DC with Jeff & Amy
Oh my gosh what a trip DC was. And it is definitely a trip. Jaden and I always say there are vacations (where you do nothing but sit on a beach), trips (where you are walking everywhere and trying to see as much as possible and you need a vacation after the trip) and visits (where you are going to see people). DC was 100% a trip. We saw so much in just a few short days. Jaden was a fantastic tour guide and did a lot of prep before hand, I would have been a stress case navigating around and figuring out bikes but Jade did awesome. I'd take another trip with him for sure!
We dropped my parents off at the airport after church on Sunday and then had the evening to hang out with Jeff and Amy and get ready for the roadtrip the next day.
We woke up bright and early and headed out to the car for our 4.5 hour journey. Poor Amy was starting to come down with something and lose her voice so she slept a lot of the time but we listened to music, chatted and I was able to get some work done during the drive. We rolled up to our hotel right downtown DC near the National Mall mid afternoon, dropped of our bags and literally took off from there. Jaden wasted no time and immediately we walked down to the National Mall where we went to the American History Museum and National Archives. It was amazing seeing the places I've seen in movies my whole life actually in person.
There were several times I sat back and thought, I can't believe I have been to London and Paris but not D.C. I think every able American should visit these sites. It makes you even prouder to be an American and to live in a free and blessed country. I know it's immature but it also made me want to watch National Treasure which we did later that night after falling into bed exhausted.
One of the first buildings we walked by was the Department of Commerce. We stood and read the inscription on the top of the building. I particularly liked the line: "coordinate their resources seeking to lighten burdens without lessening the responsibility of the citizen." Wise words.
Snapped a pic of Dorothy's shoes to send to my grandma who loves the Wizard of Oz
C3P0 and R2D2 reminded me of my dad. Crazy to think about all of the film and pop culture the United States has and does spread around the globe.
Washington monument
Ate at a place called Founding Farmers for lunch. They had good old authentic cornbread with actual corn kernels in it. I remember eating it in TN for the first time and thinking that someone had really messed up the corn bread. Give me Famous Dave's version of corn bread aka yellow cake!
Vietnam memorial. Incredible seeing so many names of so many who have served
View of the Washington monument from across the mall on the steps of Lincoln memorial
Honest Abe
Thomas Jefferson. Riding bikes around the mall was a lot of fun and shaved off SO much time.
I don't know how to adequately describe how yummy this pizza place was. All-Purpose Pizzeria was absolutely to. die. for. The honey drizzle on top of pepperoni pizza was a game changer. Going to try to recreate it back home for sure.
Day 2 sent my head spinning. We hit the pavement early and walked past the White House and snapped some pics, peep the snipers on the roof.
Then we went to the Black History Museum which was awesome. So much rich and inspiring culture and experience is captured in those floors.
Immediately upon leaving there we hopped on bikes and headed to the Aerospace museum. The boys were bummed that half of it was closed for construction so they missed out on seeing a lot of the planes that are usually on the ground.
Loved this quote in the Wright brothers portion of the museum
Then it was back to the bikes to find a quick lunch and make our appointment at the Holocaust Museum. It's hard to describe the feeling you get there, somber, horrified, disgusted, saddened, confused. When Jaden came with his friends he said that the most moving part was a room full of shoes, unfortunately they had all been taken out for cleaning so they weren't there. I found the pictures of survivors' arms with their numbers tattooed as well as images of the sky at each concentration camps to be the most moving.
I also drew comfort from this sign explaining the desecration of the ark in one of the Jewish synagogues "know before whom you stand." Thank goodness God will work out all of the atrocities the world has seen.
Then we hauled over to Ford Theater where Lincoln was assassinated. It was about this time when I got some calls for work and had a hard time keeping up with tour guide Jaden so I was a little burned out and probably didn't fully appreciate it as much as I should have. I needed food.
So food is what we got right after. We went to a highly recommended Old Ebbitt Grill which was so good. My old roommate who had lived in DC said the crab cakes were a must so we got one for our appetizer and it was so yummy.
Amy and I got the meatloaf and Jaden and Jeff got steaks. Everything was delicious!
Crappy pic in passing but we read that the animals above the bar were hunted by Teddy Roosevelt himself which was pretty cool.
Ok day 3 was by far my favorite. We started out with a breakfast at the corner bakery by our hotel and then set out for Arlington National Cemetery. There is just something so reverent about cemeteries and something hallowed about cemeteries for servicemen and women. I loved walking the peaceful grounds and thinking about so many who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
It occurred to me that why that thought brings tears to your eyes and makes your heart swell with gratitude and admiration is because it is the most Christlike thing someone could do for you: give their lives for you. Reminds me of the Bible verse I saw on a sign at the Flight 93 memorial "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13
The view from the top of the cemetery where the architect was buried. We learned that the land for the cemetery was donated by one of George Washington's grandchildren.
