Sometimes, when life throws you lemons a buddy driving up to DC who’s stowaway friendly, you gotta make lemonade pack your bags and get ready for action.  So that’s what I did. I loaded up Melissa’s car with 2 small backpacks and 9 bananas (part of the 11 I got for $1 on Thursday!) and hopped in the front seat.  I decided to surprise my baby sister, Kiley, who was playing volleyball at the Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, a GORGEOUS place I’d never been before right on the Potomac River.

Since yesterday was a long day of driving, I didn’t have time to squeak in a normal Six Pack Sunday, but a day late is still great.

1. Lukewarm Lunchmeat

Road trips are great places to find ridiculous edible items.  These Go Picnic snack packs looked great, except for one key piece: room-temperature meats and cheeses.  Though I found these whilst still being a Pescatarian Polly, I can tell you I’d never buy one, no matter how hungry I happened to be.

2. Mad Men (Rated M)

The thing about watching Mad Men on the treadmill is that there are some awesome scenes where Peggy is talking smack with the boys, and it’s hilarious. Then, there are times where the Sterling Cooper fellows head to a strip club, and I’m in a hotel fitness room surrounded by the parents of teenage volleyball players.  Awkward, much?

Much too much.

I listened to Pandora for the rest of my workout.

3. Peeps Store (Yes, it exists.)

And it is AWESOME.

You can imagine how packed it was during Easter weekend.  So much marshmallow.

4. The Little Giant Mermaid

I’ve never worn shells as a bra but, when you’re wearing teal pants (close enough to a fin, right?) and you spot the most inspiring rock, you don’t really have a choice, do you?

You want thingamabobs? I’ve got 20.

5. National Zoo: Dream Come True!

We never thought that Easter Sunday would be a packed day at the National Zoo. We were totally shocked when we got there, parking was damned near impossible, and the lines for the panda exhibit were football-field length.  But it was all worth it (the time, as admission is FREE!!) when we saw this tiny red panda climbing up some logs. The tigers was fierce, the lions were larger than life, and the monkey jerking it…. well that was just icing on the cake.

6. Pinky Rides the Bull

Fun tip: When you think your pink bra won’t show through your black top, you’re wrong.

After a lot of squats the week before, and a little too much time on the hip abduction and adduction machines, my thighs were totally unprepared for what a killer workout it is holding onto a bucking bull, even if he was mechanical.  But, for $3 at Cadillac Ranch in National Harbor, I couldn’t resist!! I held on as long as I could (which likely wasn’t very long, though it felt like forever) before I felt something slipping. DAMN my decision to rock the leggings! I slipped right off that bull and into the inflatable ring, laughing the whole time.  It was a blast, and I’d TOTALLY do it again! Though next time, I think I’ll try to pack some shorts… or at least chaps.

Thanks, National Harbor, for showing us a good time.

Ever rode a bull (live OR mechanical)? How long did you stay on?  Any tips?

What’s your favorite exhibit at the zoo?

Mine’s normally not at the zoo at all, but the aquarium.  And it’s ALWAYS the Jellyfish.