{"id":1546,"date":"2018-08-27T00:24:24","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T00:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dpfamilytravel.com\/dp\/?p=1546"},"modified":"2018-08-28T23:15:01","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T23:15:01","slug":"my-initials-everywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dpfamilytravel.com\/dp\/my-initials-everywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"My Initials Everywhere!"},"content":{"rendered":"

My Initials everywhere!<\/p>\n

Day 1<\/p>\n

Years ago Penni and I traveled to Historic Williamsburg and Jamestown Va. We enjoyed the trip very much. While we were there we decided it would be a good thing for our grandchildren to visit these places along with Washington D.C. Out of this a tradition was born.<\/p>\n

When our grandchildren reach middle school age we plan a trip to Washington D.C., Williamsburg and Jamestown. This year is Savannah\u2019s year, she is our youngest granddaughter and she will be entering middle school at the end of summer vacation.<\/p>\n

We normally take two of the grandchildren with us and this year is no exception, Kayna volunteered to take the trip with us. She and Lauryn made the trip when Kayna enter middle school and they both had a really good time, so Kayna was willing to sacrifice and make the trip again to keep Savannah company.<\/p>\n

We headed to the airport on Friday evening for a 10:30pm flight and we should arrive in Baltimore before around midnight. Well as happens occasionally the plane was late getting to Atlanta and it was closer to 11:30pm when we left Atlanta, we arrived in Baltimore around 2:00am.<\/p>\n

We retrieved our luggage and headed to the departure area to try out the Lyft app. We had some discount coupons for Lyft so we chose them over Uber. This is Penni\u2019s first experience with ride share. She wanted to handle it this time since I had used Uber in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

She figured out the app and ordered our ride, it was 6 minutes away. Soon we were onboard and headed to Washington D.C. to a Courtyard Hotel at the Navel Yard. We arrived at the Hotel between 2:30am and 3:00am.<\/p>\n

We had a short night and we were changing Hotels in the morning. We headed out at around 9:00am with our bags in tow haled a Lyft and headed downtown to The District by Hilton. We arrived before our rooms were ready so we stored our bags and took advantage of the free breakfast. I think the girls mostly had hash brown potatoes for breakfast with a little bacon on the side.<\/p>\n

Day 2<\/p>\n

We headed out front and haled another Lyft to the Lincoln Memorial. There were thousands of motor cycles on the Mall. They were there for the Rolling Thunder Parade on Sunday. We walked the stairs to the Memorial, Penni suggested I take the elevator because my bad knee was killing me, but I was stubborn and did not.<\/p>\n

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We took some photos at the Memorial, some of the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool. We headed toward the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The area was very crowed and it was hot, so the girls decided to go buy some bottled water and I found a bench and sat and waited on them.<\/p>\n

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We walked past the wall and saw many tokens of memories left at the wall, there were flowers, note and other things, the most interesting was two bags of popcorn. Many people were tracing names on paper and volunteers were there with step ladders to help reach the names on the top.<\/p>\n

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We walked from there to the World War Two Monument stopping to take some photos of the girls along the way. We took photos by the lake and we found benches and rested along the way.<\/p>\n

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When we arrived at the Memorial we found the Georgia column and took photos there and then we made our way to the lower level of the memorial and the girls went down to the fountain while Penni sat and rested.<\/p>\n

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We decided it was about time for lunch so we haled another Lyft and headed to the Ford\u2019s Theatre, last time we were here we had lunch at the Hard Rock Caf\u00e9, but this time we wanted something different so we went to Lincoln\u2019s Waffle shop, we all ordered something different, but we all agreed that Savannah\u2019s Philly Cheese Steak sandwich was the best thing.<\/p>\n

We had time before our scheduled tour of the Theatre so we went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the girls really enjoyed this last trip and Kayna wanted Savannah to see it. Once again they loved it, especially the Justin Bieber figure.<\/p>\n

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When we finished it was time to get in line for the Ford\u2019s Theatre Tour, we entered the Theatre and were directed to the Museum portion to wait for our time to enter the Theatre. I took this opportunity to rest my knee once again.<\/p>\n

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We entered the Theatre and a ranger shared all the details of the Lincoln assassination. There were several large groups of student there with their teachers. The talk lasted about 30 minutes or so and then we were through.<\/p>\n

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We Lyfted back to the Hotel \/ Condo and checked into our Condo room, this was a very nice room. We got this room for a great price by agreeing to listen to a sales pitch, the next morning. This was a one-bedroom suite with couches that converted to beds, but the girls decided to just sleep on the couches.<\/p>\n

By now it was time for dinner and we were going to the Grill Fish restraint, which was just around the corner from the Hilton District, so we decided to walk. I had trout, Savannah had scallops, Kayna had a seafood platter and Penni had a crab cake. The food was good and the company was better.<\/p>\n

