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October 18, 2013 | in North America, Travel

Cut the Talk in Washington DC

korean war veterans memorial dc

For the past two weeks, it’s been impossible to escape all the talk surrounding the government shutdown.  I love my NPR as much as the next bike-riding, Wes-Anderson-loving hipster, but sometimes enough is… well… enough!

The iconic locations that represent our nation seem underserved by all this talk.

So Behold! (cue jazz hands)  Washington DC in pictures… not words!*

*Fine print: there are still words, just fewer than I usually use.  I can’t go cold turkey, and, as Mr. M can confirm, my mute button has been broken for years.

Day #10,799 (Washington, D.C.):

Breakfast of champions at Georgetown Cupcakes.

georgetown cupcakes dc tlc
Hoping a Red Velvet + Pumpkin Spice will show me what all the hype is about.  Verdict? They’re cupcakes. With cute toppers. The End.

Taking learning Very Seriously at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

smithsonian institute national museum natural history washington dc
The last thing you’d see if you were being eaten by a T-Rex.  Minus the reptilian skin.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum might be one of the most interesting museums on the Mall.

smithsonian national air and space museum washington dc
Our visit made me realize the only profession worse suited for me than airline pilot is astronaut.  [Update: Confirmed by seeing the Sandra Bullock movie Gravity this weekend.  Hell To The NO.]
smithsonian national air and space museum washington dc
Stardust aerogel: the lightest solid ever made and used to “catch interplanetary stardust.” Words cannot convey how much I wanted to stick my hand in it.

Walking the National Mall at sunset.

washington monument dc sunset

washington dc

I’d never seen the National World War II Memorial before.  Nightfall made it all the more dramatic.

national wwII monument dc

national wwII monument dc

Mr. M & I planned our trip from New York to DC in order to meet up with Sister S, who was in town for a neuroscience conference.

national wwII monument dc
Sister S & I (well, mostly ‘I’) get excited about our upcoming trip to the motherland for New Year’s 2012.

Sister S’s favorite sight was the Lincoln Memorial.

lincoln memorial washington dc

lincoln memorial washington dcI wanted to see the Korean War Veterans Memorial for my grandpa, who still gags at the smell of kimchi and tells us stories about volunteering as a local gymnastics coach when stationed in Korea.

korean war veterans memorial dc
One of my absolute favorite shots.

Amidst the back & forth and political punditry, the quiet soul of Washington DC shines through.

washington dc flags
Picture courtesy of Sister S.

No words needed.

**This post turned out to be the blogging equivalent of holding my breath for as long as possible.  Whew!  Excuse me while I go binge write.**

Details of the Day:  After spending a long day winding your way across the National Mall, the end of the day may find you- like it did us- at the Lincoln Memorial/Korean War Veteran Memorial area.  Which is regrettably far from a convenient metro station.  I rarely advocate pedicabs over a healthy stroll, but… head toward Henry Bacon Dr and the Memorial gift store… if you happen to find a pedicab that can take you to the nearest metro, I won’t tell.

lincoln memorial washington dc
Lincoln, however, is judging you.

Georgetown Cupcakes.  If you won’t be satisfied taking my word for it, (which was ‘meh’), the Bethesda location (4834 Bethesda Ave) is a lot less crowded than the storefront actually in Georgetown (3301 M St NW).  Check their Facebook/Twitter for the secret flavor of the day, and if you’re in the first 100 folks to mention it at the register, you’ll get a free cupcake.

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Comments

  1. iamluissilva October 19, 2013 Reply

    Our history is as rich as the batter for those cupcakes.

    • Miranda October 22, 2013 Reply

      My poet friend has returned! You have such a gorgeous way with words, Luis.

  2. tsaree October 19, 2013 Reply

    What a great post to coincide with the culmination of my DC trip! Also, I have been trying to remember the name of that substance - Stardust Aerogel - all weekend. Thanks for reminding!

    • Miranda October 22, 2013 Reply

      Sister S shows herself! ;) The DC theme was actually for you! If I could pull off one epic heist (a la Ocean's Eleven), I would steal that Stardust Aerogel. It is unbelievably alluring. I want to bathe in it.

  3. pamasaurus October 21, 2013 Reply

    Trinity went to DC with my brother when she was 5. She was SO EXCITED for the Lincoln Memorial.... or, as she called it, the building on the back of the penny. Sister S and Trin have very similar tastes, haha.

    • Miranda October 22, 2013 Reply

      Ha! The Lincoln Memorial does seem a lot more monumental when you think of it like that! :)

  4. Eagle-Eyed Editor November 2, 2013 Reply

    What???!!! You come by my neck of the woods and don't drop in and say hi??!!! (I'm kidding!) Seriously, though, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to DC. The WWII memorial is one of the nicest around. I liked the panels at the front depicting life during the 1940s. When I went, there was a group of veterans from an Honor Flight and watching the looks on their faces was amazing.

    • Miranda November 4, 2013 Reply

      Mea culpa!! *sheepish grin* :) Next time, I have two things on my list: Arlington Cemetery & you! Oh that must've been so wonderful to watch a group of veterans enjoying the memorial. The monuments are gorgeous to see & photograph, but that's what it's all about. :)

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