It was a fun and educational trip to Washington, DC with Anton. We went with a group of parents their kids from the 6th grade from April 30 to May 4. Click here for the photos.
There is a lot to see in Washington. I look at this trip as a "see everything you can and decide where you want to go when/if you come back to DC" trip. We squeezed in a couple museums and at least one monument each day.
We flew out on Thursday April 30 in the morning. We met our tour guide, Jeff, at the baggage claim at BWI. We loaded up the bus and headed into DC to get some lunch at the Pentagon Mall. After lunch we headed for Arlington National Cemetery where I learned they average 25 funerals a day. An indication that our World War II veterans are going to see their friends lost in the war all those years ago. We were late for dinner so we had a chance to do a little shopping as our reservations were moved about 1 hour and 15 minutes. After dinner, we had time to stop at the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial before heading to our hotel. Check in was quick as Jeff and Kurt (our groups organizer) ran in and got all the room keys. Up to the room and some needed sleep.
Friday, May 1 - We started out early by heading to the International Spy Museum. Why they wouldn't let us take pictures in there is beyond me? If all the stuff in there was still supposed to be secret, it wouldn't be in there. Then we walked down a couple blocks and went to Ford's Theater. A park ranger gave a talk on the events leading to and the death of President Lincoln. Then across the street to a gift shop. Some of those on the group went into the Petersen House - where President Lincoln actually died. We had lunch, then a quick stop by the Supreme Count and on to the Capital Building. We stopped by the Library of Congress after that. Very impressive. The National Archives was next. The Magna Carta, Declaration Of Independence, and the Constitution were on display. No flash photography so they didn't come out very well. Then on to dinner and ending with the Lincoln Memorial.
Saturday, May 2 - We got tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument first thing in the morning. The tickets were for 4:00 PM so we had lots to do this day. The first stop was the World War II memorial. We were in luck as there was an Honor Flight there from South Dakota with about 100 veterans. The kids and parents went around to some of them and shook there hands and thanked them. The veterans appeared to be very touched and some told stories of what they did and what battles they were in. This was by far the favorite part of the trip for me. Then it was on to the Korean War and Vietnam War Memorials. The White House was the next stop. Our names were on the list so we walked into the front of the East Wing through a lot of very large rooms and then out the back of the wing. Dashed over to the bus to grab the cameras (none allowed in the White House) and took pictures of the kids in front of it. We saw lots of protesters and from some photos taken by other parents it appeared at least on parent and a child were protesting to legalize pot. After that was the Smithsonian for lunch and the museums. A quick trip over to the Washington Monument and up to the top we went. Then back over to the Smithsonian. A quick trip down the street to the ESPN Zone to let the kids blow off some steam on the video games while the adults watched the Kentucky Derby (our tour guide won the pool money - my horse came in third). Then on to dinner and ending up at the Air Force Memorial.
Sunday, May 3, 2009 - The Newseum was the first stop. We had to take the Metro as the bus was having some engine issues. There has been a lot of news going on around the country and the world. Newspapers dating back into the 1700's. Part of an antenna from the top of the World Trade Center that came down on 9/11. And a very good 4D presentation at the end. Mt. Vernon was the next stop on this rainy day. George had a big house and lots of property. The Holocaust Museum was the last thing before dinner. Very emotional. I still can't believe some people claim it never happened. We were back at the hotel early enough this day for the kids to do some swimming.
Monday, May 4, 2009 - Our last day of the trip. We drove to Gettysburg, PA to see the new visitors center and the 360 cyclorama. Very realistic representation of the Battle of Gettysburg. Then on to lunch at the Dobbin House. A stop back by the visitor's center to pick up a battleground tour guide and then to the two hour tour. We made a couple stops along the way to get some pictures but with all the rain most stayed on the bus. When this was done, it was back to BWI to head home to Florida.
I am glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed. It was a trip that I will remember for a long time. I hope all the kids on the trip will as well.
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