- Off to the Spy Museum to hone Justice Girl’s skills.
- The museum was awesome, but they’ve got nothing on JG.
- Founding Farmers for lunch. I can get on board with a policy of knowing where your food comes from, and supporting family-run farms. Tom orders the bacon lollies – I’m not so sure I will enjoy a stick-o-bacon.
- Turns out, I do. I didn’t want to love them, but oh, how I did. My mushroom risotto was fantastic as well, but I was pleased to know that my own risotto compares equally.
- We walk in the rain, to our tour destination. Our “three hour tour.” Which indeed, does turn out to be on Segways.
- I’m once again not sure that this is going to be all that great. I haven’t ever really had the desire to look like a software billionaire with too much money, traveling on a “vehicle” that is only slightly faster than walking. At least the rain has stopped.
- I decide to rock the pink helmet, even though all the other women opt for white. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, people! Plus, it matches my cami.
- The Segways each have labels with names. Once I’m handed mine, I check it out. Gilligan. No joke. I find this hilarious. Tom rolls his eyes.
- After practicing for about 5 minutes, I get the hang of it, and once again, am proved wrong. This thing is fun. FUN. Fantastically fun. If I had an extra $5000, I’d totally buy one, despite there being absolutely no practical use for it in my life.
- We tour DC, and even though my legs are killing me after an hour, I’m loving it. Our group has had only minor accidents – no one has fallen off yet, or been run over by a bus – that has to be a good sign.
- My second viewing of the White House is as disappointing as the first. No President Obama=no hug. I did see a presidential squirrel though – that was pretty awesome.
- One of the teenage boys on our tour tries to strike up a conversation with us due to the Beatles shirt Tom is wearing, which goes nicely with the John Lennon shirt he is trying to rock. Here’s a hint though – don’t say you are a HUGE Beatles fan and then ask, “what’s Abbey Road?” It kindof negates your credibility.
- And if you’re begging for money on the street corner, it might be wise to call me a white honkey AFTER you ask for the cash, not before.
- We head back to the hotel to freshen up and rid ourselves of helmet-hair, and then it’s back out on the streets of D.C., for a self-tour of the memorials.
- After a long walk, I find myself at the bottom of the Washington memorial. I touch the marble and marvel at its existence.
- Moving on to WWII – I think about my grandpa and how many times he’s made me laugh with his stories. I also think of Tom’s grandpa and the sadness in his. We take a picture by each home state’s pillar and then walk towards the looming Lincoln palace.
- We read the enormous inscriptions – it’s impossible to not feel the impact he had on our nation, and I’m emotional as we descend the steps.
- As we head back in the direction of our dinner reservations, we walk past the wall of names from Vietnam. My limit is reached and I can’t control the tears that escape.
- I try to focus on something else and realize my legs are. killing. me. I am desperate to sit down, but as we try to cross the street to the restaurant, we are stopped by a very irritated police officer who yells at us to GET BACK ON THE CURB!
- After much speculation (and no explanation from the cop) our suspicions are finally confirmed and we watch as the presidential motorcade heads home to the White House. And yet I’m still lacking a presidential hug.
- At least we can sit down now. Well, once our table at the Old Ebbitt Grill is available. I’m assuming the popularity is a good sign, as I get squished in to a corner by the crowd.
- We sit down and order appetizers. I get the empanadas. Tom gets the grilled oysters.
- Apparently he and the waiter have formed a conspiracy to get me to try said oysters. I am weak and cave.
- I do not like oysters.
- I make sure Tom knows that through this act, I have professed my undying love for him and that we should be good for at least another 5 years.
- I make up for the appetizer trauma with dessert. Finally, after months of yearning, I have the perfect brownie. Satisfaction at last.
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- Our last day in D.C. is completely dedicated to food. A Southern brunch seems like the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. We walk the 6 blocks to Georgia Brown’s, in “appropriate” attire.
- After 4 blocks, I decide that high heels, while appropriate for Sunday brunch, are not so appropriate for city walking.
- We pass through a large gathering of people – a gay rights rally, apparently. I would have worn something more rainbow-y if I’d known.
- Stepping in to Georgia Brown’s, smelling the air, I’m immediately sure that there are no Weight Watchers in the South.
- The live Jazz band reminds me of our anniversary in Seattle when Ella was head-banging to the drum beat and literally banged her tiny forehead on the table.
- I miss my kids. But not enough to leave early. There is food to be eaten first.
- I take tiny portions so that I can try everything. It is all fantastic, including my main course of black-eyed pea cakes, drizzled with roasted red pepper sauce.
- I’m pretty sure I’ve gained 5 lbs as we leave the restaurant, for a leisurely walk back to the hotel.
- Turns out the rally is a lot bigger than we thought. We have to push our way through hoards of people just to cross the street. Such is life in D.C., I imagine.
- We stop at Trader Joe’s on our way home. Trader Joe’s=happiness.
- As we pass the Mighty Susquehanna, I select Social Distortion’s Ball & Chain for our listening pleasure. I look at Tom and laugh. I don’t mind being attached to him at all. In fact, I think it’s pretty awesome.
I think walking in high heels negates more WW points. 😉
Maggie seemed to have the same problem when we were in DC she walked in high heels even after my repeated telling her it was a bad idea. It cost me a cab ride home.
Old Ebbetts is fantastic.
I always get emotional at the Vietnam Memorial. When I went there with my dad as kid, its the only time I can remember him crying with total abandon. He kept finding people he knew, people he brought of the Jungle when they were wounded and didn’t make it. I always go there, but I can never not shed a tear.
I think you had the best annaversary ever, I think I’ll have to remember this for next year… remembering is the trick any more. You guys rock!
Sounds like an awesome trip. One of my co-workers is the daughter of the owners of Segway of Utah. She was happy you guys went on the tour. BTW – if you see the PA airport cops riding Segways, those came from that little store in Spanish Fork, who knew. I’m hungry just reading about all the awesome food. It might be a good thing Springville is lacking in awesome food.
Yay for Tom. Good planning. Alan would be jealous of the Segways…
The Vietnam Memorial is just so intense, even though it’s so simple. I didn’t have a personal experience like yours, Colt, but all those names….I think it was the perfect way to make that war’s sadness a reality.
I always wanted to know if anyone bought a Segway from the SF store. Not really rodeo material.
Harrisburg supposedly has a bunch of good restaurants. We’ve just never been due to those pesky kids.
One of my favorite children’s books as a kid was called The Wall. It was about a boy and his father visiting the Vietnam Memorial. It was one of the most powerful books I have ever read, and has great art work. Very serious, but a great way for kids to learn about history.