Five States, One Long Weekend

A few weekends ago I wrote about the Big Apple BBQ Block Party and it was a great time. With 8-10 various pitmaster from across the country showcasing what they do best, barbeque. Pulled pork, ribs, brisket and sausages, we had died and gone to piggy heaven. I choose a booth from Nolensville, TN (shout out to my home state!) and ate a delicious pulled pork sandwich with creamy coleslaw on the bun, just like I like it!  Brent went with a taste of Texas at the Salt Lick booth and we ate brisket and sausages with a tangy coleslaw that hit the spot!A bit of rain blew in and we needed to seek shelter so we hurried down the street to this crazy looking place called the Trailer Park Lounge. Yes, it looks like it sounds but it was fun! Although Brent pointed out that they did not have trailer park prices! After some cold beverages, a burger and festive atmosphere we walked further down the street to the new addition of the High Line Park. Phase 2 had just opened to the public and we were anxious to see what the architects had come up with for the second section of one of our favorite places in NYC. We walked along the elevated park, doubled in length with the new section, and enjoyed the new sights and scenery but both decided we enjoy the older section a bit more. See pics, www.bigapplemoveorbust.shutterfly.com It was a wonderful Saturday in the city despite the rain.

The following weekend we traveled out of New York, to New Jersey, across Pennsylvania, down Delaware, through Maryland to reach Washington, D.C.  Brent had a work meeting outside of Philly so we stayed over one night in the King of Prussia, home to the second largest mall in America, that I didn't even get to go in! Humph! But I did lounge by the pool, paint my nails and be a lady of leisure while he was in an extensive driver training course for work. We hit lots of traffic that Friday afternoon trying to get to D.C. and arrived at nightfall to our Bed N' Breakfast. The house we stayed in was over 100 years old in a neighborhood just north of central D.C. In true Logsdon style, we put on our tennis shoes and hit the streets to see as much as we could that night! The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WWII, Vietnam and the Korean War Memorials are all so beautiful at night.  With tired feet we drug ourselves out of bed the next morning and enjoyed a delicious breakfast with others staying at the BnB then headed out for more sights. A subway ride into Union Station, a tour of the Capital, the Library of Congress- Jefferson Building (amazing!) and the National Archives all before lunch! It was a patriotic feeling to see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution and to be surrounded by so much history. The Archives was also hosting an exhibit called, "What's Cooking Uncle Sam? The Government's Effect on the American Diet. This is a fascinating exhibit (especially as a Dietitian) and I felt lucky to have seen it. Check it out, http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/whats-cooking/.  After a quick bite we visited the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and could have stayed in there all day, so much to learn, read and see!  For dinner we walked over to the water for some seafood and the famous Phillip's Seafood restaurant. The selection was great and we ate a lot of crab legs! With full tummies and sore feet we hit the sack so we could get up early for day 3! We had hoped to get over to Arlington on that Sunday morning but we went first to the National Zoo and enjoyed the animals and then on to lunch at the famous and delicious, Ben's Chili Bowl for a 1/2 smoke with chili. By that time we had to head back so we will save Arlington for another trip and several other spots we hope to see on the next go round.  But all in all we saw a lot and loved the city and can't wait for another chance to get down there.  Driving back what should have taken 4 hours took 5.5 with all the traffic coming back into NYC, so many cars!  Our long weekend in five states was totally worth the traffic.