The National Marine Museum in Virginia

 We were driving south from Dulles Airport on 495 late in the night. It was our first drive down this road, and we were surprised by an eye-catching tower of light along the highway. It had an artistic feel to it, but was mostly hidden by the trees. It became a compelling mystery to solve: what was that tower?

After a good night's sleep, our hosts recommended a short outing at the National Marine Museum at Quantico. As they described the museum, we  realized the mystery was solved. We had seen this relatively new museum, and now we knew how to get there.

As we approached from the highway, the pinnacle was hidden by the forest surrounding it. But when we entered the parking lot, we saw the museum. We parked, and as we approached the entry way, I was overcome by a sense of awe, knowing I walked where heroes walked and were honored.

MIA - My Least Favorite Airport

 I left Lima late, later than planned. There was a security alert, the departure was delayed, and it was after 11:15 PM when the plane finally departed. With a mere 5 hour flight, I drifted off to sleep as quickly as I could. But even on an airplane, morning comes too early.
It was my body's equivalent of 4:30 AM when we landed at Miami airport. It was pitch black outside as I rode the skytrain through the terminal. What had originally seemed like an interminable 3+ hour layout, turned out to be just about the right amount of time in Miami.

I didn't know until that day that a connecting flight in Miami only saves you the taxi drive to the airport. Otherwise, it is as if you have arrived and departed all in one trip. I had to pick up my checked baggage, and recheck it. I had to go through security screening all over again. Yes, it included a full-body scan, though not a pat-down search, and some unpleasantness with my wallet. Then I had to take an untold number of skytrains and escalators (yes, a two-story escalator! look closely) from my arriving terminal to my departing terminal. When I arrived, I walked up to the ticket counter, showed her my ticket, and asked her "Am I in the right place?" Her response was "Yes," and finally I could relax - for a whole 30 minutes until it was time to board the next leg of my flight.

Miami ranks as my least favorite airport experience.