Pre-Trip Report: It's Going to be a Capitol Vacation!

[Kirby]

I don't think there are stations near the monuments, although I could be wrong.

No, you are correct.

 

[mominwestlake]

We drove in D.C. on Saturday and Sunday and had no problem. I read the map and my sister drove. We had no problems but I think it helped that I have been to D.C. 3 times in the past few years and had a feel for how the streets ran.

 

[jillyb]

We drove in D.C. on Saturday and Sunday and had no problem. I read the map and my sister drove. We had no problems but I think it helped that I have been to D.C. 3 times in the past few years and had a feel for how the streets ran.

Clay is very good with direction and figuring out that sort of thing so I know it wouldn't be much of a problem once he saw how the streets are laid out. I just don't want to drive and pay for parking at Arlington Cemetery! LOL

Plus, once we leave Arlington Cemetery I don't know how easy/hard it will be to find a parking space around FDR and/or Jefferson Memorial.

 

[Charleston Princess]

It just dawned on me that you are leaving in just two days, Jill! Are you packed and ready???

 

[jillyb]

It just dawned on me that you are leaving in just two days, Jill! Are you packed and ready???

Yeah....right! I did pull some things out last night but won't start packing until later this evening.

 

[jillyb]

So...tomorrow is the big day!! I'd been holding off on some last minute things but a single phone call yesterday had me kickin' it into high gear.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this PTR, I lost my job the first of April. Since then I've half heartedly looked for a job. I've had a couple of interviews but no offers. A few days ago I applied for a couple of jobs I saw on Careerbuilder. Yesterday afternoon I got a call in response to one of those applications (law firm in Charlotte). The attorney and I talked for a bit..he told me some details about the job...and I told him I'd be interested in meeting in person and discussing it further. Around 5:00 the office manager called me and set up an interview..........for 3:00 this afternoon. Clay's ex is supposed to be dropping Alison off at noon (we'll see if THAT happens ) so I called my Mom to see if she could watch the girls while I'm at my interview.

After that phone call I decided I better get done as much as I can. I was starting a load of clothes when the office manager called. As of right now my house is clean...just need to sweep/mop the kitchen floor, which I'll do later tonight. I had some things tucked away in my trip drawer that I pulled out and put in the spare bedroom, suitcases are out and my pjs are ready to be packed.

I've got a few more loads of laundry to do but they can wait a little longer. The previous loads have been folded and put away. The grass needs to be cut so when I get off of here that's where I'm headed. It rained late yesterday afternoon and the grass is still wet but I can't put it off any longer. It's overcast so hopefully it won't be too hot.

I've got the camera and my trip planner notebook on the credenza by the front door with my baggalini so I don't forget them. I've been using my baggalini since I got it and have since fallen in love with it. I think it's going to work very well for this trip. I'll start packing later tonight then I'll probably spend the night tossing and turning. I don't know if I'll be able to get back on before we leave in the morning. Clay is taking his laptop so I may be able to check in with some live reports. If not, I'll see ya'll on the 19th!


Weird: while I was typing this I got a call from a local staffing agency about a contract position. Hmmmm....maybe things are starting to pick up! I've got to call her back after my interview.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Good luck with the job interview(s?) and hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Good luck on the interviews!!! Have a wonderful trip! I am looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back!

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

Have a great trip... We are looking forward to all the gory details...

 

[jillyb]

Well I got everything packed up and was in bed a little after midnight. Woke up at 5:00 this morning and at 6:00 decided to get up since I couldn't go back to sleep. Everybody else is still sleeping...coffee is brewing. The last load of clothes is in the washer and another load in the dryer.

As expected, the ex didn't have Alison here at noon. At 12:40 I called her and she gave me some lame excuse about having something in the dryer. Ok...whatever...I've got things to do...I'll call you when we're home. It was about 6:00 when she dropped her off. Funny...they had time to go eat lunch at IKEA. Must have been taking a long time for that stuff to dry.

The interview went very well. I don't know if I'll get it but I think I'm in the running. He told me he's been getting alot of applications from real estate paralegals. He has two, second interviews today. I gave him my cell phone number so he can call me while I'm gone. It was almost 5:00 when I got out of there!

Time to shut this thing down and get moving!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Safe travels!!!

 

[BosDub]

Great read, thanks all!

I have a question about the Tourmobile tour of Arlington. Can you get off and on or do you need to stay on the particular tour that you are on?

We leave on the 28th for a weekend stay. My son can't wait to see the Pandas!!

 

[golfgal]

Great read, thanks all!

I have a question about the Tourmobile tour of Arlington. Can you get off and on or do you need to stay on the particular tour that you are on?

We leave on the 28th for a weekend stay. My son can't wait to see the Pandas!!

You stay on the tour you are on but they get off and on throughout the cemetery, at least that is what it appeared to be happening when we were there. We did not take the tour so I don't know for sure but the do get off and on the bus.

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

Looking forward to your trip report! We are leaving on 8/27 for our trip to DC and have been following your thread during the planning process.

really love getting everybody's input!

 

[mominwestlake]

Can't wait to hear how your trip went Jill!

