Well folks, looks like we survived our first Metro trip into DC. It was actually hilarious. Looking back at it, it was relatively easy. I do want to credit Ken and Christie for showing me the ropes on using a subway, I had no clue before last year. They showed me the ropes last year in Barcelona. In addition to that, my good friend Lucy assured me that the Metro in DC was relatively easy. She told me that she manuvered it while on internship here. So with her reassurance, I figured if she can do it alone, surely I can manuever it with my oldest. As you can see from my photo - I made it - this is the exit from the Metro - Smithsonian exit - me on the National Mall down from Washington's Monument.
So we got a late start - what else is new, left the hotel at 10:30, got into a cab and took it to West Falls Church station where we jumped on the Orange line to DC. Our intention was to get off at Gallery Place/Chinatown which was on the Red Line but we discovered once on there that we could take the orange line down to the Smithsonian and be put off right at the National Mall. So that is what we did - we stayed on the Orange, got off and decided to look for a place to eat. Got some info as we had decided to just scout today due to our late start. Got some info on the Old Town Trolley, the on-off bus which loops around the mall and Arlington National Cementary.
We got off and headed up to the surface (always wanted to say that! LOL) only to discover that the National Mall is being readied for the National Folkflore Festival of different cultures. Of course Megan noticed that opening day is our departure date so instead of being a day late and a dollar short, we are leaving a day early - oh well - if its not one thing its another. Also, I have a confession to make, on the way out of the subway I discovered that I had inadvertantly left the battery out of my Canon camera. All I had was the Olympus 770sw which is what served me all day. Well sorta - I took so many pictures of us at the wax museum and the C&P that I wore the battery down.
So we got a late start - what else is new, left the hotel at 10:30, got into a cab and took it to West Falls Church station where we jumped on the Orange line to DC. Our intention was to get off at Gallery Place/Chinatown which was on the Red Line but we discovered once on there that we could take the orange line down to the Smithsonian and be put off right at the National Mall. So that is what we did - we stayed on the Orange, got off and decided to look for a place to eat. Got some info as we had decided to just scout today due to our late start. Got some info on the Old Town Trolley, the on-off bus which loops around the mall and Arlington National Cementary.
We got off and headed up to the surface (always wanted to say that! LOL) only to discover that the National Mall is being readied for the National Folkflore Festival of different cultures. Of course Megan noticed that opening day is our departure date so instead of being a day late and a dollar short, we are leaving a day early - oh well - if its not one thing its another. Also, I have a confession to make, on the way out of the subway I discovered that I had inadvertantly left the battery out of my Canon camera. All I had was the Olympus 770sw which is what served me all day. Well sorta - I took so many pictures of us at the wax museum and the C&P that I wore the battery down.
Well, after figuring out what we were going to do we headed off to the Old Post Office to have some lunch. Turns out that we had been here way back during the American Heritage tour. Its a bit different now though. We had lunch there and Megan ordered a Georgetowm Club and I had the Turkey and Avocado sandwich for me, we hit the bathrooms and on a whim hit the elevator for the view from the tower here. Turns out that it was a great detour. Got some fabulous views from the top - hit the elevator to floor 9, then took another one to floor 12. They have some signs up there that ask people not to touch the wires - those that have been here know what I mean, well, I turn around just in time to see my rebel dd - quietly spreadin the wires with her fingers to take a picture of the Capitol. I scolded her until she told me that the ranger told another person if they only moved it slightly - they could move them - of course that was on the West End of the tower. So, I discreetly did the same at the East end of the tower. Then I did the same at the West End where I got a shot of the Treasury Dept and the tip of the White House. After this, we took the stairs down to the 9th floor and beat a ton of teenagers to the elevators. I tell you, that place was overrun with kids, teenagers on a 10 day trip from Iowa and other parts of the country.
From there, we decided to hike it over a couple of streets - more like couple 100's yards - these blocks I can do anytime! ROTFL - to the Petersen House. Back when I came, the Petersen House - directly across from the Ford Theatre was closed for renovation. This time, its the Ford Theatre closed and they are not scheduled to be done until early 2009. But that ok, I have now seen both. The house takes 5 minutes. For those that can't remember, Lincoln was taken out of the theatre into the street where a boarder (can't remember his name right now) was lounging in the doorway, anyway he told the people carrying Lincoln to bring him into the house where they placed him in a back room. Lincoln was pronounced dead at 7:22 the next morning.
