Washington D.C.

Since we had to go to Arlington, VA for Kira's awards dinner, we thought we would make it a fun weekend trip for the whole family. We had a fabulous time driving around Washington D.C. taking in all of the sights. It was the first time the girls and I have been back east, and we even got a little snow.




Anyone who knows our family would be able to guess that the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum would be the place for us to be. We were able to get a chance to see the Wright Flyer, Mercury 7 capsule, and U2 spy plane. Brian ran into his good friends Orville and Wilbur and tried to buy a plane.



One of the highlights of the trip for Kelsey was getting to see the SR-71 "Blackbird" at the National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center. We saw the space shuttle Enterprise, and the Mobile Quarantine Facility (aka NASA's Airstream trailer) where the astronauts returning from Apollo lunar missions were held to see if they brought back any moon germs. Also, we were able to see one of Kira's favorite type of aircraft. Kira's loves the V-22 Osprey, and the museum had a Bell XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft. Who doesn't love an aircraft that can take off, land, and hover like a helicopter, but with the speed of an airplane. I'm sure Brian would love one for his commute!

The sightseeing and museums were free, but the memories... priceless!