After picking up breakfast and finding parking, we actually started making our journey around DC at around 11.30. As we looked at the map and decided where to go my only "plan" was to see at least 1 art museum. We were right at the Museum of Natural History when we started so we began our discoveries there.... Dead animals presented with tons of information about them is not really my thing. I thought it was something that Joel really wanted to see so we stayed for over an hour... this is when I realize that he too was disappointed and didn't care for being there any longer. As our journey went on, we saw the Museum of American History (which was my favorite of the day) and grabbed lunch in the "Stars and Stripes Cafeteria." When I looked at my phone and saw that it was already 2.45, I wanted to get moving as fast as possible. Besides we had 2.5 hrs until most of the museums closed and roughly an hour before the rain was due to arrive. We still had hopes of 1 art museum, the Holocaust Museum, and the monuments. In efforts to see some kind of art we went to the closest art museum to us... which just my luck turned out being the one filled with Asian art (no offense, not my style). But we left with information about one that stayed open until 7 (new plan). On our way to the monuments the rain started to come and we opted to go in the Hollocaust Museum before it closed. As awesome as it was, it was crazy time consuming. We were trying to read every panel to keep up with the story but about half way through we realized it was the museums closing time. By the time we exited the building it was 6pm and we stepped outside to find a torrential downpour. We bought some ponchos, bypassed the monuments, and started the 2 mile path to our car. We grabbed Starbucks for warmth on the way and arrived to our car right about 6:50. With no hope of making it to the other art museum, we drove by the monuments as slow as we could (allowing for my few touristy pictures) and headed out of the city. 
With soaked Toms and tennis shoes, frizzy hair, and empty stomachs we headed towards home and topped off our "perfect day" with Olive Garden, my favorite.
I don't think being a planner is a bad thing... And I definitely think being intentional with your time is a responsibility we all have. However I think the problem comes in when we think we have enough control to plan our day, week, month, year... Not only do we not have the control, but there's no fun in that. I'm sure I could have planned out some detailed schedule of our trip to DC and sure we might have made it to more museums, successfully seen all the monuments, and got a little art viewing in... but I'm certain that wouldn't have made a memory like the one I have now. 
In my life, plans almost always go awry. The good news about your trip to DC is that you are only two hours away and can easily go again. In fact, we never try to see it all, because (a) you just can't and enjoy it, (b) you can always go back, and (c) many exhibits stay the same, but some are ever changing so it makes a return more fun. Parking is a little steep, but we have a tried and true lot that is centrally located and conveniently under a Starbucks. Always pack an umbrella (for rain or shade from the beating sun) and a sense of humor. I, too, used to get wrapped up in making the most of time, dealing with the city traffic, and finding somewhere to eat, but we have been to DC about three times now and I can't wait to go again. In fact, we should all go together some time!
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