On our final touring day we decided to take the 14 mile drive south to Mt Vernon, VA. This was the mansion of George Washington. We were able to go through the house and around the grounds. Washington was truly an intelligent man.
After we finished up at Mt Vernon we drove into the city of Alexandria and visited the Carlyle House, a Mansion on the river that was built in 1753 and restored in the 1970’s. After that we walked around town before stopping for a late lunch and a stop at Starbucks before heading back to our motel.
Currently we are packed as much as we can be for an early departure tomorrow. Over all a very good trip, one that we will remember and share with our grand kids some day.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Vacation - Day 6
This morning we got up with a plan, a plan to start out at the American History Museum. This Museum is home to the original Star Spangled Banner, the history of West Point and other important items from American History.
We parked the car and walked up to The Mall and across it to find the American History Museum. We ended up off by one street and not very far from the National Archives so we stopped there first. Inside we were able to view the original Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other documents from our nation’s history. Trying to preserve these documents meant that the lighting in the building was kept low and flash photography was not allowed so there were no pictures to post.
After a couple of hours there we went to the American History Museum only to find that it was closed until November 21st for renovation.
Since our plan was shot we decided to hop back on the tour bus and just go from there. We ended up getting off in Georgetown for lunch at Johnny Rockets and then hopped off again to visit the Spy Museum.
We probably walked another 4 to 5 miles in total today, and I can finally say I am starting to feel it.
We parked the car and walked up to The Mall and across it to find the American History Museum. We ended up off by one street and not very far from the National Archives so we stopped there first. Inside we were able to view the original Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other documents from our nation’s history. Trying to preserve these documents meant that the lighting in the building was kept low and flash photography was not allowed so there were no pictures to post.
After a couple of hours there we went to the American History Museum only to find that it was closed until November 21st for renovation.
Since our plan was shot we decided to hop back on the tour bus and just go from there. We ended up getting off in Georgetown for lunch at Johnny Rockets and then hopped off again to visit the Spy Museum.
We probably walked another 4 to 5 miles in total today, and I can finally say I am starting to feel it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Vacation - Day 5
Yesterday was an easy day; we slept in and took our time having breakfast. Isn’t that the object of a vacation is to rest and take it easy? That is what we did.
On one of our previous days of touring we found a place that had free parking with unlimited time. Most of the free spots in DC are limited to 2 or 3 hours. The only downside is that it was by the Jefferson Memorial and so there was a little bit of a walk to get to The Mall.
We parked and walked up to The Mall where we jumped on to one of the Hop-on/ Hop-off tour busses. This bus went not only around The Mall but also to some of the outlying sites, like Georgetown, Union Station, and Ford Theater.
We hopped off at Ford Theater, the location where President Lincoln was shot. The theater its self was closed for renovations so we went in and saw the house where Lincoln was taken and later died. After that short visit we went to the Hard Rock Café for lunch. Here we had a really nice waitress who even laughed at Kyle’s jokes.
From there we hopped back onto the tour bus and headed out to Washington National Cathedral and Embassy Row. Finally ending up back in front of the Dept of Agriculture where we hopped off and headed back to the car and the end of day 5
On one of our previous days of touring we found a place that had free parking with unlimited time. Most of the free spots in DC are limited to 2 or 3 hours. The only downside is that it was by the Jefferson Memorial and so there was a little bit of a walk to get to The Mall.
We parked and walked up to The Mall where we jumped on to one of the Hop-on/ Hop-off tour busses. This bus went not only around The Mall but also to some of the outlying sites, like Georgetown, Union Station, and Ford Theater.
We hopped off at Ford Theater, the location where President Lincoln was shot. The theater its self was closed for renovations so we went in and saw the house where Lincoln was taken and later died. After that short visit we went to the Hard Rock Café for lunch. Here we had a really nice waitress who even laughed at Kyle’s jokes.
