20130722 - Right Up Here

20130722 - Everyone up, a little bfast and to the metro platform. We got there a little after 9:30 so we missed the morning rush. Our first stop was to take care of our biggest boy's desire to find a Washington Nationals hat. We took him right to the source, their home field team store. We looked at all wall of cool overpriced flat billed hats until we found a fitted one that actually fit (with the bill curved, as all baseball hats should be...).

Heading the 2 blocks back to the train G's legs gave out... "Come on G, the metro is right up here..." Back on the train and we got as close as we could for the hike to the second stop, the Lincoln Memorial.

As we walked up the many marble steps G had to stop and sit... "Come on G, Abraham Lincoln, your favorite president is right up here..." It is so BIG and cool. From J's mind "This is so big, Just think how big the Transformers really are!"

The boys and I rested at the top and admired the view while we waited for L to find a bathroom.

On to the Vietnam memorial.  This one is amazing with the sea of names.  It is mind blowing... J read name after name as LD&G (D carrying G on his back) searched for shade in the blazing breezeless day.

We found a stand and had a frozen treat where 2 extraordinary events took place: 1 we saw a wild fox run by, 2 we met some folks from Ashland OH that knew GpaW :-o

Down the path along the mirror pool going from shade spot to shade spot and now both G&J had lost all working function of there lower limbs... "Come on boys, the WWII monument is right up here..." Once we got the they had to find Ohio :-)

The next stop was the museum of American History. The only problem was how to get there: a 4 block detour to try and stay in the shade, or a scorching hot straight line past the Washington Monument... With leg function fading fast, L now in the list of limpers, the shortest distance was the only option... G tried to stay in our shadows, and J collapsed a couple of times but caught up for fear of being eaten by the fox, we made it to the monument. We snapped a couple of photos, saw the sights and headed towards the museum.

With the museum in sight the heard collapsed in the first shade they found... "Come on guys, the museum is right up here..." With the promise of food and air conditioning D got G on his back, I got J by the hand and we pushed L across the street into the cool. We sat and ate and rejuvenated ourselves.

The boys and I even took a ride in a race car in a simulator.

In to the gift shops first... Then 3 floors of incredibly cool stuff, including waiting in a long slow moving line and Dorothy's ruby slippers. 

Time to hit the heat and we headed to the White House. We got as close as we could and snapped some photos.

Now the final leg to the metro. Could we make it? D now hurting badly and L with a severe limp. We got to one corner and G just collapsed next to a homeless lady begging us to leave him there. "Come on G, the metro is right up here..." 76,231 more blocks and we made it to the Metro. Seated comfortably, J somehow stood at each stop and start to 'Subway Surf'. Our destination in sight we made it back to the room for a rest, just beating rush hour.
L read her new Golden Book, 'Nancy the Nurse' to the boys and J tried out his new calligraphy set (to rewrite the Constitution...), D admired himself in his hat and G put on his swimming suite.

Out to the pool to drain the very last ounces of energy...

We walked a couple blocks for dinner, no chili dog tonight :-( Back to the room we watched WWE wrestling and added our own sound track for some good laughs. No arguments about bed time tonight = a good day.

20130721 - Washington Marathon

20130721 - All up and down for bfast. Out for a quick lesson on how to use the Metro and we were ready to roll. The boys were thrilled to ride a subway for the first time!

First stop Arlington Cemetery. We walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Solder just as it started.

The boys thought it was pretty cool. We found a place in the shade and watched it a second time, but closer so the boys could watch the gun inspection ceremony.

A quick walk to the Eternal Flame of JGK with a spectacular view of the Lincoln Memorial.

We walked back to the Metro and on to the Air and Space Smithsonian where all got to touch a rock from the moon and see a bunch of other cool stuff. We had lunch there and then headed across the mall to the National Archives.

There we got to see the original Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Back out in the heat and the boys put their feet in a big fountain to cool off.
Next was the Museum of Natural History. So cool, so many things to see on all 3 floors. J&I had to make a special trip through the bug area and G had to see the animals :-)

Back on the subway to look for a hat for D... Couldn't find it in the old Post Office building, but it had a cool ceiling.

Finally headed home where walked past the hotel and to the same restaurant we ate in last night.

More chili dog for me!!! A quick dip in the pool, done hot chocolate and a couple good shows on TV and we are all soar and wiped out from a big day.

20130720 - 5 States 1 District

20130720 - OH Up and had home doughnuts then on the road. WV the rain started...


... but we got through the state quick, for more heavy rain in PA...

PA was a bit longer and wetter than expected. We took the scenic route 68 and enjoyed the views of lightening and pounding rain into MD where we stopped for lunch.

The rain finally let up and we cruised through DC and into Alexandria VA to our hotel. We parked our massive car in a tiny spot in a tiny underground garage And made it to the room. We sent D to the lobby to get some maps and he somehow ended up in an alley...

A short 16 block hike to the water front to see the sights and listen to a 67 year old man play water glasses. He has been playing for 36 years, 27 of them on this same corner. He told J&I how he packs them up every night and about the concert he once did in the Kennedy Center.

A ride on the trolley got us to the Hard Times Cafe, wold famous for their chili, where I had THE BEST CHILI DOG OF MY LIFE!!! I plan to eat there every night if L will let me.

A short walk and we made it to the pool :-)

20110504 - Fighters and a Rainbow

20110504 - Up did some work, had some lunch with L&G and then off to the airport.  Took me 10.5 hours to get to the hotel... pretty tired.   On the trip I was stuck in DC for a bit and while there I got to see a gropu of WWII vet on an 'Honor Flight'.  Wow that was cool; thanks guys!  I saw this rainbow in Washington DC; maybe the rain will stop now...  L&Boys had a pretty good night, G feeling a bit better. 
20110503 - Up and MORE RAIN...  G still sick and home from school and 'helping me'... Sitting at desk getting ready for trip tomorrow.  Lunch with Courtland and Jeff.  Voted. Back to desk to finish out the day.  G coughing like crazy, so L took him to the Dr., second day in the row...  Home had a nice dinner with the fam, got boys cleaned up and watched another Bond film in the basement.  All boys to bed, up and getting ready for the trip tomorrow and Thursday.

20110502 - Up and at the desk for another rainy day...  Got caught up from being on the road last week.  Talked to Cindy today, she is doing well.  G stayed home today and I made him 2 pieces of cinnamon toast at his request. Dinner with the fam and then DJ&I to Scouts.  Home, all boys to bed, G is very sick and on the couch for the night.  Back out for Bible Bangers.

20110501 - Up and all to church.  Home for lunch and then D had practice, playing and working in the yard while the sun was out.  Grilled dinner outside, slow evening and I worked at the desk until late.