October is here!!! A Semi-live TR!!! Our Oct 7-14 trip to the world!

[KathyM2]

I can see why you'd be interested. Believe it or not, I have yet to visit our mint here in Winnipeg.
Don't ask me why I haven't been. Well, actually I do know. It's well, I live here so I can always go whenever I want... so you never do.

Our mint's in Winnipeg?? I guess I (dumbly) assumed it was in Ottawa??? I'm sure at some point I must have heard that but...musta blocked it out lol. But I totally get it...there are tons of touristy Toronto things I haven't done because you "think" you can do them anytime.

So.... typical kid, huh?
Oh, dear. Well, at least you found this out before hand and not while you're trying to actually make rope drop.
Ah, yes. The bane of every parent. The whine.
I am familiar with this phenomenon.

Yup...the whine is....sooooo tiring and annoying. And so many times when "he" whines...I feel like whining myself and it's hard to suck it up and act like I'm not also hot/tired/whatever to try to get him through it.

Sounds interesting... but how did your DS like it?

I think he liked it too. Maybe not as thoroughly as I did because I was trying to make out all the different parts of the equipment and ask questions to stump the tourguide lol...but...the way it was presented was really interesting for everyone I think. And the way you could walk through sort of above the pressroom was really neat.

That sounds like it would be a good one to go to, but...
So disappointing.

Yes, it was rather...but what can you do. It's funny actually...after going to a couple of "free" museums...your expectations for normal ones where you have to pay through the nose goes way up. It probably would have seemed better if we had hit that one first lol

Oh, crap. That sucks. It's tough when someone is pushing, though.

Yes...and sadly...I'm a sucker for a pushy salesperson. And I had a voice in the back of my head saying "remember what Trip Advisor said....." but still I didn't/couldn't say no to her and go with my gut. Next time.

At least you were inside when it hit. Not on the top of an open air double decker bus.

Ha...yes, that definitely would have been bad....though I'm sure a funny story later lol

I've heard some really good things about it. Would you recommend it?

It was pretty good. I would recommend it...and I think it will make a bazillion dollars because it has characters for every kid to identify with and the merchandizing etc....yup...

Good luck with the Bus!

Thanks!! I will be back shortly with another update...because...as usual...the boy wanted to not go out after dinner and just hang in the room...and since we had a pretty busy day I thought I may as well indulge him...I am pretty wiped too...

 

[KathyM2]

Been to DC a ton of times, since my sister lives in McLean, VA. I included it in my last TR, and we had a huge DISMeet there. Super fun stuff!

Mt. Vernon was TOTALLY worth it, I spent a full day (+DISMeet time) in the American History Smithy, and time on the Mall. So glad you're having a great time. Hope the whining improves.

Wow, a huge DISmeet!! I didn't even think of trying to co-ordinate something while here!! How awesome!! I hope the whining improves too lol. But it IS pretty hot out. Again...more confirmation that Disney might not be the best for DS. But yeah...all the "Smithy's" so far have been great and we hope to see one or two more at least.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Loving your DC updates. I love DC, lots of free stuff to do, beautiful and full of history!

 

[KathyM2]

Loving your DC updates. I love DC, lots of free stuff to do, beautiful and full of history!

Thanks!! Yes, it's a great city!! The only downside to going solo with your 12 year old...can't go out at night lol...oh well...

 

[KathyM2]

Washington DC mini report Day 3 update
​

So might as well update since we are chilling in the room again. I swear...DS would be happy if that's all we did. Sigh. I do think he is having fun though...he's just...different than I am in a lot of ways.

Anyway...this morning...since we didn't really have anywhere pressing to be...other than downstairs at our hotel for the free breakfast before 10am...I let DS sleep in until around 9:00am. I lounged around and then finally opened up the blackout shades in hopes he'd wake up. He did...but would have preferred to just watch TV for a while instead of getting going...sigh.

I dragged him out of bed because...when your hotel has free breakfast...and it's pretty decent....you DON'T go elsewhere where you'd have to PAY for breakfast. At least that's what I said to DS to get is butt outta bed. I especially wouldn't want to pay for us to go elsewhere because all DS eats for breakfast is a little bowl of cereal and maybe a bit of banana most days. We made it down for breakfast and ate...and then came back upstairs to get ready to go out for the day. My DS reluctantly turned off the TV and we headed out. The plan was to get back on the dang Big Bus (yes, still a bit bitter about that) and at least try to get our money's worth out of that.

