On the banks of the peaceful Potomac…
Virginia remains the only state out of the lower 48 that the Thriller has not visited. Time to check it off the list. And I reminded him that since he co-owns all the government buildings in DC, we should make sure he visits them as well. Yay! Mr. Jackson Goes to Washington.
The last time I saw DC was 1980-something, so I’m looking forward to going back. We sat down on Thursday evening and mapped out/narrowed down the list of things we want to see in the time frame we have, and came up with what I think will be a lovely — albeit very busy — getaway, featuring visits to:
- The Mall, of course — more specifically, the Holocaust Museum, Museum of American History, Air and Space Museum, the Vietnam Memorial, World War II Memorial, Lincoln/MLK Memorials, and the Washington Monument (and more of the Smithsonian complex, if we have time)
- The White House & capitol buildings
- Ford’s Theatre & museum; Petersen House
- The National Cathedral
- Eastern Market
- The POV Rooftop at the W Hotel
- Arlington National Cemetery
- If we have time, the International Spy Museum sounds like fun
- There’s a beautiful Franciscan monastery that we’d like to see as well
That’s a lot to cram into five days and four nights, but we’ll do what we can. And I’m sure security to get in anywhere will be nuts. It’s OK, though. We’re excited to see everything, and we plan to make full use of the nice transit system of trains and buses. After a dozen different subway trains in New York City, and the New Jersey Transit white-knucklers through the Lincoln Tunnel (Did you hear about the guy who did a triple gainer right out the windshield the other day? Holy cats.), the DC Metro will be a ride in the park.
There’s also a new twist for us this year with regard to lodging. I have seen some expensive hotel rooms in my life, but criminetly, a decent room anywhere in the DC area is outrageously, frightfully out of our league. So we’re using Airbnb, and I must say we’re having fun looking at all the possibilities.
Of course, a visit to Virginia wouldn’t be complete without taking in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River Valley. We plan to make reservations at the mountaintop Skyland Resort for two days of leisurely hikes on the Appalachian Trail, shopping and eating along Skyline Drive, enjoying warm drinks under the stars on a cool night, and lots of amateur photography of the breathtaking views.
And hopefully no bears.
Does that sound like a fun Odyssey? We think it will be. We’ll get to enjoy the best of both vacation “worlds,” in that we’ll experience the craziness of the city, and also the serenity of being hidden away in the mountains.
But first, I have to get through the rest of the school year, which, amazingly, starts back up in 48 short hours. Allez! Onward to July. 
Happy weekend!
Wow! This Odyssey looks to be another fabulous one! I want pictures of The National Cathedral and that gorgeous monastery. Take lots of pictures of the mountains, too! Can’t wait to “travel along” with you guys. “Oh what fun it is to ride with Bird and Thriller J. – HEY!”
HA — ya nut! lol
Of course we’ll take you along — I’m sure there’ll be some interesting places to see along the way. The route is pretty easy, and goes through some country we haven’t covered before. Looks like fun, and hopefully there’ll be plenty to see and share!
Great Odyssey! I love DC. I love the mix, been to it all and never tire of it. An additional site worth seeing if time allows you is the Frederick Douglass House, very cool.
Did my first Airbnb on Pittsburgh last April and had a marvelous experience, great folks to meet and an unbelievable home to stay at. Would do Airbnb again.
Touch the Wall for me…Peace!
The Douglass house pictures I saw were great! We will have to check into finding time to see it.
I will definitely touch the Wall and think of you; I know it’s a very special place for you!
DC is my favorite. I’ve been there countless times and usually try to go at least every other year. You did a great job picking out highlights! Two things you might want to consider are the Newseum and the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks Washington on Friday nights– it’s quite a spectacle! And, yes, the Metro is super easy and clean! And if you can catch an Honor Flight visiting the WWII Memorial, it’s definitely worth the effort!
Can’t wait to hear all about it and are your pictures!
I didn’t know that about you! How cool.
And we went back and forth about the Newseum — the only sticky downside is that we would end up spending the better part of 2 days there to see and read everything, and we just don’t have that kind of time to play with this trip. Definitely on the list for next visit, though.
And we’d love to see an Honor Flight! I checked their website, and they don’t start scheduling for 2016 until March — maybe we’ll get lucky!
What a fun trip!
You could spend a month in DC and not see everything. When I go, I include a trip to the Gettysburg battlefield and memorial. You can go through everything in a day (or spend more time if you want – the museum is really great) and it’s driving distance to DC. Haven’t been since they rebuilt the visitors center.
There’s also several bus tours available in DC – the girls and I took the Monuments tour last time we were there.
Warning: We found the Holocaust museum emotionally taxing; definitely something I will never forget.
Have fun!
PK
I heard this about the Holocaust Museum. On their website, they point out that they have an exhibit for younger people that isn’t so harrowing. But we both want to experience it. You’re the first person I’ve talked to who’s been there.
We loved Gettysburg! A lot to see. I saw that it was close, but it fell off the list in favor of stuff that we haven’t seen yet.
I’ll post lots of pictures!
The holocaust museum is so well done. The way the exhibits are set up, you can choose if you’re going to see all the detail of the horrors or just get the basics of the story. EVERYONE should visit there at least once.
(Still gotta throw in my plug for the Friday Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks at 8th and I!)