Washington DC

Our last day in DC and while I would love to head back to the Mall (and spend a couple of weeks) it's off to the DC Zoo today.  We took the boys to the the Reptile Park last time we were in Australia, and mum and I have taken them to the NC Zoo in Asheboro, so technically this is their 3rd zoo trip.  But they were into it.

We got there fairly early, and met up with Chase, who spent a few hours with us.  We wandered from cage to cage.  The pandas were the big draw card, and when we eventually found them (they weren't in their enclosure, but an air conditioned room) they played up to the crowds and entertained everyone.  The elephant enclosure was a stand out, as were the seals.  In all a great place.  Again I really enjoyed doing this as a family and seeing the boys' reactions to the day.  They loved it by the way. 

Smithsonian Zoo, DC

Because we had the car, we thought we'd try to get to a couple more monuments, so we tried Arlington Cemetery first.  Boys did a fantastic job adhering to the quietness (not easy for 6 year olds), actually they did a lot better than others who should've known better.  I know it sounds weird to say, but I like being at these war cemeteries.  It reminds me of the unnecessary loss of life and how fortunate I (and my generation) have been not to have to such an horrific fate.  White gravestones mark the field as far as the eye can see in every direction - so much needless loss.  I would have liked to get to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but it had already been a long day and the boys were fading.  We made it to the eternal flame at JFK's grave, which was again a special (right word?) moment.  It's funny how the grave of someone who died before you were born and has no connection to you can affect you in such a way.

Arlington Cemetery, VA

We battled peak hour traffic to get back to the house.  Again dinner was from H Street.  This time we sat outside at Impala for a Mexican meal.  After walking another 7.5 miles (15638 steps) today - a couple of Corona's and margaritas were just what the doctor ordered. A great way to spend our last night in DC. 

I'm so glad we came to DC, despite the relentless heat.  This was an active vacation for us - usually it's just a week at the beach in summer when we take the opportunity.  A good test for what the boys are capable of.  And I'm glad mum got to come somewhere she'd never been before, and did so with her grandsons.  Does put some pressure on us to find another great spot next year, though.

Washington DC

Today is another day of record heat in DC, so I'm all about supporting my employer as much as possible today.  We Ubered from the house to the Air & Space Museum.  I came through this museum on my own in 2000, and it was just as good as I remembered it - now I get to see it as well through the eyes of the boys.  

We started off in the Planetarium where we watched a movie about space and communication.  The size of the screen was overwhelming for me - I felt like I was getting vertigo at some points, and probably missed most of the movie with my eyes closed.  I feel like the boys suffered the same, though they weren't able to verbalize what they felt, both ended up in A's and my laps.  The museum has such a great, interactive variety of aircraft, from a replica of the Wright brothers' first plane all the way through to NASA replicas.  The boy's attention span didn't allow us to look through the whole museum, but I'm so glad I came back to this one.

B&L, Air & Space Museum, DC

After a McDonalds/pizza lunch inside the Air & Space Museum we caught an Uber to the Lincoln Memorial.  Not sure why I didn't get to this last time, but this place is incredible.  While there are a tonne of people around, it is a very reflective atmosphere.  The boys have a basic knowledge of President Lincoln so it was definitely good for them to experience this.  We also took in a rest on the stairs of the memorial.  In the shade looking down the Reflective Pool, Washington Monument, all the way to the Capitol, was a nice mid-afternoon people watch to break up the day.

L&B, DC

Lincoln Memorial, DC

We opted to walk on the south side of the mall back towards the Washington Monument (forgoing the Vietnam War Memorial) and headed towards the Korean War Memorial.  This is a stunning and somber memorial for all those who fought in this war.  

Korean War Memorial, DC

We didn't get far enough south to get to the Martin Luther King Memorial, as we were all starting to fade in the heat. The eastern end of the Reflecting Pool is the home for the World War II Memorial, and while not American, gave pause for me to think about my grandfathers who fought in New Guinea and the Philippines during this war. Part of the memorial is a starred wall. The 4048 stars each represent 100 deaths of American troops during this war, and a real fitting and touching memorial to those who sacrificed their lives.

For ease of pick up, we walked over to Constitution Ave & 17th St to have the Uber pick us up and take us home.  Once their I had to take a quick nap, as a migraine began to kick in. Though we only walked half as far today, the heat is definitely taking it's toll on me.  An hours rest and an ibuprofen later and I was fine to walk back to Imm Thai to pick up takeaway for dinner (I told you that place was good).

Washington DC

We've got a lot to discover today in DC, and we are going to have to do it in record heat.

