I love taking a day trip in the middle of the week. It really breaks up the drone attitude of the work week. Today, John, Tory, Brandon, and I went into Washington DC! We went to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. Sadly, no photos were allowed INSIDE the exhibit, but it was still worth it.
We had planned on parking at Vienna and taking the Metro from there, but alas, ALL of the lots and parking garages were full. So we drove a bit further to Falls Church and boarded from there.
John and Brandon
Brandon and Tory
It was certainly a day for hand knits!!! The wind wasn’t as bad as it has been, thank goodness. We managed to navigate our way to the museum with ease (which is saying a lot for me. Thank goodness for DC Metro’s mobile web page.) We arrived early, so we got a cuppa and took in the Arctic photo gallery. It was so amazing; the photographer truly captured the animals. TINA – I was thinking of you today … you would have loved the photo exhibit!
Finally, after having to stand in the cold for a while (the guidelines for the tour were very strict,) we were allowed to enter the Terra Cotta Soldiers exhibit. One word … breath-taking. They had at least six full Terra Cotta soldiers, many small artifacts (ranging from pottery to roof tiles to jade mirrors,) and some scale models of chariots and wagons. My favorites were the Terra Cotta Warrior with a full, life-size Terra Cotta horse, and the Terra Cotta Strong Man.
I have to tell you, to see a piece of history so close was amazing. There was so much information – so many beautiful artifacts – I was blown away. The faces of the warriors were all different – that truly stood out to me. Also, the crazy thing that Tory mentioned … if Chairman Mao hadn’t been a fan of the first Emperor of China, then these pieces of history would never have been unearthed.
At the end of the exhibit, there was a replica Terra Cotta soldier that we were allowed to take a photo of.
John and Me
Tory and Brandon
Front there we headed back into the cold, boarded the Metro yet again, and went to Chinatown …
Chinatown Gate
….to visit an Irish Pub. I know – crazy, right? But man, was it worth it. This place was AMAZING! Fado Irish Pub is right across the street and up from the Chinatown Metro Station. (COREY – next time you visit, we must go there!)
Cozy nook by the fire
Choices, choices . . .
Harp ... it's what's for lunch
No, I actually had more than beer for lunch (Bangers and Mash!) The fish and chips looked great and so did the Irish Breakfast, but I was craving something hearty after walking in the cold! Stuffed full, we contemplated where to head next. Can you guess???
Mmm . . . yarn
Stitch DC carried a lot of brands that I can’t find locally, like the two skeins of Spud & Chloe ‘Sweater’ that you see above (it’s a wool/cotton blend – but I’m thinking mittens!) I know that one of my 100 in 1001 goals was NOT to buy more yarn … but I’m sorry. I quit smoking. I cut almost ALL soda out of my diet (including a vast majority of my caffeine.) I’ve got to have something, right? 🙂
All in all, a good day. We had chilli at my house for dinner, and now I’m tucked in for the night. Knitting, Criminal Minds re-runs, and warm pjs. Life is good.
The Yarn Closet 