Nothing horribly exciting happened today, we just hung out around the house and rested. A huge front's been moving all day, so I've been pretty anchored and it took me a few hours to be able to get out of bed. I've officially seen all the Transformer movies now, G.T. decided I needed to gather understand on them and I've been in need of a distraction, so it seemed like a good combo.
As for plans for tomorrow, I really have no idea, I don't think we'll leave since we aren't packed, but anything's possible I guess.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Back at GT's house
Today we woke up and hopped into the car before hitting the road all day. Nothing really exciting happened, we drove through a thunderstorm and got quite the light show. I've been in a lot of pain all day and that hasn't changed now, so I'm going to stop typing now and possibly die on the couch.
Tomorrow is GT's birthday, so we're going to see the new Transformers movie with her family and I think that's it so far.
Tomorrow is GT's birthday, so we're going to see the new Transformers movie with her family and I think that's it so far.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Zoo
So, on first note Twinny forgot to mention which Metro Station we got off on yesterday. This is VERY important. It was called "Foggy Bottom". Sorry, I just *had* to share that due to the fact that every time we went by it on the metro I got a giggle. Thought I'd share the giggle with you all.
Anyways, today started out a little later than most of them have due to the fact K.T. was up late due to a bad pain night. We took our little stroll down to the metro and once there figured out how to do it. It was a bit of a weird and bumpy ride, and we all got a little lost in the Metro Center but eventually figured it out. We got off a exit after the Zoo one due to the fact I remembered it was all uphill between the Metro and the Zoo. Luckily the one after it was a straight and flat for most of the way which was a GREAT thing due to the fact that the zoo is on one HUGE and steep hill.
So one of the things we wanted to do was to see the Panda's, Giant and Red, but unfortunately that part was closed off due to the fact that the female panda is (or may be) pregnant and they didn't want people ogling her and thereby causing stress and so on, snowball effect and all. But the otters on the Asian Trail were really cute and playful! After that we went to gift store and then got lunch.
Then Came The Elephant! the Elephant house was closed due to construction but they had a little look area in the Elephant yard and the nice little Asian Elephant was kinda close to the fence! He was adorable! I could have stood there all day!
After that we went to the small mammals, and thou there wasn't a lot of different species there was a lot of what they had. Unfortunately they had a picture of a Desert Fox on it but I couldn't find it :( Then came the packed Reptile house. Oh my god, those people were rude and loud and cut off the girl in the wheelchair! I mean, really? That is such a jerk move! After the reptile house we saw the big cats, and went down the hill. Luckily there was a shuttle service up the hill. The bad part was that it was only supposed to go about halfway up and that hill is a killer. the great thing? Our Driver was AWESOME! He pulled up close to the curb, he tried to help us with Cale and he took us to the very top of the hill even thou he wasn't supposed to. He was AMAZING! Then he told us which way to the Metro which was very nice of him!
Metro ride's during Rush hour is a horrible thing. Far to many people, in far to small of a space. Some people didn't see K.T. and a very few were nice. After that we took our little path back to the hotel, took showers - causes it was in 90's and very humid - and then had Chiptole.
Anyways, today started out a little later than most of them have due to the fact K.T. was up late due to a bad pain night. We took our little stroll down to the metro and once there figured out how to do it. It was a bit of a weird and bumpy ride, and we all got a little lost in the Metro Center but eventually figured it out. We got off a exit after the Zoo one due to the fact I remembered it was all uphill between the Metro and the Zoo. Luckily the one after it was a straight and flat for most of the way which was a GREAT thing due to the fact that the zoo is on one HUGE and steep hill.
So one of the things we wanted to do was to see the Panda's, Giant and Red, but unfortunately that part was closed off due to the fact that the female panda is (or may be) pregnant and they didn't want people ogling her and thereby causing stress and so on, snowball effect and all. But the otters on the Asian Trail were really cute and playful! After that we went to gift store and then got lunch.
Then Came The Elephant! the Elephant house was closed due to construction but they had a little look area in the Elephant yard and the nice little Asian Elephant was kinda close to the fence! He was adorable! I could have stood there all day!