Now it is time to head back to the Hotel for some late night swimming. Would think these two don\u2019t have swimming pools at home, but they both do. Nana finished swimming early and headed to the room, Kayna and Savannah swam a little longer and Kayna got out and dried off. We had to pull Savannah from the pool, she wanted to stay all night.<\/p>\n

We were all tired from the short night before so it was an early night to bed.<\/p>\n

Day 3<\/p>\n

We slept in a little this morning, all the way to 8:30 or 9:00am. We woke the kids up and headed down to the buffet for breakfast. As far as buffets go, it was a pretty good breakfast. I hate breakfast buffets by the way.<\/p>\n

We had an 11:00am appointment with the sales staff of the condo\u2019s. We had a good meeting but we both agreed this was not for us, so we will not be buying a share of a condo in Washington DC. They tried real hard, but they were polite and nice when we did not accept their deal. I joked with Penni that our room keys might not work when we returned to the room, they worked just fine.<\/p>\n

It was not time for Lyft to the Mall area. We planned to do lunch at the Smithsonian American History Museum, but the line was so long we decided to forget that and head to the Holocaust Museum. We walked by the African History Museum and up the hill toward the Holocaust Museum. There were food trucks lined up everywhere. We talked about eating off one but we did not.<\/p>\n

We entered the line at the Museum and after passing through security we were allowed in. (After they pulled me out of line and scanned me with a metal detector.) Seems my suspenders had too much metal on them. I might as well get used to this because this was going to happen regularly as we went through security.<\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t take pictures in the Museum, we just walked from the top floor to the bottom looking at the memories of the horror inflicted upon human beings by other human beings. It is so hard to believe humans could treat each other in such a manner.<\/p>\n

We were now beginning to feel very hungry, there was a caf\u00e9 connected with this museum, it was next door in the back. We made our way to the caf\u00e9 and once again we had to go through security. Strange thing none of us thought about the fact that we would be eating lunch at a caf\u00e9 in a Jewish museum. The only thing that looked familiar on the menu was the cheese pizza. We all ordered cheese pizza.<\/p>\n

The girls said \u201cthis is the best cheese pizza I have ever had.\u201d We soon finished lunch and walked by to the Mall and the Smithsonian American History Museum. My knee was killing me about now and I was very weary, so when I saw the break area at the front of the Museum with tables and chairs I decided to sit this one out, I have seen it before.<\/p>\n

I sat at the break area as the girls toured the Museum. They were about finished with the tour when the Museum staff began to announce closing. I waited and they soon joined me and we left the museum and walked out front and Penni used the app to call another Lyft.<\/p>\n

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It was close enough to supper time as we say down south and we headed to the Commissary for dinner. The meal was decent, but nothing to be bragged about, the truth is I don\u2019t even remember what I had or what Penni or the kids had. But I was full and satisfied.<\/p>\n

We called another Lyft and headed back to The District, Savannah wanted to swim again, so Penni went with her to the pool.<\/p>\n

Day 4<\/p>\n

The time has come, we must move again, so we back all our bags and head down stairs and call yet another Lyft. We need a big car this time so we can hall the luggage. Our ride showed up and we head to the next hotel. Courtyard by Marriott. This hotel is just a few blocks from the White House.<\/p>\n

We get checked into our room and now it time to go to the National Archives, we have concerns because the Memorial Day parade will have many roads blocked. We managed to get to the Archives and it happened to be the area where staging was taking place for the parade.<\/p>\n

We were almost first in line at the Archives, we entered at 9:00am and had a good tour, no photos allowed. We saw the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of independence and many other interesting things.<\/p>\n

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When we finished we headed to the Capitol for our tour, we walked like forever, we intended to eat lunch in the Longworth caf\u00e9, but found it was closed. So we headed to the Capitol and the Capitol Caf\u00e9 for lunch.<\/p>\n

When we finished it was time for our tour, we were part of a tour group and we saw certain areas of the Capital, but not the House or Senate Galleries, they were closed because of the holiday. From the Capitol we headed to the Library of Congress, Penni\u2019s dissertation is registered there so we looked it up.<\/p>\n

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We called a Lyft to carry us to the Mall area and the Natural History Museum. Road closures made this a problem, the Lyft drive got us as close as he could but we had to walk a while. We finally got there. My knee was killing me by now. Part of the front entrance of the Museum was a huge curved bench on either side of the steps to the building. I bowed out of touring and sat down and waited on the girls.<\/p>\n

They enjoyed it, especially the giraffes and the other animals. Penni carried them in and she found herself a seat and sat down and waited while they walked around. They finally finished and came out to get me. We now needed a Lyft to dinner, but the roads were still closed.<\/p>\n

