Trip to Washington DC

yes.. that IS the "House" you think it is.. the "White House". I live very close to Washington DC... my friend was in from out of town so I was able to meet her for a few hours of chatter and looking at fun things in DC.

First we went to the DAR Museum. The "Daughters of the American Revolution"...this building is the "American Red Cross" which is next door.. it was prettier than the DAR building... hehe!

We wanted to see the quilts in the DAR.. but the museum was CLOSED! This did NOT stop them from having a Docent (guide) there for us.  We toured a usually closed area, saw their FABULOUS genelogy library and several of the "State Sponsored" rooms. These pineapple finals are crystal and they don't know where they were made, but everyone hopes they are Tiffany!

On the First Thursday of each month you can pay a fee to go into the "back" with a Docent to see a whole stack of quilts and even touch them with white gloves.. a must do if you can!  The quilts on display in the exhibit rooms are not "quality" quilts as they get too much dust and are not displayed properly, but are used for props.  I "heart" this prop!

oh... they have a lot of their genealogy library online...click here to check it out

Then we headed for lunch at the FAMOUS "Old Ebbitt Grill".. a Washington DC Institution! It is VERY old world and lots of "suits" having lunch there with us tourists in our jeans and sneakers! you can even get a reasonable priced sandwich here!

 

Next was the "Renwick Gallery" which is the American Craft museum.. it is AWESOME!!!   

This glass sculpture was fascinating.. at first glance it looked like a project table ... but wait.... keep looking... see the 'broken' bit on the floor in the back? And the WEIRD shapes?

Cheese... and fish and leaves...

And pumpkins!

I am FASCINATED by this type of work

And the BEST piece there.. it's an icon... and such FUN.. click for a larger view

Now I could hang THIS game fish!

on to see this exhibit at the "American history Museum", a jewel in the crown of our country!

I LOVE this wall of items.. and her laughing photo.. the quote... so perfect!

We also saw the First Wives exhibit of dresses and things.. (a MUST do).. and we saw the Star Spangled Banner ... and it's exhibit shows its progression and it's restoration.. it's very inspirational!

Then home on the metro System!

Have YOU been to Washington DC? What did you like best? What would you like to see on your next trip?

Comments

[Mishka]

You can take a subway to get to Washington from your house? I'm so coming to visit you!

I've only been once for a day, and it was rushed, rushed the entire time. I saw the White House, Capitol building, Canadian embassy and walked along the place where the Smithsonian is. Not enough time! It's high on my list of places to go back to.

[Pat Sloan]

Love hearing what YOU Love about DC!! and IOWA... oh my! I'm a BIG CITY girl.. hehe!

[Linda P]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane - born in Quanico and grew up in Alexandria and Arlington... been back many many times, and last time with my daughter (meeting at Pentagon) I went to the DAR house - saw lots and lots of quilts and still have my fat 1/4 bundle from the gift shop - LOL!! I also love DC but most of all my beloved VA! It is a beautiful state, with all seasons, mountains, beaches, and can grow anything. Glad you had a good time, Pat!

[Laurie Clinton]

Donna, when you go to DC make sure you go to the Old Post Office. You can go up to the top and it gives you a great view of DC and surrounding area. (there are plaques that tell you hat you are looking at)Do your homework (Google makes it so easy) and decide ahead of time of what you want to see and plan your day(s) that way. The Catherdal is beautiful and worth the walk up hill. Plan to wear good walking shoes! Enjoy your visit!

[Pins on the floor gal]

My husband was in the room when I was listening to Pat do her radio show from Rosebud's Cottage in Minnesota. He said, "Where's that Pat Sloan lady from, anyway? Iowa?" I set him straight. Our family loves DC! The highlights of our last trip were The International Spy Museum and visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Can't wait to see the refurbished Ford's Theatre.

[Leslie Sorenson]

Been there, done that, had the pleasure of living in Rockville, MD for 14 years. There are many, many delights in and about our nation's capital. Everyone should visit if they can.

[kelly wenhold]

We love the old ebbitt grill too and everyone I have sent there does too!

[anna]

Yep, my hometown...born and raised here. I love spending the day in downtown DC with my kids, they still got excited about the museums and monuments, but I also love Chevy Chase, I love Politics & Prose bookstore, love Georgetown, love my old neighorhood being the Franciscan monastery in NE, and visiting my grandparents in that same house he designed, a personal student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Gpa was. I just love my city. Thanks for this little trip.

[Lee]

When we lived in Va. we visited the Renwick Gallery and saw the most beautiful quilt exhibit. But, I didn't see the bejeweled fish?? We also ate at the Old Ebbitt"s Grill. Did you have raw oysters?

[Laurie]

I am so jealous! DC is my hometown and I miss it - can't say I miss the traffic! Old Ebbitt Grill has the best Sunday brunch! And their bathroom is well worth the trip downstairs to check it out :) One of my most favorite spots is the Einstein sclupture on the Academy of Science lawn across from the VietNam Memorial. You can actually climb up onto Einsteins lap and take photo's. such fun!

[Donna Coulter]

I am headed to DC for my first visit next month. While hubby is in meetings all day, I will be touring. It is overwhelming all that there is to see. Don't you want to come back that week and be my tour guide????

[Sandi Colwell]

I went to DC with my husband before we had kids. We really enjoyed the white house tour. I'd like to go back but I'm waiting for my youngest daughter to be old enough to do all that walking and really appreciate it! Great pictures, Pat.

[Deb Fox-McHugh]

I have been on a field trip with my daughter and for a convention. I would love to spend much more time at the Smithsonians. I imagine you could spend WEEKS there and not see everything. Absolutely loved DC.

[Sharon]

I've been there several times for conferences, etc. I love the Lincoln Memorial. We were there once with DD and 1st sp. for her b'day in Dec. It was so cold, we didn't go up in the WA Memorial. That's on my to do list. Looks like you had some fun. Don't forget Ford theater next time.

[Misty]

I'm lucky enough to have lived near DC for 6 years now. Love going into the city and sight-seeing. I love the Renwick as well. My faves are the Sackler and Freer Galleries on the mall (I'm a huge Asian art fan). Ok, I love all the art galleries! I often go with my boys for homeschool purposes so we've seen alot there!

[Cathy Howe]

My family and I lived in Crofton, Maryland for a few years. We loved to visit DC - hopped aboard the Metro in Carrollton and exit on the Mall. I can't tell you how many weekend trips we took with the kids, but several were extra special: when the cherry tree were in full bloom and at Christmas time - the White House decorations were spectacular.I'd love to return someday to see the WWII Memorial and the upgrades to the American History museum.

Hugs,
Cathy

[Ronna]

I Love the game fish! The more you look at it the more interesting it gets. Some people are just so darn crafty! But I always try and see everything! I love standing at the top of the stairs at the Lincoln Memorial and just scanning the horizon..trying to imagine what all has changed over the years.

[pat sloan]

Oh that is so funny you thought I lived in CA! I'm a east coaster... over 24 yrs in Northern Virginia just outside DC

[Stephanie in Michigan]

Looks like fun. DC is one of my favorite places to visit. Been there many times and I always love it. So much to see and do. You can do something different every time. For some reason I thought you lived in CA. What's up with that?! :-)