We did it! The boys and I made it back home, sans hubby/dad, and it was a much smoother trip coming than it was going!
We got up at 4:30ish. Everyone got dressed, got the last stuff packed, and we were out the door @ 5:15. We stopped in the Metro station and purchased one-way passes to Reagan airport.
We got to the airport, checked in and got to the gate. We only had to wait about 10 minutes before boarding. The fight home was fine. We were among the first to get to the luggage claim & our bags were among the first 6 or so bags to come out.
less than a 2 minute wait for the shuttle to take us to remote parking and we were outta there!
Great trip!!!
Showing posts with label DC adventure; travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DC adventure; travel. Show all posts
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 5th
Well, the trip has been good for my youngest. He's been eating and *sleeping* and has been in a growth spurt while we were here! So today, we bought passes to go to Ballston and back. We shopped for a new pair of khaki dress pants for D, had lunch @ Chick-fil-a and came home.
We got everything packed and ate out tonight.
Have to be up @ 4;15 in teh a.m. to leave on time!
We got everything packed and ate out tonight.
Have to be up @ 4;15 in teh a.m. to leave on time!
Monday, July 4th
Well the plan was to get out and go to the National Cathedral today. Reality was that we stayed home and rested.
There was a party on the roof of the apartment building tonight, so we ate dinner (tacos!) and then went up for the party. We had an almost 360 degree view around Arlington. We had lots of far, distant fireworks to see. Then the Capitol fireworks started!
They were fantastic! The mall looked so crowded on TV that we felt we really did make the right choice in staying home.
There was a party on the roof of the apartment building tonight, so we ate dinner (tacos!) and then went up for the party. We had an almost 360 degree view around Arlington. We had lots of far, distant fireworks to see. Then the Capitol fireworks started!
They were fantastic! The mall looked so crowded on TV that we felt we really did make the right choice in staying home.
Sunday, July 3rd
The guys all went to the National Building Museum today. My feet were so sore and painful that I opted to stay home. I washed laundry all day and got everything clean!
Tomorrow is th 4th!!
Tomorrow is th 4th!!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Saturday, July 2nd
We left around 11 and made our way to the Holocaust Memorial. We picked up tickets for the permanent exhibition as soon as we arrived. Our time on the tickets was 2:15. So we toured "Daniel's Story", visited the museum store, saw the Hall of Rememberance, and the exhibition about propoganda.
When it was our turn to enter the permanent exhibition, we rode up an elevator to the top floor of the museum. We worked our way down to the 2st floor over a 2 1/2 hour period. The photographs, the personal tetimonies, the history of what Hitler and the Nazi party did was horrid.
The rooms that affected me the most were 1) the room of shoes left by those being herded into the gas chambers. 2) the room with photographs of the hair shaved from those same victims heads, 3) the tower of photographs made by the 4 photographers in Eishyshok, Lithuania; and 4) the testimonies that were filmed and played back in the last room of the musuem.
My youngest was very emotional after the visit. It's the first time he'd heard about this and then to be faced with it as he was in the museum affected him. I know that many would argue that he's too young, but as I was musing later about how unusual I found it to be that the US has a Holocaust Museum (since it didn't happen on our soil), the youngest said, "They had to [build it] so we can see it and learn about it so it never happens again!"
My sentiments exactly.
When it was our turn to enter the permanent exhibition, we rode up an elevator to the top floor of the museum. We worked our way down to the 2st floor over a 2 1/2 hour period. The photographs, the personal tetimonies, the history of what Hitler and the Nazi party did was horrid.
The rooms that affected me the most were 1) the room of shoes left by those being herded into the gas chambers. 2) the room with photographs of the hair shaved from those same victims heads, 3) the tower of photographs made by the 4 photographers in Eishyshok, Lithuania; and 4) the testimonies that were filmed and played back in the last room of the musuem.
