The President's City

For a still-officially-Spring day, it was pretty freaking hot - about 30-something degrees hot.  This was  unexpected but we were well prepared with some emergency Summer gear.  Our first task for the day was to park the Tank, which we managed with minimal fuss.

Smee and I then took a stroll down to the White House.  With the security overhaul, we were no longer permitted inside and had not been organised enough to arrange for the official guided tour.  Overall, Smee was a bit disappointed.  He thought the White House would be huge but it is a lot smaller than most would imagine.  It's still very 'white' though!

The back of the White House.  The front of the White House.

About as close as Smee will ever get to the White House.

Next, we walked down the National Mall and made our way to the Lincoln Memorial. Smee was adamant that he see 'the big Lincoln that Bart Simpson talks to' while in DC.  I don't actually recall that happening in the episode but I guaranteed him that we would indeed see the big Lincoln once we do the kilometre or so walk along the Reflecting Pool. 

At one end of the Reflecting Pool with the Lincon Memorial behind Smee.  At the other end of the pool, the Washington Monument.  So much history.... Martin Luther King made his 'I Have a Dream' speech here and and Forrest Gump errrr also did a speech here. 

Almost at the big ol' Lincoln, almost there Smee!

Smee finally meets Big Lincoln.

Yes, I am indeed in DC.

By now, the heat was really getting to us and I was getting a tan I didn't want.  We were hungry and really didn't want another fat-fuelled meal.  Smee had watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations which advised us that the Maine Avenue Fish Market was well within driving distance of the major DC sights.  That was enough to sell us and so off we went in search of Omega 3.   

It's nothing like the awesomnest that is the Sydney Fish Market but for what they lacked in variety they compensated with an abundance of Chesapeake Blue Crabs.  Crabs are sold by the bucket load and were dirt cheap.  The crabs (and any other seafood for that matter) could be cooked for you on the spot; steamed in a vat and then seasoned with some Cajun spice.  In humble opinion, I thought the spice was unnecessary because it is not as though it would penetrate the crab shell.  Also, it was too salty and I would have happily eaten the crab plain.  I was aghast that some people asked for extra spice in a separate bag. What would you do with all of that?  Dip the claw into the seasoning between bites?  Gross. 

Me with my crabby claws... or I could be doing a robot dance.

So much for healthy food.  Our seafood fisherman's basket was fried into oblivion.  We had didn't have any other choice! There wasn't any other way they would cook it!  I insisted on having some seafood chowder - nice but too salty after a while.  Our steamed crabbies in their brown paper bag home.  It took about 40 minutes to get the crab because there was only one guy manning the steaming vats! 

We returned to the other end of the National Mall to hang out at Capitol Hill.  Smee was pretty happy to see that this building did meet his size-imagination expectations.  It was while parking The Tank that we experienced some DC hospitality from a road cop.  Not knowing if were were allowed to park so close to a government building, we drove up to a standing cop to enquire. 

"Senate is over for the day, so you can park right here." 
"But it says we can't park here until after 4pm."
"Oh we have these restrictions in so that way Senate members can park here, but now that Senate is over, you can park here. I'll look after your car and let my colleague know."  FANKS DC COPPER! 

I tried to shield myself from the beating sun as we walked down to check out the Smithsonian National History Museum.  I still got a tan. 

Outside the museum.

Inside the main hall.  I'm not gonna bore you all with anymore photos than that.

By the time we decided what to have for dinner, it was kinda late.  We had a bit of a hankering for Viet and ended up driving to the Eden Centre.  After finding a shop with an open kitchen, Smee and I were mighty impressed with their pho and the general food.  A return trip beckons!

Yeah dat's right.  Don't loiter.  It's written in Viet too, so no excuse!  My three colour drink.  Nummies. 

Smee was also propositioned by a 'photographer' who takes 'glamour shots' offering technical advice.  Yeah thanks man.  He was being helpful enough though. 

Alas there ends our final night in DC.  Tomorrow - the drive back to NYC!