Laura Daniels Washington, DC Trip Photo Album

I feel like titling this "What I Did On My Winter Vacation" like in grade school...but we'll go more "sophisticated" for now.  But that's where the sophistication ends with me.

I haven't been to Washington, DC in over 25 years so when my number one boo thang (...that's slang for "boyfriend"? Maybe?) had a work trip, I tagged along for some sight-seeing.  Plus, my cousins live there, and we don't get many chances to see each other.  So, win-win, right?

We landed Sunday morning and hit the ground running...literally. I think we walked about 10 miles, judging on how sore my shin splints were.  First, we hit the National Archives Museum, and saw the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta (photography isn't allowed inside due to flashes possibly affecting the documents).

Then we made our way to the National Museum of Natural History, mainly because I wanted to see the Butterfly exhibit.  We could've spent all day in there (there's SO MUCH COOL STUFF!) but we had to rush through it, because wanted to make it to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum before it closed.

THAT is something you should DEFINITELY put on your list, if you ever visit.  As my cousin warned, "You will not have fun, but you will be so glad you went."  It was remarkably powerful.

After that, it was time to hit the National Mall.  We started at the Washington Monument.  The weather had cleared up and it was beautiful!

We headed down the National Mall lawn to catch a beautiful sunset on the way...

We walked the incredibly powerful stretch of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and headed towards the Lincoln Monument.

By the way, I took pics of his hands, because there's been rumors of his finger placement, that he's actually using sign language for his own initials. That's since been debunked.

From the Lincoln Memorial, I stood on the exact spot Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech.

From that spot, I took this shot of the Reflecting Pool.

Amidst all this history, I had to finish the trip with another first -- my first visit to Chick-Fil-A.  And now I understand why everyone wants one in Buffalo (it's coming soon to Greece, NY...not soon enough!). I snagged some extra sauce to bring home to Eric.