My youngest was very emotional after the visit. It's the first time he'd heard about this and then to be faced with it as he was in the museum affected him. I know that many would argue that he's too young, but as I was musing later about how unusual I found it to be that the US has a Holocaust Museum (since it didn't happen on our soil), the youngest said, "They had to [build it] so we can see it and learn about it so it never happens again!"
My sentiments exactly.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday, June 30th
We took off around noon and went to the Madison Building -- part of the Library of Congress. I got a Reader's Card so I could get into the Main Reading Room in the Jefferson Building. After that we went to the 6th floor of the Madison Building to the cafeteria to have some lunch. When we finished there, we were leaving and discovered the large statue of James Madison. Took a few pictures and then went to the Jefferson LOC Building.
We first went to the Bob Hope Exhibit. Kim met up with us and we went to the Childrens' Reading Room. We actually walked in on story time @ the LOC! How fun!! We explored the three rooms that were open to us. We even found a Braille copy of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Beside that we also found a Hebrew version and an Arabic version of the same book!
Then we all went to find out how to get into the Main Reading Room. The guards were very nice and allowed J & D to go into the Main Reading Room with me! Even though they were too young! Kim requested a book that was in the Rare Books Collection and the three of us looked for one of G's books. It was actually listed there as well! We brought home the printout to show hubby!
While Kim was in the Rare Books Section, the boys and I went to the Bookstore in the LOC. D and I then took off and used our "Passports to Knowledge" to look at other exhibits in the Library.
The Library closes at 5 or 5:30 most days, so we had to leave "early" by our time schedule!
Another great day exploring in DC!!
We first went to the Bob Hope Exhibit. Kim met up with us and we went to the Childrens' Reading Room. We actually walked in on story time @ the LOC! How fun!! We explored the three rooms that were open to us. We even found a Braille copy of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Beside that we also found a Hebrew version and an Arabic version of the same book!
Then we all went to find out how to get into the Main Reading Room. The guards were very nice and allowed J & D to go into the Main Reading Room with me! Even though they were too young! Kim requested a book that was in the Rare Books Collection and the three of us looked for one of G's books. It was actually listed there as well! We brought home the printout to show hubby!
While Kim was in the Rare Books Section, the boys and I went to the Bookstore in the LOC. D and I then took off and used our "Passports to Knowledge" to look at other exhibits in the Library.
The Library closes at 5 or 5:30 most days, so we had to leave "early" by our time schedule!
Another great day exploring in DC!!
Wednesday, June 29th
The boys were begging for a day off, so we stayed in, relaxed and generally did nothing!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 28th
Today we got out of the house earlier than usual and met our friend Kim Murff at the Capitol Visitors Center. I had contacted my State Rep. and had gotten 4 tickets for the Congress tour. We got to see the Crypt, the National Statuary room @ the Capitol and the Rotunda.
Then we got to go back in to take more pictures of the statues in the crypt. From there we saw the statue of Freedom, the bronze statue that graces the top of the Capitol dome. WE had lunch @ the visitor's center and hti the gift shop. Then we took the tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress. We took a guided tour and saw the Gerorge & Ira Gershwin Room; the Whitthall Pavilion where the strativarius vioins and violas are kept. Then we saw the grand entrance, the Guttenburg Bible the main reading room and then saw the Thomas Jefferson collection of books.
All in all, so interesting, we're going back there tomorrow.
Then we got to go back in to take more pictures of the statues in the crypt. From there we saw the statue of Freedom, the bronze statue that graces the top of the Capitol dome. WE had lunch @ the visitor's center and hti the gift shop. Then we took the tunnel from the Capitol to the Library of Congress. We took a guided tour and saw the Gerorge & Ira Gershwin Room; the Whitthall Pavilion where the strativarius vioins and violas are kept. Then we saw the grand entrance, the Guttenburg Bible the main reading room and then saw the Thomas Jefferson collection of books.
All in all, so interesting, we're going back there tomorrow.
Monday, June 27th
We visited the Museum of American History and came home. After the rigorous sightseeing over the weekend, just one museum was enough today.
