The Saga of D.C. {Part 1}

I apologize for dropping off the face of the earth at this crucial time - I really do. Life's been hectic ever since I got back from DC on the 19th from work, to my brand, spankin' new laptop malfunctioning on me (the little traitor...), to piles of junk everywhere that need to be tossed, stowed or put away to itty, bitty things like sleeping and eating and Ultimate Frisbee. Also, I've been working on this post for four days and there are tons of photos to go through. I'm seeing some of them for the first time myself.

Anyway, here is  The Chronicle of Day One (I'll do some pictures too):

We started out at 3:30 am. Let me tell you that the last thing I wanted to do at 3:30 am was get out of my comfy bed and sit in a cramped car for hours on end, but such things have a way of becoming fun after you've propped your eyes open for a while.

We were stopping in Chicago on the way and drinking this horrible, horrible bottled chai tea (that company should be sued for mislabeling. It tasted like gasoline and burned on the way down.) and eating blueberry muffins and grapes. There's something really folksy and fun about eating in the car.

Here are a few pictures from Chicago a little after dawn: (I'm in the pink, my sister is purple, and my friend, who will show up at some time, is in teal. The guy is my brother)

Then we drove to Cleveland, Ohio, where we stopped at McDonalds:

And then, as die-hard fans, we couldn't leave without visiting the A Christmas Story museum! Yes, this is the actual house they used for the film and inside, after a brief intro by the tour guide, we were allowed to roam free and touch anything we wanted! Here's a glimpse into some of the fun...

I tried out the Official Red Ryder BB gun and did not shoot my eye out (though it wasn't loaded, so shooting anything out wouldn't have been an issue). Didn't notice whether or not it had a compass in the stock, though.



<-- my brother decoding the Little Orphan Annie
message.

Trying out the rotary phone. 

It does make that whir-click sound!

<-- Deciding whether or not to try the Lifebuoy soap. I've heard it can cause serious sight issues. 

Somehow we ended up with three guns for Christmas. Ah well, still got the blue bowling ball. That's what's really important to remember. I am feeling a bit defenseless though. Not sure what good a ball would do me in the case of extreme physical danger. 

Then we moved on to the er... road again, and headed to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. Now I am not much of a garden person - nay, not at all - but where the group went, I was obliged to follow (for various reasons. The most convincing being that I was stuck with them. =D)

Here are some snaps from there:

Japanese Tranquility Zen Pool. 

And girl.

Cuckoos in the nest

Then we decided, somehow un-unanimously, to spend the rest of the day in downtown Cleveland. Umm, yeah...It was a lot of walking for not much purpose and we didn't get to the waterfront due to an outbreak of mutiny.

Looking out to sea. (Cheated and got this in front of a lake...)

In front of the Rock and Roll Museum. We didn't go, not being fans ourselves.

After this, the aforementioned mutiny occurred and we saw no more of downtown Cleveland. I did however manage to snag this souvenir shot before the day officially ended.

So now with a general sense of well-being and the satisfaction of a job, well, done (I hope somebody gets that), I will now take my leave and we shall cover Day Two at a later date. Probably next June. I must refer to my journal for details anyway, but I believe we went to Gettysburg and Pittsburgh, PA. And somewhere in there the air conditioner gave out. 

Teasers abound!

Till next time!


All pictures belong to JocelynRose and may not be used or copied without permission.

P.S. To all who have entered the 2012 If You Give A Girl A Pen short story contest: September 1st draweth near! Polish up your entries and send them on in!
Thank you and good night.
*canned applause*