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

While we are waiting for the official trip report of the thread I thought I would post my "plan" for our upcoming DC trip next week. If anybody would like to offer suggestions I appreciate it. The trip consists of me, DH, DS12, and also my husbands sister & hubby are also joining us. We are staying at the Residence Inn Capitol Thursday - check out on Monday morning

Thursday - arrival around 10:30am

walk from hotel to Air & Space Museum
then walk by Capitol (not planning on going in)
stop @ Library of Congress & possibly take 1 hr tour if timing works out
walk by Supreme Court
end walk at Union Station
dinner @ Union Station
7:30pm Monuments By Moonlight Tour by Old Town Trolly from Union Station

Friday -
Metro to Smithsonian Stop
9am Washington Monument timed tickets for entry
10am Museum of American History
Lunch @ Old Post Office Pavillion
Walk by White House on way back down toward mall & maybe stop @ visitor center only if timing looks good
Bureau of Printing&Engraving Tour @ 4:30 - arranged through congressman
Perhaps walk over to Thomas Jefferson Memorial after tour
Dinner - no idea - possibly take Metro to Dupont Circle for dinner??

Saturday
Metro to Arlington Cemetery
Tourmobile bus tour @ Arlington
Metro to Smithsonian Stop & maybe lunch @ castle
Holocaust Museum - order tickets in advance for entry
Museum of Natural History
?National Archives - try to enter after 4pm without line?
Dinner - walk up to Austin Grill or Matchbox or Ella's Wood Fire Grill?

Sunday
Mount Vernon
Lunch @ Mount Vernon
undecided on National Treasure Tour
return & relax at pool & maybe takeout for dinner

** if we happen to be feeling good take the Free Walking Tour of Monuments
at 6:00pm

Monday - go home

Any tips - advice or pointers?


Metro

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

While we are waiting for the official trip report of the thread I thought I would post my "plan" for our upcoming DC trip next week. If anybody would like to offer suggestions I appreciate it. The trip consists of me, DH, DS12, and also my husbands sister & hubby are also joining us. We are staying at the Residence Inn Capitol Thursday - check out on Monday morning

Thursday - arrival around 10:30am

walk from hotel to Air & Space Museum
then walk by Capitol (not planning on going in)
stop @ Library of Congress & possibly take 1 hr tour if timing works out
walk by Supreme Court
end walk at Union Station
dinner @ Union Station
7:30pm Monuments By Moonlight Tour by Old Town Trolly from Union Station

Friday -
Metro to Smithsonian Stop
9am Washington Monument timed tickets for entry
10am Museum of American History
Lunch @ Old Post Office Pavillion
Walk by White House on way back down toward mall & maybe stop @ visitor center only if timing looks good
Bureau of Printing&Engraving Tour @ 4:30 - arranged through congressman
Perhaps walk over to Thomas Jefferson Memorial after tour
Dinner - no idea - possibly take Metro to Dupont Circle for dinner??

Saturday
Metro to Arlington Cemetery
Tourmobile bus tour @ Arlington
Metro to Smithsonian Stop & maybe lunch @ castle
Holocaust Museum - order tickets in advance for entry
Museum of Natural History
?National Archives - try to enter after 4pm without line?
Dinner - walk up to Austin Grill or Matchbox or Ella's Wood Fire Grill?

Sunday
Mount Vernon
Lunch @ Mount Vernon
undecided on National Treasure Tour
return & relax at pool & maybe takeout for dinner

** if we happen to be feeling good take the Free Walking Tour of Monuments
at 6:00pm

Monday - go home

Any tips - advice or pointers?


Metro

I think Friday will be tough - the walk to the Jefferson Memorial will do you in! But, see how you feel.


If you like Chinese food, you really should go to Chinatown and try Full Kee - see their website at http://www.fullkeedc.com/. It was the best meal of our week! It looks like a hole in the wall, but it's inexpensive and good!

 

[DisneyDawnNH]

Your right about that monument - I just googled walking from Bureau of Printing & Engraving and it is almost a mile - then of course you have to walk back. I guess I will have to see how exhausted everybody is.

I tend to be a bit of a commando-type for vacationing!

 

[golfgal]

Your right about that monument - I just googled walking from Bureau of Printing & Engraving and it is almost a mile - then of course you have to walk back. I guess I will have to see how exhausted everybody is.

I tend to be a bit of a commando-type for vacationing!

Well, the first step is admitting....

This is a pretty aggressive schedule. I would prioritize what you want to see the most and put that early in the day then go from there (maybe you already have). I would take the time to do the Library of Congress tour. It is BY FAR the most impressive building in DC. WELL worth the stop.

You won't get to the Smithsonian at 10 after the 9:00 Wash Monument but not that big of an issue.

 

[jillyb]

We got home around 11:15 pm on Tuesday. Man that's a long drive up and back! LOL Just getting caught up on e-mails and stuff around the house. Hannah has Open House tonight and we've got a busy weekend. School starts on Tuesday so I'll probably work on my TR then.

DisneyDawnNH: Based on my recent experience your Friday and Saturday are going to be killer. It was very hot and we stopped and took frequent breaks, which really cuts in to your time but is sooooooo worth it. As Hidden_Mickey said that walk to the Jefferson Memorial will wear you out. We walked from the Washington Monument to there and that was it for us...we were done! The Bureau of Printing & Engraving is a little closer so you at least have that in your favor. As golfgal said the Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building) is the most incredibly awesome building/interior. It nearly brought me to tears (but I'm at the age where just about everything brings me to tears so take that for what it's worth! ). My neck was sore from looking up the entire time.