One trip comes, another gets planned.

I've been busy getting ready for Ireland, the packing, and the researching. I had taken some time off in June for a girls trip with Jessica and whoever else could come.

First we thought we'd go to Cape Cod for a long weekend seeing both of us have never been.

Then since we planned it so early we didn't want to go anymore, the thrill wasn't there. We toyed around with going over to London but the airfare was too high.

We finally admitted defeat when we decided we'd just make another driving trip up into New England.

Then we started reading Twilight.

Then we got obsessed - worse then a pack of teenagers.



Now we're going to the Olympic Peninsula.

From June 10-15th we'll be on the other side of the United States and I'll get to go to the west coast for the first time ever AND get to see the Pacific Ocean.

We plan to spend two full days out on the peninsula to visit Port Angeles, Forks, and of course Olympic National Park, then we'll head back to Seattle for another two days.

Can't wait!

Washington DC Day 2 Arlington National Cemetary

The next day we got up early, had breakfast in Georgetown and decided to make a stop at Arlington National Cemetery before heading home to Jersey. Now I'm only going to list the photos because part of me feels that I can't do it justice by captioning them:

Washington DC Day 1 (Smithsonian and Zoo)

We did so much on our first day in DC I decided to separate the posts, there are just so many photos...



The Smithsonian of American History has recently reopened after being closed for 5 years, so I had to go.



The first exhibit we chose to see (we just picked a few and went to them) was the Julia Child Kitchen... here are a few of those photos...







We then saw....



A buffEllo!!



Then we went to see the First Lady Dresses...



But there was a line...



So Jessica amused us!

When we finally got in there were lots of dresses, and I was amazed how old some of them were:









After that exhibit..



Jessica met Dumbo



I saw Steven Colbert



And the Puffy Shirt



And the Ruby Red Slippers



We saw the desk that the Declaration of Independence was written on,



I made a speech as President in case you didn't hear,



And we all saw something else that Bill Clinton put his mouth on.

When we got tired of the museum we made our way to the National Zoo, we saw lots of animals...













And by this point we were really really tired...



After seeing the impaled giraffe we thought it was time to go...



We went out to dinner at Jaleo but when we were done and started walking back t the Metro, we got to see the Capitol lit up at night. A beautiful sight.

Washington DC Day 1 (Memorials and the White House)

It's taken me a long time to get this blog up and for that I apologize to the few that may poke onto this site. After going on this trip I got aquanted with a nasty stomach virus the very next day. So here are the photos and a rundown of what we all did!





We drove down from Jersey that night, me, Jess and my Mom. I was even super brave and drove IN DC itself and through Georgetown. We all know I'm not a city driver.



When we got to the hotel we found we had a room with a balcony, it looked over Georgetown.



Jess was keen to take some pictures.



I have to say, even I was impressed.



The next morning the sun was shining...



And my Mom was all ready to go,



But Jessica had to do some primping.



When we got onto the metro and went for a ride we ended up on the Mall right in view of the Capital Building...



And the Washington Monument.



But the real draw for my Mom was the WWII Memorial... here are some of the photos:















Then we went to the Korean War Memorial, one I had never made my way over to, but I got some great shots:









Then to the Lincoln Memorial (where I actually realize I took NO pictures of Lincoln, what the hell?)







And then to the Vietnam Memorial - which I love mainly for the things left for the soldiers.















Then it was onto the White House to meet the Obama's (yeah right...)







And then there was a shock..



PANTIES! In front of the White House.