To get to the bus, we had to walk down by the white house. There was a cheesy gift shop so of course we had to go in. They had a fake oval office where you could take pictures if you spent more than $10 in the shop...so of course we had to do it. We also got some cheesy souveniers. We found the nearest bus stop...and started our wait for the bus. In the time that we sat there...probably 10-15 mins...TWO of the Trolley Tour busses went by...but no Big Bus....ugh. Finally...a Big Bus showed up and we got on. The boy wanted to sit downstairs...where there was NO AIR...ugh. It was an oven. Luckily...the plan was to get off at Union Station..only a couple of stops away...and do some exploring and lunch before getting back on a bus...where I swore we would be sitting upstairs...because even though that was hot too...at least when moving there was a bit of a breeze!

We got off at Union Station and it was almost lunchtime so we went inside and decided to get something there. There was a tons of shops and restaurants in there and the station itself is pretty impressive. We looked around at the offerings...and what did DS want...SUBWAY ...of course. But I refused to get my food from there...I guess that is the benefit of a food court type atmosphere...so I grabbed a sub for him, and then we went up to see what else was there. I decided to try Chop't...one of those create a salad type of places. We have them in Toronto...but man...I found this place really overwhelming...it was super busy and people were loud and I got all confused when I got up there. Needless to say...I ended up with a rather odd salad lol. I just randomly picked stuff that looked good without time to give it any thought. It had some chicken and some edamame and some cucumbers and some broccoli and some kind of cheese and a few other random veggies. It was pretty good...but like everything in the US...it was HUGE. I ate just over half of it and called it quits. And of course DS was done inhaling his sub by the time I even got back to the table with my mammoth salad. But it was pretty good.

After lunch, we looked around the station a bit more...and found a restroom so DS could wash the neon orange goop from his hands after eating Cheetos (don't judge...I'm not fighting with him over food on this trip...refuse). Then we headed outside and decided to check out the Smithsonian National Postage Museum. Actually this wasn't done by me on purpose...but it ended up being pretty interesting for both of us which was a win. They had all kinds of intersting displays about the production of stamps...which was right up my alley, but also a lot of cool stuff about the postal inspection service - which DS was fascinated by...and all sorts of history of the USPS which was pretty cool. They had free postcards that you could write and buy stamps to send them home from there...so we did that...and we ended up spending a couple hours there.

Gonna post this because of the wifi at this hotel is a bit sketch...don't wanna lose anything!

 

[KathyM2]

Washington DC mini report Day 3 update (continued)
​

After we had enough at the Postal Museum, we headed out and...much to DS' dismay....decided to catch the dreaded "Big Bus" again. It's funny...because DS probably would have been fine with the whole Big Bus thing...IF I stupidly hadn't told him that we should have got the other one...but he knew that I was sort of regretting our decision on the bus tickets...so he couldn't stop rubbing that in....sigh...I should learn to keep my mouth shut. Oh well.

Thankfully...after emerging from the museum we could see a bus waiting at the stop. We BOOKED it over there because we had no clue when there would be another bus after that one so we really didn't want to miss it. We made it on...and then sat there for 10 minutes baking in the heat before leaving...sigh. We did get seats on the top deck...and it was HOT until we started moving. We drove a few more stops and poor DS was really hot. We pulled up in front of the Capitol and also beside the Smithsonian Botanical Museum. The bus was stopped and I thought we'd continue on...but then DS grabs my arm and says "let's get off and see this museum"...uh ok...I didn't have time to think and we just hopped off the bus and watched it speed away....before I said to DS...why did we get off here? He says, "I want to go in that museum because it will be air conditioned"...I had to bite my tongue because....it was a BOTANICAL museum...and likely...would NOT be air conditioned. If I had had the time to figure out his reasoning before jumping off the bus...sigh...BUT I kept my mouth shut just in case I was wrong about the whole thing and this was not like OTHER Botanical type museums that I've been to that tend to be...hot and humid like the rainforest. We went in and phew...at least the foyer/lobby was nicely cool. We spent a few minutes in there before going into various areas that were...pretty hot and humid. But I think DS had a good time. I didn't think plants were his thing...and maybe he was sorta saving face by acting interested in the cactuses lol...who knows. There was a pretty cool exhibit about plant roots and that area was nicely cool...so we spent some time in there. It was a rather amusing and unexpected stop on our tour!

