As a teenager at Bonneville High School I can remember one of my teachers telling our class about her visit to Washington D.C. and the Smithsonian Institute. Her description and excitement over them instilled in me a great desire to see those things for myself one day. Finally that opportunity came. This is my journal of those events.
Day One of Washington DC Vacation:
We left Salt Lake City Airport at 10:00 AM on Delta Airlines. We had a 4 hour flight but didn't get to Ronald Regan Airport until 4:00 pm. (two hour time difference). It was a great flight on Delta. Each seat had a screen to view movies, play video games or track your flight. Of course most of the items wanted your charge card.
When they called our flight, Sherwin was in the men's room so I went ahead and boarded and hoped that he would follow. I wonder what I would have done if I found myself alone in Virginia. Actually, I know what I would have done….Panic! Thankfully he made it on board. We had a little mix up catching the shuttle bus to the motel. That was a 2 hour delay. Grr.
Jacob met us here. It was good to see him again. He looks healthy and happy. We have been planning our agenda for tomorrow. I hope we can figure out the Metro system and get to the White house on time. Our tour is at 8:30 AM
Jacob in front of the lute from the movie American Treasure with Nicholas Cage.
Day Two:
To tell you the truth, I was a little apprehensive about riding the Metro. I had it pictured in my mind a lot different than it actually turned out to be. I thought it would be dark, dangerous, and dirty but it was actually modern, clean and a fun experience.
We arrived at the White House eager to start our tour. I had applied for tickets before hand with Senator Mike Crapo’s office. Unfortunately when they checked our credentials, we were not on the “list”. This created a short delay while they checked things out and we were allowed to go in with the regular tour. Due to the high level of security, purses, cameras, recording devices and packages were not allowed. We could take cell phones (as long as they were turned off) and umbrellas’. I thought it strange as an umbrella seemed like a pretty good weapon to me.
I was surprised that some of the rooms were so small. They have tried to maintain the era in which they were built and decorated. Some of the areas looked a little dated and worn. It was fun to recognize some of the rooms where I had watched the President in press conferences on television. I recognized one of the rooms where Laura Bush was interviewed on TV. The bottom level is the tour level. The President’s living quarters were not in the tour. We saw the display of the First Lady’s china, the red room, the yellow room and the blue room. They were filled with photos of past occupants and other memorabilia.
Our tour guide allowed us to turn on our cell phone at one point during the tour and take one picture.
After the tour, we walked down the National Mall area. The expression Mall is not a group of stores like I had thought before.
Impressive structures border it, monuments and memorials stand on it, great museums exist near it, and grand trees help shade it, yet the harmony of these things together merely enhances the concept at its very best. The Mall is the heart of the Nation’s Capital and of the entire United States of America. Here, the nation celebrates, honors, and demonstrates its commitment to democracy.
At 3:00 PM we had scheduled a tour of the Capitol. It was beautiful! Jacob and I got caught up in the stories of our tour guide. Sherwin was caught up in taking pictures of everything. In fact, he got separated from the tour. Jacob and I wondered if we would see him again but he somehow ended up in the same place as us eventually.
Sherwin and Jacob were impressed with the Senate chambers and the House of Representative. They thought it would be fun to see if they could attend a session. We were invited to Mike Simpson’s office to get tickets.
After walking what seemed like 100 miles (They call it Capitol Hill for a reason) we got the tickets but by that time everything was closing for the day.
We were exhausted and hungry. Jacob likes to try all kinds of new and different foods. In the spirit of that, we had a grilled octopus appetizer with our dinner. It tasted quite a bit like steak but a little chewier. Sherwin and I had Rock Fish that was baked in a crust of sea salt and eggs. After it was cooked, it was brought to the table where the crust was cracked open and the fished was skinned and filleted. I thought it was very good. Jacob tried another kind of fish that was also very tasty.
When we got back to our Motel, I discovered that I had a large blood blister on the ball of my foot from all the walking. I was too tired to care much that night but the next day was a different story.
Our main mode of transportation, the Metro Rail.
The Metro Station
Us being the tourists!
The U.S. Capatol
The White House
After breakfast at the Hotel, we headed to the Metro and the US Mall once again. We decided our first stop would be the Smithsonian Museum of American History. That turned out to be about a 4 hour visit. It was wonderful. One of my favorite exhibits was the First Lady’s room where the inauguration gowns were displayed and also photo’s of all the President’s wives Day. I also enjoyed the American automobile and train exhibits.
Next on our agenda was the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Much to my tired feet and legs dismay, it was a long way up the Mall. We fortified ourselves with a hot dog from one of the many street vendors and tried to enjoy the sights along the way.
We made brief stops at the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden and other places of interest.
We watched an Imax presentation on fighter pilots at the Air and Space Museum but my favorite part was seeing the space capsules and rockets. We stayed at that museum until they closed for the day then we headed to Arlington Cemetery. Sadly we were too late to witness the changing of the guard.
Arlington Cemetery. In the background you can see the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument across the Potomac River.
Arlington Cemetery
Sculpture Garden
Sculpture Garden
One of the exhibits in the Space Museum
Sculpture in Front of the Space Museum
Day Four:
We started our day at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. This was a sad and solemn museum yet it was filled with much history and intrigue. It is amazing to me the damage of evil propaganda and leadership. I visited one of the death camps when I lived in Germany and the monument there reflected my thoughts once again. “Never Again” “Never Again”.
After our visit there we needed something a little lighter so we went to the National Aquarium. It was a little bit disappointing. The aquariums on the west coast, e.g., Lincoln City Oregon and San Diego are much better.
Another long walk with tired feet and legs brought us to the Washington Monument. There were long lines to get inside and the tickets were gone for the day so we just enjoyed the view from the outside.
Next we headed to the Eastern Market but it was late in the day and they were closing so we chose a French Restaurant to rest in before our long trek back to the Hotel. Jacob ordered stuffed rabbit leg on a bed of linguine, Sherwin had tuna steaks and I had grilled shrimp on wild rice. The sauces were unlike any I have ever tasted. We finished with some French pastry. We all had something different so we could share.
Smithsonian Institute (Sometimes called the Smithsonian Castle)
The Washington Monument is around 500 feet tall
The Washington Monument and the Reflective Pool.
Day 5
This was our last day to spend in Washington D.C. and there was still so much we wanted to see.
We started the day at the U.S. Botanic Garden. Sherwin was like a crazed man with a camera. We were amazed by the size of the Garden and the variety of plants and flowers. There were also exhibits on how plants were used for dye, herbal medicine and aroma therapy.
Next we headed to the Lincoln Memorial and reflective pool which was (you guessed) the opposite end of the U.S. Mall. This time we rode the Metro. After our visit there we walked back to the Washington Memorial and then to the Viet Nam and World War II Memorials.
After our visit there we went to the Ford Theatre and Lincoln Museum and the Peterson House where President Lincoln died. I enjoyed the Lincoln Museum more than I did the Monument. By this time I was having a sensory overload of all the historic and beautiful places that we had visited. Even though we barely scratched the surface of all that Washington D.C. has to offer, I am truly grateful we were able to take this vacation.
We returned to our home in Shelley Idaho tired and happy.
Jacob and me at the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln has one hand in a fist to show his power and the other hand open to show his compassion.
Outside of the Lincoln Memorial. The statue of Lincoln is behind the pillars.
Botanic Garden
Botanic Garden
Botanic Garden. We have more photos of beautiful plants. These are just a sample.
And here we have Idaho represented at the World War II Memorial
The World War II Memorial was built and dedicated by George W. Bush. There is a wreath on the pillars surrounding it for each state.
The Ford Theatre and Museam
