While I tweak my first DC post, grandson #2 sent me a few of his thoughts about our trip. These two kids were absolute dreams to travel with…no whining, no complaining, no arguements…I’m NOT kidding. Whatever we suggested, they were game. There was a couple of times I was hoping they say, “We’d rather go back to the hotel.” Granny’s knee was screaming but we kept marching onward! When you get Big Boss on a trip (FINALLY), he’s like a coon dog on scent…you can’t slow him down!
Every morning, they would get ready look at me and ask, “Where are we going today?”. And no matter how I answered, they were ready! Way different than traveling with your own kids. Grands are really, really, REALLY GRAND!!!
So here’s #2’s thoughts. The photos are his!
FAVORITE:
My favorite thing was by far the Washington Monument. We bought our tickets for 7:00 p.m. with Paw at about 11:00 that morning. We waited until 7:00 that night. The line was a bit backed up but we waited for only a half an hour and then proceeded in to the Washington Monument. As we entered the base of the monument, we had to, of course, go through security. On our way up an educated man fed us fact after fact until we made it to the top. The view was breathtaking! To the front of the monument you could see the Capitol building. To the back you could see the Jefferson Memorial and the Pentagon. To the right and left you could see the endless expanse of Washington D.C.
FOOD:
We asked a gentleman at the front desk (of our hotel)for a good place to eat and he recommended a restaurant called the Black Finn, Dick’s BBQ, Dunkin’ Donuts, and a bunch of other restaurants. We ended up choosing the Black Finn. I ordered a hamburger, Paw ordered a steak, Braeden and Meemaw both ordered a salad. It was absolutely the best food I have ever eaten in my entire life.
DEEP THOUGHT:
I was especially moved by the Holocaust Museum. The shear horror that the Jews and other people had to go through was absolutely unbelievable. I do think that if you go to the Holocaust Museum you will exit that building a moved person, and a changed person. I would make that a top destination on a trip to D.C.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Country Life 
He’s a very thoughtful grandson. I hope you had a great trip.
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We had a fabulous time! And he just sent an email thanking me for letting him be a guest on my blog!!
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I wish I’d known when your trip was–I live here!
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Oh man, we could’ve had a mini-Hobbit fest!!! Next time?!
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He sounds so grown up… and such a true guy talking about his food . Two of mine have done the DC rounds. First went on an organized school trip and said he enjoyed the monument the most. The other one went with friends who lived nearby. He had a much different approach and was awed by the Lincoln Memorial. Final son is allegedly going next spring with his class. We shall see what his take is.
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He does doesn’t he? Can you believe this is the Duo from long ago?!! The first night at the Black Finn, the manager spent quite a lot of time at our table visiting and then brought out their specialty dessert…Hot Chocolate. Just. Shoot. Me. Unbelievable chocolate souffle with peanut butter, hot fudge, ice cream topped off with whipped cream…the real stuff!!!
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any chance you’d share name of your hotel if it was close to everything
________________________________
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Absolutely! The Courtyard Dunn-Loring in the Vienna district, Fairfax Co. They have a great website too. Weird thing is, their rates are cheaper on weekends but the staff is fantastic and the rooms are super clean and spacious.
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Just FYI–Weekend rates are lower because most of the hotels have business clients during the week that are not so price-conscious!
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That young man is a superb writer! What an insightful guy. I’m in DC with a group of East Texas 8th graders–not sure any of them would be so eloquent and moved. Congrats, parents, grandparents, and others who have influenced their critical thinking.
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Thank you for your compliments. I loved every second of our trip!
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Hey babe! We had a blast with you two!! Can’t wait until the next round!
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I’m so glad you had fun with us, and have fun with the next 9!!
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We had a blast, Austin and are already anticipating the next trip. Love you bunches!
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Austin, please continue to write! You really do have a talent! I am a former English teacher (7-12 grades), and I can tell you most high school students would not be so eloquent about such a trip! Fun fact–Did you go into the House of Representatives? If so, do you know who the men were in profile around the top of the room and what they all had in common? Who were the only 2 men facing each other? Who is the only one pictured with a full face?
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I edited a couple of misspells…common ones that I sometimes have to look up! You’re there now? If you go up the Washington Monument would you check if the side of the aluminum cap with “Laus Deo” is not visible on the capstone display within the building? BB doesn’t remember seeing it so I can’t confirm with him. There seems to be some controversy over whether it can be seen since the reopening. Have fun and thanks! Thank you. I appreciate all of your wisdom and help getting the trip put together!!!!
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Great Washington review! I want to do Washington some day. I’ll file this away for future reference.
No whining? No complaining? I’m currently in a 36′ camper w/ ALL my darlings, one of which is a threenager who screams. I don’t mean to wish years away, but a Mawmie can dream of the day when the 7-yr-old doesn’t aggravate the you-know-whattie out of the threenager. It’s what I get for vacationing w/ my work.
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