Saturday, September 24, 2016

Fish out of Water-Welcome to Washington

Last week Scott and I had the AMAZING experience of traveling to Washington, D.C. with a group of Farm Bureau members.  We had a heck of a time deciding if we could/should go or not - we have these 3 young busy kids and a very demanding job - and it's not exactly easy to find time to get away.  Add to that my (irrational) fear of flying and traveling and the fact that we've never left the kids for more than 2 1/2 days....well, Scott had his hands full just dealing with me and my neurotic tendencies and all...It's WAY too much to post the whole trip in one sitting - so I'm going to break it down day by day.

We dropped the kids off at Grandpa & Grandma Runge's on Sunday night since we needed to be at the Farm Bureau office in the Cities by 4:30 a.m Monday morning.  Grandpa was a little concerned it looked like they were moving in...


After a few tears between the kids and me (as I said - I never really leave them...) we were off!

We arrived at the Farm Bureau building bright and early and taxied (my second time ever!) to the airport for our 6:55 a.m. flight to D.C.  


Our view of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport while waiting for the Metro in Washington, D.C.


First time on the Metro!!!


Ya'll know what a foodie I am...this was one of the first sights I was greeted by in D.C. <3



Day 1 we chose Poutine - Fries with gravy and cheese...



...and Street Tacos - one of my hometown favorites - have to say they are better in MN!


 SOOOO AWESOME!!!


Couldn't pass up a pic of Scott getting a "treat" from a food truck!


Time to get down to Farm Bureau Business - Pretty official looking if I do say so myself!  We spent Monday afternoon touring the American Farm Bureau Federation building and then discussing topics that are currently effecting us back in Minnesota that we wanted to be prepared to discuss with our Congressmen.



View from the top of the American Farm Bureau Building


So I compare this experience to a little bit like "The Real World" that used to be on MTV in the good old days - we were dropped in D.C. for a week with a group of like-minded people but no one really knew each other that well.  Crazy that by having a common interest you can make some really cool, new friends in only 5 days - regardless of age, location, or vocation!  I want you to each know that you made the trip a wonderful experience from the our time with the Congressmen, to Ubers, to taxis, to meals, to the bars,...just getting to know where everyone comes from - I wouldn't trade that time for anything! 


MFBF President, Kevin Paap, showing us AFBF President, Zippy Duval's office



Minnesota's display at the AFBF building


Super tired - Scott & I at the top of the AFBF building!

LOVE this!

Monday night we were all on our own for supper.  The 3 couples on the trip decided to go out for Italian and drug Linda Brekke of the Linder Farm Network along with us!


Straight out of my dreams - an authentic Italian restaurant where we could eat on the patio!  Excellent first night in DC!!!


Linda Brekke (Local celebrity #1 on the trip!) - Linder Farm Network - Sounds exactly the same in real life as she does on the radio (almost weird to sit next to her at supper and keep hearing a radio voice in your ear)!  Super cool lady and a riot to hang out with!  Here we were texting Lynn Kettleson the pic I had just took of Linda enjoying her glass of wine with Jeff Tank (which showed up on Facebook minutes later!) while hanging out with the "senior" Farm Bureau members on the trip.


My AMAZING tortellini!  Day one was incredible - can't wait to share day 2!

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