My parents visited us last week. We did some serious sight-seeing and got to share some of our favorite restaurants with them, as well as try some new ones. We were especially happy to take them to Buzz Bakery. Ryan and I have fallen in love with Buzz and are in agreement that it is quickly edging out Upper Crust, which is near our house in Austin, as our favorite breakfast place. My parents have eaten more than a few Upper Crust cinnamon rolls with us and they were a divided panel regarding Buzz--my dad voted for Upper Crust while my mom voted for Buzz. Also, it is a good thing they are adventurous eaters. While they were here we ate Thai, Lebanese, Italian, and French. It was a lot of fun having them in town!
On Thursday my parents spent a day in Georgetown while Ryan and I were working. According to my mom, the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks were beautiful enough that it was worth the whole trip just to see them. We'll have to make a trip back to Georgetown to see the gardens. The next morning Ryan was able to go with my parents to Arlington National Cemetery. None of them seemed overly excited about the trip--I think they all would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so cold and windy that morning.
Arlington National Cemetery
On Friday afternoon, we all went to Mount Vernon, the farm where George Washington and his family lived. To be honest, I was a little disappointed with Mount Vernon. The way people talk about it I expected the house and grounds to be breathtaking. People around here seem to be mildly obsessed with George Washington. I get that he was a big deal, but I really don't understand the countless museums that claim to have a bed that George slept in once, or a milking stool used not by Martha Washington herself, but by her servant. All in all, the house was neat, but not gorgeous. You should go for the history, not the aesthetics. The vegetable garden at Mount Vernon, on the other hand, was very pretty. Are you beginning to get how much like my mother I am becomming? See the previous discussion of the garden at Dumbarton Oaks if there is any doubt.
Mount Vernon
George's vegetable garden -- I wish we had the room to duplicate this in our yard in Austin
Another view of George's vegetable garden
View from George's back-porch
We spent the rest of the weekend checking out museums. My Dad and Ryan spent the better part of a day in the Air and Space Museum (a must see for my dad), while my Mom and I explored the Smithsonian Castle, the surrounding gardens, the National Art Gallery, and even squeezed in a little shoe shopping. Most importantly, we paid a visit to one of my favorite muppets at the American History Museum. Yes, Kermit and I finally got to meet face to face. To round out the weekend, my mom and I checked out the Eastern Market while the guys enjoyed a beer at a side-walk cafe.
- S
Smithsonian Castle--the original Smithsonian Institution building, completed in 1855
Me with Kermit
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