A Smattering of Details From Our Trip

During our trip back east, we made two visits to D.C. Por que? You ask? Because you can't do D.C. in a day. Nor can you do it in two days, but that's all the time we made for it. I have only two complaints about our nations capitol (that would be 'capitol' with an 'o' for the spelling impaired, as there was discussion and/or musings on the proper usage of 'capital' v 'capitol' and for those keeping score; I was right). My first complaint is the parking or lack of it, as it were. Be prepared for exercise because there will be much walking and fatigued feet. The three hour parking limit, and ominous towing at your own expense signs are not conducive to the four mile round trip hike. And that doesn't count taking more than 3.8 seconds to actually see some sights. But. If you approach an on-duty police officer sitting in his car that is keeping watch for ne'er-do-wells, and bat your eyelashes while flashing him the girls (if you're feeling extremely bold put 'em on the glass); ask him in a breathy voice if they would really tow your rental car if it isn't moved in three hours. And don't forget to smile. It will get you everywhere. "They don't tow on weekends", he assured me. Okay, so maybe it wasn't the sexy I brought back that elicited such a response, but I worked it anyway. Minus the flashing part. I'm not really the 'whip-a-tit-out-in-public' kinda gal. Contrary to what you may have heard.

The second complaint: Lack of eating establishments. There are none within an acceptable walking distance unless you're cool with sandwiches served in any one of the museums cafes. Cafes are big in D.C.

We visited the Lincoln Memorial and gave Abe his props for keeping the union together and abolishing slavery. Way to go Mr. President! You da man. And might I add what big boots you wear? Then the Washington Monument. We touched it and moved on. Next was the National Museum of Natural History. I love dinosaur skeletons and mammal taxidermy. The best part? The Hope Diamond was there and I gazed upon its shiny until I was dragged away. We saw the Capitol. It is big. The stairs are blocked and guards are positioned. If I'd known I couldn't actually GO to the Capitol I wouldn't have walked that far. I was disappointed. I had high expectations for the Air and Space Museum but it was...alright. One problem was the building was lacking one crucial element for human survival: oxygen. My sister? Almost died. We paid a visit to the White House, at night, lit up like a Christmas tree; with strategically placed floodlights, of course. On our first trip back from D.C. we stopped at a diner whose name escapes me at the moment. But I was able to fill up on meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and mass quantities of sweet tea. It is the south and one must consume as much comfort food as possible. We purchased two pies. Because? It's pie. And? Because our collective children are so cute; several large cookies were thrown our way. Free of charge because it was closing time and they were going to be thrown out that's what happens when our kids are all together. Cookies thrown right at them. Our second trip home we spied a sign that claimed a Denny's was at the next exit. After much driving, circling, stopping for gas, and the official search party formed; we found it. Because once one has a hankerin' for Denny's, one must find the Denny's. I had pancakes. For dinner. That is what you do at Denny's.