Day Five: NYC, Washington DC, Nashville and Greensboro
Hello, my dear readers! It’s me again, your favourite self-proclaimed connoisseur of family adventures. Today’s tale is packed with all the usual shenanigans you’ve come to expect from the Cleary clan. Buckle up (or, you know, settle in with a cuppa) as I take you through the highs, the lows, and the delightfully absurd. Let’s go!
A Lazy Morning (Sort Of)
Right, let’s get this out of the way: we slept in. No judgement, please! Even superheroes need a lie-in now and then. We finally emerged from our slumber at a very reasonable 09:50. Admittedly, that’s not “crack of dawn” material, but let’s face it, I’m not exactly Superman.
First order of business? A trip to CVS. You see, my face had begun to resemble a yeti’s backside, and if I didn’t get my hands on some razors soon, there’d be serious trouble. A quick shave later, and I was looking less “mountain man” and more “human being.” Dapper, if I say so myself.
Next stop: Starbucks. Because, let’s be real, nothing gets the day rolling quite like a solid dose of caffeine. Armed with a steaming cup of coffee and a bagel, I was fuelled up and ready to face the day. Cue the superhero theme music.
Smithsonian Shenanigans
Our first real adventure of the day took us to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. If you’ve never been, here’s a quick summary: imagine an enormous building stuffed with everything fascinating and cool about the natural world. Now multiply that by 10, and you’re still not even close.
We spent three glorious hours wandering through the exhibits, pretending to be archaeologists (move over, Indiana Jones), and ogling at dinosaur skeletons. The kids? Would have been enthralled if they’d been with us. The wife? Enthusiastic, though somehow she always manages to dig up some trouble. It’s a talent, really.
By the end of it, we were practically walking encyclopaedias. If only I could remember half of what we learned…
A Brush with History
After soaking up all that scientific knowledge, it was time for something a bit more somber. We made our way to Ford’s Theatre, the very spot where President Lincoln was tragically shot. Directly across the street is the building where he took his last breath. It’s impossible not to feel the weight of history in the air. A fascinating, albeit sobering, reminder of how fragile history can be.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Lunch
With stomachs growling and legs demanding a break, we stumbled into the Hard Rock Cafe. Now, if you’ve never been, let me summarise: it’s a loud, lively place where you can stuff your face while surrounded by rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. Thirty words or less, I promise!
We ate like rock stars, and by that, I mean we stuffed ourselves silly with burgers, fries, and all things indulgent. But hey, we’d walked miles today (more on that later), so we earned it.
Afternoon R&R at CitizenM
Back at our hotel – the delightful CitizenM – we took a well-deserved breather before gearing up for our next adventure: a nighttime monument tour. Anticipation was high as we gathered ourselves for what promised to be a visually spectacular evening.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: why didn’t we just nap? Honestly, there was no time! With so many iconic monuments waiting for us, who could sleep?
The Night Tour… and the “Cock Wombles”
We arrived early at the meeting point, of course. By 19:00, we were ready and raring to go, our camera phones charged and our selfie angles perfected. The tour was scheduled to begin at 19:30, but there’s always that group, isn’t there? You know, the ones who waltz in fashionably late and hold everyone up? Let’s just call them “cock wombles” for now.
After a bit of waiting (and a lot of people-watching), the tour finally kicked off at 19:35. Our tour guide, James, was a fountain of historical knowledge, and our driver, Kris, navigated the city’s streets like a pro. We felt like celebrities being chauffeured around Washington, D.C.
The city at night is a sight to behold. The monuments, bathed in soft light, took on an almost magical quality. We hopped off the bus at various stops, seizing every opportunity to snap photos that would make even the most seasoned Instagrammer jealous.
From the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, we saw it all, and it was glorious.
A Perfect End to the Day
By the time the tour wrapped up, it was 22:30. Feet sore and hearts full, we trudged back to our hotel. But, before calling it a night, we made a pitstop at the hotel bar for a celebratory beer. After all, we’d walked 11 miles today. Yes, you read that right: 11 miles! That’s practically a marathon (if you squint).
Shout out to my incredible wife, Michele, who’s been an absolute trooper this whole trip. If you want to shower her with virtual applause, now’s your chance. She’s earned it!
Cheers to More Adventures!
And that, my friends, wraps up another day in the life of the Cleary family on the road. Tomorrow, we’ll be off on another escapade, encountering more “cock wombles” and making more memories – hopefully with fewer mishaps along the way. Until next time, keep adventuring and, most importantly, keep laughing at the absurdity of it all. Cheers!