As we were in there though...I was trying to gauge how long we'd been there and when the next Big Bus would show up. I knew that DS was not in the mood to wait long in the heat...but we didn't have much choice...I had no idea how close we were to a metro stop and I also still wanted to redeem myself on that dang bus...so outside we went. Luckily, there was a nice shady bench by the bus stop and some entertaining big tour groups to keep DS somewhat entertained while we waited. After about 10 minutes, a Big Bus showed up and we got on. It was super hot. I wasn't really sure what the plan was at this point...or how long I could convince DS to stay on this bus. We toured around some...saw a bunch of memorials...pardon my US History ignorance...I think we saw the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials...

I think this was Lincoln..please don't flame me if I'm wrong...

And then we sat on the bus in traffic while it moved pretty slowly...it was a bit painful at times...but we did get to take pictures from the bus without having to get off much lol. I knew that I wanted to try to get to Arlington on this trip because I hadn't done it on my previous visit to DC years ago...so I thought it made sense to try to get there on this dang tour bus. But it probably would have been faster to swim there lol. At least so it seemed. Anyway...eventually the bus got to Arlington and we jumped off at the visitor's centre...which was thankfully nicely air conditioned.

We went in there...for a few mins...and DS thought that was it...sigh. I had to explain that well...since we're here...I'd really like to at least walk around a bit and SEE some of the actual cemetary...where you know...lots of important people are burried. DS was not into it. But we were SO CLOSE we couldn't not go. I promised him we'd just take a quick walk around the grounds and then go. So we did. We literally walked in for about 10 mins...took some pics of the rows of gravestones...and walked on out. I feel bad having explored so little of it. But I just knew that DS was almost at the end of his rope and I was pretty hot and tired too. Also...I felt pathetically uninformed and had a hard time answering DS questions about who actually was burried there. I mean...I know that it's vets and such...but...which ones? All? Whether they died in battle or not? My US history knowledge is pathetic. My excuse is that in high school (in Canada) it's only offered as a course in grade 12, and I was into maths and sciences...sadly didn't have time for Canadian OR US history at that time. But it's not too late to read up a bit.

Moving on...we left Arlington and decided that since who knew when the BIG BUS would be back out there ...and even when it did come, it's route back to anywhere near our hotel was pretty long and winding...we took the Metro...which was only a few stops back to our nice cool room. Aaahhhh

We chilled in the room for a bit and then started pondering what to do for dinner. Unlike planning for a Disney trip...I hadn't really nailed down where we'd eat each night. I had some ideas in mind...but it was really hard to gauge what would be near our hotel, or where we'd be at dinner time. DS suggested that we just order in and eat in the room again...sigh. I said NO. I'm not doing that for a second night in a row in an amazing city. So what did we do?? Went back to Founding Farmers. At least we went out lol. And this place was highly recommended both online and by people at the hotel. It was indeed really good. And everything was so huge we shared two appetizers...the corn bread...which apparently is famous...and I can see why after tasting it...and the mini burgers...which were also really good...and look...I even took a picture!!

So that's that. Now DS is...wait for it...watching Spongebob...and I'm here. I'm gonna try to catch up on some of your TR's etc...but probably I will be a bit slow on those until I'm home. Gonna shower and see if there's anything that DS and I can agree on to watch on TV (that isn't Spongebob)

 

[kadrachb]

So might as well update since we are chilling in the room again. I swear...DS would be happy if that's all we did. Sigh. I do think he is having fun though...he's just...different than I am in a lot of ways.

My best friend is like that!
I don't understand the point of going somewhere new to just sit around in a room all day!

So what did we do?? Went back to Founding Farmers.

Hey, at least you know you like it! You could also ask the front desk for good places to eat.

