We visited Washington D.C. a week ago today. Spent a full day there. On a sweltering hot & humid day. I remember humidity. I lived in this climate for 17 years + 4 more when we lived in Cleveland. It’s not hard to forget. But man — coming from the desert into that wet air on a nearly 100-degree day? Super awesome.

Not.

After we got through the initial shock (in other words, the whining) and found some air-conditioning, it really was a great day. We caught the morning train right in Brunswick. (Did I ever tell you that my hometown high school mascot is the Brunswick Railroaders?) Once we were in the city, the Metro got us to the Mall and then it was on foot from there.

We were in really, really good company. Lots of people were there to see the Lincoln Memorial. Hot + humid … and crowded? Plus whining kiddos? We were off to an … entertaining start.

This is part of the beautiful WWII memorial.

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Of course the Washington Monument is beautiful, particularly as it is surrounded by U.S. flags. But this also became our first landmark of air-conditioning! So now we love it even more.

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These views are from the top of the Washington Monument.

Inside the Smithsonian – National Museum of Natural History.

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