27 Days and counting. . .

That's right -- just under a month left here in Maryland. Of course, I come right back to the East Coast for Iraq training about a week after that, but at least I will get home for a little while.

This weekend was pretty stinking good. I had a four-day weekend, which allowed me to do some sightseeing and enjoy the weather. A friend of mine came to Baltimore for some Army training, so on her day off we did a little sight seeing in the Baltimore area. We went to Fort McHenry, where the Star Spangled Banner was written during the War of 1812. It was very cool to see that part of history. Turns out that the following day there was a Civil War camp out there, with a live fire of muskets and cannons.

I also got back to the Capital. I got to see the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam wall. I took somewhere around 400 pictures, so I will just put a bunch of pics up to show some of my weekend.

Tomorrow starts the beginning of my last 4 weeks here, and I am stoked to get it going. I am ready to be back home, if even for a little while. Enjoy the pics.

Me at the Washington Monument. If you haven't seen it, go there. It is huge.

Cannons at Fort McHenry looking toward the Chesapeake where the Brits attacked.

The Oregon pedestal at the World War II Memorial.

I really wish that this were still true. . .

The Lincoln Memorial. Another one of the must-see places for all Americans. Awe inspiring.

Statue at the Vietnam memorial. The detail is amazing.

The Vietnam wall. It was a somber and powerful place. I only heard about three people say anything as they passed the wall. You could feel the power and respect.

Cannon firing demonstration at Fort McHenry for the Civil War camp out.

Behind me at that bridge is where the Brits bombarded from. That is the Francis Scott Key bridge.

I got thrown into the brig at McHenry. Sgt. Trinna busted me out.

The Baltimore (foreground) and the USS Constellation docked at Baltimore Inner Harbor.