June 5, 2015

We arrived in Washington DC the evening of June 3rd pretty late. It was a smooth trip, no flight delays and no scary bumps and thumps in the air. DCA airport is small and there were no lines anywhere. We drove easily and quickly to our hotel in Foggy Bottom and checked in. We were all starving since we had been in airplanes and airports most of the day. We ended up at a little Mediterranean Grill and the food was decent. After that, we tried to sleep, knowing we needed to rest for the day ahead.

I woke early on June 4th but the guys slept until almost noon. I had a good book and enjoyed relaxing and reading for most of the morning. I went for a short run and really enjoyed running on city streets. I ran by the White House, the Washington Monument, the Department of Treasury and many other historical buildings and statues. I was so interested in what I was seeing I forgot to be tired. After the guys got up, we decided to hit the road and start walking. We did a lot of walking - traveling a lot of the same roads I had run on earlier. We visited the Washington Monument up close and personal - what an amazing piece of architecture! It was cloudy and cool but pleasant so we just kept walking. We ended up at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and saw many of the original planes and spacecraft that are fundamental to American History including Charles Lindbergh's plane and the original Command Module from the first flight to the moon. We went to an amazing Imax movie called "Journey Into Space" which talked about the future of space travel and the plan for astronauts to spend time - years! - on Mars. Fascinating. Totally. About now, we were ready to come home and we realized that it was pouring rain - we were about three miles from our hotel. After calling a cab and realizing that it would be a long wait - we just decided to get wet. Well, it was interesting. We got lost several times since it was hard to follow the iPhone when it was pouring and I had to find spots where I could stand in a sort-of protected area to figure out what in the heck we were doing. We probably went at least four miles in the end but finally arrived at the hotel drenched to the bone. Many people would have had bad attitudes but not this crew. Never. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves even though we were exhausted and our bodies were aching. We got dried off and I did laundry. Of course. Had to wash and dry all our clothes and jackets AND shoes. We ordered pizza in and watched the Warriors beat the Cavaliers. Fun stuff.

Today, June 5th, we bought tickets on Trolley Tours. The idea sounded fun but in retrospect in was quite frustrating. The idea was to hop off and hop on at any spot you wanted and see whatever you wanted for as long as you wanted. We ended up doing a lot of waiting and experienced more than a little frustration. Many people would have had bad attitudes but not this crew. Never. We did get to see the Capitol Building which is under construction and really ugly. All the beautiful monuments surrounding the Capitol are also being restored so they are all under big plastic tents. In fact, a lot of Washington DC is under construction. Everywhere you look, there is construction replete with tractors, trucks, piles of dirt and NOISE. However, we did get to see the beautiful US Botanical Gardens next to the Capitol Building which were totally amazing. We went to a Smithsonian Art Gallery which was good for a few oohs and awes (not my favorite but it was pretty cool). We tried to go to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving but tickets were hard to get and the lines and waiting cooled our jets. The people and lines start to get to you pretty quickly. We did get to see the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Now, this trip would be worth it just for those four things. Every one of them is awe inspiring and will make you choke up. Reading the quotes of these men and realizing again their sacrifices and contributions to us and the lives we enjoy is an experience all should have. The gardens and fountains surrounding the Roosevelt Memorial are just spectacular and the Potomac River runs alongside. This is what I love. Put me outside with trees, fountains, water and beautiful words to read and I am happy. Inside big buildings, not so much. But I am married to a lover of museums so I try to be a good sport. We ended this day with a TWO HOUR trolley ride back to our car which was parked at Union Station (also a crazy experience) and many people would have had bad attitudes but not this crew. Never. We got back and tried to find a place to eat that wasn't too far to walk. Our legs and feet hurt and we are only on day two of our sight-seeing marathon. After several restaurants with long lines and waits, we entered a French restaurant thinking we might experience some unique cuisine. The hostess looked at us and very kindly informed us that there was a dress code - we were all looking like bums in jeans and t-shirts and quite bedraggled - and tells us we can sit in the bar. That was OK with us - they handed us menus and the cheapest dinner was $90.00! We swallowed hard and thought maybe we would just bite the bullet. We have been hearing the giant sucking sound of money disappearing for a while now and what the heck is $300 more! Well, it is a lot....but...we sat there a while and everyone looked like senators and fancy women - NOBODY came in there without a tie and jacket. Finally, I couldn't stand it and told David I just couldn't sit there feeling like all I wanted was a hamburger and I was supposed to be paying for and enjoying a three hour dining experience. David agreed that he was equally uncomfortable and Avi is too young to realize how absolutely ridiculous we looked. So, we left. This would cause a lot of people to have bad attitudes and it almost did this crew. Almost. We ate at Burgers, Taps and Shakes and it was awesome and cost $35 for all three of us. We are now all curled up in our hotel planning the next day. I hope I can do this many days of sight seeing. I'm not very good at it. But I do have a good attitude. Until tomorrow....