I hit the agree and submit button for a fall Washington DC trip for DH, DD#2, and me. No business meetings, no late night taxi to the hotel following a three hour flight and an eight hour work day will be on the agenda. I've been to DC more times than I can count, and while I have been able to quickly fit in a site or two on several of the trips, even managing a whole extra day last fall with DD#1, I've never been on vacation there. I couldn't wish for more in my terms of travelling companions for five days in my nations capital. While DD# 2 could go in an out of one of the Smithsonian's in less than an hour, I wonder if we will fit in all there is to see with my two history buffs. The Air and Space Museum will be no less than four hours-I am sure. I've written before, we will need to really tighten the belts to ensure funds are free for the various trips we have planned in the next 14 months. I was greatly aided by doing a quick promo code search and found a code for an extra $150 off a package for a four night minimum stay, exactly the number we are staying. Not too shabby for a 60 second detour. I was tempted to book one of the tours to make sure we really fit in all the monuments, but then decided "why bother?" I'd rather we have the opportunity to go slow and deep rather than wide and frantic.
Half the fun for me is in the planning of the trip. I will look forward to gathering Internet links for DD and DH to look at and picking up fact books, and reference materials from the library. I have a few old metro maps tucked in some old work binders to plan some routes, but now with the miracle of google maps, we can put in a starting and end point, as well as stops along the way, for walking or public transit. Still, the journey is part of the joy, so low tech will suit me fine for planning. I do like the street view interactive maps where you can drag the little avatar man to a specific location and there you are. I just caught a view of a few folks noshing on a slice from We the Pizza, one of my favorite stops on Pennsylvania Ave.
I'll probably prattle on a bit between now and October. I am very excited about this because it will follow or precede a few markers in my families life. First, it will be my first real vacation since changing jobs. While I will have many three day weekends because of a flex schedule, those should, will, be filled with the growing home project list. Second, this will be the first break DD#2 will have had since starting cross country training in August, and her first year of high school. Third, the trip is the month before I turn 50. Seems fitting that I ring in the half century mark with a little history. If you've been to Washington DC, what is your number one "don't miss" activity or site? What do you all have planned? Anyone else dive into the planning and design months before you actually step on the plane, train, car or boat?
| DC budget-Savings | $2,500.00 | ||
| (includes air, hotel, ground transport, airport parking, kennel, meals, snacks, entertainment) | |||
| Budget helpers | |||
| Orbitz Promo | $150.00 | ||
| New budget-from Savings | $2,350.00 | ||
You are going to have a wonderful trip. I loved it there. I visited when I was in 7th grade and I still think about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd good job on finding a coupon code for $150 off. Free money!!!!!
I hope to see a few former colleagues from my DC Advocacy days as well, without being in a business suit. There are so many sites I haven't seen but think I'll defer to DH and DD's first choices as they haven't been there at all. The promo code was a bonus find.
Delete