Washington Vacay: Day 2.5 (our last day in D.C.)

Today is the last day in D.C. It's all or nothing, people! It's time to high-tail it out the door, board the Metro, and hit the pavement. Buuut, that's not what happened. Remember those comfy cozy beds I told you about? Well, it's tough to get out of that warm, 400-thread count Egyptian Cotton linens the morning after a long day of sight-seeing just the day before! So, what is a tired soul to do? Sleep in - that's what! It's vacation for gosh sakes! You can't lose sight of that, no matter how pressed for time you may be. So, we took our time. We visited the Club Level for breakfast. We each ALL enjoyed a super hot shower in the Italian Marble bathroom - all without losing hot water (not typical in our own house). And we slowly packed up our stuff, left a tip for the maid, and headed down to the Lobby.

If you're staying at the Ritz Hotel in Pentagon City, this next advice is important so pay attention. Do what we did: check out of the hotel, check in your bags with the front desk, and request a late departure for your car (you have until 5:00 to get your car before they charge). Got it? This is important because you don't want to hassle with a car AND you know your luggage and car are safe! OK? OK!

So today's agenda: American History Smithsonian, Natural History Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery. Bring the action...

The last time Super Hubby and I were in D.C., it was way before Kiddo was born. When we visited the American History Smithsonian we were privileged to witness the careful repair work going on by skilled seamstress historians on THE Star-Spangled Banner: the actual flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem. Back then, it was out in plain view as they worked on it, but behind glass walls. Times have changed and it seems an upgraded level of protection has been paid to Old Glory.

Now, to view those "broad stripes and bright stars", you'll have to see it in a darkened room, behind glass protecting the wool and cotton fabric of this 200-year old flag, no photography. It's simply astonishing to see this flag in person, knowing it was flying high during the War of 1812 at the Battle of Baltimore, 1814. It's dirty with smoke from cannon fire, it's torn and tattered, and it's even missing 1 of its 15 stars. Why? A soldier decided to cut it out as a souvenir from the Battle.

The flag originally measured 30 x 42 feet. Now, it measures 30 x 34 feet because many soldiers snipped off the edge of the flag, also as a memento. The flag measured so large, the woman that made it had to rent a brewery across the street as the flag was bigger than the footprint of her house! Mary Pickersgill had help (about 4 extra people) over the summer working on this famous flag and was paid $405.90 (not bad in those days).

This exhibit is by far my most favorite in the American History Museum (can't you tell). We moved on to see many President exhibits. My favorite was the First Lady dresses - so awesome! The thing I love most about the Smithsonian is the "originalness" of it all. You're usually seeing the real thing, not a reproduction. It's quite spine-tingling (I'm such a geek).

We ate lunch at the American History Musuem and I highly recommend it. The food is quite tasty, for sure, and a great variety to choose from. At the time of our visit, the other half of the museum was closed. I could see why. The museum looked a bit "tired" and is in need of a renovation. Those changes are scheduled to be completed by 2015.

The Hope Diamond

Moving on, we hit the Natural History Museum. We could have spent many more hours in there than we did, but you have to pick your battles and, in our case, pick your exhibit. We just didn't have the time to see EVERYTHING! And, it was soooo busy, we didn't have the patience for it either. So, we decided to check out the Rocks and Gems exhibit. With Kiddo's interest in rocks, you'd think he'd be interested in becoming a geologist, but he's not. He does have a wonderful rock collection and he's always looking for interesting specimens to add to it. So, this exhibit was a no-brainer, as it would lead us to the gift shop where he could make his additions. Besides, I wasn't leaving until I saw the Hope Diamond, up close and personal.

Kiddo loves his rocks, gems, and geodes!

After acquiring a vial of gold, silver, and a copper specimen, we left the Museum. It was getting way too crowded, way too loud, and way too cumbersome to maneuver smoothly around dawdling people and baby strollers. I swear, there were 2-year old meltdowns in every corner. I almost went up to one child and said, "I know how you feel. I'm meltingdown on the inside." Time to leave.

