Friday, June 5

dc: day two

{We spent 2 days using these double decker buses as transportation around the city. Riding on top of these buses even made Carly's top 5 list especially when we took the night time tour.} {first stop...Jefferson Memorial. This was one of my favorites. It made both mine and Carly's top 5 lists. I don't know if it was because it was a beautiful morning or because it was quiet. I loved the architecture - the rotunda and huge columns, the speeches on the wall, the view of the White House and Washington Monument across the basin. It was gorgeous.}

{surprise, surprise....when we get to the Lincoln Memorial we discover that is is being rededicated in a couple of hours with a ceremony including thousands of veterans AND the President! Needless to say, it was a little chaotic but it was still amazing and Abe was just as magnificent as I thought he would be. And just as great as being on the steps and inside seeing Abe was walking down the reflecting pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.}

{Carly at the Vietnam Memorial. It was a little busy but still quite a powerful statement, made even more poignant by all the veterans there and trying to explain it all to Carly.}

{Between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument is the fairly new World War II Memorial. There are granite pillars for each of the states and territories that existed during the war. Story to shake your head at: We were walking around the circle looking for the pillar with Mississippi on it and a little girl came running by us to her mom and siblings. "mom, mom, mom, they have Puerto Rico as a state." and the mom replied without missing a beat "I guess it is, they are in the Miss USA pageant". what?}

{After a morning of memorials and mounting temps, we decided to head to the National Museum of American History. It was definitely my favorite of the Smithsonian museums. Carly has been talking about Dorothy's ruby slippers for weeks and there they were along with Kermit, Oscar, Mohamed Ali's gloves, Minnie Pearl's hat, and much more. My favorite part was the special exhibit on Lincoln. We also saw the First Ladies' dresses (Carly wants to know what is going to happen when there is woman president?...hmmm) and the original Star Spangle Banner.}

{the back of the white house....we went around the world and ended up at the back of the white house. This is one of Kacey's pictures but I love Carly in the foreground at the gate. There was also a small demonstration going on in the street which was completely mesmerizing to Carly. There was chanting and at some point I think they said "save the camels" but I finally had to pull Carly away}

{the front side of the white house...it was a tad bit chaotic at the gate made even worse by the appearance of Bo- the presidential dog showing up. I didn't get a picture because I felt the need to protect my child from others who became a tad bit excited by the tiny furry dot playing in the side yard. I also skipped taking the picture of the scary, dressed-all-in-black, toting the biggest gun I have ever seen man in the trees right on the other side of the gate. I was a little worried that it might have made him testy and I am quite sure that he had lots of buddies who were not as noticeable as he was.} {Mom with her chili dog at Ben's Chili Bowl. After lots of sight seeing and before the night tour on the double decker, we set off on the metro to find the highly recommended dive. It was not a disappointment. The food was good and it was full of character (and characters). There was a sign that said "who eats free? bill cosby and the obamas, everyone else pays"}
{we finished one very long day with a beautiful night on the night tour on top of the double decker bus}

8 comments:

Keetha Broyles said...

I am sooooo enjoying your DC tour. I've gone multiple times with 8th graders - - - but I think I'd really, really, REALLY like to go and control my OWN agenda while there.

The monuments with their night lighting are exquisite, aren't they?

The Viet Nam memorial - - - I choke up just thinking of the atmosphere there, and how special it felt to find my childhood friend's name and make a pencil rubbing of it. Little side story - - - one of my most challenging students was the one who INSISTED I do that, and he helped with the project.

Yes - - - I'm choking up just looking at your posts.

I too would LOVE a subway system where I live!!!

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

I agree, the veterans made the memorials so poignant.

I'm enjoying DC through your eyes Kim Sue. Thanks for doing such great posts on it.

Doodle Bugs said...

and don't forget the cat on the leash....

I could be REALLY wrong- but I think the front of the white house is the side that had the protesting.. and the back is the side where we saw Bo.

Did you see the special on TV this week about the Obamas and the White House? If not, I think it is coming back on tonight. Either on ABC or NBC.. check it out.

Do you remember that box that was in the yard- it was painted all pastel colors and we didn't know what it was?? Well, they said on the tv special that it was a bee house.

I am impressed that you can remember what days we did what..because it is all running together for me.

Doodle Bugs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Doodle Bugs said...

President Obama
President Obama
Just say No
Just say No

Natasha said...

Once again great pics!

Unknown said...

loving the photos of the memorials and the White House. even though we breezed through a few months ago, i feel like i haven't visited D.C. in forever. looking forward to our trip in october.

Jill said...

You have so many great pictures from your trip! I went to D.C. years ago, but we were only in town for an art exhibit at The National Gallery so we really didn't see all these memorials and landmarks (what were we thinking?).