Thelma & Louise Visit The White House

You know how you get amped up for something and the actual experience falls flat? This was nothing like that. 

Somehow the inside of the White House was ornate and simple at the same time. I love the presidency as a general office and seeing where dinners and meetings and receptions have been held was amazing. Walking in the footsteps of these great men--shivers. 

Beyond the history, we loved the rich colors. They were bold without being  overwhelming. I wish we could've have taken pictures, but at the same time I'm grateful that we weren't allowed to; the memory is much more special than the pictures ever would have been. 

Really, that's the big event of the day! We spent the afternoon lolly-gagging around. Vacationing is exhausting! ;)

We did have an incredible meal at "Lincoln". It's a trendy place inspired by some of Abraham Lincoln's favorite foods. 

Tomorrow we head home, but not before hitting the zoo!

Arlington and a Lost Apostrophe

This morning we drove to Arlington National Cemetery. Yes--drove! More on that later. Arlington was everything you think--ominous, overwhelming...heavy.  

We went with the crowds to Kennedy's Eternal Flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, and then on our own to section 35 to visit a friend. 

Dave was awarded the Purple Heart in Korea--he and AJ became part of our story when he and Dad shared a law office in the 80s. 

We were glad to visit Dave and can't wait to tell AJ. :)

Also? We were very very wet. 

That's not a weird Druid hood, or a plastic bag that Mom is wearing. In real (dry) life that is a cute shirt!

After Arlington we headed to Solomons Island. All day the lack of an apostrophe has really been getting us down. Well, it might be nagging one of us a little more than the other.  The island was named for Isaac Solomon... therefore isn't it his (possessive) island? I digress. 

It was amazing to get out of the city and see some water! We found a great restaurant looking out over Chesapeake Bay. 

We managed to drive back in to the city during rush hour!! Well one of us was driving and one of us was repeating everything Siri said. "I have one job to do...!"  Galaxy Quest anyone? While stressful (the ambulance, the tailgating, the shoulder driving on the freeway 😳), it was no big deal. This fearless traveler once drove us out of Rome!!

White House tomorrow!

Elevators & Drinking Fountains

I don't know of a public school teacher that would recommend drinking out of a drinking fountain, and yet, I have drunk out of several this week. I figure I caught all the germs on the first one, so what the heck? :) Drink-drank-drunk? I'm losing it!!!

Today we went back to the Museum of American History to do the 2nd floor. We had the stair/escalator/elevator think worked out this time!  It's a little convoluted in how you get around. Or it could be us. Yesterday we rode up and down in the elevator in the Madison Building and finally gave up and just got out. No tourists on that floor...we just flashed our LOC cards around and looked official. 

The American History Museum is in need of updating and remodeling, except for one part: Star-Spangled Banner. Ack--welling up just remembering the exhibit. This flag was raised at Baltimore's Fort McHenry to claim victory over the British. Francis Scott Key saw the "broad stripes and bright stars" in the "dawn's early light" and our National Anthem was born. We walked through that exhibit twice. 

And then we hit the gift shop where we bought...books. Very excited about all the purchases--sad that we bought them in the beginning of the day and hauled them around!

We spent the second part of the day at the Museum of Natural History. We spent a little too much time in front of the Coral Reef Aquarium--we do miss the ocean. ❤️

Other random details:

--You have between 12 and 80 seconds to cross the street depending on the intersection

--We've only been almost run over twice

--Our motorcade count is up to 4

--Ther are roughly 1 million middle schoolers loose in the city

Tomorrow we drive!! 

My Gecko Does Tricks (And Other Nail Colors)

Today we have been to a law library, attended the funerals of eight presidents and had our nails done -- big day. 

The day started, thankfully, at Starbucks. Our casual conversation was thwarted by the massive amount of passionate conversation going on around us. There may or may not have been a revolution brewing next to us. In Warrenton (our home Starbucks), you are likely to hear about the latest razor clam dig. Some of these people could benefit from beach life!

Our next stop was back at the Library of Congress in the Madison Building. This is not the tourist stop from across the street, and the guards very curiously asked if we were in the right place. What makes us look like we don't belong? Pink lip gloss, beachy jewelry, sparkly shoes? Ha! 

Our requested materials were right where they were promised to be. 

1986--2002.  :) What a gift to see it and touch it outside of our own offices. 

 It even has a LOC call number and binding. 

Is it wrong to take a selfie in the Law Library? 

We figure it's our history- why not?  :)

After pretending to finish up our legal research, we headed to the Smithsonian's Museum of American History. We didn't have time to see it all, but we did see American Presidency and the First Ladies' Dresses. The take away? Michelle Obama's inagauration dress is truly beautiful and Dolley Madison kicked butt. We also learned random presidential facts which I hope to regurgitate into random conversation later.  ;)

We got our nails done (gecko green for me), and I got  a much needed haircut (several inches!). Another great day. But then, isn't every day on Spring Break great? 

We Cannot Live Without Books

What else is more thrilling for a couple of literarians than a giant library?  The Library of Congress was so...epic.  The building itself is gorgeous. The colors and the details are truly amazing. You're already in awe before you even think about the fact that it is a library. 

