Well I have officially survived the 4th of July in Washington D.C. I didn't head out until around noon. The parade started at 11:45am, and by the time we got down there and off the metro around 1pm we walked out of the metro area right into the parade where the firetrucks were going by. I presume that this was the beginning of the parade. It was hotter than heck, probably close to or above 100 degrees, so we only lasted about 30 or 40 minutes I think. I don't really remember. I do remember that for the majority of the time I was standing in a ginormous flower pot to watch the parade and take pictures. We had a great spot- especially considering we got there after it started. Here's a few parade pics....
We can't forget my ice cream man with SOOOO many options!!
We ran across the street towards the National Mall between Marching bands and were headed into the American History Museum to cool down when we came across a lovely foutain area that we stood in for quite some time. It felt so good! There was the cutest little boy swimming in it too. I'm not sure I'd let a child of mine swim in the water...I mean feet in it were bad enough!
We walked around the American History and Natural History Museums checking things out for a couple hours...here are just a few of my awesome photos I took!
THE Oringinal Muppets (above), Muppets today (below)
(below) Here's winkin' at you buddy!
WATCH OUT!! He's gonna get us!
This guy is just rather upset....
After we ate a very late lunch in one of the museums I left the girls I was with to meet another friend out on the Mall. FYI for those who don't know..."The Mall" is the grassy grounds between the Capital Building and the Washington Monument where all the events took place, and the many Smithsonian Museums surround the Mall). As I met up with John and his friends I commented on how it was looking rainy...and I was humored by the signs on all of the tents that said: Tents are dangerous in electrical storms.
Then the storm came rolling in slowly, yet quickly.....here's some shots of the very dark sky as we were seeking shelter. They actually closed down the entire Mall and told everyone to get inside immediately because there were 50-60 mph winds and hail headed our way. We were seekin shelter as far away from the Mall as we good in a quick amount of time. We got kicked out of the National Forest Museum doorway by the security guard that said to us "it wasn't his problem it was raining!! get out." So we went to seek shelter in the Holocaust Museum, but that along with every other museum was getting ready to close. So we huddled in the corner of a small overhang by the door along with lots of other people. About 15 minutes before the museum closed they said they would let us in because it was getting so bad outside and there was so much lightening....and part of the outside of the building is metal...so we let all the babies and other families get inside first. When the girls next to us tried to go in they said they couldn't go in because the museum was closing in 3 minutes. Then a few minutes later they started kicking everyone out. It was crazy! Oh ya, and we can't forget where they told us we could wait the storm out inside: in the "Hall of Windows". THAT made me feel safe now if we had gotten inside. We rode out the storm though outside and got a little damp but not too terribly bad. The calm before the storm....you can see the sun is still peeking out, but behind it in the rest of the picture it is just black sky.
The Mall was closed for a good hour and a half I'd say until around 6:40pm. Then we had to go through the process of everyone going through security again and them checking bags. Props to the DC Police though in getting people back in very quickly! When I got in, I took a couple pictures of the damage from the storm that was there....
The perfect spot to end the evening was on the steps of the National Art Gallery. It was a PERFECT view, dry and fairly clean seating, and not too crowded. People definatly came back to the Mall after the storm though...the place was packed and it ended up being a nice evening and fairly cool compared to the rest of the day. After the fireworks it took about an hour and a half to two hours to get home. It really didn't seem like that long, and it could have been slightly faster but we waited for quite a while for the free campus shuttle from the Metro station instead of walking across the Key Bridge. I'll end tonight with some firework photos. I have to work at 830am!! More updates later this week hopefuly....
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
:) :) :) :)
My favorites......(below)
One final thing, as I finish writing I hear thunder rumbling again....the weather forecast is for strong storms the next two days and nights. GREAT!
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