From there we hopped back onto the tour bus and headed out to Washington National Cathedral and Embassy Row. Finally ending up back in front of the Dept of Agriculture where we hopped off and headed back to the car and the end of day 5
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Vacation - Day 4
Today we started out early for a not the normal tourist event. We had the privilege of attending a full honors military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony was one of Honor and Respect all the way around. Air Force Lieutenant Coronel Carl Copemen died recently of from a heart attack after living a full life. He fought in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam as well as being one of the original members of the Test Pilot unit with Chuck Yeager. The Ceremony included a process ion through the cemetery by an Air Force Band, Brigade and a Caisson drawn by six white horses. It ended with a grave side service with taps and a 21 gun salute. This man chose to serve and did so with Honor and was remembered today with Honor. May we never forget.
We also visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and it was there that we witness the pride that one old man felt for his country. His finger out stretched as much as the arthritic knuckles would allow as he showed his companions the places and the battles he fought. The memories more vivid then his voice and yet the pride was there for all that he had done. May we never forget.
Our next stop was the Holocaust Museum. I have seen firsthand Auschwitz and Birkenau, but the images and impact of the slaughter of Jews during WWII are real and potent. May we never forget.
From there we rode the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument and looked out all four sides seeing the monuments and memorials that stand in remembrance and respect for the greatest democracy of the world. May we never forget.
We also visited the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and it was there that we witness the pride that one old man felt for his country. His finger out stretched as much as the arthritic knuckles would allow as he showed his companions the places and the battles he fought. The memories more vivid then his voice and yet the pride was there for all that he had done. May we never forget.
Our next stop was the Holocaust Museum. I have seen firsthand Auschwitz and Birkenau, but the images and impact of the slaughter of Jews during WWII are real and potent. May we never forget.
From there we rode the elevator to the top of the Washington Monument and looked out all four sides seeing the monuments and memorials that stand in remembrance and respect for the greatest democracy of the world. May we never forget.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Vacation - Day 3
Today was an easier day. We met up with my sister, brother-in-law and his mom for the day. We spent at least 30 minutes looking for a parking spot. That is one thing that is really hard to come by in DC is any place to park. When we did find one, it was right on the corner next to the Capital Building and it did not have a time limit (most spots in DC have a 2 hr limit).
Our 1st start was the Botanic Gardens where we checked out all the plants from around the world. We then spent a little time walking around in front of the Capital Building but we didn’t get there early enough for a tour inside. After that we walked along the mall to the National Museum of Natural History. It was here that we spent the rest of our touring day looking at dinosaur bones, gems and mineral including the Hope and Pearson diamonds, petrified wood and other natural items.
We have an early morning planned and we were all tired from the heat and sun so it will be a quiet night tonight.
Our 1st start was the Botanic Gardens where we checked out all the plants from around the world. We then spent a little time walking around in front of the Capital Building but we didn’t get there early enough for a tour inside. After that we walked along the mall to the National Museum of Natural History. It was here that we spent the rest of our touring day looking at dinosaur bones, gems and mineral including the Hope and Pearson diamonds, petrified wood and other natural items.
We have an early morning planned and we were all tired from the heat and sun so it will be a quiet night tonight.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Vacation – Day 2
Today was our first full day in DC, actually the DC area since our hotel is in Arlington, Virginia across the street from Ft Myers. At best estimate we walked 10 miles to day. Thanks P Lori and the RC Posse without all those hours at the Y on the treadmill and I wouldn’t have been able to make it.
Sites seen today:
Arlington National Cemetery
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington House (Home of Robert E Lee before the Civil War)
Iwo Jima Marine Corp Memorial (photo below)
The Washington Monument
The WW II Memorial
Vietnam Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Korean Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
A pretty full day if I do say so.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Curve Ahead
A couple of months ago my sister was here visiting from the Midwest. We did various day trips visiting the sites and having fun. On one afternoon as we were on our way home for the night she asked, “Do you have any straight roads?” I thought of that this morning as I was cruising through the back country roads on my way to work. The roads wind around the hills and along the river so there are no straight portions. Just like in life there really aren’t very many straight portions. We head off on a course but to get to our end goal we have twist and turns, climb and decent, and the ever painful switchbacks where it seems we are just repeating the steps we have taken before. Curves are put in the road to make our travels safer and simpler. It may not seem so at the time, but I know that some of the greatest moments in my travel have come when I round a curve and find the most splendid view imaginable.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
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