As part of my “Do A Touristy Thing A Week” plan, I’d decided to go visit the National Mall and, to be specific, the National Museum of Natural History. I think the last time I’ve been there was, hell, probably a decade ago, almost at least.

So, my plans got out, and I made plans to take a colleague, DB, with me. DB moved down from New York City and hasn’t been caring for the DC area too much. She also hasn’t spent much time in DC at all — today was her first time on the National Mall — and on stepping out of the Metro and heading north across, she admitted she might just find herself liking the place: this, with the Washington Monument on our left, right to the Capitol.

It’s funny how small the NMNH seems now: took us about an hour to get through all the exhibits, then we walked through the Sculpture Garden to the National Gallery, where we had ten minutes until it closed. From there, we went up to the National Archives, didn’t feel like waiting in line to see the Constitution, and hurried out. Went west, dinner at the Old Post Office Pavilion — which felt like a ghost town, seriously, no one there! — and then wandered to the Borders at 14th & F for some carrot cake — alas, all out. Walked north, picked up the Metro at McPherson Square, with the vague idea to go to the Zoo. That wound up being ditched in favor of ice cream at the Woodley Park Baskin Robbins before we parted ways.