Washington DC Day 2

We had three main goals for the agenda: National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, and the boys trip to the International Spy Museum. During my planning for this trip, I figured we would have enough time in between so as not to feel rushed for the day. As we all know, no matter how much planning is done, things don't usually come out as planned. :-)

In the morning, we hopped in the car (bad call!) and decided to forego the Metro this time around. We had hoped to arrive at the zoo earlier in the morning before opening time (the grounds open at 0600 but the zoo isn't officially in business until 1000) to catch the animals at their most active time. A slow iPhone GPS led us to miss one turn which then in turn led us on a wild goose chase trying to find the right way in crazy DC one-ways and closed off roads. Our estimated arrival time of 0915 became a reality of 1000. Oh well, so much for arriving early.

I was the most dissapointed at this fact, but my optimistic boys (the Mister and Mister D) pointed out our impromptu detours took us through the Dupont Circle neighborhood (bustling, but charming) and down Embassy Row. They had a great time identifying which building belonged to which country.

The entrance to the park is free. Although if you want a map, you need to fork over two bucks. It was well worth it, as Sophia took on the role of official navigator during the trip. She became pretty proficient in her map reading skills considering she was in her absolute fave setting!

The big cats were up and about still and we got to experience some eye to eye contact with a tiger and a male lion. Another lion was busy cleaning off the monstrous breakfast he had earlier. They had some great educational hands-on exhibits around the animal enclosures. Like this one for example, had the kids comparing the size of their hands to that of the tiger's.

We were lucky enough to catch the orangutans (it was Iris' the ape's birthday that day) inside
the think tank and had a great lady to ourselves to teach us the difference between apes and monkeys.

The kids loved the indoor exhibits the best. The reptiles and small mammals buidlings were chock full of animals they were familiar with. I pointed out to Liv, "Look, Liv, BIG turtles!!!!" At which point Sophie patiently tells me, "Mom, those are tortoises. Turtles are small!" Yes, ma'am! :-)

Seeing the male panda was nice and all, but the highlight of the zoo excursion was watching the apes travel across what they call the O-line. It is a system of towers and cables that allow the orangutans choice of location and freedom of movement. They can travel by swinging on cables 100 ft in the air, with no safety net, btw, from the think tank to the ape house on the other side of the zoo.

We were warned not to stand directly below them as these apes find tremendous fun in urinating on unsuspecting zoo patrons!
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Arlington National Cemetery

This was just supposed to be a quick peek/drive into the cemetery to show Dylan the size of the place and the number of heroes interned there. Instead, the eight mile drive from the zoo to the cemetery took a whole hour (again, GPS versus closed roads and missed turns). Once we got there, we stopped in the visitor's center at which point, Dylan pleaded to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Mister and I promised each other never to discourage any educational requests from the kids, so our plans for the day became officially derailed.

It was a great call, though. A diplomat from Lebanon was there to lay a wreath on the tomb, and so the usual ten minute ceremony became a huge 45 minute to-do with all branches of the services (including the Coast Guard!) and the Army band there. Dylan was in the front to witness the whole thing. The look on his face afterwards was priceless.

As fitting, we chose not to bring the camera into the cemetery in respect for the dead who lay there. So, no pictures for this one.
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International Spy Museum

I opted out of the Spy Museum so the boys can enjoy the experience sans complaining girls. They signed up for the Operation Spy experience: a CIA-based-on-actual-missions hands-on, role-playing experience.

Mister D LOVED it! He considers this his favorite portion of the trip!!!