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Published: March 31st 2010
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Greetings from the Dunns! We are on our second leg of the trip! Yesterday morning, we woke up early, said goodbye to the Big Apple and drove to Hoboken, NJ. We were determined to eat pasteries at Carlos' Bakery. This time - sweet success!! There was no line and we walked right in. I was hoping to see Buddy, but they said that he wasn't due in for a few more hours. The bakery is much smaller than I had envisioned, but the ladies behind the counter were very nice - even though they were barking at each other like they do on the show. There was a group of old men who were sitting at the only table. You could tell that they were regulars and weren't planning on moving any time soon! After ordering some sweets and a coffee mug, we said goodbye and jumped back in the camper bus. All Dunn members thoroughly enjoyed our breakfast! We then drove 4 1/2 hours to DC. The girls and I slept most of the way. Tony felt as if he was driving sideways most of the time due to the 35 mile per hour gusting wind!! Pretty scary! A few
times, we thought that the bus might blow off the Delaware Memorial Bridge!! We arrived at our campground - Greenbelt which is just 12 miles outside of DC. We ate a cheap, quick lunch of peanut butter sandwiches and chips. We topped it off with chocolate covered canolis sprinkled with powdered sugar, AHHH! Heavenly!! We then drove into the city, jumped on the metro and went to Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum. Tony was in his glory, telling us all about the planes. He kept quizing Madi throughout the museum to make sure that she was remembering everything he had told her. (She just reminded me that Chuck Yeager named his airplane after his wife - Glamourous Glennis) (Julia just told me that Amelia Earhardt was the first woman to fly around the world.) Smart girls! After buying some astronaut food, we packed it up and left the museum. We had a quick McDs snack outside while we sat under some beautiful cherry blossoms. After refueling, we walked over to Smithsonian's Natural History Museum. Madi's goal was to see some mummies. The museum didn't disappoint! In addition to seeing some mummies, we also saw this incredible forensic exhibit where there
were tons of bones and amazing causes of death. Madi saw a spinal cord of someone who had severe Scoliosis. It really freaked her out! We reassured her that she has a much milder case! After looking at the famous Hope Diamond, we left in search of dinner. We found a mexican restaurant to "chillax" in for a while. We were beat and just needed to sit a while. We then used a Droid app to find the nearest Metro - thank God for 3G! We jumped on the Metro and headed to Union Station where our bus was parked. Union Station looks like an airport, but it's actually a train terminal. We all agreed that DC's subway system is much cleaner than NYC's, but the ticket terminal is much more confusing!!! Once back in the camper bus, we did a night tour of some of the national monuments. After driving around the Lincoln Memorial SEVERAL TIMES, we finally found a street to park on. The monument was beautiful at night. We did some research on Honsest Abe and learned that his statue is made of Murphy's marble. We also learned that he is buried in Springfield, Illinois with his
wife and three of his four sons. We were hoping to also see the Jefferson Memorial, but we were all ready for bed! On our drive back, we were stopped at a red light, I was staring at a house, behind a rod iron fence, and then I asked everyone, "Hey, isn't that The White House??" We all started laughing! We didn't even realize that we were on Pennsylvania Avenue!
As we speak, I am typing in another Starbucks while the girls play with their DS and Ipod touch. Tony is down the street drying our laundry. What a man!! Our plan today is to see Jefferson's Memorial, Arlington National Cemetary, Smithsonian's American History Museum and maybe Ford's theater depending on the girls' energy level! Madi already has two blisters! The weather right now is sunny and super nice!! YEAH!!! Tomorrow, we hope to visit where they make paper money and then start driving to Charlottesville to see Monticello and The University of Virginia. This has not been a relaxing trip to say the least, but we are seeing so much and are having a great time together!
Side Notes - I gave the girls these large bouncy
balls that attach to your wrist with a string. The object is to throw them and then try to catch it. I thought that it would be a great toy at the campground. THEY think that it's a great toy to play with while we're driving. I can't tell you how many times I've been bonked on the head. They think that's so funny!!!
We have traveled 947 miles at an average of 50.9 miles per hour for a total of 18.5 hours. We have spent $194.88 on gas on 67.5 gallons at an average of $2.89. Don't ask how much we've spent on tolls, taxis and subways! We've lost track!!!
So far - DC has been much cheaper than NYC! Free museums have really helped!
We have found over 30 state license plates so far.
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Heather
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Boy Andrew is going to be sooo jealeous! He loves to watch the cake boss!Looks like you guys are having fun.