Touring DC with Mal: Count the Boise State Fans

Posted by Bram_Fam on September 11, 2010

What to do right after the Georgia Bulldogs lose to Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks? Blog about a happier time. This time last week, Georgia handily beat a much weaker team, and I picked up my good friend Mallory from Reagan-Washington Airport. Mallory and I have known each other since the end of 4th grade. We met at the end-of-year year book signing and signed each others’ year books saying that we hoped to get to know each other next year. We were placed in the same fifth grade class, so we did. After middle and high school and years together in college, we share a lot of memories ranging from the sweet to ridiculous.

She lives in Denver now, and after my visit to Colorado last year, it was our turn to play host. On Saturday, I gave her the oh-so-thrilling driving tour of Maryland’s campus and downtown College Park, and in the evening we dined at Ted’s Bulletin near Eastern Market. Really good home-cooking and adult milkshakes (apparently).

We took her to our favorite Busboys and Poets for Sunday Brunch and then headed to the Renwick Gallery and traveled up the Washington Monument after dark. Will and I had never visited the gallery before and were pleasantly surprised. I always have better art museum experiences when I’m with an artist–this time I had two trained artist companions (albeit, with very different specializations). We had fun taking creepy pictures (see below) outside of the Washington Monument, but the tiny, smudgy, crowded viewing spots inside were very disappointing.

On Labor Day, we toured the U.S. Capitol–lots of fun facts but sort of felt like we were being herded around–and saw Madeleine Albright’s brooch collection exhibit at the Smithsonian castle. The display and diplomacy explanations were done really well, and you couldn’t leave without thinking and knowing what a neat, smart lady she is.

Mallory and I spent her last day perusing a hand-crafted jewelry gallery in Georgetown and grabbing Rita’s one last time. Over the course of the weekend, we saw a lot of DC (and a lot of Boise State fans!). I don’t get to see many of my dearest friends nearly enough, so this trip was really nice, quality time. Thanks for visiting Mal!

Here are some pictures from the long weekend. (Photos taken, posted, and captioned by Will).