Very smart!Then we tried to pack smaller bags per day (or at least stop) rather than by person so we wouldn't need to bring in 5 bags at each stop.
The first time I read this, I was picturing you doing all this stuff at 1am.Kids of course slept during the drive so were now wide awake and excited to see Nana and Grandpa so was probably close to 1am by the time we got everyone settled
While there we didn't have any big plans. I wound up working a bit as I had a few calls that just couldn't be done earlier and then Judi had to make a run to the store as she realized she forgot to bring extras of one important clothing item (let's just say they provide her support). I also re-packed the car as we took the dog create out and were leaving one suitcase there. We also moved Peter's car seat to the backseat for the drive as well.
You know you have a young child when your first thought with this photo is, "Ugh, think of all the corn kernels that need to be cleaned out of that couch!"We then made dinner which included corn on the cob which Emma apparently went to town on:
Looks like a great stop!After about 3 hours we got to our stop, which was the National Air and Space Museum. Well, there are two locations and we were going to stop at the one that is not in downtown DC, the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. As it is part of the Smithsonian, admission was free (just had to pay for parking) so thought even if we only were there for a short amount of time it would be a good stop.
Nice!I also appreciate the guys in the background full-on baby-wearing while drinking their beers:
Ironic, considering the place you had just visited.After this we headed out to finally check into our hotel, which was the Durham Marriott City Center. It was a great location and a nice hotel. Only issue we had was there was one place really in or out and that was at the valet drop off - and there was an event getting out and a lot of people were waiting for their car and a lot of them were smoking, so that was annoying to have to like push our way through with our kids - but other than that the hotel was great.
This looks like a really fun museum!One thing I liked about this place was how it encourages playing in nature and getting dirty, etc. - but also that it's not just for kids but for parents to enjoy with them as well
I was saving a number of episodes of Connecting with Walt for the drive down and put on an episode for this stretch of the drive
(We were using WAZE but once we were on the highway, nowhere else to get off and save time)
They had a lot of tables and games and stuff for the kids to play too. Our kids spent some time playing a card game called Exploding Kittens which was pretty funny. I also appreciate the guys in the background full-on baby-wearing while drinking their beers:
But here are some pictures from their website to give you an idea of the place. It is traditional BBQ with various styles - but mostly Carolina (though apparently eastern and western Carolina BBQ are a little different) and they had several sauces on the table, all were vinegar based. The food was really good and it was a nice place. Also just really good to catch up with friend! Their kids are a bit more reserved than mine so took them a little while to fully engage but by the end of the evening the kids were all getting along great!
After dinner they took us to a popular gathering green-space - the American Tobacco Campus. It's been converted to a lot of shops and restaurants and is where they do their "tree lighting" at Christmas time (though it is the Lucky Strikes tower that gets lit, not a tree). It was nice and the kids had fun running around a bit and we got a few pictures in (it did start raining):
This is just an amazing children's museum with some inside exhibits but a lot outside - here is a map of the outside area, which is where we spent out time:
Next was a stream area which was Emma's absolute favorite! (and was excuse to clean the dirt off her) and then into the treehouse area which was new and really cool! There is also a train (which we would go on later) that you could see go by
After that we explored this wind trail where they had different exhibits set up teaching about the wind - including a radio controlled boat area. Then we did the animal trail, but there weren't too many out to see. They we did the dinosaur trail, which was fun - but I think we were getting a bit tired by that point.
They also had a kids area (or "future beer drinkers" as they called it) that the kids spent time in while we waited for our food and a sign that I agree with
had cinnamon syrup and spicy whip cream for a bit of a Mexican chocolate flavor
That park/treehouse area thing LOOKS AMAZING AND THE FACT THAT IT'S FOR BIG KIDS TOOOOO!!! It always makes me sad when things are all "12 and under...." I mean...sometimes we break those rules but still!!
Love all the beer & burgers! YUM!
What a great report!! I had to click in with the Breweries in the title as beer is my DH's other non-Disney passion as well. Along for the ride!
Loving it! Can't wait to hear more!
Joining in! What a fun road trip to Disney!
We might have to do an adapted version of your road trip someday... DH never wants to drive (we're in the northeast, driving straight through would be about 20-24 hours)... BUT I'm loving the balance between kid and adult stuff and that museum looks fantastic. I think I could get DH on board! Looking forward to reading about your next stops!
What a fun adventure so far. Joining in the fun.
The beer drinking babywearers are pretty funny. I've seen that a few times at tailgates.
You can't beat southern hospitality. Everytime I travel to the south, I'm always amazed how nice the people are.
Thanks, Phil. Now you have me craving donuts!
The Museum of Life and Science looked awesome! Definitely the type of place that if you lived in the area, you might get an annual membership.
I love the "future beer drinkers" area! Pretty clever.
What a fun day- plenty for the kids- and adults- to keep everyone happy!
Very smart!
The first time I read this, I was picturing you doing all this stuff at 1am.
You know you have a young child when your first thought with this photo is, "Ugh, think of all the corn kernels that need to be cleaned out of that couch!"
Looks like a great stop!
Nice!
Ironic, considering the place you had just visited.
This looks like a really fun museum!
Awesome updates, if only I could convince my husband to go on a roadtrip, but insist on flying if it's more than an 8 hour drive.
Crap, guess I have to stay put in NY if I want to keep storing my kids in our rolling luggage...........
Love the beer drinking babywearers, too! At least there's no chance of them catching a buzz and dropping the kid!
Your trip really does sound like fun so far, for the adults and kids. I envy you that your little ones haven't hit full-on electronics stage yet My boys would have loved that museum years ago and I miss those days.
Phil, finally getting a chance to catch up. Our tooth fairy leaves dollar coins too!
The Air and Space museum stop was awesome! We did a trip to DC one year and left my husband to wander around the museum while we did a different sightseeing stop. We loved the shuttle, but my kiddo was too little to focus on one thing all day.
Can't wait to finish reading!
I just checked out the iTunes store and found this, will have to download it for if I get any time to listen to it on my upcoming flights! sounds really cool
I use Google maps to do this, is Waze much better?
Very cool, I think I saw this on FB too. So funny about the baby wearing! whatever works, right!
Sounds like a really fun dinner. I always find that by the end of a get together, Aria is getting along so well with other kids - I wish she was less shy so that they could play like that from the beginning!
This is interesting. I'm surprised they have this still around? ALl the cigarette stuff?
Wow this place looks amazing, like a destination in and of itself.
Love the treehouse!
So super cool
That's hilarious
This look and sounds amazing
Judi made these neat Lego travel cases that had lego bases glued to them and then a variety of pieces for each kid that made for a good activity.
which was the National Air and Space Museum
We had posted an update on Facebook from the museum and about 20 minutes later we got a message from a DIS friend that they live only 5 minutes from the museum ... wish we had known that earlier! Then later in the day Judi's younger sister messaged us that she was at her fiance's place which was only 10 minutes from the museum ... again, wish we had known that earlier! .... so much for all that heavy planning I did for the trip!
I was saving a number of episodes of Connecting with Walt for the drive down and put on an episode for this stretch of the drive ... really love this series and recommend it to anyone looking for more history of Walt Disney World. Especially shines light on the role that Roy played - beyond just as the money guy.
We were using WAZE
I also appreciate the guys in the background full-on baby-wearing while drinking their beers:
Museum of Life & Science
the young girl you see in the first gif is a volunteer there - pretty neat thing to do!