We started the day catching the tram from H Street to Union Station.  At 10am it's already hot.  Hope the boys are up for this (actually, hope I'm up for it).  We walked down to the Capitol Building to take a look first.  Things have changed since I came through in 2000.  Then we took pictures on the the steps at the back of the building.  Now you can't get near them.  We got a good look around and did all the touristy pictures (see below) before heading down to the National Mall and finding as much shade as possible to continue our walk.

 Capitol Hill, DC

Our first museum was the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum, which walked to via a beautiful sculpture garden.  As much as I'd rather be in other museums this was the place to be with a couple of 6 year olds.  The museum is fantastic and it was wonderful to show the boys everything and see the things that peaked their interest (or completely dismiss).  We reached a hangry point and decided to eat as soon as possible, which meant eating in the museum's large cafeteria area.  I the end it was into vacation mode with a much needed ice cream on the Mall before we made the long walk doown to the Washington Monument.  The boys are at a good age where they are learning so much and most information they just soak in.  They were bummed that the Monument was closed and we couldn't get to the top.  But they were feeding off the energy of everyone around, loving all the flags and being able to see other landmarks from this central spot.

B&L, Washington Monument, DC

 L, Me & B @ Washington Monument, DC

Because they could see the White House from the Washington Monument, the boys (and mum....and us for that fact) wanted to get a closer look.  Not unlike the Capitol we could not get really close to the White House.  We could see an event was taking place on the front lawn, but we were so far away you couldn't distinguish who was there or what was being said.  We couldn't even get around to Pennsylvania Avenue.  In the end we decided to finish the day, and grabbed an Uber back home.

Mum gave us the option to go out and have dinner and a drink, so we took up the free babysitter option and walked over to Granville Moore's on H Street and sat at the bar and had an awesome meal.  I had some incredible mussels while A had a beautiful salad.  Really nice meal.  We were exhausted after dinner and opted not to go for a drink afterwards, only to be heckled by mum for having a free babysitter and being home before 9pm.  I know - We're old....and lame.

We covered 7 miles today (Fitbit says 14489 steps), which is a lot for me, let alone two 6 year olds and their grandmother.  And in the heat, everyone handled it like champions.  Now to do it all again tomorrow.

Washington, DC

So with Mum coming in from Australia later than usual this year, we decided to take advantage of the boy's summer vacation and take the family to DC, and Mum and I go on to New York afterwards.  We had picked out what was to be a wonderful AirBnB in the north-east part of the city and decided with 5 of us to drive up.  

On the Thursday before we bought a Honda Odyssey so we could all fit in, and made the 8 hour (with stops at Bojangles and a 7-11) drive north.  It was a smooth ride most of the way with traffic becoming pretty heavy about an hour outside of DC - even on a Sunday.  When we were looking for a mini-van I wasn't sure I wanted a DVD player in the car, but after the quiet trip up, it seems like the best decision we ever made.

Once we unpacked, Amy and I went to Safeway and got some groceries The 5 of us then went the couple of blocks to H Street and got some pizza for the boys and some delicious Thai takeaway from Imm Thai for the grown ups.  

A long drive and a big day coming up meant an early night for all.  Big day exploring tomorrow.

Fairfax, VA to Washington, DC

We waited at Chase & John’s to return their keys and thank them for their hospitality.  Chase drives us to the Metro where we catch the train into DC again.  We plan on staying in a hostel, but it’s full, so we ended up at the nearby Braxton Hotel, 5 blocks away.  It seems a little dodgy, but it will do for the night. 

We stopped for lunch at Trio’s (mmm….pizza) on our way walking back into the monument area.  Unfortunately we got caught in a thunderstorm, so turned back to the hotel.  Fortunately we made it back as the skies opened up.  We had dinner at a local Thai restaurant just near the hotel.  We head back after dinner and just hang out, as it is our last night together until Amy comes to England in a couple of months.

Me in Washington DC

Fairfax, VA

Chase, Amy and I caught the Metro into downtown DC this morning.  We started off our day at the mall, which is a long grass lawn between Capitol Hill and the Lincoln Monument.  We made our first stop at the National Art Gallery, where the main exhibition was of scale models of famous European buildings, including many Russian ones I’d seen 2 years ago.  The main reason we’re here is to see Salvador Dali’s “The Last Supper”.  This is another amazing Dali masterwork and different take on the standard view of Christ and his disciples the night before He died.  

Chase & Amy @ Capitol Hill, Washington, DC

Lunch was at Union Station before we headed over to Capitol Hill.  We walked around the building, but did not make an attempt to go inside. 

Back down the Mall we walked to the phallic Washington Monument.  On the next half mile walk to the White House, we saw the presidential helicopter fly overhead.  

The White House, Washington, DC

Me @ Washington Monument, Washington, DC

Some pictures outside the White House before we get back on the metro back to Chase’s.  John joined the 3 of us for dinner at Greavy’s, one of John’s favorite sports bars.  We spent the evening in there watching some college football.