USA Trip: Part V

Ahh the nations capitol. 

We ended up coming to Washington DC three times during our stay. It was only about an hour from where we were staying in Maryland and my aunt works for the Capitol police. 

The first time we went, we got to see the lunar eclipse. It was incredible and surreal seeing the eclipse with the backdrop of the Washington Monument. Watching the following sunrise over the Mall was breathtaking. We ended up doing a bit of sketching while we waited for the monuments and museums to open. 

We hit as many museums as we could in two of the trips and the third was spent taking a private tour of the Capitol, courtesy of my aunt. We felt pretty special getting to go up on the steps where Obama gave his inaugural speech. 

USA Trip: Part IV

Oh, the Renaissance Festival! I have missed thee greatly...

My aunt and uncle positively spoiled us by taking James and I to the faire. I used to love going when I lived in Tucson and this time it was even better because it wasn't too hot to dress up and, instead of being in the desert, this was tucked into a beautiful little section of forest. 

It was heaven going around to the moss covered stalls, trees towering above us, and heaps of people all dressed up! The participation levels were astounding. I really wish we had something like this in Australia. I couldn't stop smiling the entire time.

 

USA Trip: Part III

James and I managed to get over to Baltimore twice during our stay in Maryland. The first time was when the Orioles were playing in the world series, although tickets were crazy expensive so we went to the Aquarium for half price instead, and the second was just for some shopping fun!

Aquariums have always been one of my favourite things to go to when travelling. Since 2nd grade I wanted to be a Marine Biologist, which was very practical growing up in the Sonoran Desert with the closest beach about 3 hours away and in a different country...

The Baltimore Aquarium is really interesting in the way it moves up into a rainforest exhibit, which you can see on the building in the first photo (it's the pointy bit). A whale skeleton hangs above a huge reef tank and you can see all angles of it as you head up to the top.

 It's well worth a visit and you might even see the pirate ship Fearless come in to dock.