Washington, D.C. - Day 2

We started out Day 2 with the free breakfast at our hotel....and let's just say that the only thing that was worth eating was the yogurt. The waffles were okay, but they were running low on batter by the time we got there. We couldn't complain too much though, since it was free!

We took the Metro down to D.C. and started our "tour" of all the famous things you think of when you think Washington, D.C. We saw the White House, but no Obama sightings. Can you spot the secret guard in the photo? :)

Then we headed over to the Lincoln Memorial, which is SO much bigger than I ever imagined.

Unfortunately, they were cleaning the Reflection Pool while we were in town, so we didn't get any pretty views of the water.

We also walked through the Vietnam Memorial and the Korean Memorial. It's hard to imagine how many people gave their lives in those wars.

At the end of the Reflection Pool was the World War II Memorial, where they were getting ready to have a ceremony for veterans. We saw a group of them waiting off to the side, some in wheelchairs. I'm sure they were all telling some war stories and maybe even catching up. Cute. :) This memorial was really neat...each state/territory of the U.S. has it's own stone/monument type thing. So naturally, we took a picture with each one we've lived in.

We then walked over to the Washington Monument. We wanted to take the inside tour, but all the tickets had been handed out for the day, so we just took outside pictures and thought we could put it on the list of things to do tomorrow.

By this time, we were getting hungry, so we walked a few blocks trying to find a place to eat. Once we filled up our bellies, we were ready to head over to the Capital Building. Plus, the sun finally came out!! We took some pictures of the outside and then headed inside (actually, we had to go to the back and in a separate building/entrance to walk underground and then into the Capital), where we were just in time for a tour. This was pretty interesting, and of course the Rotunda was very cool. I wish we could have seen even more. I think the House of Representatives were even in session today.

(Grant with his namesake, Ulysses S. Grant) ;)

The Supreme Court and Library of Congress were just across the street, so we visited those next.

(a view inside the courtroom)

Inside the Library of Congress...beautiful architecture!

Most of the buildings and museums close around 5 or 5:30 this time of year, so since it was getting close to that time, we decided to start heading back to our hotel. On our walk back to the Metro station, we passed the National Archives Building, so we stopped in there until they kicked us out. :) This place was pretty cool...they have archives of EVERYTHING! Any type of paper record, video, sound recording, etc. of anything and everything that has happened to or in or with the United States. I wish we had had more time to explore in there. Maybe we can head back tomorrow if we have time.

Once we got back to our hotel, we decided that we didn't really feel like going out for dinner, so we just ordered some pizza and stayed in. The weather is supposed to be yucky tomorrow, AND I forgot my umbrella (of all things!!), so we're planning to go to the museums and indoor stuff to stay dry.

Washington, D.C. - Day 1

Since neither Grant nor myself have ever been to Washington, D.C., and because we were only a few hours drive away, we thought now would be a good time to visit before we move to the other side of the U.S.! We left this morning, after dropping Wizzo off at the vet for boarding. The drive went pretty well and was easy. You basically take the same interstate highway all the way there. I think it took us about 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

We had planned to check into our hotel in Alexandria, Virginia first (more on that later); however, since it was getting to be later in the afternoon, and because it would take us some time to ride the Metro train back into the city, we thought we would head straight for Arlington National Cemetery while we had some daylight, nice weather, and it was still open. Our thoughts? HUGE!! It is absolutely unbelievable to see how many gravesites are located there. I never knew how much space they have. According to the pamphlet we picked up, "over 320,000 servicemen and their family members rest on the 624 acres." It was very cool to be there and realize how many people have fought (and died) for our country and our freedom.

We also made it there in time to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknowns. These guards are very disciplined, and it was amazing to see the detail that goes into their routine as they change. The guards change every hour or half-hour depending on time of year, and they stand there 24/7. It must be awful in the winter and summer! I took a couple of videos, but they didn't turn out very well. Bummer.

We then walked around to see other famous gravesites, including President Kennedy's and President Taft's. Oh the history and stories that lie on those grounds!

By this time, we were getting hungry and decided to head for our hotel. We are staying at The Comfort Inn Alexandria, which is not too bad. We got a pretty good rate, and it's located close to a Metro stop. When we walked in, we were surprised to see construction and renovations going on, which they never mentioned in my reservation (although I booked over the internet), but it has been fine so far. They are replacing the front desk and tile/carpet in the lobby right now. We have been pleased with our room, too...clean and sufficient for a place to sleep. When I was searching for places to stay, one of the factors was distance to the Metro and if they offered transportation to and from. Ours had a shuttle that ran bac and forth, so that is convenient. However, the clerk who checked us in also told us that they were short on a driver tonight, so we could call a cab and the hotel would reimburse us for the fare. Excellent customer service, in my opinion. :) The shuttle should be going tomorrow, and apparently, all we have to do is tell the front desk that we are ready to go to the Metro and then call when we are ready to be picked up from the station. Hopefully it works out well.

So anyways, we checked in quickly, called for our cab (that was interesting...), and took the Metro to Old Town Alexandria to explore and grab dinner. We walked up and down King Street to see all the restaurants and shops. I loved this part of town! Very old and historic, yet cute. Kinda reminded me of Oxford, only better. :) Eventually, my feet were killing me (wrong shoes!) and we settled on a restaurant called Joe Theismann's Restaurant, a kind of classy sports bar and grill. We each enjoyed our meal and then headed back toward the Metro station for our ride home, only about 5 minutes on the train. Although, let me say that we had some issues trying to figure out how to get tickets and all. I guess we're not experienced city-goers!

Tomorrow we are planning to see all of the outdoor monuments and things like that since the forecast is calling for rain on Friday and Saturday. I hope the rain holds out!