 

[Steppesister]

To put your mind at ease, yes, that is the Lincoln Memorial. We were there years ago, and my then about 5 tripped on the marble steps and busted her lip wide open. Let's just say that the establishments who can give you some ice are few and far between! I have never been to Arlington... now I feel like that should be on my list for next time for sure! Lovely shot there!!

 

[pkondz]

Haven't even looked at the latest update.
Gotta run soon, so I'll just reply to some of your previous comments.
I'll be back later to catch up.

When the other guy saw us asking the driver and then get off, he scrambled off the bus after us lol..it was kinda funny actually

Our mint's in Winnipeg?? I guess I (dumbly) assumed it was in Ottawa???

No. Not dumb.
You're right, too.
The mint is in Winnipeg... and Ottawa.
I don't know why there's two. It's probably in Google.

But I totally get it...there are tons of touristy Toronto things I haven't done because you "think" you can do them anytime.

Years ago, my DSis (who's lived in Toronto for... about 30 years) took me to the ROM. Even though she'd lived there for quite a while, it was her first visit. Because she was bringing me.

And so many times when "he" whines...I feel like whining myself and it's hard to suck it up and act like I'm not also hot/tired/whatever to try to get him through it.

Do it! Just whine! See what his reaction is!

Yes...and sadly...I'm a sucker for a pushy salesperson.

See, at this point. People will always castigate you and insist you remain firm and say no!!!

Ah. Heck with it. You are who you are and you're having fun (it seems) in DC, so... you go girl!

Ha...yes, that definitely would have been bad....though I'm sure a funny story later lol

When something bad happens on my trips, I usually start smiling pretty quickly because I'm thinking "I can't wait to see what everyone's reactions to this are going to be!"

It was pretty good. I would recommend it...and I think it will make a bazillion dollars because it has characters for every kid to identify with and the merchandizing etc....yup...

Good to know. Thanks!

Thanks!! I will be back shortly with another update...because...as usual...the boy wanted to not go out after dinner and just hang in the room...and since we had a pretty busy day I thought I may as well indulge him...I am pretty wiped too...

Absolutely nothing wrong with taking a hotel day on a holiday.
Recharges the batteries.

 

[pkondz]

he's just...different than I am in a lot of ways.

And that's okay. Not everyone is go!go!go! My DW and youngest DD come to mind.

I dragged him out of bed because...when your hotel has free breakfast...and it's pretty decent....you DON'T go elsewhere where you'd have to PAY for breakfast.

Absolutely!
"Hey look! Free breakfast!"
"No thanks. I'll just wait so it costs you more."

Grrrrr....

My DS reluctantly turned off the TV and we headed out.

At least you got him out!
When we were in Paris, I wanted to see the opera house that was the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera.
It was amazing.
But youngest DD didn't want to go.
So rather than ruin everyone's fun, we left her at the hotel.
When we got back we were happy and she was happy.

But later, back home after the trip, she saw some pictures of the opera.
"I didn't know it was going to be like that! I would've gone!"

Ya snooze ya lose.

There was a cheesy gift shop so of course we had to go in.

Of course.

They had a fake oval office where you could take pictures if you spent more than $10 in the shop...so of course we had to do it.

What's $10 for a cheesy pic?

In the time that we sat there...probably 10-15 mins...TWO of the Trolley Tour busses went by

You should have picked the other one!

Just don't push the red button!!!!

We looked around at the offerings...and what did DS want...SUBWAY ...of course.

Sounds oh-so familiar.

I found this place really overwhelming...it was super busy and people were loud and I got all confused when I got up there.

So... Next time you'll have the Subway?

(don't judge...I'm not fighting with him over food on this trip...refuse).

Not judging at all. It's vacation. Eat whatever the heck you want!

They had all kinds of intersting displays about the production of stamps...which was right up my alley, but also a lot of cool stuff about the postal inspection service - which DS was fascinated by

Win, win.

It's funny...because DS probably would have been fine with the whole Big Bus thing...IF I stupidly hadn't told him that we should have got the other one...but he knew that I was sort of regretting our decision on the bus tickets...so he couldn't stop rubbing that in....sigh...I should learn to keep my mouth shut. Oh well.

I think it's funny that he's bugging you about the bus.
May not be funny right now as it's happening, but... someday.

