Our Summer Vacation

Federal Reserve Building

Dave got the chance to go to Virginia (Quantico-area) for training and asked me if I wanted to tag along. I, of course, said yes since he has family there that I've never met as well as it just being 30 minutes outside of DC. I've never been to the Nation's Capital but have always wanted to.

Chaunte' & Nicolette

We arrived Friday night (July 9th) and had dinner with some family (his aunt, uncle, cousin.. along with her boyfriend and his kids). We decided even though the weather was looking bad, we decided to head into downtown DC the next day to see the sights. Dave's cousin Nicolette is dating Darren, who's a law enforcement officer for the Federal Reserve so he knows his way around downtown ...and on top of that has free parking. (Parking in a garage cost $9/hour!!) We started at the Federal Reserve...and pretty much saw all the stuff I wanted to in one day. The Vietnam Wall, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial, the Washington Monument, The Smithsonian Institute and some of its museums, The Capitol Building and of course, the White House.

Abe Lincoln

We had such a great time. It was really cool to get to see things I've only seen in my social studies/history books growing up or stuff I've seen on the video feeds at work. It was totally different than what I expected. I have to say my favorite was seeing Abe Lincoln. He was pretty cool and a whole lot bigger than I ever imagined. We also went over and saw a part of the Arlington National Cemetery and The Marine Corps Iwo Jima monument.
After leaving downtown, we headed back to NOVA (as they call it--Northern Virginia) for some dinner at this awesome pizza parlor.

Iwo Jima Memorial

Sunday, we considered checking out the Washington Nationals baseball game, but we decided to go with Uncle Steve back into town to see more of DC as well as the International Spy Museum. While driving through, we got the chance to see Ford's Theater as well as pass by the apartment President Lincoln was taken to to die. We saw the Presidential Portrait Gallery, the National Archives, Union Station, and the Verizon Center. After the Spy Museum, we decided to head out of downtown and go out to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center out by Dulles International Airport. The museum features three levels of aircraft ranging from the Cold War era to commercial planes.. even the NASA space shuttle "Enterprise."

World War II Memorial

Dave had to go to training Monday and Tuesday so we stayed in a hotel near the facility he had class at. While he was working, I decided to shop as there is a huge outlet mall in the area and lots of local shopping.

Tuesday night we headed back to his aunt & uncle's to stay. We went to dinner at Wegmans. It's a supermarket/restaurant. They have everything from pizza and subs to steak and shrimp...all available for you to select as a meal and eat there. The whole second floor of the location we went to was a dining area. The store is huge and the prices are amazing! They're only located up north, but man, they would do great if they opened down south too!

The White House

Wednesday morning, we packed the car up and headed out...but before leaving town, we made a stop in Quantico at the National Marine Corps Museum. Dave and I really enjoy the place and got to see the new chapel they built at the top of the hill.

Overall, it was a great vacation. We had a great time and enjoyed the time away. Now, life returns to normal and we return to real life and work tomorrow.