Tue, 01 Apr 2008

It sprinkled all the way from Baltimore to Susan's last
night, but it was warm compared to Seattle and pleasant to
be outside even at midnight. It was grey and windy this
morning, but by the time we got to the zoo it was 71 degrees
and the sky was blue. It was a bit muggy, but it was really
pleasant.

We had a nice day today! After a late breakfast all 6 of us
went to the satellite air and space museum to see the plane
that grandpa helped refurbish (stratoliner). We went in a
simulator and saw a lot of cool planes include a Blackbird,
the space shuttle Enterprise, etc. Also saw grandpa's name
on a plaque for volunteers.

Then Susan went home with the little ones and the boys and I
drove to the National Zoo. Susan sent us the scenic route
down George Washington Memorial Drive along the Potomac,
across the Roosevelt Bridge, past the back of the Lincoln
Memorial, then up Rock Creek Parkway - it was a lot like
driving through the arboretum, and was really pretty. Ian is
loving everything - he's completely agog. Colin isn't quite
as enthralled, but he's having fun, just a little sleep
deprived!

At the zoo we saw the Giant Pandas! I've wanted to see them
for years. They are much bigger than I expected, and
incredibly cute. Mom, dad, baby, all eating bamboo. It
really was a thrill to see them, even though they were in
their indoor exhibit, which isn't as nice as their outdoor.
The prairie dog exhibit was wonderful. The zoo was not
crowded.

Then we drove to the National Cathedral and had fun getting
lost and looking at the awesome houses (a lot like the ones
on Federal Ave.). For a minute I drove up a one way street
for the first time in my life, and we all got a good laugh
out of that (slow residential street and a car flashed its
lights to let me know). You would have been proud of me
feeling my way there (it was off our map). The boys loved
the cathedral, especially Ian. He was actually quite blown
away by it. It brought back memories of my first cathedral
experiences. He couldn't get over how high the ceilings were
(it's a gothic cathedral), and the stained glass was
gorgeous. There's a wonderful photo of the Dalai Lama
speaking there. 

Then we drove back through Georgetown, which I loved - hip,
trendy, urban, old. Think Scaneateles to the 10th power. We
got to Susan's about 7:30, just before dark. Dinner was at
9! Brandon and Kylie are adorable, and they're of course
nuts for Colin and Ian.

Ian's been a great help with navigating, and is getting
really good at reading maps and feeling his way around.

Tomorrow: cherry blossoms!

Wed, 02 Apr 2008

Walked for hours and hours today. 

Left here at 9:30, drove to metro stop - parking FULL. Asked
initially surly black woman in parking booth for options -
she turned out to be a sweetheart (people here have been
really nice, including drivers). She told us how to get to a
much better metro station that saved us money and time! 30
minute ride and we got out by the cherry trees, which were
gorgeous. Sunny day but cold wind and we were underdressed
and cold all day. Picnic under trees with view of Jefferson
Mem. Walked around tidal basin to Jefferson and Roosevelt
mems - both beautiful, tho live music marred the former
(it's cherry blossom festival), and it was wall to wall
people and tour busses.

Walked to Lincoln, Vietnam, and WWII mems - all close
together and wonderful to see. Crowds thinned. Saw White
House, then Natural Hist. Mus. - Hope Diamond, incredible
animal photos, etc. Then dinner at a food court nearby - I
finally got to have a dosa - yum! Then walked around
shivering, waiting for dark to see things lit up. Then metro
to car to Susan's. Back at 9. Tomorrow we'll do it again. 

Thu, 03 Apr 2008

Another action-packed day. Got into the city about noon
again. Arrived in Union Station (beautiful), went straight
to Patty Murray's office and got gallery passes for the
House and Senate, then had a picnic lunch in a park next to
the Capitol. It was cold but we wore more clothes today. 

Then went to the Capitol and found they won't let you take
in any food, even in your backpack. We had lots left and
didn't want to throw it away, so we decided to come back
later. 

Went to the spy museum - very cool, but huge and you could
spend days there. Then up the Post Office Tower for a view
of the city. By then it had begun to rain - coldly, Seattle
style. The line at the National Archives was long, so we
walked back to the Capitol. Ate most of our remaining food,
but had two nice apples left. Wrapped them in a plastic bag,
set them carefully in a corner of the big trash bin, and
retrieved them when we came back out an hour later! By that
late in the day there were no people around. 

Gallery passes allow you to not only go inside the Capitol
building without having to be on a tour, but they also allow
you to sit in the balcony above the House or Senate floor.
The inside of the building is beautiful. We got incredibly
lucky - we arrived in the Senate gallery just in time to
watch Patty Murray give an articulate and interesting speech
about an ammendment that she is proposing to the housing
crisis bill, which allocates money for mortgage counseling
to help families avoid foreclosure. I was really impressed!
I don't think anyone should be allowed to diss politicians
without actually seeing them in action. It was an incredible
education for my kids - I don't think they'll ever forget
it. The chance of them getting to see their Senator speak
was miniscule - it was a god shot of sorts.

Then we dashed in the rain to see a few highlights from the
American History museum: Lincoln's tophat, Dorothy's ruby
slippers, part of an Eniac, and many other very cool things.

Then back to the Archives, where the line was shorter -
until we got inside and realized that there was another long
line... But we saw the Magna Carta, Declaration of
Independence, etc. Meanwhile, Susan and the kids called to
see if they could meet us for dinner at the Afghan place -
Ernie's out of town, so she is working her ass off taking
care of two small kids alone. Brandon was extremely
disappointed that we got back so late, as he'd been looking
forward to going out to dinner with us. 

It's only an hour from DC to Susan's (love the metro!), but
it was 7:30 by the time we got to the Afghan restaurant. So
it was just me and the boys. The food was fabulous - the
boys had kebabs and vegetables, and I had a big vegetable
plate. The boys loved the food. The owner gave the boys a
big bag of naan to go.

Tomorrow we'll do Alexandria and Mt. Vernon with Jim. It's
supposed to keep raining - oh well.

Fri, 04 Apr 2008

We had another great, exhausting day. Drove to Jim's in
south Alexandria, and he was sure excited to see the boys -
he didn't stop talking all day! Then to old town Alexandria,
which is quainter than quaint. We avoided the touristy,
cutesy shopping street and looked at the awesome old houses.
Then we toured Gadsby's Tavern, where George Washington used
to hang out. They did a great job of creating an authentic
feel, with period furniture and items. It was really
interesting.

Then we drove to Mt. Vernon, GW's estate, which I absolutely
loved. It felt like heaven to me, with green fields,
gardens, forest, and expansive views of the Potomac river.
The mansion where he lived is decorated and furnished just
like when he lived there - you feel transported to the past.
We spent 2.5 hours there, and I could have easily stayed
longer. Crowds were thin, and it was peaceful. The weather
was perfect. 

Then back to Alexandria for dinner at Jim's favorite Irish
place, where the boys tried Shepard's Pie and loved it. Then
we drove Jim home, said a difficult goodbye, and drove the
hour back to Susan's, arriving at 9. We had hoped to be home
earlier tonight - we've hardly seen Brandon at all, which he
is not too happy about.

We'll hang out here until lunchtime tomorrow, then pack up,
drive to Great Falls, then to Laura's to spend the night. 

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather in Chicago, so we
won't have any delays coming home! I'll send flight info in
a minute.