After that we went to the small mammals, and thou there wasn't a lot of different species there was a lot of what they had. Unfortunately they had a picture of a Desert Fox on it but I couldn't find it :( Then came the packed Reptile house. Oh my god, those people were rude and loud and cut off the girl in the wheelchair! I mean, really? That is such a jerk move! After the reptile house we saw the big cats, and went down the hill. Luckily there was a shuttle service up the hill. The bad part was that it was only supposed to go about halfway up and that hill is a killer. the great thing? Our Driver was AWESOME! He pulled up close to the curb, he tried to help us with Cale and he took us to the very top of the hill even thou he wasn't supposed to. He was AMAZING! Then he told us which way to the Metro which was very nice of him!
Metro ride's during Rush hour is a horrible thing. Far to many people, in far to small of a space. Some people didn't see K.T. and a very few were nice. After that we took our little path back to the hotel, took showers - causes it was in 90's and very humid - and then had Chiptole.
Signing Off,
G.T.
G.T.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Monuments and the Aquarium
Today we decided to go the tourist route and see the classic sights of DC - The Lincoln Memorial, The WII Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial, and the Washington Monument.
Due to repairs, the reflection pool has been drained of all it's water, so it was a big muddy strip and very startling to everyone who saw it. The park ranger we talked to said that the water in the pool was starting to sink through and make a big hole in the ground, so they've drained it in order to repair and kind of rebuild it so that wouldn't happen anymore and it'd be at least next year until the water came back and the pool was restored. So that was strange to see, very different than what we were expecting, but the memorial made up for it so everything was fine.
The World War II Memorial was awesome, I loved walking through it on my last visit here and it was even better the second time, but there was one thing that just irritated me, GT and my mom. For those of you who don't know, the memorial has a pool of water in the middle with fountains and little pools on the inner edge of the circle. There are signs all over the place saying not to wade into the pools, or throw coins, but to show respect for the veterans. Everywhere we looked, people were wading in the pools and treating it like a beach, not like a memorial to soldiers. Mom tried to confront one family who was wading into the middle and taking pictures like that and they treated her like someone who was stealing ice cream from a baby. If you go to a memorial, please show some respect and obey the rules posted, 9 times out of 10 they are there for a reason. If you want water in play in find a beach or a pool, don't splash around in the memorial pool. There, my rant is done.
The Vietnam Memorial, I don't really know how to describe it, but it just drove people to a respectful silence and the wall made everyone stop at least once and, for me at least, made me think long and hard about how freedom isn't free and thank God for all the soldiers who fight for the freedoms we so commonly take for granted.
The Washington Monument was at the end of our sightseeing leg of the trip so we were all pretty tired and all the tours were filled up so we didn't honestly do much there aside from rest and, in GT's case, say hi to a friendly pitbull. By then, we were done being tourists and ready for lunch, so we went into the American History Museum and grabbed a bite to eat before heading to the aquarium.
It was fantastic! I love aquariums of any shape or size, so being able to wheel through walls and walls of aquariums was so great and I was like a kid in a candy store. My camera ran out of memory really early on, though, so that was pretty lame, but fortunately I got some video on my iPod and phone.
Tomorrow we're going to continue with the animal theme and spend the day at the zoo before packing up and leaving to go back to KY the day after so GT can be home with her family for her birthday or, that's the hope at least, we'll see how much driving we can get done on the 12th.
Due to repairs, the reflection pool has been drained of all it's water, so it was a big muddy strip and very startling to everyone who saw it. The park ranger we talked to said that the water in the pool was starting to sink through and make a big hole in the ground, so they've drained it in order to repair and kind of rebuild it so that wouldn't happen anymore and it'd be at least next year until the water came back and the pool was restored. So that was strange to see, very different than what we were expecting, but the memorial made up for it so everything was fine.
