Washington, D.C.

It's been a whirlwind trip, that's for certain. I flew in to Baltimore on Tuesday after two days at my aunt's in Toronto. It was a late flight, so it was nearly 9pm by the time I reached the RV park my parents are staying in just north-east of the DC border into Maryland. It's a really nice park, actually, and very busy! Lots of people are here for the Cherry Blossom Festival and just to tour, as it's a good time of year (usually good weather).

Wednesday and Thursday we spent touring DC by foot and tram. We saw a lot in a very short time, and I don't think I've really stopped to enjoy it all. Some of it I've wanted to see for years, like the centre of the National Cathedral (West Wing 'Two Cathedrals'), the National Archives (National Treasure), and the Natural History Museum (you have to ask?). We did two tram tours that covered most of the city, and I've walked the whole length of the Mall this week. The weather was really much too hot until Friday, when it was much too cold, but today was perfect. Mom and I went in to the city for the parade (while standing in line to get into the Archives) and it looked like a blast. Very well attended and organised. Afterwards we walked down to the Sakura festival that runs at the end of the Cherry Blossom Festival, and had pad thai for lunch as we walked back to the Capitol to take a few last pictures in the sun. The whole city looks so beautiful with the last of the cherry blossoms, tulips, budding trees and the white buildings. I could love it here! (Except for the traffic, tourists, and constant sirens)

Yesterday we had a `day off`and drove out to Virginia to the Air and Space Museum (also a Smithsonian). It was a fantastic place, definitely one of the best museums I`ve been too. They have a full sized replica of the space shuttle there and dozens of planes, including a concord and the Enola Gay. The exhibits were really well done, very focused on the planes and not on endless history. Even the text panels were well-written and very carefully thoughtout (considering how many international people visit the museum, it`s a good idea). It was a long trip back from Dulles in the traffic (gods, the traffic here), but I got back in time to go back into the city on my own (!) to meet Amber. Amber and I met and Exeter two years ago doing the same master`s degree and we`ve kept in touch. She came back to Washington to live with her dad, but she`s finding it tough to get a good job (or an interesting job) and wants to move. It was great to meet up with her.

Today I`m tired. I suppose it`s all catching up with me. It`s the most busy I`ve been since Florida two months ago (was that really two months), so I`m not surprised. Tomorrow we leave to head north to the New York-Pennsylvania border to a camp ground for the night. Then probably to one in Niagara Falls to shorten the trip. Will be back to Burlington Tuesday morning.

It`s been a great trip and I`m so glad I had the chance to make it. Despite my sometime aversion to Americans, I do think America has a lot to see and to offer and I hope I can see more of it (than Florida). I`d love to do a road trip around New England or down the east coast from Maine. And I want to see Boston these days; rather badly. Even if I`ll be disappointed that it doesn`t look like Vancouver.

See you on the other side!

(of the border, that is)