Vacation Time: Washington DC

As readers of my blog may recall, I'm from the Pacific NW. On the west coast we have three states. That's it. So if you're traveling from say southern Washington to northern California, best buckle in for a haul, because that little trek is going to take 6-8 hours. Possibly longer because the interstate is part of the traffic hell corridor known as Portland. Going east, to say Idaho or Montana, the traffic is better, but you'll still need 8-10 hours.

But travel the same amount of time on the east coast and one could potentially journey through five or more states. I still have trouble wrapping my brain around that.

So, one of the things that Erin and I promised each other when we moved to the east coast, was that we would take advantage of these short travel times and explore. In our effort to continue making good on that promise, we went to Washington DC!

Welcome to Washington DC

Another difference between the two coasts is that if you live on the west coast and someone says "Washington" everyone assumes the state. On the east coast, same person same word, and everyone assumes DC. So, I've gotten into the habit of saying "Washington State" and "Washington DC" to help alleviate confusion.


First stop: The White House

In order to get tickets into the most secure fortress in the country, we had to write to our congressman and request tickets...SIX months in advance. But, ever since Erin and I started talking about the trip, I'd been making plans to get us a tour.

I'll be honest, I was ridiculously excited to get to see the White House. It was up there with meeting Weird Al. I kept waiting to see if something would happen and the tour would get canceled, but it never did!

Erin and I taking a few selfies as we scope the place out the day before.

Waiting in line at 7:30 in the morning. Early, but hey, we got to see the White House!

Inside the front door!

Hey, who's that on the other side of the Green Room? My folks causally walking the grounds.

Interestingly, there were several "color" rooms: Green Room, Blue Room, Red Room, Plaid Room. Oh, wait, the Plaid Room would be on Scotland, but you get my drift. Each one was decked out to the nines with 300 year old furniture, silk wallpaper, and about a million stories from our country's history.

The Green Room

The Blue Room

B&W of the Red Carpet

This is the red carpet that's laid out for dignitaries and others who come to visit.

Google Photos stylized it and the pic turned out so cool I used it instead of the original.

White House Library

White House Theatre

White House Dining Room

Deek - Happy to be through security!

I was not disappointed with our tour of the White House. Sure, we didn't get to see the Oval Office, but still I loved it. Not to mention there were "Secret" police, guard dogs, and black SUVs with tinted windows EVERYWHERE. That part was just like TV.

Checking out the Sites!

After the White House tour, we headed out to check out the sites. The cool thing is that you can see the Washington Monument from pretty much everywhere. Back in Oregon, if I could see Mt. Hood, I could pretty much figure out where I was. Here, the Monument did the same thing.

Washington Monument

If you're name is something like Bacon, may as well flaunt it!

Deek and Erin stopping for a quick selfie by the lake!
I HIGHLY recommend taking a trip like this with your best friend. It makes it so much more fun.

Gonna catch that pesky monument!

Erin got it!

State Capital Dome

We also got to visit the State Capital. Talk about history! If you've never been, the tickets are free (like most things you can visit in DC) and the walking tour includes a guide.

Erin and Deek at the Lincoln Memorial

On the steps in front of Lincoln is a stone inscribed "I have a Dream."
This is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr delivered his I have a Dream speech.

Dr. King also has a monument near the Jefferson Memorial.
It's hard to see how big it is until you see the teeny person walking next to the statue.

Inside the American History museum is one of the Bat Mobiles.
I *think* it's the one from the 1989 version.

We made a stop to honor the Great Bard!
My beautiful bride poses next to the monument sign.
Shakespeare would most certainly approve!

Deek hanging with a bud from space in the Air and Space Museum.

Hubba Hubba! Man, there's some beautiful sights to see here in DC!

Deek and Erin hanging out at FBI HQ to help him get inspired for his books,

The Injector and for 122 Rules - Redemption

Deek and Erin doing The Matrix as we wait for the Metro.

Hello there, Mr. Lincoln!

The Rhews still goof off in even in the capital of the nation.

Of course there's ALWAYS time for a Starbucks date with my bride!

The train ride to DC was only a few hours and totally comfortable. We hung out, talked, napped, and even snuck in a little writing time. Almost everything except for the hotel and food is free, and there's SO much to see. My folks had never been there before (and my dad is lifetime military), so we were really happy that they got to see it all.

If you haven't see my post about Awesome Con and us meeting Weird Al and Val Kilmer, then check it out. Awesome Con is, well, awesome!

Until next time, my friends, adventure on!