Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Surprise Weekend in DC

4:30 Friday afternoon, I walk into the bedroom and ask Mike what he's doing. "We have to get moving! Are you packed yet? You need to start packing!" "Uhhh, what are you talking about???" "We leave at 6. The high of the weekend will be 86 degrees and low is 67. You have to fit everything in one backpack." I panicked for about 30 seconds then threw everything I could think of on the bed. I didn't know how we were traveling, where we were going, or what we were doing there. Mike had mentioned doing something fun for my birthday earlier in the week but after a drunk friend slipped something at the bar the night before about seeing him out that weekend, I figured something a little more local was in the works. Apparently my drunk friend even knew the plan, and that was the beginning of the deception - haha.

Friday afternoon, Mike asked me over and over if I could guess where we were going, and with each guess I made, he'd add something else to his packed bag that I reminded him to get...more deception. When I guessed the NASCAR race in Charlotte, he got his binoculars, we packed all our toiletries in bags for a flight, and before we got in the Jeep, he made coffee for the road. Needless to say, I was confused. Well, we drove onto the highway, and at the last second, Mike got into the lane for the airport. At this point, I honestly expected him to drive all the way around the airport just to get back onto the highway. But he confirmed it, we did have plane tickets.

He said we were taking 2 flights and even the TSA agent was cool and handed Mike back my boarding pass folded when he told the agent I didn't know my surprise location yet. I made it until about 5 minutes before boarding when our layover in DC was spoiled by an announcement.

The flight was great, and we got off the plane to look for our connector. We started walking and talking, and before I knew it, we were headed for the Metro. Apparently we were there! Mike asked if I knew why we were there, and it took me a while but realized my Cubs were in town for the NLDS. Omg playoff baseball! I guess my summer of baseball wasn't destined to be over yet!

We got in at 9:30 or so Friday night, and after checking into our hotel, a Club Quarters around the corner from the White House, we took a night walk all around the monuments and memorials around the reflecting pool. Saturday was museum day (Air & Space and American History) before heading to the game. Sunday we visited the zoo and old town Alexandria. In between, we ate awesome food (which I'll link to below!) and walked basically every street we could! Thank you so much, Mike, for an awesome birthday surprise!

Friday night walk around the monuments...
Saturday morning doughnuts and coffee at Sugar Shack
Jumps at the Watermelon House
Smithsonians
Nationals Park for the NLDS
Sunday morning with doughnuts and fried chicken at Astros
National Zoo
Old Town Alexandria (and the best cupcake)

13 comments:

Julie said...

What a fun surprise!!

Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders said...

That's so awesome that he managed to keep you in the dark for so long! I'm glad that you had a great time and were able to see your team play in the playoffs too!

Kate at Green Fashionista said...

Absolutely amazing! Love that it was a total surprise and even involved a ball game! DC is such a magical city <3
Green Fashionista

Missy said...

What a fun surprise! I love how much effort he put into keeping it a secret! You packed so much fun stuff in, I just love old town Alexandria!

Jen said...

What an awesome surprise!!! :) It looks like you guys had an amazing weekend!

Lisa said...

Nice!!! you were in my hometown - well close I live in VA lol -

Rebecca Jo said...

Oh my gosh... that is so exciting. Nothing like living with mad dashes to travel & enjoy & celebrate life!

Kaitlyn Danielle said...

That was so sweet! I love surprises. Sounds like it was a great weekend.

Emelia @ Dream Big and Buy the Shoes said...

I love surprises- good job to him! What a fun weekend full of adventure, baseball and good eats!

Jane Clifford | Typically Jane said...

This is SO romantic!! What an awesome surprise! I love that! And it looks like you guys had a blast. Also, you're making me super hungry! Yum!

Random question... when you travel do you take a camera with you, or use your phone? All your pics are so crisp!

Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis said...

DC is one place I haven't been and it looks gorgeous to explore! Sound like you got great weather too and found some good restaurants!

Christina Lea Loves said...

I love that he kept everything so much of a surprise! What a fun weekend!

Planes, Trains and Running Shoes said...

I'm so glad you went to Astro Doughnuts! They're definitely my favorite! Looks like you checked off all my favorite things to do in DC!

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