4th Of July Trip in DC

We got up early on Tuesday morning, packed up the car with our *stuffed* backpack, and headed towards DC. We found out that we could park for free at a Metro station on the 4th and take the Metro into the city proper. So D found us a station that was 50 miles from our house and a 10-15 ride into the heart of DC. We bought our tickets and headed to the train. It was pretty empty as we left the house early to make sure we made it. (We boarded the train around 845am).



Waiting for the parade to start!



Washington Monument right behind where we're sitting


The Metro dropped us off literally 2 short blocks from where we needed to be for the parade! Boy was that nice. So we found a spot on the curb by this street light, so I had something to lean back on. Then we just kinda hung out for a bit there. We read some, and chatted and just waited for the parade. As we got there around 945 and the parade started around 1145, by the time the parade started, we were feeling pink and very warm. We watched most of the parade and then looked at each other and decided to hit a museum now.

Parade pics!








































We decided to head into the American History Museum. We had been here once before, but there were a lot of new things that we hadn't seen there. And they are closing the museum in 2 months until Summer 2008! (renevations and some amazing new exhibits!)

Once we got through the check point, we headed straight for the cafe where we proceeded to scarf down burgers, fries, grapes and soda :) YUM! Then we wandered around and saw some really great stuff! We were very excited about the Jim Henson/Muppets exhibit and also the Disneyland one. Here's a map of the museum and we saw most all of it :)


Here are some pics from the American History one.

Muppets exhibit







Julia Child's Kitchen


Original Sesame Street Sign


Mr. Rogers Sweater


Howdy Doody


In honor of Nipplegate!


Massive dollhouse


The flag that was hung from the Pentagon right after 9/11 happened.


The Disneyland Exhibit :)






The Ruby Slippers worn in Wizard of Oz


From an exhibit on time


We felt like we had seen most of what we had wanted to see and we're getting hungry. So we decided to head outside to the Folklife Festival. We had read all about the interesting foods they were serving there and it seemed like a once in a lifetime experience. As we were leaving the museum we noticed that the sky was getting a little dark, so we pulled out our umbrellas. Walking out to the National Mall for the festival, a cop was announcing on his loudspeaker for everyone to "get inside NOW! *muffled noises* Large Hail *muffled noises* Dangerous!" OH SHIT! So we turn back around and what used to be a line about 10 people long to get back into the museum we just left, was now like 300 people long. Thinking quickly, we run to the next museum over. (Because who wants to be stuck in a museum we just spent the last 3 hours seeing almost everything in?!) As we are running to the Natural History Museum, this MASSIVE dust storm catches us with like massive wind gusts that are sweeping me off my feet. Ok, most people don't like dust storms, but with asthma, they are my ENEMY! So I'm running (also not good with asthma) and there is shit flying so badly that i can't see 10 feet in front of me and dust getting into my lungs (ouch! breathing feels like shards of glass in my lungs at this point!) We finally make it to the museum and they stopped checking bags and just let people in. Once inside life is immediately better.

Here's a map of the museum :)


We decide to head down to the cafe there, since we originally left the other museum b/c we were hungry! I ordered chicken noodle soup, a rice crispy treat and a soda. D eats beef jerky from home. As we're eating, and it's extremely crowded (imagine the mall full of people and there are only 4 buildings for them to take shelter in!), some people ask if they could share our table, and we gladly let them. It turns out that there were from CERT. We chatted for awhile and I was still hungry, so D went to get me another bowl of soup. He went and stood in the horrible line again without complaint, and came back with not only my soup but GUMMY DINOSAURS!!! Best. Husband. Ever. As he was gone, one of the girls who we were sitting with, offered me her other half of her (completely wrapped, untouched) Panera bread turkey sandwich! I took it and split it with D and we loved it!

We then got up and saw a few really cool exhibits here.

Here is a picture of looking into the Hall of Mammals


Manitoba!!!!!


By this time it was close to 7pm and the concert was starting at 8pm and the fireworks at 915. We started to walk towards the Capitol building and we were like, "What do they have all over the steps?" "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! IT'S PEOPLE!" The steps were already completely covered in people for the concert and it didn't look like we would be able to see the concert. So we stopped walking and found a nice place on the mall to lay down our new picnic blanket in the wet grass and watch the fireworks. Then we just hung out and chatted and read and ate some more food before the fireworks started. And took some pictures as the sun was setting.






(you can see the crowds on the steps in the next one)


The Smithsonian Castle


Awww, Love! Tired, tired love.


Right before the fireworks


The fireworks started right on time at 915 and lasted until after 930. They were spectacular to say the least. These pictures don't even begin to capture how amazing it was to be in our nation's capital and seeing these. There was a moment when I let a few tears fall for Bean, but mostly I was just in awe. It's weird, but that moment to me felt like the beginning of moving on. (that sounds so insensitive) We were so impressed with how *big* the fireworks were. It's hard to tell in these, but they were ginormous!

I uploaded a video onto YouTube.com for everyone to see!!!!! It's so pretty :)

Fireworks pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!











































After they were over, we walked to the Metro station along with 500,000 other people (probably an accurate count actually) and waited to get down to the train station. The escalator kept shutting off b/c there were so many people cramming onto it. There were cops there and they helped minimally. Once we got down there and on hopped on our train, things went downhill for me, and fast. See, I had been walking and outside most of the day. Pushing myself as much as I could. But then we got on the train and it was crowded and I had to stand. I wanted nothing more than just to sit or have some fresh air. I started feeling very nauseous and ill. I couldn't breathe very well and I surely couldn't sit anywhere. So I was sweaty and feeling just horrible. It seemed like 3 hours until we got back to our car. Once there, I had some fruit punch and felt better enough to start driving home.

We got home and passed out! It was an amazing time and I wouldn't have changed a thing (ok, maybe the train ride home). Danny and I had an amazing time and would easily do it again.

I hope that you all enjoyed the story and the pictures and I didn't break Teh Internets with all my pictures!