America the Beautiful

Last night I returned from perhaps one of my favorite vacations. My mom and I left for Washington D.C. Friday morning and came home last night. What an amazing vacation it was. I have been to D.C. twice before this, once when I was in 8th grade for a school field trip and then 2 years ago November with my best friend.

My mom had never been to D.C. and it was so fun to see things thru her eyes.

We were able to go to Arlington National Cemetery Friday after we got to D.C. and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. To watch that is so moving. The precision and respect that is out into it is truly breath taking.
Saturday we went and saw the monuments.(Washington monument, WWII memorial, Vietnam Wall, Lincoln memorial, Korean War memorial.) We saw a protest, complete with police in riot gear, police sitting in empty buses, police on foot with binoculars. They were every where and waiting for trouble to happen. We got out of there pretty quickly.
We then went to see the White House then were off to Mount Vernon to see George Washington's Estate. Absolutely gorgeous!!!!! The man was so ahead of the times when he designed that home.
Sunday it was rainy so we decided to take to the museums. We went to the National Archives Building and saw the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. We went to the National Art Museum and saw some amazing artwork by people like Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, and Monet. Beautiful! The Natural history Museum was remarkable. Dinosaurs, fossils, gems, the Hope Diamond. Everything there was amazing.
Coming back to the hotel, we were running to the subway in torrential rain and lightning with our umbrella! we get to the hotel after dinner to find out that there were tornadoes in the are earlier that day.
Monday we went and saw the Library of Congress, The capitol building and went in and listened to some of the trial at the Supreme Court. How neat to see that. Then we went to China town. Had spring rolls and tea then went and bought ourselves some little Chinese teapots. They are gorgeous.

Had smooth flights both ways, had a great time all around. Only complaint is, man are my legs tired!