NYC via DC 2012

It started with a drive to the Orlando airport. We parked in the close in B lot this time to try something different. Our late Airtran flight to DC Reagan airport was on time. Got a seat with a (real) window this time. There were some chatty girls in the seats behind us that just met. Thankfully I had my Bose noise cancelling headphones. I could tell you their life story from the little I heard. I think they will be best friends forever... The approach to the airport from the north put us on the side that had the National Mall view.  We decided to take the cab this time since the hotel was close and it was late and the walk from A terminal to the metro is about 20 minutes. The cab only took 15 minutes and less than $20, good choice!! Since it was only 11pm when we arrived, we decide to walk around my old neighborhood. Alot of new development since I was here. We found that an old bar I use to watch the NFL games was open, called Summer's. We had a few drinks and spinach dip, then called it a night for our early start in the morning.

We woke up a little late and had a complimentary breakfast at the hotel. Since we were late the eggs seemed a little cold. So then we started walking to the Court House stop in the Metro. We took the Orange line two stops to Foggy Bottom in DC.. Walking straight down to the Memorials, we started across the Memorial Bridge but decided to jay walk to the other side at the half way point. As we got close to the Lincoln Memorial some jogger who saw us when we started across the bridge commented to us as he was disappointed we did not make it all the way to the other side. Looking back, we should have finished the bridge. Lincoln Memorial is still cool after all these years. A bunch of groups of school children started showing up, so we took a few snapshots and moved on. There was alot of construction for the reflecting pool, looked like alot of jobs were created here. Passed the Korean Memorial on the way to the World War 2 Memorial. Glad we got to see this one again, last time it was really crowded with some ceremony going on. Next I wanted to get a few classic pictures of me and the Washington Monument. Still not open from the Earthquake. About time for lunch and we went to a place outside at the Patio W Hotel (J&G Steakhouse).  We had a few Mojitos and I had one of the club sandwiches and Penny had the Grilled Shrimp Salad. Both were good and the drinks were nice sitting out on the patio watching people walk by.  After lunch we start walking towards Ford's Theatre, on the way we saw a place that served Yogurt by weight, so we had to try that out.  It was good but maybe next time we should split one...  We skipped going in the Ford's Theater as their was a long line for it.  We headed to the National Mall to take a break under a tree.  Time to head back to the hotel to clean up and get ready for our ride to Maryland.  We hopped on the Orange to Red line to Silver Springs exit.  I called David, my Ex Co-worker, on the way but it still took him a while to come by and pick us up.  He took us over to his house way out there.  We hung out with his wife and 3 kids.  One of them Graduated on this day and they had leftover pizza and cake.  We ended up hanging out over out his place chatting until late.  He brought us back to the Silver Springs exit and we proceeded to take the trains back to Arlington Court Suites since it was late.  Next time we want to go back to that W Hotel Terrace Bar for the nighttime view of the Monuments...

We woke up early this morning and got our luggage together to prepare for the train ride to New York City.  We were able to make it to the complimentary breakfast upstairs right after 6am and the food was alot better when warm.  Riding the metro in the early morning I was surprised how many workers were commuting to work that early in the morning.  Arriving at Union Station with plenty of time for the Northeastern Train at 7:25am.  Riding the Amtrak was quite relaxing, shortly after we left we moved to the cafe car and had a nice booth for the 3+ hour ride to the Big Apple.  Amtrak has complimentary Wifi so I was able to research things to do in New York on the way.  When you get out the train at Penn Station there is alot of underground activity.  Upstairs I had to get my bearings in front of Madison Square Garden.  We decided to go straight to the Empire State Building since it was a nice day and we were right there and had a few hours until we could check in.  The lines were quite short as I guess it was still early in the work day.  The price of the tickets to go to the top were very high and if you opt for the 102nd floor as well as the 86th floor observatory, the price is $40.  But I have to say that the cost is well worth it as the view was fantastic.  Next Stop is Grand Central Station to a little Mexican Restaurant called Zocalo in the basement.  We had a few Margeritas here and they were delicious.  After 1 and a half I was really felling good.  Also had an appetizer of Shrimp Quesadillas.  On our way to the hotel, we stopped by Times Square to check out all the Billboards, very impressive.  The hotel was nice but small.  Big enough to sleep and use the shower.  Did not matter that much as we were mainly outside anyways.  Based on some insider info we went to a local basement bar called Reunion on 9th and 44th.  It was quite loud in there but the people were very nice and interesting.  The happy hour drinks were quite good (3 Happy Mermaid, Happy ACID Drink, 2 Happy Surfer).  We were happy after that...  Then we decide to take a walk down by the river to take a break from the crowds, passing by Brandon's building on the way.  We saw the Intrepid Battleship.  Back to Times Square, the Videos are amazing, you could sit there for hours watching TV :)  After we had enough, we took a walk by 30 Rock to see if anything was going on over there.  Yes this city does not sleep but we need to.... 

We woke and took a walk over to Times Square and the Marriott Marquis.  Went to the top floor but there was no view.  The View was closed until 4pm.  Took a few pictures from the 8th Floor Bar Area.  Around noon we go to meet my brother on 42nd Street at his 33 floor apartment.  It was a really nice place, had some Mimosas.  The original plans were changed when Brandon's connection at some restaurant was not at work yet.  So we went to a little place called Market Cafe.  They had a nice brunch and all you can drink for 20 bucks.  Had to make the all you can worth it and got a nice buzz.  Then they wanted to take us up to Central Park.  We went to some building where they have a big fat guy statue with a shiny member.  Then a quick look at the Park and back down Broadway towards Times Square.  We decide to take a break before heading downtown to the World Trade Center 911 Memorial.  We had to make appointments for this thing.  Well we passed out when we went to the room and were late and did not get to see the memorial.  So we went to the Seaport area and had some more Mimosas.  then took the subway back up to the Hotel to drop off Brandon.  After a quick break at the hotel we went up to Rockefeller Plaza and had to do the Top of The Rock at night.  It had a great view of the Empire State Building all lit up.  Need to check this one out during the day time.  We had some Burgers at Bill Burger's at midnight. 

Sunday Morning we called the Front Desk and got a late checkout of 1pm and decided to take a walk through Central Park.  On the way we found a little grocery to get some coffee and a pastry.  Central Park is very much alive on a Sunday.  So many joggers, walkers, bikers, strollers, etc....  We found the cool fountain and lake where all the people were renting the paddle boats in the bright green water.  It was really cool.  We continued to walk up to the other lake where they have the fence and jogging path.  This was a lot further than I thought and took a long time to get to.  the View of the Empire State Building over the Lake was very cool.  Time to head back but we were like 50 streets up north of the hotel so we decide to take the subway down.  After checking out of the hotel, we went to a place called Dalton's on 9th Avenue at 44th Street.  Good cheap food with a table right on the Street for fantastic people watching.  After lunch, there was a street market which we checked out and got a few touristy things.  Then back to Times Square and the Disney store, had to try my disney discount.  Finally it is time to head back home via JFK airport.  We decided to take the subway and the Sky Train which is pretty easy and inexpensive.  We did get on the subway the wrong way but quickly realized it and got off and switched directions.  The security lines at JFK were not that long but seemed to take forever.  The flight left the gate on time but due to traffic and whether delays we ended up sitting on the Tarmac for almost 3 hours.  Good thing JetBlue has Satellite TV, it made the wait a lot less painful than it could have been.

Overall it was a great trip.  Already planning our next trip back to hit the spots we missed such as the Status of Liberty and WTC Memorial...