Washington, DC - Day 4 - Monday, July 5th

I arose early this morning. I spent my time before the humans got up avoiding Julie’s cat. She looks scary! Thankfully, John put us (me, Polly, Lucky) in his bag. We were out of harm’s way. Of course, that also meant we couldn’t see anything on the way to DC. If it were for the John’s water jug, we might’ve gotten heat exhaustion. Talk about hot!

Julie decided to do the hills of Arlington cemetery first. No one wants to hike up hills in heat, she figured. Me – I could’ve flown to the top of the hills, if John would let me out of this bag! But he didn’t. I heard about the eternal flame at JFK’s grave and I also heard the changing of the guard. But mainly I heard silence. Solemn silence. Everyone was paying their respects for those who fought for our freedom.

Well, we didn’t’ want the entire day to be a downer, so we caught a train to the stop near The National Archives. Julie got us tickets for the 1 PM showing. That gave us plenty of the time to eat lunch. Well, plenty of time FOR THEM! We got nothing. Bupkus. Nada. Zilch. I tried begging from bystanders, but no one understood me. I guess I have to speak Pidgin. (Pause for groan at the terrible pun. It was John’s fault – Honest!)

After lunch, we walked to the National Archives. I got to see the façade, but not the inside. Apparently “No Cameras” = “No Free Range Chickens”. So much for The Emancipation Proclamation! The tour of the Archives took about an hour, so we had two more hours until our tickets for The Washington Monument. We found a really cool sculpture garden where my comb was HUGE and trees were metallic. We wandered through the Smithsonian “Castle” and meandered our way to the Monument. We even stopped for popsicles (none for us, of course). Not too many people were wandering around the mall. It was REALLY hot! I was broiling!

Thankfully, 4 PM came quickly. We were ushered into an elevator that took us to the top. It was a very cramped area, but the views from up there were AWESOME! You could see The White House, The Capital Building, and everything in between. Amazing views. I even met some nice Japanese tourists who took my picture. I am an international celebrity, baby! I bet they would’ve fed me.

Soon our tour of the monument was over. As we descended, I realized it was almost dinner time. Wonder what’s for dinner? Well, Julie decided we should have seafood in the dockland area. We hailed a taxi that took us to an area with seafood galore! I even got some dinner, as John was generous with his crabcakes. But he didn’t give me any of his strawberry lemonade. Oh well – at least he fed me!

By the time we got on the train, found Julie’s car in the parking garage, and drove home, I was exhausted. Where’s my bed? What? Yes, yes … I’ll be ready to leave in the morning for Gettysburg. It’s a huge open field – of course I’ll be ready! I can hardly wait!

Washington, DC - Day 3 - Sunday, July 4th

Stupid internal clock! I could’ve slept in today, since we’re not going to DC until late afternoon. Say what? Julie insisted on a relaxing day at her place before heading to the craziness of DC for fireworks. We had an awesome menu for lunch: hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, deviled eggs, chips. And by “we”, I mean “not us”. Only the humans ate. How rude! But it could’ve been worse – they could’ve eaten us!

After they finished the meal, they chilled out in the living room. Julie researched museum closing times and saw that The Natural History Museum was open until 7 PM. Which was perfect, since the fireworks started at 9 PM and we could visit the museum until it closed and then find a spot for the fireworks. I can’t wait!

It was our first on the train today. We were going to take it all the way to the mall in DC. I didn’t know we were going to shop. I forget my money at home. I was told this was an all-expense-paid trip to DC. No one told me I had to buy my own souvenirs. OK, Lucky, Polly – which train do we take home? What, John? There’s fireworks tonight? On the mall? Sounds dangerous. I’m in!

Turns out the “mall” was a big open grassy area in the middle of DC. If I had known that, I wouldn’t have whined. No, really … I wouldn’t have! We headed to the museum like we planned. There were LOTS of friends for me to play with. I met a polar bear, and a jelly fish, and some butterflies. We even got to be part of a totem pole! The humans wanted to look at the rocks. Me? I could’ve hung out with the woolly mammoth all night. What? The fireworks start in an hour? Let’s find a spot on the field .. I mean mall. I wanna peck!

We wandered in the twilight, looking for a patch of earth to call our own. We eventually found one near the Capital Building and sprawled out. There were quite a few people waiting for the show. Not as many as John was predicting, but still more than I’ve ever seen in one spot before. Many were playing hacky-sack, most were relaxing, some were with the Hare Krishna’s. Everyone an American. I was so proud I waved a flag. American, of course. I’m not a turkey; otherwise, I might’ve flown that one!

BOOM! That’s how the show started. Fireworks of every color exploded over the Washington Monument. Rockets red glare. And blue. And green. And purple! The display was spectacular. Everyone was cheering, John was flashing everyone (with his camera), and smoke hung in the air. And then it was over. That’s it? I want more! I can still hear! Where are we going? I don’t want to leave! Wait? Where’d all these people come from? We have to all get through that tiny door? Help! I’m being squished! Or is it squashed? SQUAWK!

Well, that was fun. NOT! Thankfully, the train platform was not too crowded. Talk about claustrophobic. And we get off at the end of the line. Awesome! Maybe I can get some sleep in John’s bag. Nope! First, he got a band-aid for a girl next to him. Then he got the fan out for the mom. What does a bird have to do to get sleep around here? Apparently nothing, because I didn’t even notice when we got to Julie’s house. No matter. I need my rest for tomorrow. Itinerary for tomorrow: Arlington Cemetery, National Archives, top of Washington Monument. In 100 degree heat. YAY!

