baby Rivas makes three!: Maggie goes to Washington.

This July marked the final baby-free vacation. We had been hoping to visit uncle Joe and Dan in D.C. for over a year, and we FINALLY had our chance. Sara bought me a new phone for Christmas, and as part of the deal it came with a free companion pass to use this year. We found a deal on tickets and flew out on Thursday night. Of course our flight was delayed by almost 2 hours. Uncle Joe had already directed us that he would be meeting us at baggage claim #8. He also informed us that if we were late, he would leave cots for us at baggage claim #8. Luckily, he had Dan with him, and he has a soft spot for us so they waited for us to arrive.

After a long haul back to Haymarket that night, we arrived in time for a midnight snack (my favorite time of day). I had a few beers to wash it down and then it was off to bed. We had a big day ahead of us.

Friday, July 3rd

The morning began at 6:30am. We had a tight schedule according to our tour guide and had to be out of the house by 9:00. Uncle Joe served a continental breakfast (his words, not mine) and a quick look at the Post. Then we were off to the metro station to take our first train ride into D.C.

We arrived at the mall just as the Folk-Life Festival was beginning. First we found a port-a-pottie for my pregnant wife, then we found a Chicago Style hot dog for me! They were so good!

Have you had one of these? I highly recommend. Here how it's done:

A typical Chicago-style hot dog includes:

Steamed poppy seed hot dog bun
All beef hot dog (steamed) (preferably Vienna Beef)
Yellow mustard
Chopped white onion (raw)
Neon green relish
Sport peppers
Tomato wedges
Crisp kosher dill pickle spear
Dash of celery salt

It was like nothing I have ever had, and I am quite the connoisseur. This dog gave the vendor at 52nd and Central Park West a run for his money!

After the morning snack we headed over to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Sara needed to see those Ruby Slippers! You know the ones...

I was also able to reconnect with some old pals!

We had hoped to make it to the archives, but the line was around the corner (literally) so we opted for lunch instead (yay!). We laid in the grass, listened to music and Sara mentally prepared for the hike over to the Lincoln Memorial. On the way we saw the Washington Monument.

Then we passed by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Then the WWII Monument.

A much need potty break.

Then we made it over to the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Finally we arrived at the Lincoln Memorial.

We decided to climb the stairs for a closer look, but Sara decided that if she climbed the stairs she was going to be sleeping with Honest Abe. But she was happy to stay below and take our picture!