DC Trip, Day One: No, that's NOT the White House

The morning started off EARLY, especially after getting about 4 hours of sleep the night before - the result of staying up late to finish packing and having to be at the airport at an ungodly hour. But, once Kelli and I arrived and checked our luggage (47 lbs. - phew, just made it!), we enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee, bit of breakfast and of course the birthday Mimosas in honor of Kelli's day. :-)

After a fairly turbulent flight (which isn't any better from First Class, mind you), we began our descent, just in time to see the Washington Monument below. I was ready to kick the seat of the woman in front of me if she continued to yell out, "I see the White House!" every time she saw, well, a white house or building. "Look! It's the White House!" she'd say. To which her companion would correct, "No, that's the Kennedy Center," or "No, that's another museum," or "No, that's an office building." Seriously. And, by the way, note to everyone who travels: there is more than one black suitcase with a red ribbon on the handle. Thankfully I was paying attention when waiting at baggage claim. I watched my bag come out (not many bags have 4 wheels, so I knew even from afar it was mine) and someone hoist it onto a cart with several other bags. I ran over and said, that's my bag, to which the woman directing the baggage clerk giggled and said, "oh, sorry, I saw the red ribbon and told him to grab it." Idiot.



So, interestingly enough, the first thing I did after checking into the hotel, was to go in search of the White House. I was meeting a ghost tour across the street in Layafette Square, so I had the chance to snap several photos of the residence. Hey, rumor has it in my family that we're related to President James Monroe, so of course I wanted to get a closer glimpse. Funny how it seems so much bigger on TV. But still, very impressive to see in person after all these years of just pictures.





My ghost tour was interesting. It was 90 minutes of strolling the perimeter of Lafayette Square, which apparently is extremely haunted. I even captured a few orbs on camera even before the guide reminded people to take photos because of what might show up. The minute someone asked what an orb was, I had nearly the entire group around me, trying to peer onto my camera's little screen.

(Dolly Madison's house below: she apparently still is spotted sitting on her front porch, greeting people as they pass by - didn't catch anything here)



The tour ended back at the White House, where we learned of all the ghosts there, as well. I must admit, in the dark, the house does look a bit ominous. I couldn't believe all the bats darting through the trees there in the front grounds. And the fireflies. This was only the second time I've ever see them - the first was in NY at that year's National Conference.



Can't believe how much I already fit in on the first evening here. Tomorrow it's Arlington Cemetery and working my way up the Mall through all the monuments and memorials.