We BOOKED it over there because we had no clue when there would be another bus after that one so we really didn't want to miss it. We made it on...and then sat there for 10 minutes baking in the heat before leaving...sigh.

Next time, you'll relax, walk instead of run.... and miss it.

He says, "I want to go in that museum because it will be air conditioned"...

Figured as much.

I had to bite my tongue because....it was a BOTANICAL museum...and likely...would NOT be air conditioned.

I didn't think plants were his thing...and maybe he was sorta saving face by acting interested in the cactuses lol...who knows.

"Ooooohhhhh! Look at this.... bush."

I think this was Lincoln..please don't flame me if I'm wrong...

Liesa already cleared the air, but since I'd already Googled it before I read her reply, I'm going to tell you anyway.
Why, yes! Yes it is the Lincoln memorial!

We literally walked in for about 10 mins...took some pics of the rows of gravestones...and walked on out. I feel bad having explored so little of it. But I just knew that DS was almost at the end of his rope and I was pretty hot and tired too.

I get it. No apologies needed.

I got curious about it not too long ago and looked up some info on it.
I found that one of the reasons they picked Arlington to be a cemetary is because the home that stood there belonged to Robert E. Lee.
So burying people on his property appealed.

Plus, you don't have to be military to be buried there.
They allow spouses of those who are buried there to be buried there as well.
Makes sense, right?

But mostly it's military. There are rules.

our nice cool room. Aaahhhh

We chilled in the room for a bit

That looks good. Fresh, too!

Now DS is...wait for it...watching Spongebob...and I'm here.

Well what else are you going to do? Visit sights in Washington???

Gonna shower and see if there's anything that DS and I can agree on to watch on TV (that isn't Spongebob)

I'm betting either you'll buy a movie or.... Spongebob it is.

 

[KathyM2]

My best friend is like that!
I don't understand the point of going somewhere new to just sit around in a room all day!

Hey, at least you know you like it! You could also ask the front desk for good places to eat.

I don't either...sigh. But at least we've gotten to a lot of the "must do's" here in DC so I can't complain. And sometimes I just gotta let him chill out so he won't be a bear. I do have a computer in the room and have been googling places to go...but since I don't know the area...it can be hard to gauge how far away things are etc. But we are doing ok.

To put your mind at ease, yes, that is the Lincoln Memorial. We were there years ago, and my then about 5 tripped on the marble steps and busted her lip wide open. Let's just say that the establishments who can give you some ice are few and far between! I have never been to Arlington... now I feel like that should be on my list for next time for sure! Lovely shot there!!

Ha, thanks!! I wouldn't want a really patriotic DIS'er to see this lol. I am certainly learning a lot of US history on this trip!! That's brutal that your DD busted her lip there!! Ugh!! But makes a good story later, right ) since she was ok of course. Arlington, well what we saw of it, was beautiful. I would have liked to walk around more...but what can you do. Next time.

 

[KathyM2]

Do it! Just whine! See what his reaction is!

You know what? Today I actually tried that...just complaining myself too. I think he was a bit surprised. But then I had to suck it up because it would have devolved into a night of pity because we are hot and tired lol. So here we are...back in the room watching Spongebob lol. How is that show on ALL THE TIME??? But....he did promise me he wouldn't give me a hard time about going out again shortly...let's see if he keeps that promise.

When something bad happens on my trips, I usually start smiling pretty quickly because I'm thinking "I can't wait to see what everyone's reactions to this are going to be!"

You know that's a really good way to look at it. Now that I'm journalling a lot more lately too....it actually makes it easier to turn things around in my head and make it not so bad and just funny.

"Hey look! Free breakfast!"
"No thanks. I'll just wait so it costs you more."

Grrrrr....

Right?? GRRRR. Drives me bonkers that he has no concept of the fact that I'd rather not pay $25 for some overpriced breakfast somewhere he won't even like...when there's a free breakfast waiting for us right downstairs...sigh. Kids.

At least you got him out!
When we were in Paris, I wanted to see the opera house that was the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera.
It was amazing.
But youngest DD didn't want to go.
So rather than ruin everyone's fun, we left her at the hotel.
When we got back we were happy and she was happy.

But later, back home after the trip, she saw some pictures of the opera.
"I didn't know it was going to be like that! I would've gone!"

Ya snooze ya lose.

I think I need to try this on DS and see if there's any remorse later. Did your DD learn from the experience? Do you bring it up every time she doesn't want to do something? I would...evil mom that I am lol.

I got curious about it not too long ago and looked up some info on it.
I found that one of the reasons they picked Arlington to be a cemetary is because the home that stood there belonged to Robert E. Lee.
So burying people on his property appealed.

Plus, you don't have to be military to be buried there.
They allow spouses of those who are buried there to be buried there as well.
Makes sense, right?

But mostly it's military. There are rules.

Well that's good to know. I can tell DS now lol since we didn't stay long enough to learn much while we were there lol.

I'm betting either you'll buy a movie or.... Spongebob it is.

Thankfully Spongebob was for once...NOT ON!! So we ended up watching a movie...Snow Day...fitting since it was...a thousand degrees outside lol. But somewhat amusing and enough to get us to 10:30pm when we both crashed.

 

[pkondz]

You know what? Today I actually tried that...just complaining myself too. I think he was a bit surprised.

So here we are...back in the room watching Spongebob lol.

Again?!?!?

Right?? GRRRR. Drives me bonkers that he has no concept of the fact that I'd rather not pay $25 for some overpriced breakfast somewhere he won't even like...when there's a free breakfast waiting for us right downstairs...sigh. Kids.

You could've just typed "sigh. Kids."

Did your DD learn from the experience?

Hmmmm.... maybe. She now asks for more details before saying "no."

Do you bring it up every time she doesn't want to do something? I would...evil mom that I am lol.

No. Because she'd make me feel bad.
She's far smarter than I am.

So we ended up watching a movie

I knew it!!!

Snow Day...fitting since it was...a thousand degrees outside lol.

 

[ariane37]

LOL I have that fake oval office gift shop photo of my kids from our trip to DC! And I really wanted to go to the Bureau of Printing of Engraving, but unfortunately I got voted down Glad your trip is still going well!

 

[KathyM2]

LOL I have that fake oval office gift shop photo of my kids from our trip to DC! And I really wanted to go to the Bureau of Printing of Engraving, but unfortunately I got voted down Glad your trip is still going well!

Yeah it was cheesy but fun! And too bad you got voted down...I thought it was a lot of fun and even for kids. Go next time!

 

[KathyM2]

Washington DC mini report Day 4 update
​

Since we are in the room....doing...you guessed it...watching Spongebob...before I can cajole DS out of the room...time for another update!

Yesterday (Saturday) we got up and made the free breakfast...without too much complaint...but only because I promised to let the boy watch some more TV after breakfast before leaving the room for the day!! Sigh...

We decided that we'd go try to make the free river cruise that was included with those dang Big Bus tour tickets. At least if we used those I'd feel a bit better about getting talked into that tour lol. The river cruise leaves from the dock in Georgetown. Unfortunately Georgetown is one of the less accessible places in DC...though it is cool to visit. So we found a bus that went there. We went to the bus stop and they have this neat little screen that tells you when busses are expected...only...it was really confusing. One minute it was saying our bus would arrive in 6 mins...and one minute it was saying 45 minutes??? WTH?? DS started ranting that he was NOT waiting 45 minutes and could we please try to get a cab. I thought about it for a minute and wondered how much $ a cab would be....and while I pondered...the sign went back to saying "4 minutes" for our bus?? So we thought we may as well at least wait the 4 mins and see if a bus showed up. So we played the "has 4 minutes passed yet" game...and alas...a bus showed up!!! I was very relieved because I didn't want to waste a bunch of cash on a cab if there was a cheap and easy bus to take us there.

Anyway...we got to Georgetown and found the boat dock relatively easily. The boat wasn't leaving for about another half hour so we wandered around a bit and then boarded the boat. It was a pleasant enough journey....except for the baby behind me that kept poking me in the back lol. Being a mom...I know how tough it can be to stop your kids from doing...whatever annoying thing tickles their fancy...so I tried to be sympathetic...but...it was a little grating by the end! But we saw great views of DC and also nearby Virginia on the cruise with an interesting commentary.

