Washington, DC

It is so nice to be somewhere with the change of seasons.   We are in  the tail end of the leaves changing and it is very cool out but not freezing.    We got here early and Garrett met us at the airport took the metro into the city and checked into our hotel early.      He had a bag packed and was ready for his weekend with us.   I had never seen a bag packed so perfectly.    We did so much yesterday.   We got to see his apartment … It is cozy basement apartment reminding me very much of Federal hill in Baltimore.  We then walked from there less than a mile and saw the Capital building, Washington, WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnamese war monuments.     The Lincoln memorial monument was very cool and we went to the Ford theater and museum to see where he was asassinated and later died across the street.  This was one of the only museums open with the government shutdown..   ALL the  other museums were closed and the police presence here was real.   We also got to see the White House but it was blocked off beyond the park in front of it because the Prime minister or Hungary was in town.   We grabbed a little lunch to wait to see if we could get closer but could not.  Plan to go by there today.  We got to scooter throughout the city and returned to our hotel to freshen up and head out to dinner.    We found the BEST Italian restaurant that served family style.   And biked home.    There are bike lanes.   This was really fun after two martinis.     Garrett really has the lay of the land and it is fun seeing his stomping ground these past few months.       I cannot believe how much space and open parks there are here.    

Loved scootering through China town in DC.   

Saturday was another epic day of exploring.  Chris and I went out for a run on the mall and made our way into VA to the Arlington National Cemetery.   We were able to see Kennedy’s grave and the tomb of the unknown soldier.     The weather was perfect and the cemetery was peaceful and moving.   

Kennedy’s grave

Tomb of the unknown soldier

We got to have lunch by Garrett’s apartment and scootered all over DC ending up at the Holocaust museum.    One of the few museums not affected by the government shut down.    This was heavy on the heart and will give new meaning to the historical fiction books I love.  

Garrett took us to a Spy museum that was very cool and fitting for what he is studying.    

Had a fantastic dinner at Ceviche and ended up the night at a roof top bar in our hotel.     The skyline was beautiful and proved to be the perfect wrap of a great weekend.   

Wrapped up our weekend on a roof top bar with a beautiful view of the DC skyline.  

Added note:    Exactly one week later the government opened back up and all of the museums were up and running.