The World War II Memorial was awesome, I loved walking through it on my last visit here and it was even better the second time, but there was one thing that just irritated me, GT and my mom. For those of you who don't know, the memorial has a pool of water in the middle with fountains and little pools on the inner edge of the circle. There are signs all over the place saying not to wade into the pools, or throw coins, but to show respect for the veterans. Everywhere we looked, people were wading in the pools and treating it like a beach, not like a memorial to soldiers. Mom tried to confront one family who was wading into the middle and taking pictures like that and they treated her like someone who was stealing ice cream from a baby. If you go to a memorial, please show some respect and obey the rules posted, 9 times out of 10 they are there for a reason. If you want water in play in find a beach or a pool, don't splash around in the memorial pool. There, my rant is done.
The Vietnam Memorial, I don't really know how to describe it, but it just drove people to a respectful silence and the wall made everyone stop at least once and, for me at least, made me think long and hard about how freedom isn't free and thank God for all the soldiers who fight for the freedoms we so commonly take for granted.
The Washington Monument was at the end of our sightseeing leg of the trip so we were all pretty tired and all the tours were filled up so we didn't honestly do much there aside from rest and, in GT's case, say hi to a friendly pitbull. By then, we were done being tourists and ready for lunch, so we went into the American History Museum and grabbed a bite to eat before heading to the aquarium.
It was fantastic! I love aquariums of any shape or size, so being able to wheel through walls and walls of aquariums was so great and I was like a kid in a candy store. My camera ran out of memory really early on, though, so that was pretty lame, but fortunately I got some video on my iPod and phone.
Tomorrow we're going to continue with the animal theme and spend the day at the zoo before packing up and leaving to go back to KY the day after so GT can be home with her family for her birthday or, that's the hope at least, we'll see how much driving we can get done on the 12th.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Arlington and the Air & Space Musuem
So we started off slow since we got to bed late last night. We left the hotel a little after 12 to find the Metro was undergoing maintenance, which put everything late. Once on the metro we had to switch to the blue line to go down to Arlington. We visited the Visitor's center and then made the long push up the hills. Not very easy, but very worth it. We got up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and made it in time to see the changing of the guards with a few minutes to spare. The changing of the guard is one of those things I think everyone should see in person in the lives. We took video and pictures but turned out to be not to great of a angle. So we hung out for the half hour, sucked down some water - since it was in the 90s today. The second time was really cool since the Sergeant and the guards walked right by us!!! Once that was done we went back down and got on the metro.
I had a little bit of problem getting on the Metro since the machine ATE my ticket. Luckily the Station Manger was a very nice wonderful lady who helped us out and suggested what exit would be closest to Air and Space Museum. The ride was pretty uneventful and we got off.Once there we went to get some food then wandered around the museum. K.T. took pictures and went through the space part. I then broke off from the back and went to the Flight Simulator(!). I went alone since we didn't think K.T. could take the beating of it well and we didn't want to leave her alone. Which was cool, since that meant I got to shoot and fly at the sametime! It. Was. AWESOME!!!!! I got a little distracted during the first part since I was having a little to much fun doing barrel rolls and hanging upside down... but in the end I got 5 planes shot down! Even while being distracted! It. Was. Sweet!!!!
After that we wandered some more, and decided to head back to the hotel since we all were tired and it was getting late.
Signing off,
G.T.
G.T.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Metro Ride - Solo.
So once we realized Twinny had her knife and were wondering what to do I offered to go back to the hotel (you know, up the hill and throw the tunnels). When it was agreed that that was the thing to do and I was handed the knife and Twinny's phone, since I had left mine at the hotel to charge, I took off. I ran from the Constitution Ave entrance of the Natural History Museum all the way up a nice steep hill to the Metro Station without stopping - well I slowed down to check the streets but I didn't stop!!! (I am very proud) - and jumped down to the station and waited for the train.
Once there I got onto the train and sat, and sat. Nothing creepy happen, no one talked to me, just sitting and cramping up. Once there I got off and had a moment of panic when my metro ticket-pass-thing didn't work when I tried it twice! But the guy in the little station looked at it and let me through. Once there I went up the stairs and did 60-30's to the hotel. (for those who don't know, 60-30's is when you run for 60 seconds and walk 30. or vice-versa.) I dropped off the knife, chugged some water and grabbed my now charged phone. Once back out of the door I shamefully walked it back to the metro and had no problems. The ride was boring and I made it back to K.T. and MIAS safely.
