Monday, March 16, 2026

Day 1 - Travel

This blog is all about a three generation spring break trip with Sara, John, Wyatt, Morgan and the third gen being Grandma and Grandpa.  The trip can't start without going back to Friday night's St Patrick's day dinner at the Ungaschick home.  The party was downstairs and on one trip down, Janie missed a step and fell forward into the post/railing, almost going head first over, while sliding down the railing to the bottom post.  After a moment of checking body parts, ice for the right hand was all that Grandma needed.

Hard to tell after Advil and a few cocktails her hand is swelling

Later in the saga you'll understand why this opening was crucial to the story telling.

The day started with an early wake up as the temperature dropped from 60's to teens with snow early the evening.  Good thing the wind and temperatures did not leave the driveway icey or the roads.  5:00 a.m. departure from the Fattig residence for the trek to the airport.  Park Air express car drop and shuttle to the airport, check bags and through security.  Breakfast items and off to the gate, and just as line up to board the announcement of DCA ground stop.  After about an hour delay and boarding we pushed back to wait while the frozen connection between the tug and airplane issue was solved.  

Deicing

Deice the plane and wait.  Then to the runway holding short for another ground delay.  Then take-off for the flight.  Grandpa watched an entire movie while waiting to leave KC.  That was a first.

During the flight Morgan took a nap, while Wyatt and Grandpa watched and played on their phones.

As we approached DCA the pilot announced another ground stop at National, so we did several circling maneuvers for awhile, then turned to Pittsburgh with not enough fuel to keep circling.  After landing in Pittsburgh there was a pretty long wait to refuel wait for the clearance to head out. We finally departed for a 45 min flight and landing at DCA.

Pentagon as we approach along the Potomac River

DC Metro Train

Like the city folk

Dupont Circle just past GWU Hospital we pass on way to hotel

After deplaning, bathroom break and luggage pick up we headed out to get on the shuttle bus to the train station.  Found our way to the Blue train to Foggy-Bottom Metro stop.  Navigated to the street and started our 15 minute walk to the hotel with no issues.  Check in and up to the rooms to drop luggage and back down for Happy Hour in the lobby.  Some snacks and cocktails and then off to dinner.  We chose to walk to the Founding Farmers as recommended online.  A 30 minute wait and we headed upstairs.  Everyone was hungry and we finished off with three waffle cones of ice cream and a ...desert that all enjoyed.

The crane is over the new ballroom construction at the White House looking down Pennsylvania Avenue - The White House is locked down so not sure we will see much.

Unique part of the city is the old row houses integrated into new buildings

We are hungary

Chocolate Dessert + Three Ice Cream Scoops in Waffle Cones

Grandpa blocking the cold wind for Morgan waiting on the Uber

We hailed an Uber and not more than a minute after getting in it started raining.  Lucky timing.

Up to our rooms where the adults crashed, but grands stayed up way to late as the next days story line will show.

Grandma's hand still swollen even after ice and Advil.



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Day 6 - Travel back to KC

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