Before heading back to the Metro, we took some more pics on the National Mall. Note to self: do not where beret with hair back in ponytail. Not a good look! The only thing I'm missing is a paintbrush!

I can laugh at myself.

 OK, this next part is super important. You are going to go back to the hotel to get the car, THEN you'll go to Arlington National Cemetery. This is so much easier and you don't feel pressed for time. So, board the Metro, get the car, load it up with the bags, and head out. DO NOT follow the TomTom instructions. Get directions from the Ritz people, they know what they are doing!

Once at Arlington National Cemetery, park in their lot (super cheap). By getting the car first, it places you in a better position to get out of D.C. easier and back home. We were racing a snow storm to get home, so we needed to utilize our time wisely, but couldn't leave until we saw Arlington. Remember, it closes at 5:00.

Is there any other place in Washington that holds your respect for our country more than Arlington National Cemetery? If you can think of a place, then you must not have witnessed the Changing of the Guard ceremony that happens every hour, on the hour, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You stand in solemn silence, perched up on a hill overlooking the seat of America's democracy, and you look on in awe. The precision and exactness of this military ceremony is stunning. No words can describe the witnessing of this sacred act.

We left D.C. around 4:00 and managed to stay right ahead of the storm. When things work out that well, it's a sign to me that this trip was meant for us. It was not planned, it was not scheduled, we just decided to go and we went. When a trip is that smooth, it's meant to be.

Washington, D.C., is a must-see in your lifetime. Where else can you show your child the highest forms of all branches of government all in one place? Where else can you teach your child American history as he looks upon real, original artifacts from the past? Where else can you show him where laws are created, those laws we live by daily? And, where else can you have the strongest impact on your child when he sees miles of gravestones in a cemetery that honors the fallen and their families? Washington offers real history lessons, and gives you the tools for your explanations to the youth.

Our time in D.C. was short, but we saw a lot and it was great to get away, just the 3 of us. I hope you've enjoyed our experience. If you'd like, check out Day 1 and Day 2, just click.

What we woke up to the next day at home - Lucky!

Washington Vacay: Day 1.5 (or how to see D.C. in 2.5 days)

Empty flag pole means Congress is not home.

We've arrived in D.C. and are staying at the awesomest of awesome hotels. Want to catch-up? Click here. Onto our one and only full day in D.C. Get those walking shoes on your feet and head to the Metro - Blue Line - get off at Smithsonian.

Between the Washington Monument and The Capitol, the distance spans 1.9 miles so, to say walking shoes are imperative is an understatement. You want to start at The Capitol and work your way to and beyond the Washington Monument, ending with the Lincoln Memorial just beyond.

We arrived at The Capitol about 10:00 in the morning. To enter, you must go around to the front of the building. That would be the side NOT facing the National Mall. Upon entering you'll get in the line of non-reserved tickets (we never get tickets because we're too spontaneous on where we end up). You'll get a sticker that designates when your tour will begin (don't expect the time to be any kind of guarantee).

The tour begins by watching a video about the history of our country and how The Capitol fits in. It talks about the building of it, the burning of it, the rebuilding of it. Honestly, the video is very well done and you do have a sense of patriotic pride before going on the tour. It fills your heart, for sure.
The Capitol tours are so sophisticated. I remember when Super Hubby and I took the tour back in 1999, the tour guides would yell facts and stories at you while trying to be heard over the other 5 tours being given at the same time, in the same room. Not these days. They've come a long way, baby! Now, each person receives a headphone set where you can perfectly hear your own tour guide clearly and without the yelling. It's fantastic!

There gazes George Washington upon democracy in the Rotunda. He is flanked by ladies representing liberty and freedom. Continuing around the circle are 13 ladies, representing the founding colonies.

 At the base of Ronald Reagan's bronze statue, embedded right under the statue's base, are pieces of the Berlin Wall. Nice touch!

