#14 Kennedy Center Theater . .

#14 Take a date to see a show or concert at the Kennedy Theater.

A MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS. I went with a co-worker.

#6 Einstein . .

#6 Sit on Einstein's lap . .

This was seriously so cool.

#2 Lincoln Monument . .

#2 Lincoln Monument - get a picture tickling his toes.

Tickle, tickle. Yeah, this one was embarrassing.

#1 Air and Space Museum . .

There wasn't a space helmet to take my picture in, but I had a great time.

#7 Visit a lecture in the U.S. Supreme Court . .

#7 Visit a lecture in the U.S. Supreme Court . .

#15 Great Falls Park . .

#15 Take a hike at Great Falls Park . .

# 18 National Zoo . .

#18 National Zoo - picture with the Lions.

#11 Capitol Building to the Jefferson . .

#11 Morning or night run from the Capitol Building to the Jefferson Memorial.

Running never felt nor looked so good . . .

#19 Eastern Market . . .

#19 Buy something fresh (preferably fish) at the Eastern Market.

The Eastern Market has that same movie affect on me. Fresh produce, flowers, a great deli and seafood counter, and pancake breakfasts. It doesn't get much more sentimental than that.

Ya, the fish is still in the freezer.

#10 Rotunda . . .

Picture of you in the rotunda at the Capitol Building.

The capitol is absolutely magnificent. It takes my breathe away every time.

#12 Georgetown stroll . .

#12 Take a walk through Georgetown - preferably around Halloween

I took my walk through Georgetown on Halloween, yikes! There were people and cops everywhere but the energy made it very fun. I absolutely love Georgetown. I live two blocks away and I try to visit as much as possible.

I even ran into Lady Gaga!

#13 C & O Canal . .

#13 Ride a bike along the C&O Canal.

This was quite possibly the best afternoon I've had here. I seriously felt like I was in a movie. Bikes have that affect.

#20 Pray at the National Cathedral . .

I've visited the cathedral three times and I'm just now getting a picture. It felt unnatural even though people were snapping photos like it was going out of style.

In summary, it was less awkward then I expected, more awkward than it should have been.

The story of Jonah . . .

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

You'll probably love this as much as I did . . .

#4 Arlington Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery - Count every headstone in one row, while still being respectful.

I never thought a cemetery could be so appealing. My first stop was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I practically ran to the tomb because I knew the changing of the guards would take place shortly after I hopped off the metro train. I went from being in a frantic scurry, to a state of complete solemn wonder during the ceremony.

Each step the soldiers took was precise, each phrase was perfectly cited and the feeling was surreal. I enjoy observing things that are done exactly right.

I couldn't help but admire the soldiers for being so good at what they do. That may sound silly, but a person who can do exactly what they are told every time is a rare gem. But what was most impressive was that they know why they were doing what they do.

#17 Old Town, Alexandria . .

#17 Tour Old Town Alexandria . .

Last Saturday night I went on a ghost tour of Old Town Alexandria. I knew I would love it for a couple of reasons. First of all, the tour guide was wearing a kilt and had a Santa Clause beard. I'm sure ghost tour guide is just one of his many seasonal jobs. Second, he told us within the first three minutes that he is the chairman and founder of the D.C. Paranormal Society. Boy were we in for a treat.

The tour was beyond entertaining and I learned more about the history of Old Town Alexandria than I thought I would. George Washington had a house there. He called it his "town house." He coined that term. Just another reason to love George.

In days gone by, everyone who had an eligible daughter would paint their door a periwinkle color to solicit dating opportunies. If only it were that easy now. To this day, the city issues a mandate to one home in the city to paint their door a periwinkle color for one year. I love that. I'm not above using a little force to make things happen.

#5 WWII Memorial

#5 Find the Utah column at the WWII Memorial.

This place is totally underrated and totally beautiful. Thanks for pointing it out Lou!

BGA . .

BGA. Have you ever heard of it? It’s a little something I like to call Big Group Anxiety. I live in the same building with about 35 BYU interns. We do a lot together and we love being together . . . really, we do, but sometimes I come down with a case of BGA.

I spent Conference Weekend in Richmond, Virginia. My friend invited me to go with her and three friends to her family’s home to watch General Conference and take a breather from DC life.

The trip was pure bliss.

Home cooked meals by her dear mother. Seven layer taco dip (so much better without the beans). Twelve mile run around lakes, forest trails, local schools, and abandoned coalmines. General Conference. Player piano sing alongs in the living room. Bunk beds. Cinnamon rolls. More General Conference.

Richmond was a great BGA recovery.

Gettysburg and Harper’s Ferry . .

This trip provided a great venue for reflecting on the lives and contributions of Abraham Lincoln and John Brown. I see Abraham Lincoln as a founding father, a founding father of the U.S. after the Civil War. Thanks Abe.

I heard a woman saying that we live in the worst time in history. Not true. Did she forget about the Civil War and the bloody battles fought in Gettysburg during the miserable July humidity? Bless her.

DC Shows . .

I have been to two amazing shows. “All’s Well that Ends Well” by Shakespeare. And the totally underrated 80’s musical, “Chess,” with music written by half of ABBA. Both great for different reasons AND a great boost to my “get more cultured" campaign.

Now turn up your volume and listen to my favorite song from “Chess.” It's a lot 80's and from a story that takes place in Thailand. It just is what it is.

Take me out to the ballgame . .

I’ve been to two Nationals Games so far. So far, so good. They are ranked dead last in MLB rankings but I have watched them beat the Mets and the Braves with my own eyes. Things are looking better for the Nats.

I must admit my favorite part of the game is watching not one, not two, not three, but FOUR bobble head mascots race around the field during the fourth inning. Never gets old.

#16 Explore Mount Vernon

I've fallen completely in love with Mount Vernon. I sincerely want to live there. George Washington chose his home well.

The view from the porch of the Potomac River is breathtaking. I literally gasped the first (okay, and the second) time I walked out the door to the back porch from the formal dining room.

I've been to the estate twice and I'll be going back for more. I think I'll take a book from now on.

The grounds are beautiful, the ferry rides are peaceful, the seasonal events are wonderful . . . an Annual Pass is needful.

#3 Washington Monument

#3 Washington Monument - play a fierce game of Ultimate Frisbee on the grounds of Washington Monument.

Ultimate Frisbee in the rain, in front of Washington Monument . . doesn't get more fierce than that.

Gotham City, PA . . ?

Philadelphia seriously looks like Gotham City at night. I love the lighting. Most buildings, even at ground level, have colored lighting projected from their surfaces.

Here were a few highlights of the day trip.

Temple on the way . . .



Independence Hall . . .



Liberty Bell . . .



Rocky Stairs . . .



Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich . . .




And Target and Wal-Mart on the way out of town . . ya know.