Washington, DC

Our next stop was Washington, DC. We spent our first day in the city taking a trolley tour. It was well worth the fare as we were informed about a lot of things we'd never have otherwise known. We went to the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial and Washington Monument before taking a peek at the White House.

Washington Monument and Reflecting Pond as seen from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC. More info HERE

We then took a bus over to Arlington National Cemetery and visited the gravesites of President Kennedy, Jacky Kennedy Onassis and Robert Kennedy. We also toured Arlington House, the former home of Robert E. Lee, whom I was surprised to learn was related to George Washington (I should've paid more attention in my history classes back at school).

Afterward we walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers to watch the changing of the guard, a solemn ceremony. It was a blistering day with temps in the mid-nineties and very high humidity and we felt quite sorry for the guards in full regalia right down to the white gloves, standing guard over the tomb.

The tomb was an impressive site, a beautiful example of architecture in marble.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC

After a brief but needed ride in an air conditioned bus, we went to the Korean War Memorial, 19 statues in a field before a black granite wall that reflects their images, thus giving the appearance of 38 soldiers, representing the 38th parallel, on which the war was fought.

Phew, that was a lot for one day!

Our second day was spent exploring the Smithsonian Museums. We learned on our trolley tour that the Smithsonian was started with a bequest from a Englishman named Smithson who left a half million pounds to his son under the condition the son married and had children. If the son didn't meet the conditions of the Will (which he didn't) then the money would be given to the Government of Washington, DC to establish a museum.

The irony is that Smithson had no ties to the United States, nor had he ever been in the country.

Today the Smithsonian Institute consists of 16 museums (the 17th -- Native American Museum -- is under construction). A recent study showed that if you spent only one minute on each exhibit, it would take a total of 29 years to see the entire collection.

We gave it our best shot and managed to visit three museums in one day. First was the Natural History museum, Stones & Bones as it is called locally. It has an extensive dinosaur bone and fossil display, as well as the Hope Diamond (highlight!) in the minerals and gems exhibit. I found the gems to be most interesting (it's a female thing).

We passed some of the exhibits at breakneck speeds and I have little more recollection of them than blurred images of pottery, totem poles and masks -- sorry, but I can't relate any of it to you at this time.

Our next stop was the American History Museum with everything from Abe Lincoln's stovepipe hat to a "Star Trek" communicator. My favorite part of that museum was the First Ladies exhibit, with many of their inaugural gowns on display. I was disappointed that Jacky Kennedy's gown was not shown, and equally as disappointed that Hillary Clinton's gown was the one that best suited my own personal taste.

We also saw an excellent technology exhibit but walked through it backwards so the computers got larger and slower as we progressed. Now that I think about it, it seems we passed most of the exhibits in a backwards fashion. We're so contrary.

Our final stop of the day was the Air & Space Museum. I admit that I was succumbing to fatigue (and the usual aches that result from never wearing appropriate footwear) and spent most of our time in that building sitting down while Dan walked around the exhibits. When he would come back, I'd point to various things that piqued my interest and he'd patiently explain them to me. He's truly a gentleman to go about and assimilate all this information then relay it to me whilst I sit on my backside resting my feet!

Washington DC, Road trip, American Road trip, touring the USA, American National Parks, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, Lake Tahoe, Redwood Forest, Boston, Washington State, Mount Rainer, Yellowstone, Lake Powell, Las Vegas, New York, Montana, Road Trip America.

Washington DC, trip, American Road trip, touring the USA, American National Parks, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, Lake Tahoe, Redwood Forest, Boston, Washington State, Mount Rainer, Yellowstone, Lake Powell, Las Vegas, New York, Montana, Road Trip America.