Red Carpet Day/Graduation

B-COURSE COMPLETE!!!! Grant's training to fly the F-15E officially ended this weekend, so we celebrated with a Red Carpet Day for the families on Friday March 5th and a Graduation Dinner and Ceremony on Saturday March 6th. Grant's parents and my dad and step-mom were able to make the trip down to join us.

First, let me show you the cookie cakes I made for the lunch on Friday. Their class name was 09-CBE (left cookie) and the right cookie has the 333 Fighter Squadron Lancers patch.


Moving on....we started Red Carpet Day on Friday early in the morning with a light breakfast in the squadron bar. This bell is the gift that 09-CBE class gave to the squadron. It has their rank and names inscribed on the plaque, as well as the squadron name and class name on the bell. I believe the significance of the bell has to do with officially starting events such as roll calls, and I think there is even a "rule" that goes along with it saying that if you ring the bell, you buy drinks. Don't quote me though, and Grant is not here to confirm. :)

Some more photos while we waited for the Welcome Briefing.

After the Welcome Briefing, which included a slide show and funny video that the class made, we were welcomed by the Squadron Commander and introduced to what events we would be attending that day. The first was to go out to the End of Runway area and watch the jets get some final prep before takeoff.

Our next event was the Simulators. We were able to spend a short amount of time trying to fly in the pilot's seat, and I even sat in the WSO (weapons system officer) seat to guide bombs to the target! The sims are in the "vault", so no pictures allowed.

We then headed over to one of the hangars to see the static display of the jet. Always fun to get up close to the Strike Eagle!

After the static display, we headed to RAPCON (Radio Approach Control) and the Control Tower. We were able to go into the Air Traffic Control room and learn about all of the communication that goes on over the radio to "organize" all the planes, military and non, in Seymour-Johnson's air space. They keep busy in there! Then we climbed about 9 flights of stairs to go into the tower, which overlooks the runway and makes sure everything goes smoothly with takeoffs and landings. We were told no pictures in there, sorry!

By now, it was finally time for lunch! We headed back to the Squadron bar where they presented a few awards to the instructors and had a crawfish boil...yuck! The smell alone is enough to make me gag. I couldn't stand to watch people even eat them. They also had a few burgers and hot dogs for those of us who don't go gaga for the Louisiana tradition. :)

After lunch, we had the chance to use the night vision goggles! This was probably my favorite part of the day. They turned off the lights and let us look at different screens/pictures simulating things that would happen at night, as well as with different amounts of moonlight in the sky. The moonlight helps you see more naturally, but the NVGs were amazing! You wouldn't think that they make such a big difference, but they really do. Plus, you could secretly look around the dark room and see what everyone was doing. :)

We ended our day with a quick tour of the Squadron to see Life Support (where they put on and check all their gear), and then headed back to our house to relax. We made a bonfire, ordered pizza, and enjoyed the company. On Saturday, I was getting antsy to give Grant his graduation gifts, but when he opened the first one, this is how it came out....

It had been shipped via FedEx and wrapped in bubble wrap, but unfortunately someone along the way didn't read the precautions on the box that read "Fragile, Top Load Only", so some moron sat something on it. Ugh. Now we have to figure out how to get a new one.

His second gift was a wooden airplane prop that can be hung as a decoration somewhere in the house. I don't have a good picture of this, so you'll have to wait until after we move and hang it in our new place.

Eventually, it was time to start getting ready for the graduation dinner/ceremony. It was semi-formal and the guys wore Mess Dress, so we got to get all dressed up and pretty! :) It was held at the Walnut Creek Country Club about 15 minutes from Goldsboro.

Sporting our red for the Lancers!

This is the class frame that 09-CBE made to hang in the Squadron.

Grant getting his certificate for completing F-15E training! Congrats love!!

Class 09-CBE celebrating with a champagne toast! Way to go!

09-CBE Spouses :)

Wizzo was happy for "Pops" too. ;)

Zing! Zang! Zoom!

The Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus was in Raleigh this weekend, so Grant and I took the opportunity to go. I've never been to a real circus before, so it was fun! We bought tickets for the 11:00 am show and then spent the rest of the day shopping for a dress for me to wear to his graduation next weekend (and returning the 4 dresses I had bought the week before...haha!).

I apologize that some of the pictures are blurry and/or dark. It was difficult getting a good shot from our seats and with the dark lighting in the arena.

The act in the picture above was so cool! The people would lean back and forth to get the swings going, and then they would do flips and throw each other in the air. (And after I wrote this, I found a video of it. Hopefully it works!)

The tight-rope walkers were awesome! They jumped rope along the rope, rode a bike, and did hand-stands!

In the picture below, the people would swing back and forth and then jump through the fire!

The act in the next video may have been my favorite thing of the whole show!

Who doesn't love elephants?!? :) They do amazing tricks!

This man has a dangerous job!

Crazy!

This act really scared me! The wheels were turning and so was the whole contraption. I thought the guys were going to fall off so many times!

Right before the finale! Good photo of the whole arena.

Everyone!

More Snow!?!?!

On Friday night around 9pm or so, it started snowing...again. Ugh! We had about an inch by the time I went to bed around midnight.

Here are some pictures of the Winter Wonderland I woke up to!

P.S. Sorry if the pictures are grainy...they were taken with my cell phone.

Just about 5 inches!

Ugh. Had to clean my car off again!

And of course Wizzo wanted to play in the snow!!

Grant is supposed to fly home this morning from Las Vegas (his squadron went there for some training for about a week), so hopefully his flight into Raleigh isn't delayed/cancelled. A couple of other spouses and I have plans to meet up and go shopping for a bit before picking the guys up from the airport. The roads don't seem to be covered, only wet, so hopefully that's how all of the roads are. And hopefully this will be the last time we see snow this year! Geesh!