On my way to work, well I was almost on my way to work, I got a call from my coworker that the lock on the door was not working. She said I might as well stay home at least until the locksmith showed up. She had been waiting at the door for an hour and a half.

So here I sit. Enjoying my morning. I am hoping that there are a lot of other locks that the locksmith needs to fix today. But I'm also trying not to get my hopes up. Its a little like the days when they would forecast snow. I would go to bed dreaming of all the things that I would do the next day with a snow-day. It would make it so much harder to get up and get ready for school the next morning when there was no snow on the ground.

I never get to sit at home at this time of the morning, and I'm loving it. I don't even mind hearing the noisy, little baby birds who live somewhere in between our wall and porch roof. Ryan, who spends a lot more time near their nest, has started pounding on the wall to get them to be quiet. It doesn't last very long. Instead their momma comes back and they all get very excited again. We are hoping that they learn to fly soon.

Still no call from work...maybe I should make some cookies.

Today we finally made our way home. But first we had to cross the bridge tunnel. The big bridge tunnel. Actually there's several miles of bridges as well as two tunnels. Basically, you drive straight into the ocean without being able to see where you'll come out.

Are you starting to understand how I feel about bridge tunnels?

This is how our crossing went:

Ryan: Ooh this would be more fun if there were no guard rails.

me: Please don't talk.

Ryan: Look! No hands!

me: You need to drive! Put both hands on the wheel. Now! Stop! Just stop!

Ryan: You want me to stop? Should I pull over?

me: NO!!! Drive.

Ryan: Skipper, prepare to dive. All systems ready? Up Periscope! 30 degrees downward!

me: Please just drive.

Ryan: DIVE. DIVE. DIVE. BRRRRRR! BRRRRRR! DIVE!

me: I don't like this. I don't like this. I don't like this. Slow down.

Ryan: Maintain Speed!

me: I don't like this. Can you please slow down.

Ryan: The sign says maintain speed... Look, we made it. Oh, that was just a practice one, the next one we have to do with our eyes closed.

me: Can you please stop talking?

And you get the idea. I, for one, am happy to be home.

Overall, we had a wonderful weekend. But I forgot my camera, so there won't be any picture posts, sorry.

On our second day of our trip, we started off by heading out towards a Revolutionary War sight. As many of you know, war sights are not usually my top pick for vacations. However, we didn't have to listen to any engaging battle talks. But we did tour an old train station and a house where George and Martha stayed one winter.

We then headed for the city. Ryan, always prepared, had pulled up a variety of maps to help us get to our hotel. Let's just say that I think we're going to be investing in a gps one of these days. Navigation is clearly not one of my strong suits. Turns out that I used my spending money going back and forth over a toll bridge. It would have been a fun bridge to go over, except that it was going in the wrong direction.

It all ended okay though. We had been riding on E in our gas tank for about 1/2 hour of traffic into the city, and as soon as we crossed the bridge (on accident) we found ourselves right next to a gas station. AND we got to experience the only other state that does not allow you to pump your own gas. We hadn't planned on traveling into New Jersey, but having our gas pumped for us was definitely worth crossing the bridge twice.

Oh and I got to take part in my first Philly cheesesteak. It was delicious.

Day one of vacation down. And we're ready to sleep all day.

We had carefully planned our day to take advantage of as many freebies as possible. Free parking included. The only unfortunate part was that the amazing free parking that we found near the mall in DC was in the exact opposite direction that we wanted to go for the day. So in DC style we walked. And walked. And then walked some more.

We were extremely thankful for the beautiful 65 degree weather that was such a contrast to our last trip up here (which was over a hundred degrees). But we didn't expect to get just as tired.

Our favorite part of the day was the free zoo. That's the wonderful thing about DC: so many things to do for free (you just have to work for the free parking). The zoo started out a bit disappointing: the animals were no where to be found. But then we had some luck with the Giant Pandas. One came into his little indoor area and cooled off in the pool right as we walked by.

Then we lucked out with a few other animals moving around just as we came by. And finally we saw two adorable families. The first were the Apes. One little guy was just a troublemaker that was determined to pick on his older brothers as well as his big hungry papa. The cool weather also led a pride of lions to pursue all kinds of antics. From the head of the pride pacing the pool to the 7 cubs tackling and biting each other and the lionesses.

By the time we were finished looking at all the animals, we thought we had a quick shortcut back to the metro station, but instead found ourselves on a very long hiking trail through the woods (yes, in the middle of the city). Good thing Ryan and I love each other so much, because otherwise we would have been very upset at whichever one of us decided to take the so-called shortcut (I won't name any names).

Now we're on to our next adventure.