A Very Long Walk

Today I had a fun day in DC with my new friend Alyce and her boys.  It was a very rainy day.  We nearly canceled our trip because of torrential rains and flash flood warnings, but then we thought, "meh, it just rain!"  I later found out it was not JUST rain.  It was only a five minute walk to The Mint from the Metro station, but by the time I got in the door, my skirt was soaked and water had seeped into my "rain-coat."  The Little, of course, was dry and content.  I learned how to make money, which is great, because I haven't made any in about three months. 
After the tour was over, we parted ways and I wandered off to the National Mall to see some monuments.  My first stop was the World War II memorial, which was very moving.  Then, I took the long trek past the reflection pool to say hello to Mister Lincoln and strolled through the Korean War Memorial on my way back.
It was fun, but I couldn't help but thinking that it would be so much more fun on a bike.  Everything is spread out, and the park covers MILES of property.  You could never see everything in one day on foot and still have time to enjoy it.  I never did get to see the Capitol up close or the Vietnam Memorial.
I also had to wonder a little bit about the Washington Memorial as I made my way back to humanity.  What is it memorializing?  Washington?  Gigantic sculptures you can see from space?  Tourism?  I never did come up with an answer I felt content with.
After all that walking I was ridiculously hungry, so I skipped the Smithsonian and the National Sculpture Garden and headed back to the real world for something to eat.  I found a Potbelly Deli (hooray!) and got a sandwich.  I know it's kind of a cop-out to go to a chain in a new city, but they don't have small businesses in DC, seriously.  Besides, when you're hungry, you don't take chances.  You go with what you know is good. 
At that point, my back was sore from carrying the Little all day, and my legs were about to give out, but then I just HAD to stop by the White House on my way to the station (which really ended up being in the opposite direction.)  So I walked by and said hello to Mr. and Mrs. Obama and admired their pretty vegetable garden (which didn't look quite big enough to feed the White House, in my opinion.)
Now I'm happy to be home, warm and dry with my feet propped up and my jammies on.  And the Little went to bed without any complaints.  And David actually came home from school tonight.  And he's actually taking a shower.  Life is good.

Stuff I saw: