Sunday, April 15th we woke up and went downstairs to say our goodbyes. Saying goodbye is always hard, especially when you have no idea when you will see that person again. With all the expenses we have this year for fertility I just can't afford to go back East again for at least a year or two, so I am hoping Jaime and Ben are able to come out to the West coast for a visit before then.
After the goodbyes we got on the road. Funny story, well not funny then but by the time I publish this blog and read it again it will be funny, Ryan got into DC before me and rented the car before driving up to MD for the wedding. They suckered him into adding on the insurance on the car I was so proud I got such a good weekly rate on through Costco ended up costing us $200 more for the week. I was not happy....at all. Anyways, we got on the road and stopped for breakfast at a Bob Evans, which is like a Cracker Barrel kind of. We have a rule when we travel, we don't eat anywhere we could eat back home, so Bob Evans it was. It was pretty good.
My friend Mel has had a rough last 6 months, her father was diagnosed with lung cancer and ended up passing away in March. I know the feeling of being surrounded by sickness and cancer so I knew she needed to get away. I basically forced her after the wedding to come to DC with us and I am so glad she did!
Our first stop was to drive out to the Potomac and visit Mt. Vernon, George Washington's home. If you ever go to DC you need to visit Mt. Vernon. This was my second time and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time (and both time it was 90 degree days in humidity!)
The innovation he had back then amazes me. You aren't allowed to take pictures inside so there isn't any of those but the place is beautiful. He liked bright color's and so green's and teal's and yellows were everywhere. Which back then was so expensive, in fact he had to lock up his paints to make sure they weren't stolen. You can tour the house, the slaves quarters, the barn, the cemeteries its a full day thing. I wish I would have taken a picture before I gave to my parents but I bought them S hooks and nails replicated from what would have come out of his blacksmiths shop back in 1780.
Ryan in front of the main house
not a bad view from your back porch
It was hot and the bee's were everywhere so this is me trying to get away from the bee's look.
After Mt. Vernon we drove into the city to check into the hotel, my friend Stacey at work was able to get us the friends and family rate at the Hilton near the Capitol Building. It was a nice room and was a block from the subway so that was awesome. By then it was already time for dinner, we grabbed a bite near the hotel and called it a night.
Monday, April 16th we woke up early to catch the trolley tour I had purchased. Again, if you are ever in DC do it! Its trolley or buses that basically take you all around the city to the general area of most of the memorials, Smithsonian's and places of interest. You can hop off at a stop and once you are done you wait for the next trolley to come pick you up. We were able to see ALOT in one day.
Jefferson Memorial
Washington Monument
Mel taking a pic, we took alot of them :)
View of the White house from the Jefferson steps
FDR Memorial
Arlington Cemetery changing of the Guards at the Unknown Soldier's Tombs
Asked a stranger to take a picture in front of Lincoln Memorial, apparently he thought that boy was with us!
The Capitol Reflecting pond.
We finished up the night with a dinner at Graffiato's a Italian restaurant owned by Mike Isabella from Top Chef. We were starving since we didn't eat until 9:00pm so the only picture I got out of all the food we tried was the Gnocchi which was delish!
I'm going to have to make D.C. two posts because this is only two day's events :)
But before I forget I need to post a picture of Ryan's WaWa Cookies and Cream Milk and Sweet Cream pretzel. Every time he sees one it takes him back to him mission. He drank 4 on our vacation! (At 600 calories a piece I might add lol)
Okay last two days of D.C. will be posted in a separate post.
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