Our google maps directions seemed pretty clear leaving the airport. It did not say if we should take the first road north or south, east or west, so I assumed it was a highway that started at the airport and only went one direction. Wrong! Leaving the chaos of the airport, we had about 5 seconds to pick north or south. Having never been to the area before, we didn't know, so we guessed and just stayed in the lane we were in -- north. It turns out that was the wrong choice, but we did get a nice scenic view of Washington D.C. at night! It was nice at first, but when we kept getting turned around or running into one-way streets and we couldn't get out of the city, it got frustrating! After a few calls to my dad and Ryan switching to passenger so he could use his smart phone GPS (I had tried but am not technologically savvy), we finally got on the right path. We arrived at my parents' almost THREE hours after our plane landed -- it's only about a 40-minute drive from the airport! Luckily the kids were pretty good, and they had plenty in their backpacks to keep them occupied :)
Today we went into D.C. to do some touristy things. We had reserved tickets to go in the Washington Monument, which is what Nathan is most excited about for the trip. The tickets were for after lunch, so we started the morning at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where they make the paper money) before it closed. There wasn't much action going on, but it was still cool to see. We got to see an example of the new $100 bill that will be out next year.
As we left the BEP we had a great view of the Washington Monument, so Ryan got out the camera to take some pictures. Although we had charged it just before leaving Utah, it refused to work! So all of today's pictures are taken on Ryan's phone.
It was cold and WINDY, so we then went into the American History Smithsonian to find some hot chocolate and lunch.
The boys were excited to see C3PO
There was a few fun areas for the kids. In this area they got to build things.
Joshua and cousin Natalie
Engineer Uncle Jacob sharing his skills with the kids: Natalie, Benjamin, & Nathan (all on the left side)
And there were fun things for the big kids. Ryan was excited to show the boys this car -- the first car to be able to drive all on its own.
When we came out of the Smithsonian, I noticed the wind was not as bad. It was about time for our Monument tickets, and I was glad the wind seemed to have died down -- if it is too windy, they close the Monument. As we walked over, the wind started to pick up again. As we were walking up the hill right at the monument, it got really bad. Notice how the flags are flying straight out.
cousin Ella
There was a park ranger standing where we were to go in . . . there to tell us that the monument was closed for the day because of the winds. Nathan was very disappointed, as were the rest of us. The ranger told us they aren't worried about the monument itself in the wind, but that they worry about little kids (and then he points to Joshua) blowing away. Of course Joshua took this very literally and has since freaked out every time we've been outside if there is any wind at all: "Hold me! I don't want to blow away!"
view of the Capitol Building from the Washington Monument
view on the other side of the Monument: the Reflecting Pool with the Lincoln Memorial in the back
There is a lot of wind in the forecast, but we are hoping it calms down enough another day we are here that we can go back and go in this time!
2 comments:
I feel your pain. Two years ago it took us 8 hours to drive the 70 miles from the airport to my in-laws in Oregon. Yup, 8 hours! Not because we were lost (which I have been several times in DC while traveling there), but because they are poorly equipped to deal with snow and ice. It was miserable.
What a neat experience for your kids (and you)! Great pictures too - even if they are from the phone. I didn't realize they closed the monument if it was too windy.
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