Washington, DC - Day 2 - Saturday, July 3rd

OK, I’m confused. Why aren’t we sleeping outside? Why aren’t we leaving @ 7 AM? It’s already 8:30 AM, and we haven’t left yet? What’s going on? The only item on the agenda today is Mt. Vernon? That’s it? Really? OK, but I’m not sure I can handle this laid-back, laissez-faire attitude. Time to leave? But it’s only 9 AM! (Sarcasm implied.)

Julie drove us to Alexandria, VA where we bought our tickets for the ferry to Mt. Vernon. Apparently, animals are free. Bonus! We had a little time to kill before we boarded the boat, so went into the torpedo factory. Well, sort of. It used to be a torpedo factory, but now it as an art gallery. Lots of cool art was on display. I even got to participate in an animal stampede. Totally cool!

After window-shopping in the art gallery, it was time to board the ferry. We sailed upstream an saw lots of cool houses. And then, on a hill, we saw Mt. Vernon. What a view it must be from up there. I would’ve soared like an eagle if it weren’t for the bag I was in. Yep, that’s right – I was in a plastic cage John called a “backpack”. I only knew about the houses and Mt. Vernon because I saw his pictures. At least he took me out when we got to the boat dock. I now could see the glorious day and all the spectacular scenery. We wandered around the grounds, had a late lunch, and even visited the old barn. John wouldn’t let me go in it because he didn’t think I would ever leave it. He was right.

After that, we boarded the boat to head back to old Alexandria. We passed a lot of cool shops, bought tons of candy, and had dinner @ Bilbo Baggins restaurant. Then we headed home. Not a stressful day at all. I could get used to this! Apparently tomorrow will be similarly paced. We’re not going into DC until late afternoon. Insanity! But I love it.

Washington, DC - Day 1 - Friday, July 2nd

Finally, after months of preparation, we’re leaving for Washington, DC!! Heather and Ellen arrived last night. It’s Heather’s first “road trip”, so I’ll be nice to her. And Ellen’s always nice to me. John, on the other hand … well, I’ll have to keep an eye on him! Hopefully he feeds me. A bird can get hungry quickly. And he better hydrate me, too! It’s supposed to be near 100 degrees for most of the vacation. I hate it when I dry out! Other than food and water, I think John will be a great tour guide. I cannot wait!

Apparently, humans don’t get up with the birds. I had been awake for hours before Ellen, Heather and John left. Thankfully, they allowed me to bring friends! Yay! Lucky Ducky and Polly Pork. OK, here are the ground rules: The humans are VERY forgetful when it comes to food and water. And I’m in charge. That’s right – I’m a DIVA!! And an international celebrity. And don’t you forget it!

The drive to Julie’s house (John’s sister) was long. John said it would take 12 hours; we left at 8 AM and should’ve been there by 9 AM EST. John, did you schedule meal stops? You didn’t? Did you not learn your lesson in Canada? Ellen told me all about that fiasco. I will not survive the day on Wintergreen Life Savers. Feed me!

We stopped at the Indiana Welcome center for lunch. They fed me, but forgot poor Lucky & Polly. I would’ve shared, but I was starving. Tough luck, guys. Maybe next time?

Our next stop was the Ohio Welcome center. At least we all got in the picture this time. After that, our next stop was a Wendy’s in Pennsylvania. John was looking kinda hungry and tired. It was 7 PM when we stopped and we had 4 more hours to go. So much for arriving at 8 PM! They forgot to feed us, but we were so tired, I didn’t care. I was sound asleep when we got to Julie’s at 11:45 PM. I didn’t find out about the cat until the next morning. At least I slept well!

Hello!!!!!!!! Anyone out there?

From the looks of this blog you'd think I never went anywhere...

Benny says: Update DC Trip NOW!

Benny: Hey, Busta, John, or whatever you want to be called tonight!
John: Yes, Benny?
Benny: When are you going to update the blog with the DC trip?
John: Soon.
Benny: Is soon tomorrow?
John: Maybe
Lucky: Oh, Mr. John!!!!
John: Yes, Lucky?
Lucky: Benny says he's going to peck your eyes out if the blog doesn't get updated tomorrow.
John: Well, why didn't he tell me that himself?
Lucky: Because he's not talking to you.
Polly: He's not talking to me, either!
John: Why isn't he talking to you, Polly?
Polly: He says I ate all of the bacon. But I didn't. Lucky ate some of it, too!
Lucky: No, I didn't!
Polly: Did too!
Lucky: Did not!
John: Stop bickering! Do I have to separate you two? (Polly and Lucky both shake heads) Now, tell Benny that if he wants to give me the silent treatment, that's OK. But he won't get any breakfast in the morning!
(Hears whispering between the three animals in the corner)
Lucky: Benny says that's OK. He'll wait until you're gone tomorrow at work and then he'll get some eggs and milk.
John: Not if I put him in my backpack tonight!
Benny: You stick me in that bag and I will peck your eyes out!
John: HA! Got you to talk!
Benny: Now, if I could only get him to write about the trip ... (rubs wings together evilly)

You have got to be kidding me!!!

Well...AGAIN.. it happened... I went all the way to California and did NOT see the Pacific Ocean. They even went to the beach today, ate clam chowder, saw a pelican, and I was stuck at home in a back pack. Risa says she's sorry but really is she? This is getting to be a reoccurring theme in my life, let me rephrase, my BORING life. I have a few more days to get my glimpse, we shall see.