After the cruise we walked around Georgetown a bit in search of lunch. Of course there were loads of charming little places that caught my eye but where did DS want to go? Johnny Rockets....sigh. But it was SO. HOT. I decided to go with it. I had a BLT and DS had a grilled cheese and fries. Mine was supposed to come with fries but...they never showed up...sigh. Not that my butt needs them anyway....oh well...at least they didn't charge me for them. After lunch, we walked around a bit and there was this cute bakery I'd heard about called "Baked and Wired" so we stopped in there for some dessert. They had all these signed napkins on the wall saying things like "I got baked in Georgetown" kinda funny. DS had a rice krispie treat and I had this bar thing called OMG. And OMG was it good.

We ate our treats and then headed out to figure out how to get back downtown. We found a bus stop and asked if the bus would take us downtown and thankfully it would. It came pretty quickly and we got on...not really sure where we'd be getting off. We had a loose plan of trying to get to the Spy Museum and see if we thought it was worth doing. We got to where (I thought) was close to the Spy Museum and hopped off the bus. Unfortunately...my sense of direction failed us...and we were nowhere near the Spy Museum...it was a long...hot walk. We stopped in a few shops on the way just to soak up some air conditioning before we finally made it there. We went in and sadly...not FREE since not part of the Smithsonian...but we decided to do it anyway. It was somewhat interesting...I found the best part to be this documentary where actual retired spies told some of their stories. There was some interactive stuff and games that the boy liked as well...but again...funny how your expectations increase when you are paying a lot of money lol.

After that, it was about 4:30pm. Not quite dinner...but I wasn't sure what to do because if we went back to the hotel, I knew I'd have a hard time getting DS to go out again and we needed to have dinner at some point. So I dragged him, reluctantly into a nearby museum of Portraiture and American Art. He was NOT happy to be there...kept sighing and saying how boring it was. I kept asking him to humour me for just half an hour so I could figure out a plan for dinner.

The museum did have a really cool atrium inside though where DS was happy to sit for a bit and read his new book about make your own spy materials that we got at the museum and it was nice and cool in there so...not a bad way to kill a few mins.

After that it was almost a respectable dinner time so we headed out to Gordon Biersht...I had seen this place around and we have been there in Buffalo before and I figured it would be ok. But...they didn't have a kids menu...but did have some kid friendly food. DS was not in a great mood at this point...but he settled on a burger and I had the tacos with their legendary garlic fries.

These were really good - they were both hard AND soft tacos!! What more could you want?? They had shrimp and veggies and just the right amount of kick.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel. I had an idea that perhaps if we were up to it we'd head out later to do "Monuments by Moonlight" tour because on TV you always see how they light everything up in DC at night...and I thought it would be cool to see that. We got back to the hotel and hung out for a bit...and just as it was about time we'd have to head out if we were going to make the tour....we heard...thunder....we thought we'd wait a minute and then decide what to do. After a few minutes...it was torrential rain, thunder, lightening, and even HAIL!! So much for monuments by moonlight!! Oh well..DS didn't mind a bit because...wait for it....SPONGEBOB!!

Oh well...so we were resigned to be in for the night...we watched some TV...when it wasn't being interrupted by weather warnings....and then crashed.

We are about to head out....some more museums today I think...and possibly tonight we may make that night tour....we shall see!!

 

[kadrachb]

Unfortunately Georgetown is one of the less accessible places in DC

One of the reasons for this (or at least the reason my boyfriend says the metro doesn't run out to Georgetown) is to keep crime down.

we watched some TV...when it wasn't being interrupted by weather warnings....and then crashed.

That weather was supposively crazy last night! I think they might have had a confirmed tornado touchdown in a county or two over in MD. (My boyfriend is a big weather person, so it was overly exciting for him).

Spy Museum and hopped off the bus. Unfortunately...my sense of direction failed us...and we were nowhere near the Spy Museum...it was a long...hot walk.

DC walking is the worst. I don't know why. I even get super complain-y. All that heat just gets trapped.

 

[pkondz]

Since we are in the room....doing...

Wait!!! Lemme guess.