We then wandered around the museum and saw what there was to see and came back to the hotel and then left again for dinner at Chiptole. I also while in the museum picked up a surprise stone skull for K.T. since that is her thing.
For the record I was in contact with MIAS almost the whole metro ride...
Back.
But I'm fine! it was actually kinda fun!
Once there I got onto the train and sat, and sat. Nothing creepy happen, no one talked to me, just sitting and cramping up. Once there I got off and had a moment of panic when my metro ticket-pass-thing didn't work when I tried it twice! But the guy in the little station looked at it and let me through. Once there I went up the stairs and did 60-30's to the hotel. (for those who don't know, 60-30's is when you run for 60 seconds and walk 30. or vice-versa.) I dropped off the knife, chugged some water and grabbed my now charged phone. Once back out of the door I shamefully walked it back to the metro and had no problems. The ride was boring and I made it back to K.T. and MIAS safely.
We then wandered around the museum and saw what there was to see and came back to the hotel and then left again for dinner at Chiptole. I also while in the museum picked up a surprise stone skull for K.T. since that is her thing.
For the record I was in contact with MIAS almost the whole metro ride...
Back.
But I'm fine! it was actually kinda fun!
Signing off,
Thee Grumpy.Twinny.
Thee Grumpy.Twinny.
D.C.!
Today was quite the eventful and awesome day! I got to sleep in until 11am and then we walked to the Metro station, it was very hilly so my wheelchair was a bit of challenge, but we got there in one piece. I must say, riding the Metro in a wheelchair is both scary and awesome, I get to ride the elevator and get on and off first, but I obviously don't have a seat and have to be wedged in this weird little area near the door so I have to brace myself and hold onto the poll for dear life so I don't fall over. It's pretty fun once you get the hang of it, but the first few minutes are a bit stressful and the starts and stops try to make me topple over...
After the ride we were still a ways from the museum, so we did some walking and figured out that there's some sort of music or folk festival in town, so we got to jam to some nice live music and smell tasty food while on our walk. And, as soon as we were through that, we walked by a farmers market of some sorts, so that was neat. I haven't gone to a farmers market yet in my life, but from what I've heard and today seen, they look like neat places to go.
Then, things got a little interesting....
I always carry a knife on my person, I've done this for years so I don't really think about it anymore or notice when I have one. Usually this isn't a problem, most people don't really notice it, but in D.C. you're not really supposed to be armed... Fortunately, I remembered that I had one before I went through the detector so it wasn't found by a security guard or a cop. But, when I talked to the guard he said that he couldn't hold it for me or anything and would have to put it in my car or hotel room. So then we were faced with a little challenge, who would go back to put the knife away? My body wasn't up for another trip on the Metro, there are a lot of bumps and jostles, and they didn't want to leave me alone in the city, so eventually we decided GT would run back and put it away.
And with that, I'll let GT talk about the rest of our day
After the ride we were still a ways from the museum, so we did some walking and figured out that there's some sort of music or folk festival in town, so we got to jam to some nice live music and smell tasty food while on our walk. And, as soon as we were through that, we walked by a farmers market of some sorts, so that was neat. I haven't gone to a farmers market yet in my life, but from what I've heard and today seen, they look like neat places to go.
Then, things got a little interesting....
I always carry a knife on my person, I've done this for years so I don't really think about it anymore or notice when I have one. Usually this isn't a problem, most people don't really notice it, but in D.C. you're not really supposed to be armed... Fortunately, I remembered that I had one before I went through the detector so it wasn't found by a security guard or a cop. But, when I talked to the guard he said that he couldn't hold it for me or anything and would have to put it in my car or hotel room. So then we were faced with a little challenge, who would go back to put the knife away? My body wasn't up for another trip on the Metro, there are a lot of bumps and jostles, and they didn't want to leave me alone in the city, so eventually we decided GT would run back and put it away.
And with that, I'll let GT talk about the rest of our day
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