Washington, DC is a beautiful place to be. Even if you are not a huge museum fan, simply wandering about is pretty entertaining. Our Girls Trip was such fun. I even let them drag me from one museum after another with few complaints. One thing that surprised me, was how much I knew about the exhibits. I guess from reading Time and Newsweek, I see reveiws of art and absorbed it without even noticing.
One of my pals had lived in the area previously and knew where to go and what to do. Of course, I kind of live here part time, but I sure didn't know much. I can tell you where the best antique shops are, though.
Her advice on lunch? When you go to Chinatown, don't stop on the first block, like a tourist. Go down a block and over and get deeper into the area. Seemed to work for us, my lunch was delicious!
Even though we had some gloom and rain, we kept going. We didn't get too wet. And luckily, we changed our schedule to go and see the Portrait Gallery before the Haulocast Museum. Because if not, we'd have been there during the tragic shooting. That is the stuff that nightmares are made of.
No tragedies in our group! Even Jen's lost wedding ring turned up in her suitcase later on. My husband had to go out of town at the last minute, so it was just us girls. We stayed up late, sipping wine and telling stories all night. Now, to me, that is the best part. It doesn't matter what location you are in, where the trip takes you, it is who you are with that counts.
While we were exploring the Adam Morgan (?) district -in a down pour that kept us from seeing too much- we did get to see some Hollywood set crew guys taking down a scene from a movie being filmed there. I guess we were a bit late to see Reese Witherspoon, but it was still interesting to watch a fake brick store front being carried away.
This week has been extra special to me, not only did I get this Girl's Trip with my friends from Lawrence, and the Blogger's Day out in Leesburg with those pals, I had Beth come to hang out too. It was like a Girls Week on steroids, three gatherings in one!
After dropping off my first set of pals at the airport, I picked up Beth for the 2nd leg of the journey. We explored Baltimore a bit, drove down to the Wharf and ate crabcakes and walked through Little Italy.
With a GPS, you can go just about anywhere! I had some time between dropping the first batch of friends off and picking up the 2nd, so I drove around a bit all by myself too. Then, on the way home from the airport, Beth and I took a little side trip to Kennsington to look at the old Antique District there.
My husband got back in town just in time to take Robin, Beth, and I out to the Tower Club for an extremely schmancy dinner. I usually photograph the gorgeous food there, but my new camera is so much bigger and brighter, it seemed a bit obnoxious. So, my husband reminded me not to disturb the other guests and to be polite. That isn't easy for me...
Its also not going to be easy for me to get back into a routine of being at home and doing my normal chores, not being wined and dined daily while giggling with girlfriends. But, Sugawings is around and I have a feeling there will be plenty of girly gigglling time with her!
It all sounds like it was so much fun! Lucky you to have such a girls' week. We all need a little more of it.
Posted by: Jojo | June 16, 2009 at 07:09 PM
jantiques...that looks enticing!!
chas
Posted by: Chasity | June 16, 2009 at 07:42 PM
What a nice trip you had!
Posted by: Mahala | June 16, 2009 at 07:54 PM
WOW! What more could a girl want than to spend time with you antiquing, shopping, restauranting, and just having a blast. Thanks for sharing. Now, return home for a "vacation" of R & R.
Ellie
Posted by: Ellie | June 16, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Hey Karla- sounds like you all have had a great time. Washinton is fun and I hope to go back there sometime. Glad you went to the portrait gallery! Hope your week is blessed and wonder filled. Sue
Posted by: Susan M Hickam | June 16, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Welcome back home Karla! Ohhhh, I was
looking forward to your famous pics of
dinner at the Tower Club...but, I can understand about the camera. Darn! lol...
Enjoy your time with Sugarwings and your
sweet Dorkies.
P.S. I understand about the condo pic. :)
Heyyyyyy...that chair would have been great
at the condo for YOU, no?
Hugs,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | June 16, 2009 at 09:39 PM
That's what vacations are made of!! Lots of Good times with friends and loved ones... Glad you had a nice trip...
Sonia
Posted by: Sonia | June 16, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Looks like so much fun Karla! Makes me miss you guys...
Posted by: Stacy | June 17, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Karla, you really seem like you are having a great time...Getting back into the routine of things does really stink...I had 5 days off and tonight I went back to work, UGH!!! I feel like i'm in slow motion...Your pictures look amazing...
Stephenie
Posted by: Stephenie | June 17, 2009 at 01:09 AM
Your right, the girly giggling is the best part!
Blessings,
Christine
Posted by: chrisitne | June 17, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Oh, I'm so happy you had such fun!
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | June 17, 2009 at 02:32 AM
Glad you had a good time Karla!
Posted by: vivian | June 17, 2009 at 07:00 AM
KArla- great pics! glad you had fun! Girls Weekends are what it's all about!!
xo natalea
Posted by: natalea | June 17, 2009 at 08:27 AM
Hi Karla,
Ohhh, what a wonderful trip you've had.
So many pretty's and fun with the gals.
I'd like to book in with you next time you go.
Hugs,
Anna
Posted by: Anna Rosa | June 17, 2009 at 04:31 PM
It looks like you guys had a ton of fun! I am not "into" museums either, but if I got to go to that vintage store I may have stuck it out!! hahaha!!
Posted by: Jenny | June 17, 2009 at 08:30 PM
Oh wow ... it sounds like a lot of fun and some great sights too. thanks for sharing it with us - your loyal bloggin fans!
Posted by: DeniseLynn | June 17, 2009 at 09:42 PM