If you ever want to get your patriotic juices flowing, there is nothing like an extended trip to our nation's Capital. As we wandered freely about the city, taking advantage of the vast open spaces, and free attractions, I couldn't help but appreciate how liberating this place is to visit. Sure there are the requisite pauses at security gates to enter museums, but, by and large, people are extended the freedom to experience everything without dropping a penny. Moreover, the concentration of world class museums, monuments, and parks is unparalleled around the world.
We had hoped this stop would help the kids understand more about our great nation, and it didn't disappoint. I'm pretty sure even Nicole and I came away with an even greater appreciation of how fortunate we are.
Our abode:
I must again start by touching upon our accommodations. If New York is the most expensive place to find a place to rest, DC is not far behind. Aligning our requirements to available places took us to a suburb called Oxon Hill, about 30 minutes south of DC. The two story home was a fixer upper that skipped over the "fixer" and went straight for the "upper", applying lipstick on a pig. I spent most of the time resisting my urge to take out my Leatherman to tie up the loose ends everywhere. It did, however, have a clever shower curtain with esoteric words and definitions printed on it for people studying to take the SAT. Autumn came out of the shower and described Zane as being polemic, and Bryce can be very choleric.
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| By most measures, a perfectly lovely home at the end of a cul-de-sac |
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| We're getting one of these when we get back. |
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| This will give a flavor of the neighborhood. We returned one day to a ridiculous scene unfolding across the street. This fella was using his leaf blower to clear his gutters (about 20 feet above the Earth). His tennies were at their limit of traction. |
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| Who needs TVs anymore. |
May 28 - Memorial Day at Arlington
There really is no better way to spend Memorial Day than a peaceful and contemplative stroll through Arlington National Cemetery. In preparation for this weekend, an "army" of volunteers place an American Flag at each tombstone, a staggering 14,000! We meandered our way to the tomb of the unknown soldier and stood in silent honor for the Changing of the Guard, an intense ceremony that left the children in awe. I've seen it three times and every time I walk away thankful to be an American.
May 29 - The Monuments
With the weather cooperating, we drove in to the city for a day of monuments. In succession.... Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr, Korean War, Lincoln Monument, Vietnam War, World War II, and Washington Monument. I must say, having seen hundreds of monuments and memorials over the past year, we Americans know how to craft excellent memorials. They really are all excellent and so unique. We all particularly liked the MLK memorial with it's massive granite monolith standing proud in front of the wall he has left behind. It's awesome.
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| We found ourselves sharing DC with throngs of end of the year school trips all clad in their bright neon attire. |
https://youtu.be/r3U9fyelgFI
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| FDRs puppy reminded us of good ol' McTavish (our furry friend from Capetown) |
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| More picnics in the park. This time surrounded by FDR quotes. |
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| This MLK memorial is special. |
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| Korean War Memorial |
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| Yes we have been here before.... |
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| A siesta from the heat |
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| I have a dream. |
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| Typical scene: Autumn capturing the perfect shot, Nicole and the boys waiting patiently, and I am in the back taking it all in. |
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| Vietnam Memorial. |
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| WWII Memorial |
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| Zane |
Our pathway to the car took us right past the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. As we stood blankly through the heavily tinted and locked entry door wondering how we might gain entry, a positively jovial security guard bursted through the door and asked if we wanted a free tour. Well that was fun. This is one of two facilities in the country that actually prints all of our money. We peered down from a viewing platform watching the magic happen and occasionally the workers would hold up funny signs and flaunt stacks of bills worth $80k. Kids loved it. So did I.
Something interesting happened that night. Bryce, our normally stoic one, came out of his bedroom about 10 minutes after going to bed crying inconsolably. After having spent most of the past three weeks going from the Revolutionary War, to the Civil War, to the Arlington Cemetery, to the various war memorials, he was distraught that we were on the verge of yet another war. He didn't understand why there was so much war in our world. Good question.
May 30 - The Capitol
Our attempt at securing a White House tour (we actually corresponded with our congressman to request a tour) fell through so we settled for the next best thing, a run-of-the-mill tour of the Capitol. While it was pretty cool to be so close to the epicenter of our government, we felt like a flock of sheep being shuffled through a swarm of other sheep with only a glimpse of the magnificent dome, and with entirely too much emphasis of the 100+ statues haphazardly placed about. Oh well, still pretty cool.
After the Capitol we took the mystery passage directly to the Library of Congress. Again, a little underwhelming given the restricted access. I should have known it wasn't going to be like the last scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, or the cool memory ball shelves in Pixar's Inside Out (our favorite Pixar movie, BTW) - But when it's purported to be the largest library in the world, I got a little overzealous.