 Around the Rotunda is a pictorial history of America's progress. The original artist wanted to carve the images into the material but the government said they didn't have the money for such a proposition (ah, what we could learn from those that came before us). So, the artist decided to paint the history looking like it had been carved. The picture to the right starts with Lady Liberty, then Christopher Columbus. It took 3 artists to finally finish the painting, but not before mis-measuring and coming up 300 feet short of getting back to Lady Liberty. It took 3 artists to finish because they had to wait for more history to happen! The final and third artist ended with Orville and Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk (the picture to the left).

The Capitol

At the time of our trip, Congress was not in session. Even if you didn't know that, you could tell by the outside of the building. The middle of The Capitol always carries an American Flag. When the House and the Senate are in session, an American flag would also be flying high above their respective areas of the building. There was only the center flag flying, hence, The House and The Senate are not at home (see the empty flag pole in the first photo above).

2013 ornament?

We stopped at The Capitol gift shop and purchased a Christmas Ornament representing the year. This will probably be the only vacation we take this year, so Kiddo's first time in Washington is pretty significant. I'll hand-stamp "2013" on a sterling silver tag and attach it to the ornament. I love that it signifies the Cherry Blossoms since it's around the time we visited. They weren't all in bloom, but a good many were.

After the gift shop we took the indoor tunnel to the Library of Congress. Wow! Only those seeking special research with special credentials are able to enter the Library. And, did you know that nothing is allowed to be removed from the Library, either?!?!?

Library of Congress

Next stop: Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It's in the middle of the National Mall. As a former rocket scientist, I can appreciate all the Air and Space Museum has to offer. To be honest, if you're really looking for an amazing historical depiction of the aeronautical arena, I contest that our visit to Dayton's National Air Force Museum blows the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum out of the water. Just my opinion. We got a quick bite to eat here, and headed on down towards the Washington Monument.

 
The Washington Monument is not open to the public since the earthquake that hit D.C. a few years back. In fact, I don't think they even trust the building to stand on its own since you can't even get near it. The damage caused by the earthquake is pretty severe and making repairs isn't something that ends up on the top of the budgetary agenda. They are working on it, just very slowly. It could be our luck? The last time Super Hubby and I were here, the Monument was closed for cleaning. That time, the scaffolding completely surrounded the obelisk all the way from top to bottom.

Moving past the Washington Monument, we got to the World War II Memorial. It is a beautiful tribute, even without the water fountains running during the winter time. That's the thing about visiting so early in Spring. You miss out on the full affect of all the memorials because the water features are drained and turned off for the winter.

Super Hubby explained a lot to Kiddo and I think he started to see how much sacrifice goes into keeping freedom and liberty for our country. It got to be quite somber once we made it to the Vietnam Veterans Wall Memorial. So many names, so many families leaving remembrances behind at certain areas. The flowers, letters, notes - it all places a reality on the matter. It reminds us that those names belong to families: to mothers, sisters, fathers, brothers. Families that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and our rights. It's a humbling experience and one that should not be missed if you happen to find yourself in D.C.

Is that you, Forrest?

Moving on past the Reflecting Pool and to the Lincoln Memorial. This was, by far, one of my most favorite of experiences. Mr. Lincoln is as big as life. I'm completely mesmerized by his gaze unto Washington. I wonder, what he thinks about how things have been going? What would he say if he was asked? What would he do, if he could do anything? I wonder.

 

Climb, climb, climb!

After Lincoln we saw the Korean War Memorial, then picked up the Metro near the Executive Offices, adjacent to the White House. We found these interesting sites on our way there and I wanted to share.

Once back at the hotel, we picked up some dinner at the connecting mall, we visited the Club Level Lounge at our hotel to enjoy many desserts and a night cap. See you in the morning. Oh!, my aching feet. Good night, Washington.

Gigantic Nutella jars - heaven!

To see pics close up, just click on the picture. See you on Thursday for the grand vacation finale!