The last post

We've checked out of the Holiday Inn Capitol and decided to post a few last 'Impressions of America' while we wait for our shuttle.

America in words for Desley and Nix:
Hot, humid Orlando
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, Phinneus and Ferb
Walk, walk, walk, walk and more walk
You want fries with that?
Slaw. All kinds
Brewed coffee by the bucketload
Biscuits are really scones
SQUIRRELS!
Tipping 18 to 20 per cent
Pancakes Donuts and Waffles are breakfast foods
Clean air and sunshine in Amherst
Welcome home in Shutesbury
Mino. Greg. Emily. Rhonda.
Ice cream. Fro Yo. Bus your table.
Pumpkin head
SQUIRRELS!
Chipmunks
Alpaca
Wild turkeys
Beautiful New England buildings
Northampton nightlife
Rainy stormy Washington
Buffet breakfast....mmmmm
Finally - Starbucks hot chocolate and double shot latte - ahhh
Museum. Art Gallery. More museums. Hubble IMAX
Rain and more rain
SQUIRRELS!
Plane. Shuttle. Taxi. Trolley. Open-top bus. Metro
Super security prescence
Oklahoma OK!

America last minute pics from Desley and Nix:

See ya at home soon!

Nicky's birthday 12 today!

Nicky has decided she can have two birthdays - the Australian one yesterday, and the USA one today. After a delicious birthday breakfast of Starbucks Hot Chocolate and Krispy Kreme Donuts, we heded to Alexandria or 'Old Town' as the locals call it. A very pretty old fashioned Harbour Town, Alexandria has loads of historic architecture and interesting specialty shops. We rode the free trolley to the end of King Street and slowly strolled back to the metro. Rain stopped while we were there but is back to pouring now.

As a birthday treat, we are heading out to see a musical production of Oklahoma at Arena Stage near the river in Washington.

Tomorrow we are on the plane, so this could be the last blog!

Thanks for coming along on the journey with us.
Desley and Nicky

Thunder rain and shopping

Washington is now officially the stormy capitol of the USA. Rain came down again today, along with rolling thunder and cooler temps. Fall seems to be well and truly on the way.

We visited the air and space museum,and the national Art Gallery. Saw an IMAX film about the Hubble telescope and were blown away by the images it can send back to earth.

The rain made it hard to visit the sculpture garden and botanic gardens as planned, so we caught the metro to the nearest mall at Pentagon city and spent some qualilty mother daughter shopping time. Lots of cool shops including the Yankee Candle Co - owned by pals of Greg and Emily.

Had a Philly Cheese Steak at Johnny Rockets before heading home to watch Cars 2 movie on TV.

Last full day in the USA tomorrow, before we head down under. Hard to believe its almost over.

Desley

Cool rainy Washington

Tuesday in Washington is cool and rainy.  We ran through the raindrops most of the day.

Started at the Museum of Natural History. Eygtian mummies, Hope Diamond, fossils and bones.

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe was awesome - lots of Rock and Roll memorabilia and a delicious ceasar salad. Visited the White House; Old Post Office and Macys - which looks exactly like David Jones with similar prices.

Pics below.

Washington in pictures

A word from NIX in Washington

Yesterday we went on an open bus tour of the smithsonian.
We saw the aquarium, american history museum and the transport museum plus the Martin luther king jr and roosevelt memorials. It strarted to rain at the end of the day, so when we got onto the bus it was a little crowded.
Today I ate Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast!!
We are off to the air and space museum today and a boat trip down the potomac river.
I also bought an angry birds t-shirt.
Nix

Washington DC - the final stage

Spent our first day in America's capital 'chilling out' after a very early start. Swam in the pool - which has a view across the city rooftops to the Parliament building (I think). We finally found a half decent latte at the Starbucks underneath our hotel (although you need to ask for a double shot) and Nicky even liked the hot chocolate.

Tomorrow we are heading off on a 'guided' hop-on hop-off open top bus tour around the city and Smithsonian areas - then we plan to ride the metro to the historic town of Alexandria after that.

Thanks to everyone for their comments - it's nice to have you along for the journey!

Julie: I missed your comment earlier about Hurricane Irene. Fortunately, it didn't affect our flights at all - however, Rhonda had to stay in Dallas until her flight was rescheduled to Hartford. She reckons the Dallas Tex Mex food made up for the delay.