Our favorite part was definitely Thomas Jefferson's library. 

Two thirds of what he donated was destroyed by fire and they have worked to replace those lost pieces so the original collection is in tact. That leads me to wonder if I should begin keeping a record of my library. You know, so years after my demise one of you can work to keep the collection in tact. Ha! 

 

One of my favorite features was the apparent whim in organization: "sometimes analytical, sometimes chronological, and sometimes a combination of both". What a relief! As many of you know, I am emphatic about the alphabetization of my books, but there are exceptions I can't quite explain. Me and Jefferson--great minds? 😉

After our tour, we went across the street to get our Library cards. Really-how cool!! I was unamused with the worker (she had a slight attitude), and am unfortunately displaying a teacher face. Yikes! 

To be fair, Mom's is the same, but I won't embarrass her with publishing it. 😊 And then, here's the coolest part of the day. We made our way to the Law Library Reading Room and used our freshly printed cards to request materials. It was late in the day, so we will go to do our "research" tomorrow.  What did we request?  Yes, it's what you're thinking. More on that tomorrow. 😉

We had dinner at Cuba Libre--so good. We ordered the tasting menu to try a little of everything. Probably won't order yellowfin tuna anytime soon, but it was good to try!  We've had such good food here. Starbucks every morning doesn't hurt--happy girls!!

Archives and Portraits

I'm sure that every day will be like this: today we felt immersed in history.  We started the day at the National Archives visiting the Charters of Freedom. Isn't that just cool to say?  Did I already say I'm a Revolutionary War nut? The whole idea and process of a new nation gives me shivers.   I loved seeing the Declaration. My favorite part is that it is "united States of America" with a lowercase "u". Ironic that as a proper noun "United" has lost some of its weight. I know, blah, blah -- we're not in 5th grade (and yes, this is what it's like in my class in the Spring!).   No pictures of the inside, for obvious reasons, but the outside is not too shabby!

Because we slept late, we literally were running to get to our allotted time (although apparently my fitbit wasn't impressed with that little jaunt).  After roaming the the rest of the Archives (go Suffragists), we were in need of a sit-down lunch. We both ordered "Eggs Benedict".  It's weird, right?

And then we went on to the Portrait Gallery. We didn't even come close to seeing everything, but we enjoyed the galleries of American Origins and Presidential Portraits.  Around president 26 (Teddy Roosevelt) we petered out.  Being a tourist is hard work! We were so happy to find the atrium for a little snack and a seat. Well, and a selfie (or two).  Can you tell we're a little rummy at this point? You know, without actual rum?  ;)

We finished up the day with a twilight tour of the Monuments (thanks Marisa for the rec!!).  Two ideas have settled firmly in our hearts. One -- wow.  What a great nation. How lucky are we that there were people who came before us who were idealists and visionaries that held fast to those beliefs.  Whew. The Monuments were so beautiful at night, and the weight of history was heavy -- in a good way.

The second idea that we agree upon whole heartedly is that middle school is too young for a DC tour.  OMG -- they're everywhere! I myself went on a DC tour in 8th grade. Please, please tell me I was less of a hooligan.  I didn't do anything embarrassing and teacher like, but it was oh so close. ;)

Tomorrow? Library of Congress! And...who knows what else!!  Good night!

We're here!

It was a looooong travel day that started before 6 o'clock. The problem with living off the beaten path in the lap of luxury is that it takes a little more effort to get to the airport. As long as I can remember Sea-Tac has been 45 minutes away (from everywhere!). It took a bit longer to get to PDX, but honestly, what a nicer airport!

We are here now, having survived the plane ride, and more unbelievably the shuttle ride. I still have a slight hand cramp from clutching the seatbelt so tightly.  To say it was harrowing is a vast understatement.  We were victorious in that neither of us shrieked, puked or swore. ;)

After getting settled (dropping our stuff inside the door!), we headed out to see something (anything!) before sundown.  After Cannon Beach living, the city is a little like Vegas -- the sounds and sights (and smells...) can be a little overwhelming. But then, you see something like this...

Such an amazing city -- can't wait to see more of it tomorrow.

Thelma and Louise Ride Again!

Some of you may remember five years ago when there was a small fire above my classroom at Opstad. What is it about the week before Spring Break? On Sunday when my principal called to tell me the roof flew off the portables, I was standing in a pool of water IN MY HOUSE. I actually burst out laughing, because of the absurdity of the day. Tarp on the roof at school, emergency plumber here and gone, and now? VACATION!!!!

If you're keeping track, it's a Hawaii year. But...our shoes are already full of sand, so we are headed for the urbanity of Washington, DC.  It won't be poolside with a green flash colada, but I can't wait. I'm trying to pace myself emotionally for the drama of such a powerful walk through history. I don't know dates, and I'm not very political, but I love the story of our nation.   At the moment we're knee deep in the American Revolution at school, so I'm a little wrapped up in being a true Patriot...

Spring Break is truly one of the best weeks of the year. Our adventure kicks off on Saturday, the 21st. Hope you'll be armchair travelers with us!