Thursday through Monday I was in our nation’s capital.
Some of the highlights (full stories to come):
1. If anyone is traveling through LAX or DCA in the near future, you may see my photo posted on a wanted sign. I broke bent the law and as much as I want to tell you all about it, I should probably speak to my lawyer before I post anything on the internet. 😉
Ok, I’m just kidding. What happened was I forgot to bring my wallet with me – including my ID – and had to pretend that I was a minor to get through security. Kyle’s mom pretended she was my mom (while Kyle went through security separately) so now I am officially his sister wife. Ha!
In reality, our departure from LAX was no problem. It was Washington DC’s security that really hassled me. I’m horrible at lying so why I thought to follow through with the “I am 17 years old” act when questioned is beyond me. I have never been so scared. When asked my birthday I got completely frazzled and said my actual year (1982) and then quickly changed my answer to 1992. Neither year makes me 17, but I guess the security officer couldn’t do basic math either because he ended up letting me through.
2. Fresh polish is very important for weekend trips.
3. So is chocolate. The above spread is complements of Kyle’s grandma. Kinda insane, but I like where her priorities are.
4. The weather was SO gorgeous for the first two days of our trip, I almost forgot why we left the East Coast. And then it poured non-stop and cabs were impossible to flag down and indoor dining was packed and I lost feeling in my toes and fell even deeper in love with Southern California.
Poor Kyle! He didn’t really have umbrella access while pushing his grandma in her wheelchair (after the taxi driver dropped us off 5 blocks from our actual destination). Thanks Mr. Cabbie.
5. I’m not sure if others are aware of this, but Toms aren’t the greatest rain shoes. What do you do after a day of wading through puddles?
Hair dryer? Nope.
Find a nearby shoe store? Yup.
It was Earth Day, the least I could do was buy a new pair of vegan shoes. Yes, I bought a child’s size (5). [Remember, I am a minor after all!]
The lighting is weird in the photo above, but they are SOOO cute. Plus the kid’s Toms are cheaper than the women’s ones. Plus the store was having an event for Earth Day. Plus the act of shopping is practically philanthropy work since they give a pair to a child in need.
I tried to buy them and then remembered (for the umpeenth time on the trip) that I didn’t have a wallet. Annoying!!! So I had to call Kyle to get his credit card and ID and go back to buy them. By the time I got home, I was dangerously close to losing my toes calf to frostbite.
They had artists at the store to paint your old Toms (if you wanted a new look).
6. The one main thing I wanted to see in DC was the Titanic exhibit at the National Geographic Museum.
Anyone living in the DC area should go. It was awesome.
7. I also realllly wanted to go to Sticky Fingers, but I didn’t make it. :( I can’t stop thinking about cinnamon rolls.
Luckily LPQ was across the street from our hotel. Their vegan baked goods are pretty awesome too.
Vegan carrot cake with citrus icing and pistachios. Yes please.
8. I had two waffles with a banana and coffee every morning.
We stayed at the Georgetown Suites (we’ve stayed here before) and their brunch was pretty awesome. Very vegan friendly.
Of course, Kyle’s dad went to Whole Foods too, so the fridge also had the very important items that were absent from the hotel buffet (like organic soy creamer).
And berries. And fancy bread. And good coffee.
9. I love all the Smithsonians, but the American History Museum was really cool.
Pop culture! The hippie movement! A really really old EKG machine!
10. Family time!!!
Sorry for the cheesy ending, but I feel so blessed to be able to travel with my family. We were three generations deep and it was a blast.
I was in DC Thursday too, but just for a layover;) Glad you had a fun trip!
There are too many funny things about this trip to comment on! But I also wear a children’s size 5 and was recently asked if “my parents were home” by a door to door salesman. I’m 28! But looking that young clearly has its advantages!
Looks like a great trip, I’ve only been to DC once for a quick lunch and walk around some of the monuments, but I’d love to go back! Haha and I cannot believe you made it through pretending you were a minor! Kudos!
I’ve learned that about Toms not being good rain shoes several times the hard way!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Le Pain Quoditant! Their tartines are so tasty! And have you tried the praline spread? Literally to die for. I buy a jar every time I visit!
ha i saw ‘sticky fingers’ and immediately thought of the bbq joint. then, i’m like. wait, no. she’s a vegan. after seeing the cinnamon roll i now understand. 🙂
aww so much fun! DC is definitely on my bucket list of places to visit. I have never been there before!
I’m glad you got to enjoy some of our beautiful weather before it started raining (bleh). I wonder if I passed you at some point; I ran and biked around the mall all day on Saturday because it was so beautiful!
looks like a fun, long weekend!! smart thinking getting new shoes – there’s always an excuse to get new shoes 🙂
love the part about the ID and lying thing…did you have to hide your wedding ring at all? i would have been terrified!
and that EKG machine is HUGE!
I’m a bit on the jealous side, but not because of you pretending to be 17…hahaha… Beautiful fotos! Loving them party nails. I’ll have to show you Kristine’s party nail concoction next time. Oh and um, Happy post Earth Day. 13 of us rocked vegan Toms at Coachella Wknd 1 this year. Not too shabby eh?
NO! like an idiot (slash lying novice) i had my wedding ring on. after i went through, i texted my mom about the whole ordeal and that was the first thing she commented on. i am such a moron.
i was totally terrified. the first time going through was easy – lax security must have bigger issues than age verifications. but the staff at the airport in dc had me sweating big time. they gave us the third degree about our relationship for sure.
niiiice. i miss you. next date night????
we must have! we were on the mall all friday, but some of saturday too.
no! i must now. i always want to buy their spreads, but i wasnt checking baggage so i couldnt bring it back. we have an LPQ near us here in santa monica though, so i have no excuse. thanks for the rec!
ha! nope, not bbq…its a vegan bakery (their vegan cupcakes won in cupcake wars) but it was too far away for me to justify the trip this time. maybe on a future dc trip…
Passing as a child when you’re an adult = priceless.
That’s a great mountain of chocolate!!
its so fun! such an academic city with a lively feel. politics aside, it was cool to feel like we were in the heart of the US.
dc was a ton of fun – you should definitely head back!
the ID thing makes for a good story now, but in the moment it was stressful.
haha. i agree, its nice to be able to pass for a youngin’ – until it’s time to order a drink 🙂
Lpq calls it “specaloos” but i dont think its vegan- milk products… But! Get their hazelnut butter- or, um, dont and live in ignorant bliss (but holy lifechanging deliciousness…!)
P.s.
I love that the “security” guard in our nation’s capital not only cant do basic math but also doesnt notice that you have on a wedding ring….!?
I LOVE visiting D.C. Can’t wait to see more pictures and hear more stories! My husband was in North Carolina for a museum grand opening/Earth Day event, and got stuck in the rain, too! You should have been here — was a BEAUTIFUL weekend!! To travel with three generations at this point, we’d have to take grandkids (three of them 5 and under), so maybe we’ll wait a few years!!!
sweet new shoes! i also am able to get the youth size which is majorly awesome because they’re a bit cheaper 🙂
Glad to hear you had a great time in my neck of the woods. FARM was on the Mall for Earth Day in case you happened to check out any of the events; though it was a rainy day. And this post about you being a kid was hilarious. Thanks for the laugh!
I went to D.C. a few years ago with my parents and brother. We have been on a couple big family vacations, but I must say that Washington D.C. was definitely my favorite. We spent most of our time there in the various Smithsonians. I must agree with you, the American History Museum was definitely my favorite. I could spend days in there!