We did meet hubby and a friend from work (Ben) @ Matchbox for dinner in Chinatown. Yummo!
We did meet hubby and a friend from work (Ben) @ Matchbox for dinner in Chinatown. Yummo!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, July 25th
We took the Metro to Chinatown and found a Chipotle and had lunch. Then we visited the International Spy Museum. That took up a huge chunk of the day. When that was finished, we had a snack of frozen yogurt. Thus fortitied, we took the Metro to FoggyBottom. Then we walked to Lincoln Memorial, saw the non-functioning reflecting pool; Vietnam Memorial; Korean War Memorial, WWII Memorial, Washington Monument again.
Metro back to Ballston ate at Noodles & Co. home at 10 pm
Metro back to Ballston ate at Noodles & Co. home at 10 pm
Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 24th
Another very late sleep in day.... We did laundry etc. then had dinner out w/ Dad.
Planned Saturday.
Planned Saturday.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Thursday, June 23rd
The boys and I slept very late after the late night sightseeing trip last night. As we got ready for the day J asked where his shorts were. We searched high and low. I am sure they are safe at home in TX! So today's plan quickly turned into a shopping trip for J so he has more shorts than just 2 pairs!
We found a mall just two blocks away from the next Metro stop up the line. So, onto the Metro, two block walk, shopping success and then lunch @ the food court. A quick stop at the apt. to drop off the purchases and to pick up the camera. Then off to the Museum of Natural History on the Mall.
We stopped at the Smithsonian Castle first off just to get our bearings. Then we cut across the Mall to the Museum of Natural History. The African Elephant in the rotunda is just magnificent. We turned left then and looked at mammals. We ended up in the Underwater portion with the enormous whale suspended from the ceiling. We then took in the Fossils and Dinosaurs.
After that we went to the 2nd floor to look @ the Hope Diamond (which was NOT in its traditional setting) and then looked at the gems in the rest of the exhibit on that floor. We left around 5 PM and took the Metro home.
We found a mall just two blocks away from the next Metro stop up the line. So, onto the Metro, two block walk, shopping success and then lunch @ the food court. A quick stop at the apt. to drop off the purchases and to pick up the camera. Then off to the Museum of Natural History on the Mall.
We stopped at the Smithsonian Castle first off just to get our bearings. Then we cut across the Mall to the Museum of Natural History. The African Elephant in the rotunda is just magnificent. We turned left then and looked at mammals. We ended up in the Underwater portion with the enormous whale suspended from the ceiling. We then took in the Fossils and Dinosaurs.
After that we went to the 2nd floor to look @ the Hope Diamond (which was NOT in its traditional setting) and then looked at the gems in the rest of the exhibit on that floor. We left around 5 PM and took the Metro home.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday, June 22nd
Ah...a good night's rest was SOoooo great!
The boys and I slept in. We had a vacation day today. Finally got out and made another run to the grocery store as we'd failed to get ANY caffine!!
Had a lazy afternoon, and had dinner almost done when hubby walked through the door. Once dinner was done and cleaned up after, we left and took the Metro in to the Smithsonian stop. We walked to the Washington Monument gift shop and got info on where to get tickets to go up top. That will require a 5:30 or 6 AM arrival time to stand in line to get tickets for the day. If we get there really early, we can pick our ticket time. Otherwise we'll get whatever is left!
After that we walked past the Holocaust Museum and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving on our way to the Jefferson Memorial. The sea wall there is under construction, so the walk was longer than I remembered it being. We arrived at the monument about the time a couple of busloads of teenagers arrived. We managed to get some good pictures there. It was about dusk, but still nice.
Then we walked on to the FDR Memorial. Now, from the Jefferson Memorial, you enter the FDR Memorial from the wrong end (had to read the history backwards) but it was still very impressive. From there we headed back to the Mall and to the Metro station. We wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial, but it was getting late and feet were tired.
All in all a great first day of sightseeing in DC!!
The boys and I slept in. We had a vacation day today. Finally got out and made another run to the grocery store as we'd failed to get ANY caffine!!
Had a lazy afternoon, and had dinner almost done when hubby walked through the door. Once dinner was done and cleaned up after, we left and took the Metro in to the Smithsonian stop. We walked to the Washington Monument gift shop and got info on where to get tickets to go up top. That will require a 5:30 or 6 AM arrival time to stand in line to get tickets for the day. If we get there really early, we can pick our ticket time. Otherwise we'll get whatever is left!
After that we walked past the Holocaust Museum and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving on our way to the Jefferson Memorial. The sea wall there is under construction, so the walk was longer than I remembered it being. We arrived at the monument about the time a couple of busloads of teenagers arrived. We managed to get some good pictures there. It was about dusk, but still nice.
Then we walked on to the FDR Memorial. Now, from the Jefferson Memorial, you enter the FDR Memorial from the wrong end (had to read the history backwards) but it was still very impressive. From there we headed back to the Mall and to the Metro station. We wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial, but it was getting late and feet were tired.
All in all a great first day of sightseeing in DC!!
Tuesday, June 21st
We got up at 4 AM to leave the house by 5. Hubby left on Monday so it was up to me to get the boys up and moving. It was raining off and on and the lightning and thunder were non-stop. The drive to the airport was fine until I hit 635 off of George Bush. Then it was awful. 30-40 MPH, windshield wipers on high and still couldn't see! We made it to the remote parking lot and just sat and waited for the rain to stop.
During the worst part of the drive, Hubby called to say that our 7:05 AM flight had been cancelled. Great! So up at stupid-early, driving through awful rain and NO flight. So that's why we sat in the parking lot and waited for the rain to stop.
When we got to the terminal, we were told that we could make it on an 11:40 flight. 5 hours to kill in the terminal. The boys were amazing. We found the recharge station in the seating area and just camped out. We DID make it onto the flight and were in the back of the plane. Flying on passes has it's "perks" ha.
Our original flight was to land at Reagan National Airport on the metro line in DC. Our 11:40 flight took us to Dulles. a 40 minute bus ride to the Metro. We got to the Rosslyn station, purchased passes w/ the help of a Metro worker and made it to the Virginia station. Glenn was waiting for us just outside the exit turnstiles! :-)
The apartment is amazing! We NEVER could have afforded to bring the boys to DC for an extended stay in a place like this, EVER. We're on the 18th floor of the Archstone Apartments
Last night after we'd unpacked, we used Living Socials' Instant deals to find a place for dinner. A nice italian place less than two blocks away. After dinner we walked to the local grocery store and got stuff for breakfasts, lunches and 3 dinners.
Tired doesn't even begin to cover how exhausted I am!
During the worst part of the drive, Hubby called to say that our 7:05 AM flight had been cancelled. Great! So up at stupid-early, driving through awful rain and NO flight. So that's why we sat in the parking lot and waited for the rain to stop.
When we got to the terminal, we were told that we could make it on an 11:40 flight. 5 hours to kill in the terminal. The boys were amazing. We found the recharge station in the seating area and just camped out. We DID make it onto the flight and were in the back of the plane. Flying on passes has it's "perks" ha.
Our original flight was to land at Reagan National Airport on the metro line in DC. Our 11:40 flight took us to Dulles. a 40 minute bus ride to the Metro. We got to the Rosslyn station, purchased passes w/ the help of a Metro worker and made it to the Virginia station. Glenn was waiting for us just outside the exit turnstiles! :-)
The apartment is amazing! We NEVER could have afforded to bring the boys to DC for an extended stay in a place like this, EVER. We're on the 18th floor of the Archstone Apartments
Last night after we'd unpacked, we used Living Socials' Instant deals to find a place for dinner. A nice italian place less than two blocks away. After dinner we walked to the local grocery store and got stuff for breakfasts, lunches and 3 dinners.
Tired doesn't even begin to cover how exhausted I am!
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