Hartney Weickert Travel Blog: Day 62

Yesterday my main blog reader (mom) departed from Columbia to return home, so I thought I'd better be prompt with this post! We would like to say a BIG thanks to my parents for being such lovely guests. The treated us to many, many delicious meals and kept our fridge stocked with food and beer, not to mention babysitting several times so Toby and I could have a few nights out. Thanks Oma and Opa. We miss you already!

Today we discovered why the guidebook said to not drive in D.C! Argh. Luckily for me Toby was driving. We found parking near the White House and walked over just in time to see three helicopter's overhead. Toby recognized them as the helicopters that transport President Obama, Marine One. Then we saw them land in front of the White House but before we could get into position to see anything (it's freaking hard to get close to the White House) the president had already gotten out of the helicopter. We were still PRETTY EXCITED!!!

Then we had a nice picnic lunch and visited the American History Museum. I enjoyed seeing Dorothy's ruby slippers and an Oscar statuette for Casablanca. Julian was nearing his missed-nap meltdown point so we moved on.

We jumped in the car and headed to Georgetown. We got lost a few times but and by the time we found parking again Julian had fallen asleep in the car. Unfortunately a few minutes later the LOUDEST police, fire and ambulances came wailing by and woke him up. We went for a short stroll and had a drink and snack and walk around the block. Have you ever walked around the block with a toddler? It takes a while.

Then it was back into the car to head home. MANY missed turns, u-turns and a few swear words uttered against the GPS Lady and we were finally on our way home.

It was a fitting way to spend our last weekend in Columbia since Washington was also the first place we visited when we arrived.

This week we will prepare to leave Columbia and then head to Long Island on Friday to visit some relatives.