someone talking about slugs they aren’t talking about slimy creatures but our unique way of carpooling. I like to think of it as safe hitchhiking. Slugging is a great way for anyone to grab a free ride into DC from the VA or MD suburbs. When I talk to people who live outside the area they are surprised to hear that people randomly pick up strangers and drive them in or out of town.
Slugging is a very orderly and organized. With specific pickup locations throughout the suburbs there is a standard of etiquette of how people travel. Rarely is there any conversation between the passenger and the driver, definitely no smoking, no coffee and even better NO CELL PHONES! No money exchanges hands as the benefit is for the driver to be able to hop in to the HOV lanes and save the stress of sitting on a clogged interstate.
Slugging has been around for a long time. My father slugged in the 70’s and I picked up slugs in the 90’s when my office was in town. It is one of the few commuter options in our area that has grown better over time. With organized pick up and drop up spots, unspoken but well known rules and no slime trails ?
If you are moving to the DC area and you want to know more about our Slug Lines give me a buzz. I’ll help you learn the ropes.
[...] 1, 2008 · No Comments As someone who has moved all around the world with the military the first few days after the PCSorders arrive the questions about housing, schools and shopping can lead to sleepless nights and the big question “where are we going to live?”If the orders in your hand mean you are heading to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood! Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous “slug” lines. Whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from. The first thing you need to do is check the 2008 BAH rates for the Pentagon. Pentagon rates fall in the Washington District (DC053) and you can use zip code 22152 as an example. [...]
[...] If the orders in your hand mean you are heading to the Pentagon then let me welcome you to the neighborhood! Most military personal headed to the base often choose to live in Northern Virginia close to public transportation and the famous “slug” lines. Whether you are going to buy or rent there are plenty of neighborhood options for you to choose from. The first thing you need to do is check the 2008 BAH rates for the Pentagon. Pentagon rates fall in the Washington District (DC053) and you can use zip code 22152 as an example. [...]
[...] Neighborhoods and housing choices in Fairfax County are varied. You can find just about anything you are looking for. Whether it is a newer planned community, historic communites or a mid-century modern neighborhoods it is all available. With pubic transportation such as the Metro, VRE, our unique “slug” lines or the beltway, almost any location you choose will give you a variety of ways to get to where you are going. [...]