wsapooh
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 2, 2006
9/4/08-9/11/08
Spirit of America: Philadelphia Washington DC Williamsburg
DH Dan age 38
Me Laurie age 36
This trip was to be a celebration of our 15-year wedding anniversary
Adventure Guides: Karen & Elizabeth
Chapter 2 Washington DC
9/6
Sleepy but not as fuzzy as I was the day before. Another lovely breakfast at Keatings as thick clouds announce Hannas arrival. The clouds hang so low that the tops of the buildings in downtown Philly are obscurred.
We boarded the bus at about 9:00am for the drive to DC. Fred, our bus driver, welcomed us with bottles of water. The rain began to fall shortly after we got underway. Fred had brought us warm pretzels that we munched on while we watched National Treasure. Karen and Elizabeth were constantly up and down the aisles offering even more snacks and picking up garbage. We made a stop in Maryland for restroom breaks and any other food item that anyone could possibly want. Most of us were in line at Starbucks. The entire trip went very quickly as we watched the movie and chatted with our fellow Adventurers. The closer we got to DC, the harder the rain came down. It eventually became a driving rain. As we arrived at the ESPN Zone in DC for lunch, I patted Fred on the back and thanked him for getting us there safely under such difficult driving conditions. We had a private room at the ESPN Zone with a hearty buffet of sports bar-style foods. The storm kept most people away so we had the game room almost to ourselves. We were given token cards to play a few games before we got back on the bus.
Normally, we would be leaving for our Bike Tour of the National Mall at this point but Hanna had other plans for us. Karen assured us that we would not be missing out on this experience that a lot of us were really looking forward to. They just moved some things around. Our local guide, Greg, boarded the bus with us and we did some of our Panoramic City Tour that had originally been set up for the next day. We made stop at the Smithsonian Castle and spent some time looking at the small displays that showcased the various other Smithsonian museums.
The famous Mayflower Hotel was to be our home for the next few days. Completed in 1925, President Harry S Truman gave the hotel its famous tagline, The second best address in Washington DC. Second only to the White House, of course. Presidentail events continue to be held at this magnificent hotel. While we were at the ESPN Zone and doing our short bus tour, Elizabeth had been at the Mayflower getting our keys and delivering our luggage to our beautiful rooms. Travel days take a lot out of me even when Im just sitting there doing nothing. So, we spent some time relaxing in our room before meeting up with the others at 5:15pm for our trip to Union Station for dinner.
Hanna had blown through by now and the rain had stopped. When we arrived, we had some time to ourselves to explore this absolutely gorgeous building. Some went shopping and while a few of us followed Greg outside. He talked to us about the magnificent statue of Columbus in front of the station. Photos were taken, as was expected. We all met up for dinner at B. Smiths. It was an excellent meal with the excellent company of our fellow Adventurers. People had started relax by now and became more comfortable around each other. We were no longer strangers. Our guides decided on the spur of the moment to take us on a short nighttime tour of DC. We made stops at the Capital building and the Jefferson Memorial where I was able to get some great night photos. Back to the hotel for the evening. Boy, are the beds at the Mayflower comfortable!!
Spirit of America: Philadelphia Washington DC Williamsburg
DH Dan age 38
Me Laurie age 36
This trip was to be a celebration of our 15-year wedding anniversary
Adventure Guides: Karen & Elizabeth
Chapter 2 Washington DC
9/6
Sleepy but not as fuzzy as I was the day before. Another lovely breakfast at Keatings as thick clouds announce Hannas arrival. The clouds hang so low that the tops of the buildings in downtown Philly are obscurred.
We boarded the bus at about 9:00am for the drive to DC. Fred, our bus driver, welcomed us with bottles of water. The rain began to fall shortly after we got underway. Fred had brought us warm pretzels that we munched on while we watched National Treasure. Karen and Elizabeth were constantly up and down the aisles offering even more snacks and picking up garbage. We made a stop in Maryland for restroom breaks and any other food item that anyone could possibly want. Most of us were in line at Starbucks. The entire trip went very quickly as we watched the movie and chatted with our fellow Adventurers. The closer we got to DC, the harder the rain came down. It eventually became a driving rain. As we arrived at the ESPN Zone in DC for lunch, I patted Fred on the back and thanked him for getting us there safely under such difficult driving conditions. We had a private room at the ESPN Zone with a hearty buffet of sports bar-style foods. The storm kept most people away so we had the game room almost to ourselves. We were given token cards to play a few games before we got back on the bus.
Normally, we would be leaving for our Bike Tour of the National Mall at this point but Hanna had other plans for us. Karen assured us that we would not be missing out on this experience that a lot of us were really looking forward to. They just moved some things around. Our local guide, Greg, boarded the bus with us and we did some of our Panoramic City Tour that had originally been set up for the next day. We made stop at the Smithsonian Castle and spent some time looking at the small displays that showcased the various other Smithsonian museums.
The famous Mayflower Hotel was to be our home for the next few days. Completed in 1925, President Harry S Truman gave the hotel its famous tagline, The second best address in Washington DC. Second only to the White House, of course. Presidentail events continue to be held at this magnificent hotel. While we were at the ESPN Zone and doing our short bus tour, Elizabeth had been at the Mayflower getting our keys and delivering our luggage to our beautiful rooms. Travel days take a lot out of me even when Im just sitting there doing nothing. So, we spent some time relaxing in our room before meeting up with the others at 5:15pm for our trip to Union Station for dinner.
Hanna had blown through by now and the rain had stopped. When we arrived, we had some time to ourselves to explore this absolutely gorgeous building. Some went shopping and while a few of us followed Greg outside. He talked to us about the magnificent statue of Columbus in front of the station. Photos were taken, as was expected. We all met up for dinner at B. Smiths. It was an excellent meal with the excellent company of our fellow Adventurers. People had started relax by now and became more comfortable around each other. We were no longer strangers. Our guides decided on the spur of the moment to take us on a short nighttime tour of DC. We made stops at the Capital building and the Jefferson Memorial where I was able to get some great night photos. Back to the hotel for the evening. Boy, are the beds at the Mayflower comfortable!!