Ummm..... Being interviewed by the Secret Service?
Rapelling down the side of the hotel?
Being personally invited to a dinner with the Obamas?

watching Spongebob

Ooooohhh.... So close.

Yesterday (Saturday) we got up and made the free breakfast...

But is it really free if you have to make it yourself?

without too much complaint...but only because I promised to let the boy watch some more TV after breakfast before leaving the room for the day!! Sigh...

That strikes me as really funny.
Maybe not so much for you.

Unfortunately Georgetown is one of the less accessible places in DC...

I wonder why.
I saw the post from @kadrachb. That seems incredible!

We went to the bus stop and they have this neat little screen that tells you when busses are expected...only...it was really confusing.

I was going to say "Cool!" But then you had to post the "it was really confusing" part.

One minute it was saying our bus would arrive in 6 mins...and one minute it was saying 45 minutes???

I'm going to guess that it was showing the times for the next two busses.

So we played the "has 4 minutes passed yet" game...

Second only to the "are we there yet" game.

But we saw great views of DC and also nearby Virginia on the cruise with an interesting commentary.

That's cool. Sounds like a good excursion.

Of course there were loads of charming little places that caught my eye but where did DS want to go? Johnny Rockets....sigh.

Oh, well. At least it wasn't Subway again.

Mine was supposed to come with fries but...they never showed up...sigh. Not that my butt needs them anyway....

Butt that's not the point. You didn't get what you ordered.

They had all these signed napkins on the wall saying things like "I got baked in Georgetown" kinda funny.

DS had a rice krispie treat

Smart lad.

I had this bar thing called OMG. And OMG was it good.

I can't really tell, what was that?

we were nowhere near the Spy Museum...it was a long...hot walk.

And again, there was great whining and gnashing of teeth.

It was somewhat interesting...I found the best part to be this documentary where actual retired spies told some of their stories. There was some interactive stuff and games that the boy liked as well...but again...funny how your expectations increase when you are paying a lot of money lol.

You're 0 for 2 in the paid musueum game.

So I dragged him, reluctantly into a nearby museum of Portraiture and American Art. He was NOT happy to be there...kept sighing and saying how boring it was. I kept asking him to humour me for just half an hour so I could figure out a plan for dinner.

I can see how he'd be bored.
Just two days ago, I spent a fair amount of time walking around a photo contest display.
When I was his age, I wouldn't have even glanced at it.

He looks pretty happy there, though.

These were really good - they were both hard AND soft tacos!! What more could you want??

Almost anything else.
I've never been a fan of tacos. Just too messy I suppose. Plus I don't care for the crispy taco shell mixed in with the soft stuff.

I had an idea that perhaps if we were up to it we'd head out later to do "Monuments by Moonlight" tour

Oh, man! I'd love to do that!

After a few minutes...it was torrential rain, thunder, lightening, and even HAIL!! So much for monuments by moonlight!!

Crap!!!!

Oh well..DS didn't mind a bit because...wait for it....SPONGEBOB!!

Of course!

We are about to head out....some more museums today I think...and possibly tonight we may make that night tour....we shall see!!

Oh, I sure hope that night tour happens!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

A few years back my family took a trip that took us through DC and I found it interesting to look at as a Canadian. One thing I found really neat was that the Canadian Embassy is the only one on Pennsylvania avenue. It's a bit like how Canada House in London is in Trafalgar squire in London.
Here's a link to my photos just of Washington DC and the entire trip

 

[KathyM2]

One of the reasons for this (or at least the reason my boyfriend says the metro doesn't run out to Georgetown) is to keep crime down.
That weather was supposively crazy last night! I think they might have had a confirmed tornado touchdown in a county or two over in MD. (My boyfriend is a big weather person, so it was overly exciting for him).
DC walking is the worst. I don't know why. I even get super complain-y. All that heat just gets trapped.

Wow...I wonder if that's true? Or that they just didn't bother building a subway there and now...it's a bit ordeal...who knows. Anyway...the busses get you there...but for some reason when away from home I always find buses more confusing to use than subways...but we managed. And yes...that weather was nuts...but weird how quickly it clears up too when these big storms hit. Yeah...walking was very hot and humid...luckily there were a lot of air conditioned stores and hotel lobbies to hang out in when we needed to cool off lol