Visit to Baltimore and DC

We flew to Baltimore last weekend to see some of our Portland friends. Some now live in Baltimore and another couple flew up from Raleigh, NC and met us there. It was awesome.

I ran an inaugural 1/2 marathon with my running buddy from Portland (if I can brag, it was my 2nd fastest one yet! 2:01:55. Feeling really great about that since Evelyn's only 7.5 months old! WOOT!). The race started at George and Martha Washington's home in Mount Vernon, VA and we ran our 13.1 miles along the Potomac River, ending in sight of the Washington Monument in National Harbor, Maryland. The race was amazing. While running the race was a reason for the trip, we also took in some of the sights and sounds of DC. Having never been to the Northeast before (like really. never. anywhere.), Brendon and I really enjoyed touring the Washington Mall and taking the water taxis around Baltimore. We can't thank our friends enough for their hospitality. And we CANNOT wait to do it again! Here are some pics from the trip.

Awaiting the water taxi on the harbor in Baltimore

Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the National Anthem

O say can you see, by the dawns early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

Ev and Abe.

Ev and the Washington Monument looming over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The Powells and the White House. Moments later we were hurriedly told to leave the immediate premises. We scurried away and a few minutes after that a very tall child came to play on the back lawn of the White House. We think it was one of the president's daughters but we can't say for certain.

The Powells and Abe

Verheins and Powells have done Mexico, so why not DC too??

Ev "swims" for the first time! She loved it!

The whole gang right before our pre-race dinner.

We stayed here in National Harbor.

V looking strong at mile 11.5ish!

Me attempting to look strong at 11.5. Little did we both know that there was large hill around the corner from this pic! Boooo!

We crossed this- the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac!

Whew! Race is over! Time for pics with a parrot!

We were exhausted from our journey. Ev and B took a little nap on the way home.