Washington, D.C.: a mini trip report About This Page:

[emtpej]

I'm sorry you had a hard time with the metro, but got it figured out. Now that you have, come back soon!

[B.M.]

A few days in D.C. :: a mini trip report
Day Two (continued):: & Day Three::
We left Mt.Vernon and made it back to D.C. I had read in my hotel welcome packet that there was an applebees at the pentagon city metro stop. This sounded really good compared to all the fast food type food we had been eating. When we got there, we realized there was an entire mall upstairs including a food court. (wish we had realized this earlier) Unfortunately, we could not find the applebees. We ended up eating from the food court. Big W got mcdonalds and I got cajun. It was good. After dinner we headed to the Moonlight tour at union station. I knew we were getting the hang of the metro when I was able to figure out how to get there using only the map and not having to ask for help. It took longer than expected to get to union station and once we got there we were cutting it really close. I started getting concerned we would miss it. We had some trouble figuring out where to go once we got to union station also. We finally spotted the desk and I asked if we were to late. He said we had made it with 5 minutes to spare. We paid for our tickets and he pointed us in the direction of the trolley. We really had cut it close, the trolley pulled out before we barely got seated! When we sat down we noticed there were some REALLY rambunctious kids in front of us so we switched seats. There were two ladies traveling with five kids between them and they saw fit to unzip their windows despite the fact that it was a VERY cold and windy evening. (they got the evil eye from some of the other passengers) We started out looking at the capitol. It wasn't the best view but we were glad since this is something we had not got to see yet. The driver/ narrarator was very friendly and talkative. He gave some great information. The ladies and children continued to be exsesively loud and the children were hanging out the window to the point that the driver stopped more than once to ask them to keep all body parts inside and to lower their voices so that other passengers could hear what he was saying. I was annoyed at first but quickly became sympathetic as a mom to five kids, I know that sometimes they get hyped up and its hard to settle them back down. However, I now know what it feels like to be on the other side. The ladies continued to get the evil eye from other passengers over their kids behavior.and the other passengers were SO obvious. I was slightly annoyed also but I felt bad for the ladies trying to quiet their children. (I was soo glad not to have all mine) The tour continued with the white house. We stopped and got out at arlington cemetary and got some great pictures of the men planting the flag ( I think its the vietnam memorial, I cant remember wich memorial it was) We also stopped at the Lincoln Memorial that I had been really looking forward to seeing, Big W was sincerely scared of this one. When we got back on the bus one of the children belonging to the two ladies got sick-everywhere. I do not do well with stuff like this, I have a major phobia with germs from stuff like that. I felt the bus should be disinfected but she was handed a few papertowels and we went on. I felt bad for the family but I secretly wished they would depart early with their kids being sick. But they didn't and all is well that ends well, so- We also stopped at the FDR memorial, if I remember correctly this is the one with a really cool waterfall. I believe I am missing a few things also. It was a well covered tour and I really enjoyed riding around enjoying the view. I also enjoyed the view of the potomac river at night. Our tour came to an end a little after 10pm at the union station. I knew the hotel shuttle stopped running at 10, so we would have to take a taxi. There was a line a mile long to get a taxi, so we opted to take the metro train to pentagon city and get a taxi there. Once there, we had no trouble getting a taxi and we made it back to the hotel safely. I asked Big W what he wanted to do our last morning, suggesting the zoo as it opens early. He said he would prefer to just sleep in. So thats what we did. When we awoke the next day I considered going to the National Archives building but it didn't open till 10:15 and I didn't want to push it for our 1pm flight. So we ate the comp breakfast and left for the airport at 10am after checking out of the hotel. We arrived there quickly and stopped to eat an early lunch. When we went thru security , we were stopped. *We had snow globes in the suitcase! I was so angry with myself, I have read it one these boards a million times about no snow globes in carry on, but I had forgotten. Since, we were running so early, I opted to check my bag rather than trash the snow globes. As we were getting ready to be escorted back away from security , I got stopped for my puse also, containg a half drinken gatorade and coke, what was I thinking?? Anyways, we trashed the drinks and checked the bag and were back thru security in about 5 minutes. When we arrived at our departure gate we had close to 2 hours to sit and wait. Now, I was really wishing we had went back for the national archives building. Oh well now! Once again when we checked in online there were no seats available together, so I approached the ticket agent about getting us seats together just as the Atlanta lady had done. This lady was NOT friendly and basically said I was out of luck unless someone one the plane voluntered to switch with me. Big W was very nervous about this and I was not very confident it would work out because someone would have to give up the aisle or the window for us to sit together. As the zones were being called, our names got called to the desk and to my surprise she had reassigned our seats so we could sit together! I did not see that coming. Once we got on board they had ran out of overhead and people were having to check their luggage, so it worked out good that I had already been "forced" to check mine. The flight was uneventful and my dad picked us up at the airport. I was soooo glad to see Baby W. We had a great time, I only wish we had more time. There was SO much we missed, we will have to go back! My favorites of the trip were the view from the Washington Monument and exploring Mt. Vernon. It was also wonderful to spend some quality one on one time with my oldest son, this is what truly made the trip priceless! Next time, I will try to make sure we get a tour of the White House also.
Thanks to everyone who read my trip report and a special thanks to everyone who contributed information that helped me pull this trip off.

Pictues of the moonlight tour and of all my babies reunited........................

[mattnkatsmum]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. It brought back some wonderful memories and reminded me that I really need to write up my own trip report some time soon.

Thanks so much for sharing

[chezp]

What a great time you had - thanks so much for sharing your trip with us.

[emtpej]

You really had a whirlwind tour! I'm glad it turned out well, in spite of the rowdy and sick kids!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time on the moonlight tour Thanks for sharing your adventures with us

[lauren-roxy]

Sounds like you really had a fantastic trip!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!!

[Lemap760]

Sounds like you had a great trip. Getting around DC can be very confusing. Luckily I have a friend who lives in the area and she is my tour guide.
Glad you were able to take the trip and spend quality time with your son.