The Kennedy's graves
Rows and rows of heroes
The changing of the guard at the grave of the unknown soldier was awe-inspiring. The discipline and reverence they show is amazing.
I absolutely love magnolia trees. They were just starting to bloom. I started gathering a few leaves. I think it would be cool to collect a bunch from my travels and make a garland or wreath out of them. Wish I would have picked some up when I was in Georgia.
Then it was onto Mt. Vernon. Easily my second favorite destination of the trip. You walk through the house just in awe that George Washington once lived there. As you exit the back of the house and take in the view of the Potomac River you understand why when he was in Washington DC he longed for home. And why he ultimately gave up his power and returned to be a farmer. I know there are a lot of people with a lot of criticisms for him as a leader and a human. But I think we often get clouded by presentism and miss the inspiration and wisdom behind our nation's founding fathers. We would truly not be where we are at without them. I have so much respect for original leaders of this great nation. It was an honor to walk where they once walked.
After exploring Mt. Vernon's grounds for the majority of the afternoon we walked back to our car and returned to the city. We went and changed at the hotel and then unfortunately Amy was not feeling good so she turned in early and Jeff stayed in with her. This meant that Jaden and I went to our dinner reservation at an Italian place called Sfoglina which was awesome. Jaden got a lemon tortellini and I got bolognese.
We ran up leftovers and another entree back to Jeff and Amy and then headed down to the monuments to see them at night and meet up with one of my former mission companion's who lives in DC (the same one who came and saw me when we came to the DC temple with the youth back in January).
It was so fun to catch up with Horman and so magical to see the monuments all lit up at night. Jaden and I rode our bikes around and saw almost every single one lit up. It was magical.
Our final day we got up and went to eat at a restaurant called Ted's Bulletin. It was a classic diner with yummy french toast and lemon ricotta pancakes.
After breakfast we headed to our final destination of the trip: Gettysburg. We went to a visitors center where we watched a film summary of the battle of Gettsyburg then we hopped in our car and drove through the property listening to a recorded tour of different battle sites. Jaden and Jeff were super into it.
We finally made it home and had one more evening with Jeff and Amy before they went home. We went out to eat at our favorite Mexican place in Pittsburgh: Tocayo. They have the best tortilla chips I've ever had. We're going to miss the chips and queso for sure. After dinner we came back and watched a little bit of Sweet Home Alabama before falling into bed exhausted from fun-filled week.
Jaden got up the next morning and took Jeff and Amy to the airport while I signed onto work. Then the next day I got up bright and early and headed over to the church to setup for Jenna's baby shower. We ended up doing a combined baby shower with another girl from our ward and did a ba-"bee" theme which turned out super cute. Hard to believe that we have thrown 3 baby showers during our 2 years here. Keile was first, then Amanda and now Jenna. Jaden and I are the hold outs. We keep saying that we want to wait a little bit longer and see what married life is like without school and get settled in our new place before we start our family. We have plenty of people as good examples of parents to look to when we do start having kids and we are so grateful. We can't wait for Zach and Jenna to become parents they will be awesome!
Later that night after the baby shower we all got together and went to dinner celebrating the boys graduation at P.F. Changs. I had written on the online reservation form that we were there to celebrate graduation and we were surprised to find a congratulations card on the table for the boys from the staff as well as the waitress letting the group know that dessert was on the house. It was so kind we were all really impressed!
Also how cute is baby Lewis the youngest child Zeke who was the Elder's Quorum president that Jaden was a counselor to. Lewis has the thickest head of hear, longest lashes and cheesiest smiles. He is so stinking cute!
Peaches
- Having our family join us for graduation
- DC with Jeff and Amy
- Walking where so many historical figures walked
- Experiencing the center hub of our country
- Jaden was such a good tour guide
- Feeling the spirit of heroes who died fighting for the liberties we enjoy on a daily basis
- Honey on pizza
- Seeing Horman
- Visiting Mt. Vernon
- Having a water bottle and lots of water bottle filling stations. I remember that being stressful when we travelled in Europe but in DC there was plenty of water which if you know me I constantly have a water in hand
- Lots of good chats and laughs with Jeff and Amy
- Fun times with friends
- Celebrating Jenna and baby girl
- Saying bye to our Pittsburgh ward
- Awesome service at PF Changs
Pits
- Amy getting sick
- Trying to balance work while traveling
- Not hearing back about Jaden's interview in SLC
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