When we got out of the museum - and folks, it took less than 5 minutes, they allow a small number of people in, then they usher you into the rooms/hallway where they do allow flash, then out the back way. We decide to find the International Spy Museum.
Before we did though, we discovered Madame Tussand's Wax Museum and so we did little bit of a diversion and spent a good 1 1/2 hrs here. We had tons of fun as the displays are all hands on and interactive. I thought that all of the Tussands museums were hands on but Megan says that is not true. At the back end of the tour, we sat in the "Oval Office" and managed to snag a couple of pictures which we bought to remember our time in the office. LOL
On the way out, Megan got a bit cheeky with Lincoln that hussy! She sat on his lap! LOL SSSHHH! I won't tell you what I did to Denzel, Will Smith or JD! Must tell Monica that DD claims JD as her future husband, BTW, he's not that tall, rather on the slim side - but that's ok - I like slim! LOL
From here we headed out to the Spy Museum only to decide that there were just too many kids in there - they apparently have summer hours - and they were scheduled to close at 7 at night. So we opted out due to the large number of kids and noice level, they encouraged us to stay and when we asked about the Crime and Punishment Museum, they said that they charged $25 and were not as interesting. Megan told me that she preferred to see the C&P museum as that was better geared to her interest. Its a good thing we walk down - which was another 2 blocks away - small ones - because it was not $25. It was $17.95 for each of us. So we went it - we were told that it was about a 2 hr trip. Yeah - think Gilligan's Island here - for when we entered - we entered into a time warp because by the time DD dragged me out of there - it was 8:45. Yes folks, you read right - it was 8:45. Turns out that we were literally only about 1/2 short block from our original destination - Gallery Place/Chinatown. We started to head back to Vienna but decided to stop at McDee's to eat something just in case we hit the Sheraton too late. I shouldn't have worried. The food was ok but the ride was interesting. We jumped on the Red Line went one stop, got off at Metro Center and jumped on the Orange Line which would take us all the way back to Vienna. It really was rather painless. But I did ask directions as the Metro Centers have several levels. Once, we experienced the center, I feel confident that I can now manuvuer my way around here. You see, before we left, I bought the Frommer's Washington, DC 2008 book, which while totally unnecessary, is definitely worth its weight in gold. I feel so much more confident and their suggestions has saved me lots of time. I ended up getting the 7-day unlimited Metro rail pass which cost $39 pp for 7 days. So for the both of us - it was $78. Add to that the cost of the taxi from the hotel - about $14 ea way its still cheaper than driving a car and having to deal with gas and parking. I definitely can get used to this. I feel like a pro and I've only ridden the metro once. ROTFLMAO. I can't believe I'm giddy for having survived my first metro run. By the end of the evening, Megan was getting comfortable and bringing out her pocket guide of the Metro rails which one can get at the entrances of the stations.
We ended up going to West Falls Church station because the Frommers' book suggested it even though there is a Don Lurring entrance a bit further, the taxi driver recommended we get off here at night as there is always taxi's waiting here while there might not be at Don Luring - its a bit more secluded. So we acquiesed and followed his suggestion.
When we disembarked, we got a very nice, talkative taxi driver to drop us off at the Sheraton. We got to the room about 10:15 which means that the ride back took us about 20 minutes from the 2nd stop. We didn't have to wait very long and there was plenty of company to let us feel safe.
So that is what happened today - we made it safe and sound and tomorrow is another adventure. I believe since no rain is in the forecast, I can bring my camera battery and take better pictures than the ones I got today. We hope to do the on-off bus and I would like to go to the monuments and go and look myself up at the Woman's Service Memorial there. I did it once but only had literally about 10 minutes and didn't get a chance to look around so this time, I would like to explore. Not to mention the others there. So that folks, is the next installment, the day after I would like to take the ferry to Mt Vernon and spend the day there. Sometime before we leave I mean to take a night tour on the river. Missed it on the Seine River so I really want to do it here.
Take care for now folks, we are tired and I have got to take a shower. Ta Ta for now!
