Exploring the district and beyond...

To distract ourselves from impending flag day we decided to get out and be tourists this weekend.  I've also neglected to post pictures from a previous jaunt of ours around the monuments after dark so I thought I'd take the opportunity to post while we bide our time.

side note: We have absolutely turned a corner to being anxious about flag day.  I had my first flag day dream Sunday night in which R didn't show up and I drew our placement out of a bowl on a slip of paper.  I thought I surreptitiously pulled China out, but ended up with a slip that had the name of a post I'd NEVER heard of.  Borderline nightmare so that's fun...

Anyways, before I fell ill 2 weeks ago I convinced R to head into the District to walk around the monuments at night.  A good friend who I consider practically a DC native gave us this tip, and I don't think I'd want to visit during the daytime again.  It was perfect weather & the crowds were MUCH smaller than daytime.  Not to mention we hit sunset, dusk, and then they light up the monuments beautifully after dark.

Washington memorial selfie

R & I have agreed that WWII memorial is our favorite memorial


WWII memorial
Here we mark the price of freedom- has a lot more meaning after this last month of on-boarding with the foreign service

WWII memorial
home state homage
Lincoln memorial across the reflecting pool from the WWII memorial
Lincoln memorial
Lincoln himself
This past Saturday we headed out with a couple friends to Virginia wine country.  It was BEAUTIFUL and just so relaxing to picnic and chat and get to know new people a little better.  Our favorite of the 3 vineyards we visited was Glen Manor.  Definitely a mom & pop property with a charming tasting room, nice wines and great homemade focaccia bread.
the leaves weren't quite changing yet but it was gorgeous nonetheless
so thankful for new friends! We also brought quite the spread to snack on.


pretty sure this is at Chester Gap & I guess we didn't snap any photos at Rappahannock
We made it home Saturday just in time for the 4th quarter of the Gators' game and were thrilled to see them beat LSU.  I would be lying if I didn't say I was not expecting that.  We have a tough schedule so we'll see what the rest of the season holds.  

This afternoon we were able to take a few hours and head into the city and experience the Freer/Sackler Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art.  I found it much LESS overwhelming than the national galleries when I visited during R's oral assessments last January.  My favorite was the peacock room which is a whole room that was brought over from London to Freer's collection in Detroit in 1904.  I only snapped a couple photos on my phone, but it is well worth the visit itself.  

one of the incredible murals in the peacock room
nice door!
We topped off the day by finding amazing gelato and espresso nearby.  I made R promise we would go back with as many out-of-town visitors as possible because I did not seize the moment to try the espresso OVER the gelato- huge miss on my part.

 All in all we have been LOVING living near our nation's capitol & continue to enjoy this season here.

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