Baltimore & D.C.

So, first let me acknowledge that I need to change the title of this blog. However, the address will stay the same. It's convenient that the change of state does not prevent me from the alliterative revelry of the M's. Love that literary device. Wow, am I a dorky English teacher...


One week before we moved, we squeezed a trip into the chaos that is life. My cousin Lexi is spending the summer in Baltimore to lengthen one of her legs so that both of her limbs are the same length. It's a dreadful, painful, and lengthy process involving the breaking of her femur and slow pulling apart of the bone so that the bone tissues literally grows in to fill the void. Lexi is a very beloved cousin verging on celebrity status in the eyes of Lachen and Aksel. So, it was without question that we would go to visit her and her mom, Liz.  And, since it's a mere 40 minute train ride to D.C., we'd go there too.

BALTIMORE

We took the overnight train from Boston, arriving in Baltimore shortly after 6:00 a.m. We stayed close to the Inner Harbor, visited the National Aquarium and the USS Torsk submarine. Shawn tried out one of the beds. Tiny!

Lexi was in a wheelchair, so we were able to experience the multi-leveled museum using many elevators, ramps, and even a secret passageway. Lachen had been researching sharks, so he was beyond delighted to see so many species of sharks. I'm always a fan of the jellyfish, and Aksel loves the dolphin show. He does love a performance!

We sampled several crab dishes, and my favorite was the Maryland crab soup. Once again, we had the argument with Aksel about why he can't have lobster even if it is on the menu. Shawn found an awesome Italian spot that played 1950s movies and TV shows on a ginormous screen behind the bar complimented by smarmy lounge music. FYI: Maryland fish and chips are cornmeal crusted, not battered like the New England variety that we know and love. Both perfect unions of fish and grease.


WASHINGTON D.C.

"One single day in the nation's capital?!?" you ask? It's clearly too short, but it's what we had. And, this was a reconnaissance tour to plan a longer trip with Grandma and Grandpa Hemberger in another year or two. So, we scoped out the places we wanted to spend more time next time. However, in one day, we did manage to see the Capitol, the entire Mall, the American Indian Museum, Air & Space, Natural History, the sculpture garden, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and the White House. The photo is from the flight simulator. Aksel, the man of no fear, wanted "More! More! More!"

We also saw two political demonstrations. Since it was Father's Day, there was a father's rights rally. Also, we watched literally hundreds of skateboards careen down the hill of a city street and make a 90 degree turn towards the Capitol. When one boarder was nearly hit by a car, he hopped off his board. Shawn seized the moment without motion to ask what the event was. The boarder said, "Skateboarding for freedom, man." It was classic! And these guys (really not a girl in sight) really did take over the entire street, stopping traffic, and making a point. I saw a sign banning skateboarding on the sidewalk later that day. Of course I did a subversive "Rock on!" fist pump at that silly sign.

Lachen and Aksel LOVED the day, and somehow their little legs managed the miles of walking. Next time, we want to go INTO the Capitol and White House, and spend a whole day at each museum, plus the Folger Shakespeare Library, the art gallery, and Washington Capitals ice arena. And, we learned that the best place to eat on the mall is in the American Indian museum. Lachen's busily planning the trip!