Monday, March 05, 2007

very long review of our short vacation




Jim, Willa, and I returned yesterday from our trip to Washington DC. She and I tagged along as Jim had two days of meetings for his job. Some highlights:
Drove until 2 am on day one and stopped for the night just inside of Pennsylvania. Exhaustion put us as the Whatever Inn complete with a full bed (with padding on the head board) and towels that looked like our rag collection.
I woke up the next morning asking Jim if I would look more odd with an eye patch or my right eye swollen shut. Called the dr. and got a prescription for pink eye.
Willa projectile vomited her milk and was pretty freaked out.
We got to DC, immediately went to the FDR memorial and got in the spirit of America, public service, and democracy. Then we walked around the tidal basin to visit Mr. Jefferson.
Jim lost his glasses.
The next morning Jim was off to work. I enjoyed the king sized bed, a napping Willa, fresh brewed coffee and a nutty buddy bar for breakfast. When Willa woke up we walked to the National Zoo and saw pandas and orang utans though the meercats were her favorite.




She was thrilled- the whole trip- to be in her stroller. It was beautiful weather and the breeze in her hair and her bopping along was a site to see. She made many strangers smile on the streets.
Friday she and I hung out near Dupont Circle: bookstore, bead store bakery for an oatmeal cookie. Then to the park/Circle to people watch, read her new book and eat the cookie. We weren't wearing winter coats.
Kelli is my friend who still lives in DC - she and I met at Habitat in Americus and we both went from there to DC. She, Willa and I had Friday lunch while Jim was in his last hours of meetings. From there we hugged goodbye, and Jim, Willa and I walked around the great neighborhood.
Later that night Willa had her first Metro ride as we all went to Old Town Alexandria (VA). She was fascinated by the flamenco dancing women who had castanets. They danced for probably 8 or 10 minutes, and she watched them, hypnotized, the whole time.



Saturday we woke up, packed up and stuffed the car. We took the Metro to Eastern Market and had a great Salvadorean breakfast on the market. We strolled through fresh flowers and produce and crafts. From there we went to the mall and the Air and Space Museum, and then to a botanic outdoor garden. Then to The White House to "pay respects" to W. Then we walked through interesting neighborhoods, back to the car to get on the road. We were totally content to walk with no winter coats, seeing robins and daffodils.



On the way back there was no vomiting or hideously swollen eyelids, but there was some snow. That night we stayed just in Ohio, and got home at about 5 on Sunday. We were in the car for about 24 total hours. Only one of those hours had me wanting to crawl out the window. Willa was a great kid in the car, in the stroller, in the hotels. Jim and I really enjoyed the city and each other. It was a great trip that left us pretty tired.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the teaser of flowers.
Sounds like you had a great trip.

Anonymous said...

Flowers? What are those?

Sounds like a blast of a trip...so much culture, I love DC. And sounds like Meerkat Manor needs to become a favorite show in your house. I watch it all the time. It's very entertaining!