Sightseeing Day 1

Sightseeing day one – When everyone was done showering and primping (not just me – the older boys), Teddy and Erica made and labeled sandwiches.  Finally around 2:30, we packed our drinks and chips and drove to the train station in Shady Grove.  We wanted to make sure that everyone had the experience of riding a train.  In my opinion, riding a train or a subway in a large city is a lesson/experience that everyone should do at least once.  The train ride to Metro Station was about 30 minutes.  It wasn’t very eventful.  Actually, the train ride back was better.  We then got on another train to the Smithsonian.

When we walked up the stairs from the train station to ground level, I was taken aback.  I never in my life, even in my dreams as a little girl from a tiny town in Wisconsin, I never dreamt that I would actually visit Washington D.C.  I just stood there for a few seconds.  I have really had a blessed and adventure filled life.  Cliché as it sounds, dreams really to come true!

I have really had a blessed and adventure filled life.

The station we arrived at comes out by the Dept. of Agriculture Building (or should I say empire.  It was huge!  I was shocked at how massive the government buildings were. 

We headed towards the Washington Monument first.  I was asked the profound question, “Why is the Lincoln Memorial a statue of Lincoln and the Washington Monument looks like a square pencil?”  I, of course, didn’t know the reason.  I’ve never been much of a history buff.  I know the basics, but not as many of the details as I should.  I have to share the picture I took of me “squishing” the monument.  Sorry if it offends anyone, but I just had to be funny for a minute.

Before we could walk up to the Washington Monument, we had to take a bathroom break.  Thankfully, there was a bathroom right there on the same block as the Monument.   (I promise I don’t have to tinkle everywhere I go.)  Keep in mind this was not intended to be a super educational history filled tour.  Originally D.C. wasn’t even part of our plan.  That being said, we didn’t do a lot of research or planning on what we wanted to see & do in D.C.

We headed to the Washington Monument.  There is a great view of the Lincoln Memorial, The Reflection Pool, The WWII Monument, The Capital and even the back of the White House all from the hill that the Washington Monument stands on.  It’s so awesome and breathtaking.  We took the obligatory pictures of the boys touching the Monument.  They were not in the mood for posing for pictures.  At that time, it didn’t really matter to me.  After all, it was the monuments & memorials that we came to see.

Then we walked towards the WWII Monument.  I didn’t even realize this existed.  Each state and U.S. territory is represented as are the two oceans that protect our coasts.  Before we walked around the WWII Monument, we sat in the grass nearby and ate our picnic lunch.  It must have been 85 degrees and the sun was kickin’ hot.  The shade of the trees was a welcoming area to sit and eat. 

With our stomachs full, we walked around and looked at the WWII Memorial.  It’s just amazing what it represents, not to mention the work it took to build this (and all) the monuments.  We walked around and read the various famous quotes which were engraved in the walls of the monument.  The boys didn’t want to pose for a bunch of pictures but I did manage to get them to pose in front of a state that represented them.  Ted & I each chose our birth states, Georgia & Wisconsin.  Joey & Tommy chose North Carolina, since that’s where they spent several years of their childhood.  And Justin & Alex chose Puerto Rico in honor of their father’s heritage.  On a trip like this, I don’t expect them to stop and pose for me every minute.  I have a lot of pictures of their backs.  They think that by not posing for a photo, they’re annoying me.  NOT!!  What they haven’t realized is that some of the best photos are the ones that aren’t staged.

We strolled along the Reflection Pool.  There were ducks and we think we saw a large turtle under the water, but we’re not sure.  The kids found some flat rocks on the path and skipped them across the water.  A couple of the boys found rocks they kept as an authentic souvenir of D.C.  By the time we made it to the Lincoln Memorial we were all extremely hot and sweaty.  The stairs leading up to the Memorial were intimidating.  The boys took off quickly up the stairs.  I tried to keep up so I could get a picture of them looking at Lincoln.  I was worried they would beat me up there, take a look and come right back out before I could get any pictures of them standing near it.

I was wrong; they raced up there, took a look and sat down to rest.  I took at least a dozen pictures of the Lincoln Memorial.  I even took a couple zoomed in to capture the details of his face and hands.  Some might find it strange, but I love to see the details on the massive statues.  I’m not a real art or history lover but certain aspects of it amaze me.  I certainly applaud the artist and sculptors that can create these magnificent pieces.

The next stop was supposed to be the Vietnam Memorial.  However it was nearing 5 p.m. and the Smithsonian closed at 7.  We definitely wanted to make it to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.  We voted and decided not to stop at the Vietnam Memorial.  I don’t remember how many blocks it was from the Lincoln Memorial, but it felt like miles.  There was a little breeze and since it was nearly evening, the actual temperature was tolerable.  Not that it mattered; anything above 70 degrees when the sun is shining will make me sweat.

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum was very cool.  We knew we weren’t going to have time to walk thru every exhibit so again, we voted on which areas would be the most interesting.  Our photographer / bag holder (me) had no preference.  We looked thru most of the space travel displays.  My kid’s are still skeptical that we actually landed on the moon.  I will refrain from voicing my opinion.

Justin’s knee was bothering him (he had a skateboard injury about 10 days ago-he’s wearing a brace and is supposed to be on crutches, but we’re not making him use them).  He’s already visited D.C. and the Air & Space Museum a couple years ago on a school trip.  He found a comfy place to sit so he could rest his knee (text friends and check out girls too).  We looked at a couple more exhibits and then went shopping in the gift shops (my favorite part).  The museum was closing down as we left and headed back to the train station.

The ride back to Shady Grove on the train was a little more eventful for the boys.  They played around, sang out loud & changed seats (the section we were in was pretty empty).  Teddy started a conversation with a man sitting behind us that had a skateboard with him.  I was eating Sugar Babies to keep from getting motion sick.

We were trying to get back to Lenny & Erica’s for a family sit down dinner, but since we were running late we postponed it until Tuesday night.  We felt so bad because they have been so good to us and not only did we want to accommodate them by having dinner with them, but we REALLY wanted to have dinner with them.  And we missed the girls.  They were already asleep when we got back.  The boys found things to do – pool table & video games.

Tomorrow it’s King’s Dominion – north of Richmond, VA.