Took the girls to a petting zoo where they could not only look at the animals but interact as well. Saw some things of interest to me; an albino peacock (well, I don't know if it was albino but it was all white); petted a llama (their hair is kinda rough); the world's fattest rabbit (big as a poodle!); pigs, cows, horses, donkeys, turkeys & chickens & roosters (oh, my); a beautiful garden of vegetables and flowers; and lots of ducks and geese.

More carousel rides, a pony ride, a hay ride, and a train ride (no wonder Americans are fat). Let them burn off a few calories on a nice playground - skipped the miniature golf. Not bad for $20.00. Tomorrow, the National Museum of American History on the mall. They have a nice new display of popular culture which includes an original 1955 Kermit the Frog that oddly reminds me of the human display in Planet of the Apes. Taking the Metro subway drops you off practically at the door and at the subway entrance is another huge carousel. The museum's free and the subway + carousel will probably only set me back $30.00. Trying to make the most of my salary during this vacation!

Edit: The National Museum of American History is closed for a $46 million renovation and won't re-open until November. Plan B: Port Discovery in Baltimore and maybe Dad can sneak over to the Babe Ruth Museum.


Three Replies to Vacation Week II

Amy Austin | August 13, 2008
Call it what it really is, Steve... a "stay-cation"!

(Still... really jealous -- of both the activities and the family fun time. Washington DC is a great place for a staycation! ;-))

Jackie Mason | August 17, 2008
[hidden by author request]

Steve West | August 17, 2008
Dinosaur bones or Babe Ruth bones? Decisions, decisions.


Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Random Thoughts While Stuck in Traffic

There's a serious traffic jam on the 495 Washington beltway that I happen to be stuck in. It's worse than stop & go, stop & go - it's more like stooooooop & go, stoooooooooooop & go. Trying to stay awake, my mind is wandering, giving me images and sounds. Go »

Massage This

Recent conversation with Brenda: (After a massage and dinner as a birthday gift from her sister) me: How was everything? Brenda: I'm gonna be sore for the next few days. I made the mistake of asking for medium pressure. Go »

Yes, I Would Like A Second Helping

Blasts from the past. Really bad album covers. Lame creatures from Star Trek. Go »

Eleven Times Bliss

To celebrate our anniversary, Brenda and I decided to keep things simple. Kids with a trusted sitter, she and I would do the dinner and a movie thing. A romantic movie with not a thing being blown up, i.e. Go »

End Of The Year Post 2007

Some of the most interesting Year In Perspective lists I found. Top Ten News Stories. Top 5 Fails. Go »

Take Me Out...

It was baseball night in Bowie. As part of Lauren's tenth birthday celebration, we went to see the Bowie Baysox. Highlights of the evening included: Nearly getting nailed by a foul ball while distracted by getting pizza sauce off my pants. Go »