We hold these truths to be self-evident...
DC part two. So, we left GW, after I got some giggles at the hippo that is one of their mascots. Will SOMEONE explain to me the double mascot thing?? UT has two, the Volunteer and the Smoky Dog. GW has the Colonial and the Hippo- I'm just confused!
Metro'd back to the Smithsonian - by now it was not only grey, but raining as well - LOVED IT. So we fled to the castle, firstly to get out of the rain, and well, I've just always wanted to live in a castle...When we left there it had stopped raining, so we sat on a park bench and played with the world's fattest squirrel - this is like the Bailey of the squirrel family - so all three of us had to get lots of pictues of him - we felt bad that we didn't feed him, and I'm not sure that squirrels are that thrilled about "Boost" - that was all I had on me.
Moved on the the American History museum, which, like the rest of DC is decked out for Christmas, not to mention that there are live performances everywhere. Very nice. The first exhibit we hit was "First Ladies" OF COURSE, as that's also on my "what I want to be when I grow up" list. Fun fact - Edith Roosevelt ( I bet being married to Teddy was just a BLAST) was the first "FL" to hire a pr secetary of her own. And besides Laura Bush, Mamie Eisenhower is one of my favourite FL's. Ok enough nerd-dom.
There was a BEATLES exhibit on the pop culture wing which was fun AND a good study in b/w photography for Alecia. Highlights of random exhibits - the 65 'Stang, Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch. HIGHLIGHT EXHIBIT was most definitley "Price for Freedom; Americans at War." Chronicles the American Revolution through Operation Iraqui Freedom, but it was so much MORE than that. Between the artifacts and the soundbytes, the photographs and the setting that they created- it was just theater almost. Needless to say, Stacie and I both were misty-eyed and snuffly through the entire thing.
Back to the Harrington to chill a bit, and catch up with whatever was on the "E" channel. Took the metro to Union Station, I found some SOUP - oh joy. (I love getting to be normal and eat out again). We decided to bypass a cultural theatrical event (Shakespeare's "Pericles" was playing town) for Ocean's 12. EXCELLENT choice for us, if I say so myself. Highly recommending this film - better than the first - strong in the wit factor and that's always going to rate high with me. While we were still in the food court, there were some students from Gallaudet having animated fun. Reminded me of my TSD days when you would pound on the table or wave your hand around to get someone's attention. Back on the metro, we met sweet Paul, or rather he met us. He was in the inebriated-post-wedding-guest phase ( I love that phase myself - John C - WHERE did that photo of Susie and I disappear to?) wanted to show off some new dance steps - I'm always happy to oblige dancing, so we ended up doing the shag on the platform (for you British readers - that's a DANCE from the coastal carolinas) complete with a dip. He jumped the train with us and regaled us with stories for a couple of stops.
I had the genius idea to WALK to the bloody Lincoln Memorial from the Smithsonian stop, and then WALK back to our hotel. Which is all fine and good when I'm in usual health - I sometimes forget I'm in a healing phase. But it was quite the adventure as well; they're doing construction all around the Washington monument so that's all fence - there's a break at the WWII monument (GORGEOUS AT NIGHT) so we walked on the rim of the reflecting pool all the way to the monument. Kind of creepy with no moon - but that's half the fun - getting there.
Spiritual moment at the Lincoln - the three of us just spread out and had our own relfective times. I had some good prayer time myself, from the top of the steps over looking the city, with the cold and the Christmas lights, and the solitude. Walked back on the Constitution side - the side of the Vietnam memorial. Always haunting and poignant -even more so at night. Needless to say we slept very well, except for the usual hotel noises (a band, sirens, and our extremely energetic next door neighbors). Naturally we did B&N the next morning - it's my mothership after all. Then we navigated our way to Gallaudet- I've NEVER seen the campus - it's so much bigger than I expected.
A "bye" to Stacie and we were back on a plane to Orlando - but this has me just chomping at the bit to go to DC again!!
London first though.
Metro'd back to the Smithsonian - by now it was not only grey, but raining as well - LOVED IT. So we fled to the castle, firstly to get out of the rain, and well, I've just always wanted to live in a castle...When we left there it had stopped raining, so we sat on a park bench and played with the world's fattest squirrel - this is like the Bailey of the squirrel family - so all three of us had to get lots of pictues of him - we felt bad that we didn't feed him, and I'm not sure that squirrels are that thrilled about "Boost" - that was all I had on me.
Moved on the the American History museum, which, like the rest of DC is decked out for Christmas, not to mention that there are live performances everywhere. Very nice. The first exhibit we hit was "First Ladies" OF COURSE, as that's also on my "what I want to be when I grow up" list. Fun fact - Edith Roosevelt ( I bet being married to Teddy was just a BLAST) was the first "FL" to hire a pr secetary of her own. And besides Laura Bush, Mamie Eisenhower is one of my favourite FL's. Ok enough nerd-dom.
There was a BEATLES exhibit on the pop culture wing which was fun AND a good study in b/w photography for Alecia. Highlights of random exhibits - the 65 'Stang, Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch. HIGHLIGHT EXHIBIT was most definitley "Price for Freedom; Americans at War." Chronicles the American Revolution through Operation Iraqui Freedom, but it was so much MORE than that. Between the artifacts and the soundbytes, the photographs and the setting that they created- it was just theater almost. Needless to say, Stacie and I both were misty-eyed and snuffly through the entire thing.
Back to the Harrington to chill a bit, and catch up with whatever was on the "E" channel. Took the metro to Union Station, I found some SOUP - oh joy. (I love getting to be normal and eat out again). We decided to bypass a cultural theatrical event (Shakespeare's "Pericles" was playing town) for Ocean's 12. EXCELLENT choice for us, if I say so myself. Highly recommending this film - better than the first - strong in the wit factor and that's always going to rate high with me. While we were still in the food court, there were some students from Gallaudet having animated fun. Reminded me of my TSD days when you would pound on the table or wave your hand around to get someone's attention. Back on the metro, we met sweet Paul, or rather he met us. He was in the inebriated-post-wedding-guest phase ( I love that phase myself - John C - WHERE did that photo of Susie and I disappear to?) wanted to show off some new dance steps - I'm always happy to oblige dancing, so we ended up doing the shag on the platform (for you British readers - that's a DANCE from the coastal carolinas) complete with a dip. He jumped the train with us and regaled us with stories for a couple of stops.
I had the genius idea to WALK to the bloody Lincoln Memorial from the Smithsonian stop, and then WALK back to our hotel. Which is all fine and good when I'm in usual health - I sometimes forget I'm in a healing phase. But it was quite the adventure as well; they're doing construction all around the Washington monument so that's all fence - there's a break at the WWII monument (GORGEOUS AT NIGHT) so we walked on the rim of the reflecting pool all the way to the monument. Kind of creepy with no moon - but that's half the fun - getting there.
Spiritual moment at the Lincoln - the three of us just spread out and had our own relfective times. I had some good prayer time myself, from the top of the steps over looking the city, with the cold and the Christmas lights, and the solitude. Walked back on the Constitution side - the side of the Vietnam memorial. Always haunting and poignant -even more so at night. Needless to say we slept very well, except for the usual hotel noises (a band, sirens, and our extremely energetic next door neighbors). Naturally we did B&N the next morning - it's my mothership after all. Then we navigated our way to Gallaudet- I've NEVER seen the campus - it's so much bigger than I expected.
A "bye" to Stacie and we were back on a plane to Orlando - but this has me just chomping at the bit to go to DC again!!
London first though.
posted by Erin J @ 18:36
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