Windlost Goes to Washington (& Virginia!)

Jefferson Monument, Washington DC

In two weeks, Windlost & Co (David and I) will head off for vacation in DC and Virginia!  

How on earth, you may wonder, did we choose this destination? 

The answer is simple:  David is a Civil War buff and has always wanted to do a Civil War-inspired trip to the southern states. 

A Civil War re-enactment

 

As we began to plot our adventure, we thought about starting in Georgia (where I could visit Atlanta, surely one of the home décor capitals of the US).

But then Gettysburg (which is in southern Pennsylvania) came to mind.  The famous battle at Gettysburg is often described as the "turning point in the civil war".  

As we studied the map, David recognized many battle sites in Virginia (which saw more battles than any other state).

  Richmond, Virginia was the capital of the south, after all.  And nearby Washington, DC was the capital of the north.   Flights to Washington DC are frequent and affordable, and we thought it would be fun to visit the American capital. 

 

And that was how we chose our destination!

The Capitol Building, seat of US Congress (federal government), Washington DC

While in DC, we're planning to visit all the big monuments and memorials.   One of the highlights of our DC trip will be a visit to Arlington National Cemetery (where JFK is buried, and recently Ted Kennedy), and I'm excited to visit the National Gallery of Art and the Portrait Gallery, part of the Smithsonian group of museums.  

Plus, for all you decorators, I plan to take a few hours to stroll through Georgetown and see the great home decor shops!!  Just for you...  

The Washington Monument, Washington DC

We've booked a gorgeous guest house for our 3 nights in DC, and I cannot wait to wake up in a lovely bed in a lovely room with a whole day of DC sightseeing ahead of me. 

And a top secret highlight of my trip will be meeting a couple of DC-area bloggers, but details of that adventure will have to wait.  There is a big story to come here!.

After leaving DC, the trip becomes a road trip.  We're renting a car and hitting the road for a true Civil War adventure.  

Historical parade, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

We hope to visit Gettysburg, see a Civil War re-enactment, visit Colonial Williamsburg, visit Richmond and various towns, see Monticello, and visit dozens of other historical sites.  

University of Virginia rotunda

I'm also hoping to hit the outlet malls in Leesburg (at your suggestion).  A girl needs to shop.

But before I close this post, a word of thanks is due:

I've received some wonderful travel suggestions from many of you. Jeannine in Charlottesville has been an invaluable source of perfect ideas.  Super sweet Jeannine has a great blog called Small & Chic in C'Ville that I highly recommend!!  I've also gotten tips from generous Jenn at Department of the Interior (isn't that a great name?), the always amazing Michele at My Notting Hill, and of course lovely Lauren at Pure Style Home.  

For anyone I've forgotten, thank you.  I truly appreciate your generous spirit and must admit that DC and Virginia seem to have the nicest people in the world!  I am thrilled to visit your towns and cities, if only for your kindness!

I am sure our trip will be perfect, thanks to you!

Any other suggestions?  We accept hot tips on restaurants, inns and B&B's, decor shops, outlet malls, historical sites, great BBQ shacks, pretty towns and must-see spots.