Wow, does time go by faster than a speeding bullet?

We found ourselves in a use-it-or-lose-it situation with timeshare points.  Many years ago, we lost our minds and bought a couple of Marriott weeks.  Having outgrown that way of traveling, we struggle every year trying to use our points.  A quick fix was a trip from Reno, NV, to New York City and Washington, DC, ultimately ending up in South Carolina.

After seeing so much negative news about NYC, I was a little freaked out about going. I figured we’d be “on guard” so much that it would be a bust.  Dang me if we didn’t have a blast.  We walked upwards of eight miles a day, gorged on fantastic food, saw three Broadway plays, walked the Brooklyn Bridge, scoped out the Financial District, Times Square, Central Park, Little Italy, and Chinatown.  Phew.

*click on photos to enlarge

I swore off the subway before we left home, but gave in.  When in Rome…  It was clean and uneventful, minus our ringside seats to a rap trapeze show.  These guys contorted into spaghetti noodles, wrapping themselves around the poles, and levitating only inches from our faces.

We opted to take the train from NYC to Washington DC.  It was relaxing and scenic.  

We’ve spent lots of time in DC over the years.

I had one goal: to take photos of Bill at the Vietnam War Memorial. Opposite from the last time we were there, it was super busy.  Besides the normal visitors, there was a large freedom flight tour and film crew sharing the space. I think sixty years later seems like a day for these vets.  Though stellar in composure, quiet, memorial tears wet their faces. My sweet husband humored me through his discomfort.

The weather was beautiful and brisk – great for walking.   Rinse and repeat on gorging ourselves and checking out all the sights.  One highlight was the Museum of the Bible.  Chock full of information, interactive and beautiful.

There is something uniquely powerful about the emotions that emanate from being immersed in the nation’s capital.