Spending our summer driving across the United States with 3 kids, 2 parents, 1 fifth wheel and a whole lot of excitement – join the fun and follow along each day on Instagram.
Weekly updates also posted here. Welcome to Week Three! (If you’re watching the video on a mobile device, use two fingers to stretch the screen for best viewability.)
We drove up from North Carolina last Saturday and spent this past week exploring the Washington, D.C. area. We stayed at an absolutely picturesque RV Park in Cherry Hills and enjoyed it very much.
We could’ve never left the park and we wouldn’t have been bored once. From swimming pools to splash pads, to mini golf and walking trails, this was a terrific find for our stay so close to the city.
We visited Monticello on our way into D.C. and spent an afternoon touring Thomas Jefferson’s home and wandering the gardens and grounds. Walking through Monticello was an unforgettable experience.
I only wish that my grandfather could have been at my side. He was a man very much like Jefferson and though I lost him as a child, I still miss him today.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” – Thomas Jefferson
While in D.C, I partnered with Mitsubishi to test drive the new Outlander for a week. What a fun ride that was and we LOVED having a car available to make getting in and out of the city so much easier than in our giant truck.
We were pleasantly surprised to discover the third row in the back of the vehicle and the boys flipped coins to ride back there all week. They loved having that space all to themselves.
We didn’t even attempt to see everything that was on our list. (I’m not sure that would be possible if we had a month to wander the nation’s capital!) However, we did visit the Spy Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and the National Art Gallery.
There are almost endless museums and sites to see, but the rest of the museums will have to wait until next time.
We spent a day in Virginia visiting George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon. The fact that Washington knew that the way he handled his job as President of the United States would impact all future presidencies is amazing to realize.
Despite the pressure of his work, or perhaps because of that, he left a legacy of strength, integrity, and national purpose.
“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.” – George Washington
While in Virginia we spent a couple hours walking through Arlington Cemetery. We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and even our youngest was impressed with it all.
The significance of everything the military has done and does for our country is something we have impressed upon our children from the time they are very young. I’m so grateful for those who serve our country this way.
We’re headed back into the city one more time today. We’re doing a tour of the monuments and memorials tonight. Everything always looks so different at night and the kids are looking forward to seeing everything up close.
Tomorrow morning we’ll leave here for Letchworth State Park and once again, I’m looking forward to a new place to explore. Remember when I visited Letchworth with my friend Rebecca last year? I swore that I’d bring my family back to see it all.
We’ll camp at Letchworth for a couple of nights before heading over to introduce my boys to Rebecca’s boys. The kids are pretty excited about that and the adults plan to relax as much as possible. We’ll be camping (along with all the chickens) on Rebecca’s property for the coming week.
I’ll be back next Friday with another note from the road. Until then, I’m wishing you a beautiful week full of things that make you smile!
For the rest of our summer road trip story, check out these posts:
Disclosure: I partnered with Mitsubishi to drive the Outlander this week. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Larry says
Sounds like you are having a fine trip here in the East. We will be making our first trip to your neck of the woods next winter.
Mary says
If you wind up near Phoenix, I’d love to meet you! Definitely shoot me a note when you’re planning your trip.
Alanna says
Monticello is like 5 minutes from my house! If I would have known, I would have waved as you drove by! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I really love seeing that there are still people out there who love our Founding Fathers! Love your blog and will be trying waffle sauce for the first time tonight!
Mary says
I hope you love the waffle sauce as much as we do!
Cheryl says
Your photography is very professional looking. May I ask what kind of camera you use?
Mary says
All of the photos in this article were shot with the iPhone X. Most food photos on this site were shot with a Canon 5D Mark III.