Good Morning. It has been a busy couple of days and not much time to report so finally, as I find myself wide awake at 3:00 EST, 12 PST) decide to fill you in with everything. I haven’t been able to find my sleep groove since we got here. Even though it is just a 3 hour time difference, my body is having a hard time adapting to the time change. I have not been sleeping like I normally do even at home but being out of my normal time zone has enhanced my inability to sleep soundly all night. Speaking of change, the weather…. wow! Not complaining but being real, the humidity and heat really got to me. I think it gets to anyone when you are not use to it but then pregnant on top of that, wow it really had me feeling it throughout the day. We did a ton of walking too so being on the go, walking all over, riding bikes and basically being as active as possible (you kind of have to be when you are trying to cram as much in as possible) let’s just say I was really exhausted throughout the day. I kind of felt as if I was back in my first trimester! We have been walking all over but I swear I feel like I have gained 10 pounds! The heat and humidity makes you swell, hopefully it is the weather, lol!
We have been lucky to learn our lesson that Vacation Rentals is the way to go. Luckily we had full access to a kitchen, washer/dryer, and entire full equipped apartment. This made it easier to prepare most meals in but this trip was a little unique because you really are on the go so much and find yourself out and about and with limited space to carry anything except bars, you really can’t Bring your Own Food everywhere. All the walking, I just used my fanny pack so that made it hard. I lived off of the following, most days:
Meal #1, 2 and 6 were made at home
Meal #1: 1/2 cup oatmeal and protein
Meal #2: Egg whites/ piece of fruit
Meal #3 & 4: Quest Bar
Meal #5 Dinner or grab a bite out (lean protein and veggies)
Meal #6: something at home (egg white omelet, shake)
Snacks: popcorn & popsicles
Not too exciting but did the best I could, making it work. I have to say, traveling does so much for you, especially making you appreciate your world, your cooking, your routine, your access to good quality food, car, etc. We had a blast but it is always a good feeling when you are ready to get back and find your groove again.
Days in DC:
Wednesday- got in and walked around Mall (Smithsonian area) went to the White House, & grabbed a bit to eat
Thursday- Rented bikes and rode to Maryland for lunch. It was about a 13 mile bike ride (yes!) then went to some memorials (WWII, & Lincoln) napped and went to dinner with a friend of ours Jay from Eat to Grow. He also gave us a full tour of the city, which was amazing, especially in a car so you could really get around.
Friday- Funeral for my step-fathers father at Arlington Cemetery. It was incredible and an experience of a lifetime. He was a Tuskegee Airman and actually the first African American to drop a bomb in WWII. He was honored with an amazing burial, including a fly over. Pretty incredible and a memory of a lifetime.  That day we r&r’d before heading over to my step-fathers brothers house for a reception and dinner.
Saturday- Met my parents in DC to visit the Holocaust Museum, Air & Space Museum and grab dinner in Georgetown. It was a fun and educating day. I had been to the Holocaust before, it is incredible!! Dinner was Salmon and a bed of beautiful veggies and the best meal we had here. Georgetown was my favorite little town!
Sunday-We took Metro then a bus out to Mt. Vernon to see George Washington’s Mansion. That was incredible and one of the best things we saw! His mansion was on the most beautiful grounds ever! On 400 acres right on the Potomac River. It was really great to see where he lived and learn more about what an incredible man and president he was. From there we took the bus/metro into Alexandria to meet my parents for lunch. We walked around the town before heading back to pack and get ready for our take off today. Got laundry done, packed and made a healthy dinner in. I actually made a salad with veggies and topped it off with Egg Whites. Hit the spot and now we are ready for our take off…
It was a memorable trip and we definitely got to see a ton of things. We definitely were on the go for 5 full days and I feel grateful and appreciative.
Onwards we go and back to our regular updates!
xoxo, Gina