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Washington, D.C. 2015 {Day One}

Right before Christmas, I got an invite to attend an event in Washington, D.C. on January 6th, so I booked a last minute trip.  I flew out last Sunday.  I had a super early flight, so I was up at 4:30 a.m.

The weather was in the upper 50's in DC on Sunday.  I was worried about the rain, but I just managed to miss getting rained on the entire day. Since the weather was nice-ish on Sunday, but turning really cold on Monday, I knew that I needed to do the bulk of my outdoor activities that day.

I didn't have a plan, but I just wanted to explore things in more depth than I had before, or see things I hadn't seen in a long time.  I still find driving around DC to be so exciting.  Love seeing the moments from the taxi!  Lincoln Memorial on my cab ride from the airport to the hotel...
I stayed at the Melrose Hotel in Georgetown again.  I really love that hotel, and this time was even better because I got a big, swanky, corner suite!

The view from the entry...




Looking back toward the front door...
Hallway to bedroom and bathroom...

Not just one closet, but two!  So this became my coat closet...
And this is where my Vera bags got unpacked for actual clothes...

Luckily my suite hadn't been occupied the night before, so I was able to check in early.  Once I got all unpacked, and settled in, I headed out to grab some food in Georgetown.  

First stop was Luke's Lobster...
I had a lobster roll and it was great.
Serious chunks of lobster...
Second stop was Georgetown Cupcakes where I loaded up on a supply to last me the trip...
I made a cupcake drop at the hotel and then took a cab to the FDR monument.  When I was there 14 months ago, I went at night.  I hadn't been in the daytime since 1998, so I wanted to see it again.
I particularly wanted to see it again after watching Ken Burns' "The Roosevelts" this fall.


As I said on my instagram... If I had a statue, I would want Lola at my side too!
I went a little Fala nuts in the giftshop and ended up with a Fala christmas ornament and magnet.


You can take in some great views from the FDR monument. 

The Jefferson....
Washington...
A panorama I shot with my phone...
The MLK...
After the FDR, I walked to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.  Again, 14 months ago I saw this on my moonlight tour, but had actually never seen it in the light of day.

It's really well done.  I love all of the MLK quotes that surround the statue.



Then I moved on to the Korean War Memorial.
I had also only seen this at night...



The Lincoln...

14 months ago, the Washington Monument was covered in scaffolding.  This time, it's the Capitol Dome...


I decided I wanted to go to Arlington National Cemetery, and though it's not that far away, I decided to take a cab, because the sun sets in DC at 4:54, and I was losing light.  
I have seen the wreaths being placed on all of the graves on television, but was surprised to find that they were still there.  Somehow, they make it an even more moving experience than it normally is.




JFK gravel and eternal flame...


Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...


A view of the Lincoln Memorial on the way out.
When I got back to the room, they had delivered cookies and milk for me.  So nice!
I actually walked back toward Georgetown to grab some dinner to go.  I planned on a sandwich from Dean & Deluca, because I had gotten some chips there 14 months ago that I'm still thinking about.  And when chips are so good that you think about them for 14 months, then you should go back for more.  But they didn't have the said chips anymore, so I said to heck with it, and went back to Luke's for more lobster!  I got the Maine sampler this time:  lobster roll, crab roll, shrimp roll, and crab claws.
I spent the rest of the evening taking in some television (Downton Abbey!)...
It was a FULL day

Up at 4:30 a.m. 
Left for airport at 5:20 a.m. 
Check-in for flight at 6:15 a.m.
Flight at 7:15 a.m.
Land in D.C. at 10:40 a.m.

Walked 21,597 steps (according to my fitbit).  That's 9.57 miles if you are counting.  Along with 104 active minutes.  Whew!  No wonder I was ready to relax and watch television.

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