From there, we decided to hike it over a couple of streets - more like couple 100's yards - these blocks I can do anytime! ROTFL - to the Petersen House. Back when I came, the Petersen House - directly across from the Ford Theatre was closed for renovation. This time, its the Ford Theatre closed and they are not scheduled to be done until early 2009. But that ok, I have now seen both. The house takes 5 minutes. For those that can't remember, Lincoln was taken out of the theatre into the street where a boarder (can't remember his name right now) was lounging in the doorway, anyway he told the people carrying Lincoln to bring him into the house where they placed him in a back room. Lincoln was pronounced dead at 7:22 the next morning.
When we got out of the museum - and folks, it took less than 5 minutes, they allow a small number of people in, then they usher you into the rooms/hallway where they do allow flash, then out the back way. We decide to find the International Spy Museum.
Before we did though, we discovered Madame Tussand's Wax Museum and so we did little bit of a diversion and spent a good 1 1/2 hrs here. We had tons of fun as the displays are all hands on and interactive. I thought that all of the Tussands museums were hands on but Megan says that is not true. At the back end of the tour, we sat in the "Oval Office" and managed to snag a couple of pictures which we bought to remember our time in the office. LOL
On the way out, Megan got a bit cheeky with Lincoln that hussy! She sat on his lap! LOL SSSHHH! I won't tell you what I did to Denzel, Will Smith or JD! Must tell Monica that DD claims JD as her future husband, BTW, he's not that tall, rather on the slim side - but that's ok - I like slim! LOL
From here we headed out to the Spy Museum only to decide that there were just too many kids in there - they apparently have summer hours - and they were scheduled to close at 7 at night. So we opted out due to the large number of kids and noice level, they encouraged us to stay and when we asked about the Crime and Punishment Museum, they said that they charged $25 and were not as interesting. Megan told me that she preferred to see the C&P museum as that was better geared to her interest. Its a good thing we walk down - which was another 2 blocks away - small ones - because it was not $25. It was $17.95 for each of us. So we went it - we were told that it was about a 2 hr trip. Yeah - think Gilligan's Island here - for when we entered - we entered into a time warp because by the time DD dragged me out of there - it was 8:45. Yes folks, you read right - it was 8:45. Turns out that we were literally only about 1/2 short block from our original destination - Gallery Place/Chinatown. We started to head back to Vienna but decided to stop at McDee's to eat something just in case we hit the Sheraton too late. I shouldn't have worried. The food was ok but the ride was interesting. We jumped on the Red Line went one stop, got off at Metro Center and jumped on the Orange Line which would take us all the way back to Vienna. It really was rather painless. But I did ask directions as the Metro Centers have several levels. Once, we experienced the center, I feel confident that I can now manuvuer my way around here. You see, before we left, I bought the Frommer's Washington, DC 2008 book, which while totally unnecessary, is definitely worth its weight in gold. I feel so much more confident and their suggestions has saved me lots of time. I ended up getting the 7-day unlimited Metro rail pass which cost $39 pp for 7 days. So for the both of us - it was $78. Add to that the cost of the taxi from the hotel - about $14 ea way its still cheaper than driving a car and having to deal with gas and parking. I definitely can get used to this. I feel like a pro and I've only ridden the metro once. ROTFLMAO. I can't believe I'm giddy for having survived my first metro run. By the end of the evening, Megan was getting comfortable and bringing out her pocket guide of the Metro rails which one can get at the entrances of the stations.
We ended up going to West Falls Church station because the Frommers' book suggested it even though there is a Don Lurring entrance a bit further, the taxi driver recommended we get off here at night as there is always taxi's waiting here while there might not be at Don Luring - its a bit more secluded. So we acquiesed and followed his suggestion.
When we disembarked, we got a very nice, talkative taxi driver to drop us off at the Sheraton. We got to the room about 10:15 which means that the ride back took us about 20 minutes from the 2nd stop. We didn't have to wait very long and there was plenty of company to let us feel safe.
So that is what happened today - we made it safe and sound and tomorrow is another adventure. I believe since no rain is in the forecast, I can bring my camera battery and take better pictures than the ones I got today. We hope to do the on-off bus and I would like to go to the monuments and go and look myself up at the Woman's Service Memorial there. I did it once but only had literally about 10 minutes and didn't get a chance to look around so this time, I would like to explore. Not to mention the others there. So that folks, is the next installment, the day after I would like to take the ferry to Mt Vernon and spend the day there. Sometime before we leave I mean to take a night tour on the river. Missed it on the Seine River so I really want to do it here.
Take care for now folks, we are tired and I have got to take a shower. Ta Ta for now!
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