The Smithsonian Exhibits

So, as the title suggests, I spent the last few days in Washington DC! Tony was selected to attend an annual JAG convention called "Keystone" at the swanky Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland right on the Potomac River. Since Joan was already coming for Tony's promotion ceremony, she graciously agreed to stay some extra days and take care of the kiddos while I flew out to spend some days exploring DC and the evenings (including watching election results) with Tony. That is what finally pushed me over the edge of making the trip...who wouldn't want to be in DC on election day!?

Tuesday, I took a bus to the Metro station and then the Metro to the Mall and the trip took about an hour. But I felt like such a capable grown-up for doing it all by myself...the last time I was in DC was 10 years ago and I was with a friend.
I spent the entire day exploring the Smithsonian exhibits...starting with the National Gallery where the highlights included Vermeer and Rothko...I can't believe I'm actually admitting this, but seeing this Vermeer made me short of breath! I'm such a Dutch masters nerd.Then the National Archives, the Smithsonian Castle for lunch and a visit to the Smithson Crypt and then the Natural History Museum (where I wished that I'd had Sam with me) and the Hope Diamond. Nice.

DC was glorious...the leaves were all changing color but still on the trees and the overcast skies made for really nice pictures for both days I spent on the Mall. Thank goodness, because my camera broke just as I was packing to leave, so please forgive me if photo stuff is off until I get used to Tony's camera and editing. But some of the highlights of Tuesday was seeing all the "I Voted" stickers. It made me so happy to see that so many people exercised their right to vote!!