At this point, we divided to conquer. Nicole and Autumn went to the National Botanic Garden, while Zane, Bryce and I headed off to the National Air and Space Museum. I have fond memories of the past three visits, which, given how stale the Air and Space Museum has become, felt like I stepped back in time. It's time for an overhaul. As usual, Zane and Bryce spent most of their time in the hands on area.
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| Post museum sugar fix. |
May 31 - The other side
We decided to stay a little closer to home today to get caught up on studies (Zane finished 4th grade Spelling!), and to avoid getting caught in the impending thunderstorm brewing over the horizon. Our first daily adventure was an artist community studio called the Torpedo Factory. It was like going to a museum with the added joy of watching and talking with the actual artists. We'll need to find these back in San Francisco one of these days.
Our next stop was one of the highlights of our Washington stay - Gravelly Point. This is a park situated directly under the runway approach of the Ronald Reagan Airport, providing for a unique, and somewhat noisy experience. The planes whiz by so close, you can actually see the little passenger heads in the wee windows.
Autumn had a particular hankering for a good old fashioned American diner, so we ended our day at the perfect spot, Silver Diner. Nicole and I enjoyed educating the kids on the magic (and patience) of a jukebox.
June 1 - Mt Vernon and an old friend
Continuing our mission to torture (I mean educate) our kids about American history, we headed Southeast to Mt Vernon, the home of George Washington. The introductory film was both educational, and, as we have grown to expect, a little more violent and war-y than was reasonably necessary. A warm (aka hot) blanket of humidity was settling in making for abbreviated wandering around of the estate.
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| Yep, another free lunch. This time on a curb in a parking lot. It's not always idyllic. |
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| Nicole made a new friend, and Bryce reunited with an old friend. Of all places, we found this furry little guy in the Mt Vernon gift shop. His name is CJ (Chester Junior) |
One of the greatest things about coming back to the East Coast is the opportunity to connect with old friends and family. Just across the Potomac, my old grad school buddy, Neil, hosted us for a BBQ in Alexandria. Sure was great to reconnect and know that we have friends around the world.
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| Neil, Kenner (5), Nicole (not our Nicole) |
June 2 - More Air and Space
A fortuitous outcome of our dinner with Neil was his offer to take us to the Air and Space Museum ANNEX facility next to Dulles airport. While Nicole and Autumn spent the morning shopping at the outlet stores (scoring some sweet deals), we joined Neil and his son to check out the Stealth Bomber, the Space Shuttle Endeavor, a Tomcat fighter, and hundreds of other full size planes. This is the awesome museum that the original should be.
Before we default to listening to our mobile catalog of mp3 music in the car, we usually try to give the local radio a shot at entertainment. It was particularly fun in foreign countries. To our great fortune, in our search for a decent broadcast, we happened to hear a commercial for an exhibition Rugby match, pitting the Springboks of South Africa against the Welsh national team at RFK Stadium. And that is how we ended up attending a Rugby match in Washington DC (with my Springboks shirt on!). Thank you Sam (our South African friend) for introducing us to the game (even though some of the rules are still a bit of a mystery).
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| RFK is a beat up old stadium. It's no wonder all the major teams have fled for their own respective digs. |
June 3 - The Founding Documents
Our final full day in DC was earmarked for getting up close and personal with our Founding Documents - The Declaration, The Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The forecast was for some rain, so with a couple umbrellas and razor thin ponchos in hand, we boarded the metro*. We're so thankful that we live in a country that gives everyone the ability to stand inches away from some of the most important documents ever written.
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| Can't take pics inside, so this outside shot will have to suffice |
We were comfortably sheltered from the rain for a couple hours and decided to set off on foot to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. That's when the skies opened up and let loose a torrent of water. We caught a glimpse of the house through the curtain of rain and hightailed it back to the metro. The East Coast sure has funny weather. The unpredictable nature would drive me nuts.
https://youtu.be/a10ZTSv2xCA
Later that night, I snuck away for one last man-date with Neil to see Solo: A Star Wars Story. Didn't think I would see two Star Wars movies (The Last Jedi in Chiang Mai) during this journey.
June 4
Continuing the theme of connecting with old friends, on our way out of town, we met up with a long time Domite (Dome employee) and partner, Ralf, who happened to be in town for a quick conference.
All for now... Next stop: Virginia!
* The DC metro is shockingly similar to BART, and on a mission to get Back2Good. It would seem they have hit rock bottom as well and slowly working their way back. The campaign was curiously self-deprecating.
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| Their underground stations are really eyecatching |
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| Just cuz |
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