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Our 4-day class in Virginia was just 45 minutes away from friends of ours, Chris and Dana, who live in Washington DC. We couldn't possibly drive the 12 hour trip without spending an evening with them before heading home! It was absolutely fantastic. Good friends, good food, good sightseeing, and a nice break from business before heading home.

I should have taken a photo of us trying to figure out the metro...even with our detailed directions from Chris! 150 people must have come and gone while we stared at the machines, trying to figure out: "Fare or pass? One way or two? For how much? Huh?!" What tourists we were!

We did make into the city, and arrived at the Navy Memorial station... 

From there we walked to the National Air and Space Museum.

We saw lots of amazing things, including the Apollo 11 command module and the lunar lander (not the one that's still on the moon, but one just like it)... so cool!

We walked by the Capitol Building the day we arrived. The next day, Dana had set up a tour through the Capitol for us. We also received special passes to sit in on the House of Representatives. For two politically-uninvolved people, it was very interesting and we felt so honored to get to see it! 

We also walked by the Washington Monument.

That night we met Chris and Dana at a fabulous tapas restaurant called Jaleo for lots and lots of food and catching up! (Bye bye, diet!!!) After that, they drove us all around the city, giving us a personal tour at night. The buildings were gorgeous and we learned a lot too! It was so fun. That night we stayed with them and stayed up way too late chatting --- well worth it! :)

Their dog, Puppy, joined us too!

Chris was sooo sweet to take the next day off to drive us around the city again! (He even cooked us an awesome breakfast!) After our Capitol tour, he drove us to the Lincoln Memorial. It was enormous and absolutely beautiful. 

Looking out the other way was the Washington Monument.

Chris and Dan.....high school buddies and college fraternity brothers!

On our way home we found an Ikea in Pittsburg to stock up on some shelves for the studio! It just wouldn't be a Brooke and Dan road trip without a stop at Ikea!!!

We loaded the car!

It's a good thing we did not pick up the girls until the next day!

Our trip was a wonderful experience...mostly work with a little vacation, that we are soooo glad we had the chance to do. Thanks so much, Chris and Dana, for being such amazing hosts and taking us in! We really hope to do it again soon...there is so much to see, learn, and appreciate in DC! And, it's always wonderful to see such good friends. :)