Lately

A few photos from the last few weeks:

Vacation Recap Part 3: DC

Sunday afternoon we left Charlottesville and headed down Constitution Highway to DC.

We checked into our hotel and after resting a few minutes (and checking to see if we got HGTV - we didn't) we headed out. We walked about 5 blocks to the Metro station.



For dinner we went to the Old Ebbit Grill. One of the things we both wanted to do was to see the monuments at night. So after dinner we walked around the corner towards the mall and got ot see afew buildings.


the White House


The Washington Monument


The Capital

We then headed to the Willard for drinks. This was one of Bryan's must-dos.

Monday morning we stopped for bagels on the way to the Metro. Our plan was to hit the mall.



Much of the mall was under construction which was a bummer. But we saw the main things.

For lunch we had been recommended to try Founding Farmers. I'm so glad we had heard of it because it was amazing. Great local food and beer.



Service was amazing too!


Out waitress had suggested the Capital Bike Share. I was hesitant to ride bikes around the city, but I'm so so glad we do. It was my favorite part of DC.







We spent the afternoon riding the bikes around seeing more monuments.






WWII


FDR


TJ



By late afternoon we had hit up most of the monuments and decided to ride the bikes along the Potamac to the boardwalk area. This was probably my favorite part of the day. The bikes created a breeze and riding along the water gave me a sense of peace after a hot, hectic day.



We docked the bikes and settled into a table for beers and people/boat watching.

Afterwards we walked up to Georgetown and had dinner. Wish we had more time to explore the Georgetown neighborhood.

Tueday we knew we didn't have too much time since we wanted to get back to Norfolk in time for dinner. But we both wanted to go to Arlington.






We were just in time for the changing of the guard. As soon as we reached the tomb of the unknown solider it started raining.


It was moving to be there.




From Arlington House

For lunch we went to nearby Alexandria and had fish and chips.


Then we hit the raod to Norfolk where we had a great dinner with Brett, Sarah, Wes, Katie, and Evie. We cherished spending time with our sweet friends.

Vacation Recap: Part 2 Charlottesville

Friday afternoon we arrived in Charlottesville. We went through StayCharlottesville.com to book the guest house we stayed in. It was adorable! I didn't get pictures of the interior, but we were both smitten with it.

We decided to walk downtown from our place to see what was going on around town. The first thing we noticed about Charlottesville is how walkable it is. Families were out walking places and traffic is uber concious and will stop for you no matter what.

The Downtown Mall is such a neat community and I would love to see Main St. in Memphis turn into something like this.

We stopped into the Whiskey Jar for drinks and an appetizer before wandering again.





My cousin had suggested several places to eat and see in Charlottesville and we ate at The Local which was around the corner from our guest house.



Great food and an awesome restaurant.

Saturday morning we headed to Bodo's bagels for breakfast and coffee. Our bagels were great. However, there was an incident of a leaky coffee cup.

After we fixed the coffee situation, we walked around UVA's main campus.



They were doing a bit of construction, but it gave us the opportunity to look in a few of the dorm rooms of the main grassy area. They were so neat. Below is Edgar Allen Poe's dorm room. The modern one's have not changed much.



Afterwards we met Brett and Sarah, who had driven up from Norfolk and headed to Monticello.



Sigh, Monticello was my favorite part of the trip. There are way too many photos to post here, but here are some of my favorites.













We took a garden tour and it was awesome. Highly recommend. I think Bryan had a crush on our guide.





For lunch we stopped by a little market and I had cheese and salami for lunch. One thing I really enjoyed about this trip was the cheese. Lots and lots of cheese!

Afterwards we headed out of town a ways to the King Family Vineyards. Bryan and I attended our first wine tasting and afterwards we bought a glass and took in the amazing views.











For dinner we went to Mas, a tapas place around the corner from our guest house. The service and the food were amazing.





We walked off all the food we consumed by taking Brett and Sarah to the downtown mall. We stopped for drinked on one of the great patios.

Sunday morning we went to Bluegrass for breakfast. Best breakfast ever!


Chocolated covered bacon anyone?


Get the corned beef hash.




After breakfast we went straight for more wine. We toured the wineary at Barboursville Vineyards and tasted over 20 wines.



The original family house burned many years ago, but the ruins are still around. Tihs house was designed by Thomas Jefferson.





We parted ways with Brett and Sarah after our tasting and ruin visiting. Bryan and I hit the road for DC, which I'll have coming up next. Hopefully.