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We walked across the street and found a bench and the girls bought drinks. After drinking lemonade and water we headed out to find the closest place we could catch a ride. About that time traffic began to start to flow down the road. We called Lyft to the Museum and headed to the Founding Farmers Restaurant to meet Adel and Rich for dinner.<\/p>\n

They had a difficult time finding the restaurant but they finally got there and we were seated immediately. We had a good time of food and fellowship with them. Rich and I talked tools. When we finished eating we went outside and sat and talked. Kayna and Savannah put on a hand stand show on the sidewalk. A little girl about 18 to 24 months old was them closely and thought about trying to do what they were doing. But she decided against it.<\/p>\n

Rich and Adel headed home and we headed back to the hotel. No pool at this hotel, but the girls were tired and ready for bed. A good night sleep and we would close out D.C. in the morning with a trip to the White House.<\/p>\n

Day 5<\/p>\n

We stored our luggage with the front desk and hailed a Lyft, the app gives you an arrival time. It started with the car will be there in 5 minutes, then 6 minutes, then 4 minutes and so on and so forth. I finally said to Penni \u201clet me see the phone.\u201d Those of you who know what a Penni Fit is, we were close, because we had an 11:30 appointment at the White House and it was 11:15.\u00a0 I looked at the map and the car was going away from us, finally it turned around and came back toward us. When it arrived it was a taxi cab, this has never happened before. He was an off duty taxi driver. We get in the car and the driver starts in the opposite direction of the White House.<\/p>\n

I opened my app and began to give him directions, which he followed. When we go within a couple of blocks of White House I made him stop and let us out. We walked, quickly toward the White House and made it just on time.<\/p>\n

A quick self-guided tour some photos and we were finished with the tour. We walked out the gate toward the street to get a Lyft and Savannah said, \u201cI am hungry.\u201d So Penni said \u201cwe are right here at Ebbits Grill so we will have lunch here.\u201d\u00a0 When we finished we went back to the street to get a Lyft to the Hotel. We gathered our bags and headed out to get our last Lyft of the trip.<\/p>\n

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We headed to Avis car rental and picked up a Ford Escape and headed to Williamsburg. Traffic out of Washington was horrible, we finally got in the toll lane and made better time. When we finally arrived in Williamsburg we decided to have dinner first. So it was Captain George\u2019s first stop.<\/p>\n

Seafood everywhere, all you can eat. I had fish, shrimp, crab legs, crab imperial, muscles, fried oysters, oyster\u2019s Rockefeller, man was it good.\u00a0 Savannah had popcorn shrimp and mac and cheese. Kayna at a little more seafood than Savannah did. Penni and I feasted on seafood.<\/p>\n

Time to check in to the Hotel.<\/p>\n

Day 6<\/p>\n

We got up early and headed for breakfast, the kids wanted to eat at the hotel. There all kinds of good breakfast places in Williamsburg. But the hotel it was. My breakfast was terrible. The ham was literally lunch meat fried and terrible scrambled eggs. I gave the girls a hard time over this.<\/p>\n

We headed to the Jamestown Settlement, bought tickets and toured the settlement. You first come to a native village reenactment with homes and work sites. Then you walk down the path to the dock where the three replicas of the ships are docked. You can board each of the ships and see how the settler lived while they traveled to the New World.<\/p>\n

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After that we entered the Jamestown Fort replica, with houses, a church, storage building, kitchens, military headquarters, and a replica of the governor\u2019s residence. It was an interesting place with many people dresses in period dress. There was a show with the shooting a musket.<\/p>\n

From there we went to Historic Jamestown, the actual settlement where archeological work going on today. Here there is a church, they are digging in the church at present, a statue of Pocahontas, and one of John Smith. I think the kids enjoyed this also.<\/p>\n

Now it is time to begin the trip home. We head first to Chic-a-filet for lunch. Kid\u2019s choice. Now it is time to head home, but first let\u2019s take a trip to Yorktown. After a drive through Jamestown we head to Baltimore for Dinner. Bubba Gump\u2019s Shrimp Co. it is, and it was good, but it was in downtown Baltimore near Camden Field. Where do we park, Oh, I see a parking lot, what $30 to park, I don\u2019t think so. Penni calls the restaurant and they tell to park at a hotel and they will give us a discount on parking. We finally find it park and walk a long way to the pier to Bubba Gump\u2019s. That sat us at a table and the cold air was blowing on the table, we asked to be moved. We kept same waiter and had a great meal, the second best of the week.<\/p>\n

Now to the motel at the airport for a good night\u2019s sleep and rest. Breakfast in the morning at Cracker Barrel, I am still harassing the girls about the hotel breakfast. Good breakfast and now to the airport. We return the rental car, get on the bus to airport gate. We check in and head to the gate. The plane was late again. We finally board and plane and head home.<\/p>\n

What a fun trip with my wife and two granddaughter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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