96 in DC... day 3

the last day we were in dc was by far the most exhausting!! we walked at least 10 miles that day.  we started off by heading to the zoo.  we hopped in the metro train and took it out there.  we weren't expecting much but it was actually a good size zoo!  we first went on the asian trail and then wandered aour way down through each of the other trails. first we saw these super cute pandas!! this giant one in the pics was hilarious laying on the ground with a branch on top of him eating away.

we stood there and watched him for a while.  then we saw otters, which we love! we liked them at the aquarium we saw a couple months ago... and these ones were so cute... they kept moving in a herd and all lifting their heads at the same time and running around.  love it!

we then walked around and saw all the different birds.  by far my favorite were the flamingos.  they were just so pretty and bright!!! and fascinating to watch.  they stand around on one leg and when they aren't looking or listening to something the rest the necks by laying their heads on their backs and their necks do this funny curl thing.  but i really loved them and daniel liked them too.  so bright.

we also saw this incredibly loud bird... can't remember what its called but it squawked so loudly! it was incredibly deafening.  we also saw a vulture. they are scary and its never a good thing to see these when out in the desert... means you are probably dead or almost... creepy.  we also liked the stork and the owls.

ok now really the most fascinating to watch were the gorillas.  they are big and kinda scary looking but do seem pretty human-like.  the biggest one was funny, he kept getting a snack and then sitting with his back to the concrete wall... just getting comfortable.  there were 4 others, one female, one young one and 2 other males.  just so neat to watch them.

there were also come orangutans ... we were excited as right as we got there one climbed up the tall tower and walked the ropes over our heads to the other side of the trail where there is another tower.  so cool how they move around.  there were two others just hanging out inside the tower feeding and cleaning eath other.

lastly we saw the lions... big loud scary animals.  daniel liked growling back at them.  we also saw a zebra.  so pretty.  my kind of horse.  

the whole zoo was on a downhill slope and we started at the top and sadly had to walk the entire length uphill to get back to the entrance and walk back to the metro.  wow i was exhausted!!!!! 

after the zoo we took a little break and ate lunch and sat down for a while.  we ate lunch by this really pretty lake/pond.  and couldn't help but take some pictures of little man dressed all cute with the leaves everywhere and the incredible fall scenery. 

  then we decided to walk around and see the rest of the monuments.  we walked to lincoln monument.  probably chris' favorites.  just really amazing man and all he did for this country.  

it also had the best view of the washington monument and the reflecting pool.  

we then walked over the the vietnam wall which was covered in flowers and papers from family members remembering their vetrans on nov. 11th the day before.  so many names its sad.  but a really neat memorial.  

we also saw the korean war memorial which i think is one of the neatest.  i just love the statues and all the faces reflecting on the wall next to it. plus the beautiful fall trees in the background!

we took another little break and had a snack... our feet were so tired and we still had a ways to go. we then headed over to the roosevelt monument which is this whole area and maze of his sayings and statues and water falls everywhere.  just so pretty in there.

the jefferson monument was our last stop... we walked all the way around the lake/river to get there.  i loved some of his words on the walls as well!  what amazing men have lead this country.  

we then walked back to our hotel and were so hopeful the baby would fall asleep on the way so we walked around forever!! we had even decided on where to go for dinner but ended up not being able to because daniel wouldn't fall asleep and was so tired.  so we grabbed mcdonalds.  awesome i know!  and walked back to the hotel.  we ate quickly, fed the baby and put him in bed.  i was just so glad i wouldn't have to walk anywhere for another 10 hours at least.  we got up early and headed back to camp lejeune.  chris had to muster (check in) at 3pm.  we made it in perfect time to drop us off and he went to the target parking lot and got checked off on the list.  it was an amazing trip and i'm so glad we took it now.  we may not have had such an easy time with daniel if he were older.  we probably won't do any big trips like this for a while since it is so expensive to just fly home for christmas every year, but it was awesome and perfect trip to check off our "must see someday" list.