Baltimore Aquarium

Trent is still on leave, so we decided to plan a mini trip up to Baltimore to go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. We left early Tuesday afternoon, stopped off in Quantico and then headed up to Baltimore where we stayed the night before spending Wednesday morning at the aquarium. The aquarium is fantastic, and we all had a great time. This was one of those trips where the trip itself was often as much fun as the destination. (or at least funny)

When we arrived at Quantico and headed into the exchange to get our discount tickets for the aquarium, I noticed Sami had spilled half her bottle of water into her seat, and her bottom was soaking wet. That would explain her complaining for the previous 30 minutes or so. While Trent picked up the tickets, I went over to children's clothing and bought a new outfit for Sami, which turned into a new outfit for all of the kids. I know, I am a pushover. While we finished getting clothes, changing and looking around in general, Trent decided to get a haircut. At the barbershop at Quantico, they have a device hooked to the clippers that vacuums away the hair as it is cut. Trent, who hadn't seen said device previously, asked what it was. The lady cutting his hair then remarked that Trent hadn't been there before. She followed that up with the question, "you FBI?" Trent explained that he was Coast Guard. She remarked that the Coast Guard liked their hair longer. Trent told the lady that he was technically working for the Army for the next year. She then told Trent he needed to fit in. Trent has a very good priced shorter than usual haircut. I know, shorter than Trent's usual seems improbable. We thought the whole thing was funny.

Of course, our pit stop put us on the Washington/Baltimore expressway, otherwise known as the Beltway, at around 5:00 in road construction. Wow! Traffic was bad. While sitting in traffic, Trent and I started composing a modern day version of Dante's Inferno. We decided that one of the inner circles of hell has to be Beltway traffic at 5:00 in road construction. We are still coming up with ideas for the rest of the story. If you have any, please share. If they are good, know that we will likely steal them. Now might be a good time to mention we did this trip in Trent's car. That means that we put ourselves and our three children in a Toyota Yaris HATCHBACK!! No more evil laser guided stares at the fact that I have three children please.

We did eventually get off the Beltway and into smooth traffic up to Baltimore. (Our children cheered loudly at this point). When we got near the airport (where our hotel was located), we started to attempt finding the right exit. (Did I mention we left our directions at home?) Also, did you know that taking a wrong exit in that area of the world won't just take you down some road you don't want to be on that you can turn around on and head back in the opposite direction? No, a wrong turn or exit will most likely put you on another interstate heading somewhere entirely wrong (New York in our case). It was at this time that Sami decided to inform us all that she needed to "pee pee." She has been extremely stubborn about the potty training thing, so we reminded her that she had a diaper on. She started crying and insisted on going in the potty. So, we found a gas station, took Sami to the bathroom and bought her some M & Ms for her effort. (see bribing and chocolate in post below) Of all the times to pick about being adamant about using the potty, Samantha picks a road trip in which we only mostly know where we are going. This request manifested itself several times on the return journey. That time, however, we knew where we were.

We checked in, found out the pool was not open, waited for Ashley to finish mourning that the pool was not open, had dinner and then watched Spiderwick in our room. Ashley is reading the books and loved it. Jon, the future Tim Burton, loved it as well. Sami got so scared at the end that she cried. As a result, Jon got to sleep with Daddy, and I got the pull out bed in the living room area of our room with Sami.

Trent and kids in front of USCGC Taney, which was on the way into the Aquarium. Of course we stopped and took a picture!

Next morning, we got to the aquarium with only one wrong turn. It was so great. I wish I had more pictures, but every time I tried to photograph the sharks or rays etc., I got dark images or flash reflected off of water or glass. I have never seen rays that big before, and I loved the sea turtle. It was also huge. There were so many great exhibits. Jon was distraught at first, because the giant pacific octopus exhibit was closed. The octopus has grown too big for his habitat, and they are building him a new one. Jon got over it by the time we went to see the dolphin show though.

Trent and kids in front of bubble columns.

Trent bought the kids chomper head toys. Jon got a hammerhead shark and the girls got dolphins. For those of you wondering if I confiscated them by the time we were in D.C., the answer is no. Surprisingly, not only did I not take them and hit Trent with them by D.C., I didn't at all. I also found it hilarious, when our kids had their chompers clacking and singing along to Volcano by Jimmy Buffett.

kids with their chompers

On the way home, we stopped and had lunch. One of the ladies sitting at the table next to ours stopped on her way out and made a point of noting how well behaved our children were. I am shocked too! She said she does day care. Trent and I wondered all the way back to the interstate what kind of head cases she is watching if she thinks our kids are well behaved enough to say so. O.k., I am mostly kidding. They were actually quite good.

While at the restaurant, a huge thunderstorm hit. It was raining sideways when it first started up. It was still pretty bad when we left and for awhile after that. I know I should have been worried about the potential for flooding (we were in the Yaris after all) and about tornado warnings though the wind wasn't bad at the time. I couldn't make myself stop enjoying it though. I LOVE the rain and particularly a summer thunderstorm. I love the lightening and thunder. I love the sound and the smell.

Great trip. Hard to believe it was not even two days.