DC: Lansdowne

We spent the final days of our DC Trip hopping over to Virgina to Lansdowne.  We stayed at a lovely golf course resort complete with pools for the girls to explore.  Nothing like some down time.

We played pickleball and ping pong, ate amazing food, and enjoyed our final couple of days.

River Rafting was our big adventure in Virginia.  We had a blast.  The water was insanely low for the trip, and we spent many moments high centered on rocks.  I have never laughed so much in my entire life.  Two of us landed in the river.  It wasn't Lily, but it was Grandpa!

We truly had the best time as a family and ended our trip seeing the beautiful Shenandoah River.  Yes, I sang the song.

DC: We got to see the Panda!

Our zoo day was one of my absolute favorites.  Before we headed into Virginia we spent a morning walking through the beautiful DC zoo.  It is an exquisite park full of lush foliage and amazing animals.  This zoo has been home to a family of pandas for the past several years, and I am so glad we got to see them.  They have only been living here temporarily and the Chinese government is now taking them back.  We were some of the final people to see them up close.

 

They are such fun creatures to watch. Clutsy as all get out and just fun to watch roll around.  I honestly could have stayed in their habitat for several hours just observing them.

Lily and I took a hiatus after the pandas for some Starbucks while Evie got her face painted and met some elephants.

The zoo felt like a nature preserve and walking through the paths was an experience in itself.  Many of the animals were very active and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the tigers.

Following our trip to the zoo, we spent the afternoon in Georgetown.  Such a cute riverside city.  We had a lovely lunch and then explored to find the famous "Exorcist" steps.  I have never seen the movie, but Grandma Lynn had and we had a blast following her lead.

Grandma even put her shirt on backwards and steered into it.  Bob and I ran up it, because of course we did, and I couldn't help but handstand.

The rain slowly trickled in as we were walking along the river.  How I would have loved to add a bike ride to our day, but the rain had other plans.

DC: Mount Vernon

This was one of my absolutely favorite days or our entire trip.  I have had the opportunity to see George Washington's Estate before, but I was young and don't remember much of it. Seeing Mount Vernon as an adult was amazing.

Its always humbling to realize the reality of slavery.  Without modern technology the only way this incredible property ran smoothly was with slave labor.  Its shocking.

The main house has amazing bedrooms, each one different and unique. I would have loved to stay in one of these rooms.  

Bob may have gotten a few head bumps.

This is the bedroom that GW passed away in. Its a strange thing to stand here in the place where hundreds of years ago, the original founding father passed away.  George Washington was a servant at heart.  His desire was a life lived out of the spotlight, but he took on the responsibility of leading a new nation.  

This is the original resting place of GW.  He has since been moved but the spot is somber.

Both Martha and GW are now laid to rest in this open mausoleum. I felt weird taking photos, but am so grateful for the opportunity to stand in the presence of this man.

Even in the heat we enjoyed walking the grounds.  Every area of this place is spectacular.

Mount Vernon took up practically our entire day, but I enjoyed every single moment of it.  So much history and just an amazing experience.