Day in DC

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Today we got a much earlier start, and set off finding a way to DC with confidence. Unfortunately, after several minutes of hunting around on several transit websites, we came to the conclusion that the MARC was not running today, so our previous plan of catching the light rail to Camden Yards and then hopping on the MARC and taking that to the DC Metro was foiled. Instead, Kristi agreed to drive us to the nearest DC Metro station, about an hour away, so we could start our DC adventure.

Our first adventure in DC was at the botanical gardens. Pretty plants and at some points an overwhelmingly pungent smell. Becca could smell it through her congestion! Afterwards, we made a brief stop in front of the Capitol Building. Plenty of porta-potties to liven up photo opportunities!

Our next stop was the Air and Space Museum, where we explored the Universe and the Space Race. Towards the end of the exhibits, Becca spotted star dust, which were remnants of a dying star that were transported to earth on a meteorite. The star dust was older than the solar system! We ate lunch in the Air and Space Museum fast food cafeteria and then continued our day with a journey to the National Natural History Museum. The 3D IMAX experience was highlighting creatures of the deep, narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, so it was a must sea! The way they portrayed 3D jellyfish was incredible. I highly recommend this IMAX to anyone who likes that sort of stuff. We also saw the Hope Diamond and spent a fair amount of time in the gem hall looking at cool rocks and minerals before thoroughly enjoying the other exhibits, including the ocean, mammals, dinosaurs, and the insect house, sponsored by Orkin.

By this time it was dark and most of the museums were closed, so we headed out to the monuments.  We got a little lost, but in the end managed to find the new WWII monument. We also noticed a commotion brewing at the Lincoln Memorial. There were 5 or so large screen TVs, each playing U2. I thought for sure they were just tapes, but as we got closer it turned out that Bono and the Edge were in fact live onstage! We listened to two and a half songs before they stopped their sound checking or whatever they were doing. It was awesome and random that we got to see U2 live!!

We wandered around after that to find a metro station, and when we finally got back to Baltimore I ordered a fantastic seafood medley Philly cheesesteaks from a local place called Big Cheese and Becca got a cold cut Italian sandwich.