Home to Vienna

We've been thrust back into the real world full force this week.  Various forms of sick kids (its just a matter of time before mom and dad get it and super crazy work.  So while I sit here with a sick Monkey on the couch, I thought I'd share the DC leg of our trip with you.  We've done all the touristy stuff in DC and have had all of the tours (minus the Washington Monument because despite our lengthy times spent in DC, it has never been open while we've been there) so this trip was just a be there trip, see the ordinary things.

C and I can't stop talking about this trip. We really loved every bit of it and both think it's only second to our honeymoon.

We stayed at Joyce and Jim's condo near Dupont Circle. The accommodations were so much better than a hotel. It was like living in DC for a few days. The area is also very residential, so we were able to avoid tourists (like ourselves) for the most part.

After we arrived on Wednesday afternoon we went down to the Wharf for dinner then walked over to the Cardinals/Nationals game (probably the reason C planned this whole trip).

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On Thursday we took the metro "home to Vienna" to Roslyn where we both lived when we interned in DC.  C would remember what lines to get on by saying "my new job is in New Carllton" or "home to Vienna." I, on the other hand, just know what train to get on.  

We crossed the bridge to Georgetown, walked down M street, up Wisconsin, and found ourselves on Georgetown's campus. We also walked along the C&O Canal, I first for us. 

We made reservations at Obelisk in Dupont Circle. Obelisk is a small, 11 table Italian restaurant. There are five courses and you can get wines paired with your meals. This was a first and once in a long time dining experience for us. We sat down at 6:30 and walked out at 9:00. The food was authentic Italian (not all that Olive Garden pasta stuff) and so worth it. 

Wednesday we headed up to Annapolis as C had never been there. We toured the state capital and the Naval Academy.

On the way back in to town we stopped at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. 

Once we were back in DC we took the metro to Union State, walked by the Supreme Court, by the Capital, and strate on to the Lincoln Memorial.  We logged 31,000 steps this day and walked almost 15 miles. 

We took it a bit slower on Saturday morning. Got coffee and read the paper on the rooftop deck of the condo. Then we ubered tp the National Food and Wine Festival, water taxied to Alexandria, and biked back to DC, before getting on the metro back to the condo. 

On the 7 mile bike back we stopped next to Regan to see the planes taking off. 

We got one last look of DC from the roof top.  

Sunday morning we were up bright and early and on our way to wine country, but not without driving by our old apartments in Roslyn. 

Part II, Charlottesville and wineries, coming just as soon as the family is healthy again.