Capitol & Monuments

WOW! Wednesday marked the vacation halfway point and we were just starting to head down town to hit the Capitol and see all the Monuments.    With Lane having his knee surgery last Oct, walking 10-12 hrs at one time was out of the question.  So we decided to use Wed-Fri for short days and hopefully still get to see everything......WRONG!  Even with #3 6-8 hour days, there is still so much we did not see.  But here's what we did get marked off our list.

This was the boys first subway (monorail) ride, other than the public transportation at Disney.  I have to say that DC public transportation is very very clean.  And there was always someone to help you if you were to get confused a time or two.  We did really good finding our way around until the last day, I think we were just overwhelmed and totally exhausted which put our brain in a fog. 

Karson fit right in with the regulars on the subway system.  Ear buds in, music on, and no conversation.  Me? well lets just say that I totally looked like a tourist, only thing missing was the fanny pack.  I guess overall I was shocked and disappointed to find that most (about 95%) of the people on the subway system really didn't want to speak, scoot their behind over or even acknowledge  a human in any form or fashion.  Actually most of the DC people were very RUDE!  Yep, I said it...........RUDE!  So just imagine me, sitting there for about a 30 minute ride, looking around trying to find someone who just might say a kind word or strike up an interesting conversation.  NOTHING, I GOT NOTHING!

Wednesday was Visit our Capital Day! We first made a visit to the office of  (KY) Congressman Ed Whitfield.  His staff was so super nice.  They set us up with tickets to get into the House and Senate to hear some of the Energy Bills that was being voted on.  Also Congressman Whitfield spent a little time talking to all of us.  His assistant showed us around and then we were off to explore on our on.  I have to say that the security at the capitol was super tight.  Lots and lots of it.

The Cherry Blossoms were just beautiful!  I took plenty of pictures in several different places of them, this one being on the Capitol lawn.

The family with Congressman Whitfield.

National Archives was Lane's favorite.  Inside NO PICTURES! of course....but we all loved it.  Here we saw the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

Library of Congress was my favorite as in decor!  I walked around with my head up the entire time.  The boys were so excited about all that old stuff and I was super impressed with all the art & painting in this building.  Just beautiful!!!  We also seen Thomas Jefferson's libray as well!  So cool!

This was the end of our Wednesday.  Afterwards we headed back the condo, ate in, and watched "COAL"...imagine that!

Now Thursday was a very BIG day.  I loved loved loved all the monuments.  I just felt so peaceful, so relaxed.  Resting on the park benches inbetween monuments with my sweetie and favorite 2 boys while looking at the beautiful Cherry Blossoms.  Really thinking about how lucky we are to have the FREEDOM to take these vacations, choose our own family, worship our own God probably had something to do with it.  I felt really blessed that day, a day I'll never forget ....spent with 3 of my favorite people:)

When we approached the WWII Memorial all I could think of was....WOW!  This was such a beautiful place.  Very nicely done!

Doesn't this just give you chills!  We sat and watch all these precious men & women line up.

It is so hard to say that any of the memorials were my absolute favorite.  All so different but gave you the same peaceful feeling.  But I do have to say the Korean War Memorial really sadden me.  Looking at the soldiers was heartbreaking.  At times I felt like they were looking at me, I know...strange.

Oh well to seeing the Reflecting Pool in front of Lincoln Memorial.  As you can see its undergoing a makeover!  But this is the view of the Washington Memorial from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The Lincoln Memorial, Karson's  favorite!

And that's him, counting all 58 steps.  2 steps representing Lincoln's 2 terms and 56 steps representing the age of Lincoln when he passed.  Since that day we have learned that this was a myth.  But we won't tell Karson.

Resting while Karson continued to count steps.

Yep, still counting!  Making sure he got them all.

The old Post Office.

Lane wanted to sneak in but we knew that was a big no-no!

The Vietnam War Memorial was very overwhelming.  I couldn't believe all the names.  Over 58,000!

Our tickets for the White House were being held up due to the possible government shutdown.  So this was the only picture of the White House I have.  Our tickets came thru on the Saturday that we left on.  Oh well, another excuse to go back to DC along with all the other places we didn't get to see.

End of Thursday! We were exhausted.
Friday was our last day downtown.  It was rainy and cold so we went to the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum.  The Hall of First Ladies was my favorite.

Martha Washingtons Dress

My very fav....Jackie O's

Pat Nixon

and our current 1st lady, Michelle Obama.

The famous red slippers.

Abe's Hat!

The end of Friday.  Look at my baby, he'll need a vacation after vacation.

That wraps up most of our trip.  But Arlington is up next.  Good night yall!