Cousin's wedding

Sunday, 15 April 2007

Today began way too early. We needed to leave extra early to make the two hour dive to DC for my cousin’s wedding. It was an easy drive once we got on the road, even though it was raining cats and dogs. It was 63* when we left Williamsburg, but by the time we got to the Potomac River, it was only 47*. Both my daughter and I had sleeveless spring dresses with sandals to wear to the wedding. Probably not the best choice of clothes for the weather.

We boarded the vessel and watched the wedding ceremony. The little guy screamed the first 45 minutes. That didn’t help a whole lot. In fact, it was rather trying. Dinner was served while the boat cruised up and down the Potomac River near the Washington Monument and Rolling Air Force Base (I think that is the name of the AFB there). It poured the entire time, even inside…there were towels everywhere soaking up where the rain was running in. It was definitely an adventure.

After the ceremony, we said good bye to Mike and the kids and I headed out to do a quick driving tour of the city. We drove passed the Washington Monument, the White House, the Capitol Building, Union Station, Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian’s near the Mall and Arlington National Cemetery. It was still fairly rainy, but fun to point out various things to the kids as we passed. It was the perfect speed for them: “hey look, it’s the (fill in the blank).” I think they are growing weary of anything historical that they can’t put their hands on.

Following our whirlwind city tour, we headed out to the country side…to Basye, VA in the Shenandoah National Forest area. It’s beautiful, and quite secluded out here. And I had to laugh at what they call a “ski area” here. It’s more of a bunny hill or a tubing hill than an actual ski area, but hey, who am I to say?

Today was a terribly long day of behaving for the kids. They spent 2+ hours in the car on the way to the wedding, were cooped up on a boat and expected to behave (which they did) for 4 hours for the wedding, then spent another 3 hours in the car for the DC tour and getting out to Basye. When we got there, I sent them to run the stairs since it was raining cats and dogs outside and there is a creek bursting out of its banks 20 yards from the condo. Really, I don’t need to lose a kid that way, you know? I’ll take my chances on the stairs, thank you very much.