D.C. Update

I am so sorry for the lapse in blogging during our trip. Let me just say that I was completely awed and overwhelmed. I Love Washington D.C.!

Quick Synopsis...
Sunday - Conference check-in and such for K. Hotel shuttle and subway to Smithsonian area. Trolley tours of DC, trip to Arlington National Cemetery (incredible!), back to subway and hotel shuttle in time for Ken's 5:00 meetings. Had Papa John's deliver dinner. Realized we didn't have the Food Network and would miss tonight's "Next Iron Chef" competition.

Monday - Walked to the underground shopping area of Crystal City for breakfast at McDonald's (this was mostly for the kids). From there we caught the subway for the Spy Museum. Incredible but overwhelming. Great gift shop. Decent cafe where we grabbed "killer" sandwiches and hot dogs! Next was a pretty good walk to the Capitol for our tour (Incredible!). Ice cream treat at Union Station before heading back to the hotel. Conference stuff for K. Dinner a few blocks away at Chili's. Bad news - received call from my brother that our uncle had died on Sunday. Services on Wednesday. We'll detour off 95 to 40 in NC and get to Mocksville.

Tuesday - Early appointment at Bureau of Engraving and Printing to see money being made. We really enjoyed the tour and the gift shop. Their motto is "The buck starts here." With a little help from security police we finally made our way to an office building with cafe's for breakfast. Following breakfast the boys went to the Museum of Natural History while the girls went back to the hotel for shopping and lunch. The boys got their street-vendor hot dogs they'd been looking forward to while the girls ate at the hotel. Afternoon at hotel for business. Metro to Union Station (eventually) for quick bite at deli in food-court and "Monuments by Moonlight" trolley tour. Views of everything and stops at FDR memorial, Lincoln/Korean/Vietnam/WWII, Iwo Jima statue. Back to hotel - leaving in the morning.

Wednesday - Hotel gift shop for C on our way out. Hit the road early and grabbed Waffle House for breakfast outside Richmond. Chick-fil-A lunch before getting to Mocksville. Back to Greer and Wendy's for a quick bite of dinner before heading home. Long day. Great few days in DC. Lots of things still on the list to see/do but we're whittling it down trip-by-trip. Can't wait to go back again! Now I have lots I want to study.

If you go...
Definitely use a tour company for DC - the walking is excessive. Our tickets were a little cheaper online and we didn't have to choose the date at time of purchase. You will still do a LOT of walking.

Arlington National Cemetery - spend the $7 pp for the tour bus thing inside. The walking is mostly uphill. The cemetery is 200 acres with over 300,000 residents. You'll still walk plenty - even with the transportation.

The subway/train Metro stations are kept clean. This is the most efficient method of getting around the city. Stay to the right on the (many) escalators for those who run past you. Just like driving - passing is on the left. If you park at a metro station you HAVE to have a metro card (with money on it) to pay for your parking. They don't accept any other form of payment.

Enjoy!