Virginia Site Seeing

May 7, 2018

Monday

Arlington National Cemetery, Mt. Vernon, Alexandria

Easton let us sleep in this morning until 8:30! We only were woken up 3 times by the hotel ALARM CLOCK! We even unplugged it and it went off 2 more times. Ghost alarm……

After destroying our room with breakfast and getting out our 24 hour laundry from the dryer. We packed up our bags and headed for Arlington National Cemetery. Of course, Easton fell asleep the second we got there so Jeff stayed behind to let him sleep a little and I walked around the visitors center for a few so he could get at least a 30 minute nap in. Once they joined me, we headed up the hill for the JFK memorial and burial grounds and then on to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ( Jeff took a minor detour for General Lee’s home). It was an absolutely beautiful day outside but walking up hill for a mile with 40 lbs worth of stroller and gear it got pretty hot. As long as we kept moving Easton was really great so anytime we had a point of interest we would just tag team it and go one at a time. Jeff was able to see the changing of the guard and I just followed up after. Allowing Easton a moment to stop and stretch his legs. It was really neat to see all of the war veterans lined up watching and paying their respects. It really makes you think about your efforts and contributions in this life and can really make you feel unworthy of all their efforts. It is always humbling being there. After the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier we walked to the Nurses Memorial ( In honor of Nurses Week of course). They were actually holding a wreath laying ceremony in honor of all the nurses that served during the wars. It was incredible to see. However we did not stay for the ceremony.

We made it down successfully after what felt like 14 miles and got our patches for our bags and hit the road. Next on the agenda was Mt Vernon. We tried to see it yesterday but it was absolutely slammed. I am SO glad we went today. The parking was great and the only problem was huge teenage tour groups. We got tour times for two seperate tour groups so we could both see the inside of the home. We had a quick lunch in the food court there and then on to the house. Jeff went first and I wrangled Easton for the 35 minutes he was touring. We hung around the grounds and the home and sweated our booties off.

When it was my turn to go, it was the same tour time as the MASSIVE school group and the line was a million miles long. There was no way Easton was going to handle another 45 minutes at least and be able to do the rest of the grounds so I just decided forgo my tour and we moved on. I had gone when I was younger and Jeff hadn’t, maybe next time! We walked to Washington’s grave, both of them, around the grounds and back up to the museum and education center. It was too long and hot to do the whole Pioneer farm and Easton wouldn’t really appreciate it yet. So maybe next time for that one too.

Jeff had a list of things he was hoping to get from the gift shop and I was looking for our patches. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any, of all the places, but Jeff got a really cool statue that he connects with and Easton chose a sweet George Washington hat and a puppy (?) that looks just like Kenai…. He giggles every time and Jeff couldn’t say no haha. Easton refuses to take of the hat lol.

We made our way back down the highway to Historic Alexandria for some ice cream at Pop’s Ice Cream Co. and to just enjoy the streets. The roasted coconut was bomb. We ALMOST forgot Washington’s church he attended but luckily we didn’t. The outside was really really neat. Unfortunately the church was closed though. It was a ½ mile walk to the church and a ½ mile back, so we left Jeff to have a moment at the church and Easton and I walked back towards our car and the shops. Walking around town I found the Christmas Attic store! It was the store my Mom and Dad and I had gone to when we stayed in Alexandria back in (2007?)  for my Dad’s Missing and Exploited Children Conference/Meeting. Unfortunately it was closed as well so we will have to come back tomorrow for the store and the church.

We headed back home and of course Easton fell asleep on the way…. Every time. Poor kid is so worn out. We got him home and changed into jammies but by then he was ready to play. So he put on quite the show with his hat ha ha ha! He was hysterical. And then he took a big poop and we started the jammies all over again. We read his book and drank his sippy and a half. It took him but 2 minutes to quiet down and go to sleep. Meanwhile Jeff took a drive to go see the monuments lit up at night. I hope he is having a really good time.

On to tomorrow!