Quick Hit: Feet on the Train

Quick Hit: Feet on the Train, originally uploaded by mrs.chili.

We’re boarded! More later!

Quick Hit: At the Station!

Quick Hit: At the Station!, originally uploaded by mrs.chili.

The car is loaded. Mr. Chili is checking us in. More later!

The Trip So Far…

So!  It’s been fun so far!

We loaded ourselves into Mr. Chili’s new car (did I tell you he got a new car?  He did; it’s a black VW Tiguan.  It kind of looks like Puck’s bigger, more muscular brother.  Photo to follow) and headed south.  After passing a horrifying accident on 495 in Massachusetts, we made really good time to Dudley’s place (through biblical rain, you guys.  Seriously; it was wild for a number of miles).  We enjoyed company and a lovely dinner before heading to bed for the night.

The next morning, we got up and headed further south to Washington DC.  We boarded the Metro at Shady Grove and landed at the Smithsonian complex into a beautiful, temperate morning on the National Mall.  Bean wanted to see the bugs at the Natural History Museum and Punkin’ wanted to check out the First Ladies’ gown exhibit, so we split up (fortunately, those museums are right next to each other).  We reconnected for snacks at the Natural History (after taking a quick peek at the Hope Diamond and (my favorite) the crystal ball.

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We moseyed across the mall for a run through the Air and Space Museum (Mr. Chili’s favorite) where Bean and I learned about lift and drag, then explored the planets while Mr. Chili and Punkin’ went off to do their thing.  We met back in the flight simulator section where Bean went on the “Cosmic Coaster,” then we headed back outside for an ice cream break.  Then it was back to the American History to see a dramatic presentation about the integration of the Woolworth’s counter in North Carolina, then to take in the Lincoln exhibit.

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By the time we were done with Mr. Lincoln, we were cooked.  We got back on the Metro and back to our car, and Mr. Chili got us safely to our hotel in Lorton, VA.  We had what we thought would be a quick trip through a Red Robin (YUM!) for dinner, but it turned out that we were there far longer than we expected – our order was never entered into the computer.  As a consequence, we waited about an hour for a roast beef sandwich and a  couple of burgers.  The manager comped the whole meal, which made up for a lot.  Back to the hotel and off to bed!

This morning, we reorganized our stuff, repacked the car, and had a little nibble of breakfast before we head to Mount Vernon for a morning tour.  We’ll be at the train by two, then we’ll be off to be with people we love in sunny, hot Florida!

Tuesday Mostly Sunny Hi 89 °F

Tuesday Night Partly Cloudy Lo 68 °F

Wednesday Mostly Sunny Hi 89 °F

Wednesday Night Partly Cloudy Lo 67 °F

Thursday Mostly Sunny Hi 89 °F

Thursday Night Partly Cloudy Lo 67 °F

Friday Mostly Sunny Hi 87 °F

Quick Hit updates to follow!