***Sue-n-Kevin***

cmkuno

You're in DC???  Oh, I'm so jealous!  I lived there one summer for an internship, and I fell in LOVE with that city!  It's my dream to live there some day.

Just a word of advice: when you go down to watch the fireworks, get there EARLY!  A bunch of my friends and I wanted first of pick of a spot, so we camped out there the whole day.  Probably not 100% necessary, but get there at least a few hours before dusk.  And be prepared to wait in a long security line just to get into the fireworks watching area.  I'd suggesting sitting down around the Washington Monument rather than on the Mall, there's a better view from there.  

P.S. I don't know where you're staying, but there's are grocery stores around, they're just hidden.  I can't remember where they all are, but I know there's a Safeway in the Watergate building, that's where I usually shopped.  Have fun!!!

Sue-n-Kevin

Thanks Carolyn. 

My son loves it here too, we all do. He's a grad student at GWU majoring in Public Policy/Political Science. He was selected for a 6 week overseas study program which will give him 6 of his grad credits, at Oxford!  We took him to the airport on June 30th. He's there now and  we are staying in his one room studio apartment at the corner of 21st NW & Virginia. We aren't going down to the fireworks, we'll watch them from the 9th floor roof of his apartment building, and I understand we will see everything as there are no trees or buildings between here and the top of the Washington Monument. They set up the fireworks in the reflecting pool, so we are pretty sure we will see everything very well. He's a bit bummed he won't be here for it, but he couldn't pass on this opportunity of a lifetime. He's a political geek, and hopefully he finds a job here after he graduates. Best place in the world for a political policy junkie, LOL. 

We moved him here last August, so we saw a lot then. This is the 3rd trip for my daughter and me, and my fiance's 2nd. Aside from the Portrait Gallery and Art Museums, we've seen everything we want to see. The last 2 days have been relatively cool for here (mid 80's, nice breeze), but it's going to get hotter as the weekend progresses. Thankfully my son's air conditioning is included in the price of his rent. 

There is a rehearsal tonight at 8 pm in front of the Capitol Building of the music they will play tomorrow, the entire show actually, with Jimmy Smits & the rest of the entertainers. Security gates open at 3 pm, Kevin & I will go down for that, my daughter isn't really interested (teens, what-ya-gonna-do? LOL). We might buy a couple of cheap folding chairs at CVS if they have any, otherwise we'll take a blanket. 

Hopefully for you your dream of being in DC will happen. It really is a fabulous city, even if the cost of living apartment-wise is high.  It has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, and there are always jobs here. In fact 2 people I know work here and they are coming over to watch the fireworks with us tomorrow night. We knew about the Safeway at the Watergate building, but wanted to be able to bring a lot of food back, so we went shopping with my fiance's car in VA and unloaded in front of the apartment. 

Having a 4TH OF JULY BLAST!