When I heard on the radio that America is gearing up to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Washington, D.C. suddenly seemed like the perfect destination for a summer trip. We also had another reason to visit: we were eager to meet baby Sylvan, the newest member of Mary and Huasong’s family.
As we planned the trip, Mary asked what we most wanted to do while visiting. I checked with everyone in the family, and surprisingly there was only one firm request: Jackson wanted to see the Washington monuments. Will and I had visited D.C. several times before, so we didn’t have any major sightseeing goals ourselves. For us, this trip was more about family than landmarks.
Wednesday: School's Out, Vacation Begins
Wednesday was Jackson’s last day of school. He got out around noon, giving us just enough time to finish packing before heading to the airport for our 5:30 p.m. flight to Washington National Airport (DCA).
One unexpected highlight of the trip was my new credit card lounge access. Being able to bring the whole family into the American Airlines lounge transformed airport travel from a stressful experience into a relaxing one. We enjoyed dinner, comfortable seating, and a quiet place to unwind before boarding. By the end of the trip, both kids were already talking about wanting a credit card with lounge access when they grow up.
We landed on time, picked up our rental car from Avis, and drove to Mary and Huasong’s house. The drive surprised me. Despite being so close to Washington, the roads wound through heavily wooded areas, and we got lost a few times navigating the rural-feeling neighborhoods. It felt far more remote than I expected.
We settled in quickly and headed to bed.
Thursday: Shenandoah National Park and a Vineyard Surprise
Since both Mary and Huasong had work that day, we found ourselves with a flexible schedule. After breakfast, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and drive to Shenandoah National Park.
We hiked both Mary's Rock and Stony Man Trail. The Appalachian Mountains are very different from the Rockies. They aren't as dramatic or rugged, but they have a lush, endless green beauty that feels timeless. The forests stretched in every direction, and the overlooks opened up to expansive views of rolling mountains fading into the distance.
The wind was especially strong on the ridges. We climbed over rocks, stood on ledges overlooking the valleys below, and enjoyed one of those perfect spring hiking days where the weather seems custom-made for being outdoors.
On the way back, we stopped to visit our friends Tarek and Chu, who live in Virginia. We planned to arrive around 5:30, and when we pulled into their neighborhood, I realized they didn't just live near a vineyard—they lived in a vineyard community.
The development consisted of only a few dozen homes, all nestled beside a working vineyard. They even have a lifetime membership to the winery, and some of the wines share names with the neighborhood streets—or perhaps the streets were named after the wines.
The vineyard sits near a historic Civil War battlefield, and the entire area feels wonderfully untouched by suburban sprawl. Open fields stretched into the distance, framed by vineyards and rolling hills.
We walked through the vineyard, enjoyed a glass of rosé, and had dinner outside under the beautiful evening sky. The kids ran around the grounds while adults relaxed among families and friends enjoying the perfect weather.
As we sat there, I couldn't help thinking: this could be my dream home.
After saying goodbye, we made the drive back to D.C. after a very full day.
Friday: Rock Creek Park, Museums, and Adventure in the Trees
Friday was a slower morning. Since Sylvan didn't have daycare, we spent time together before heading out for a walk in Rock Creek Park.
This park completely changed my perception of Washington, D.C.
It's enormous, incredibly beautiful, and somehow feels like a wilderness preserve right in the middle of the city. We hiked to a community garden and wandered through wooded trails before returning home.
Later in the afternoon, once Sylvan was down for a nap, we headed downtown.
Jackson needed to complete some Scout requirements, so we visited the U.S. Capitol to learn more about its history and government functions. We enjoyed the small museum inside before walking toward our car.
Since we had parked near the museums, we made quick stops at both the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of Natural History. The museums were impressive, though both kids—especially Norah—quickly reached their museum tolerance limit.
That evening, Mary had planned something completely different: an outing to The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring.
The park features zip lines, rope courses, climbing elements, and balancing challenges spread across the forest canopy. We've done similar adventure parks in Colorado Springs and Rough Creek, but this one was on another level. There were courses for every skill level, and as darkness fell and the lights came on among the trees, the entire forest looked magical.
We spent hours climbing and zip-lining through the trees and somehow managed to avoid getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. We didn't leave until nearly 10 p.m., exhausted and happy.
Saturday: Strawberries, Soccer, and Golden-Hour Biking
Saturday's big adventure was strawberry picking.
After breakfast, we drove to Larriland Farm in Maryland. The strawberries were enormous, sweet, and perfectly ripe. The farm was packed with families, all enjoying one of the peak weekends of the season.
We spent the morning filling baskets while sampling berries directly from the fields. By the end, we had collected two large boxes and probably eaten a significant percentage of our harvest before ever reaching the checkout stand.
From there, we drove to the Baltimore suburbs for lunch with friends at a Chinese seafood restaurant. After a leisurely meal, we stopped for ice cream before splitting up for the evening.
Norah and Will joined Huasong and Zephyr to watch a professional soccer match at Audi Field.
Meanwhile, Jackson and I hopped on bikes and rode from their house all the way to the National Zoo.
The timing couldn't have been better. Golden-hour sunlight filtered through the trees as we followed the creek. Families picnicked along the trail, children splashed in the water, and cyclists and runners shared the path. It was one of those simple experiences that ends up becoming a favorite memory.
Everyone returned home happy from their separate adventures.
Sunday: Washington Monument and the Journey Home
Sunday morning was our final chance to explore D.C.
I had reserved tickets to climb the Washington Monument at 11:30 a.m., so we left around 10:45 and headed downtown.
The view from the top was spectacular.
From above, we could see construction projects and preparations taking place throughout the city ahead of the upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations. The National Mall looked busy and crowded, but seeing the city from that height provided an entirely different perspective.
Afterward, we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial.
Oddly, despite several previous visits to Washington, I had never actually made it there. Standing beneath the massive statue of Lincoln, I spent time reading excerpts from the Gettysburg Address and his Second Inaugural Address engraved on the walls.
What struck me most was not the monument itself but Lincoln's writing. His words remain remarkably powerful and beautifully crafted, even more than a century and a half later.
Soon it was time to head to the airport. DCA is incredibly convenient—less than ten minutes away from the National Mall. We enjoyed one final lounge lunch before boarding our flight home.
That evening, while eating dinner back in our own kitchen, Norah suddenly remarked:
"Isn't it crazy that this morning we were at the top of the Washington Monument?"
She was right.
Reflections
This trip packed an incredible amount into just a few days: mountain hikes, vineyards, museums, monuments, strawberry fields, soccer games, bike rides, and adventure parks.
But the real highlight wasn't any of those things.
It was family.
Watching the kids spend time with their cousins, seeing Zephyr's energy, and getting to know baby Sylvan—with his infectious giggle and endless smiles—made the trip special. Those moments of connection are the ones we'll remember long after we've forgotten which museum we visited or which trail we hiked.
As summer begins, I can't imagine a better start. Here's to many more adventures ahead.
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