Trip Prep

We went to the book store yesterday to get a travel guide for Washington DC. We ended up with the National Geographic one, an excellent book and much better than Fodor's or Frommer's. Then we spent the better part of the evening searching for hotels. Giving the limited budget and my general cheapness we found one outside of DC for almost $100/per night. Then after a little soul searching, transportation costs comparison and a little egging from the wife we found a hotel right in the middle of downtown DC, 2 blocks east of the White House and 3 blocks north of the Smithsonian Institute, it costs a bit more per night ($140) but a) when are we in Washington again and 2) we do have credit...so damn the cost and full speed ahead. The great thing is that I negotiated free parking (usually $10/day) and we are in walking distance of EVERYTHING!!!!

We also got a 'family suite', the boy gets his own room and TV and bathroom and we get a view of the White House out of our window...

As for the drive (10 hours) does anyone one know a any weird stops between Indianapolis and Washington DC, I'm talking largest ball of twine or the world's smallest working tractor, anything to break up the drive and get us out of the car for 30 minutes...thanks!