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<\/a><\/p>\nI had rented a two bedroom condominium for 4 days right across from the University \u2013 meaning right in the middle of the city and close to all the attractions. The unit was larger enough entertain other family members as well as prepare simple meals (like coffee in the morning). And we would also have plenty of room to relax when we were not out in the city<\/p>\n
The first night after checking in, we left about 10PM looking for a light dinner. We walked by the White House. There were armed Secret Service guards spaced about every 150 ft. around it. Kind of unsettling! Although it was about 40 degrees to us it was not too uncomfortable when walking briskly, but to the guard it must have been quite chilly.<\/p>\n
The next morning dawned clear and colder. We were out early to the National Archives to view the original Constitution and Declaration of Independence. One of the guards gave us a few minutes explaining some of the history of the documents. He talked about the scribe who penned the Constitution and pointed out some minor changes in wording and a few words that were crossed out. He also gave us a tutorial of the history of the actual Declaration of Independence document and why the words are barely legible due to age and mistreatment of the document.<\/p>\n
From there we visited the Capital. We were able to get into the visitors gallery, probably because Congress was not in session due to the Christmas break. But it was still impressive to see the floor of the House of Representatives in person. Next we took the public tour of the Capital building. What impressed me were the original chambers of the Supreme Court which were located under one of the wings of the Capital.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Supreme Court Chambers until 1933<\/p><\/div>\n
Supreme Court met in these chambers from about 1804 until the 1930\u2019s when the current Supreme Court building was built.<\/p>\n
On the way back we stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I knew some of the people whose names are inscribed in this black polished granite. What happened to them had a significant impact on me and\u00a0 influenced some of the decisions I have made in life.\u00a0 On the photo I placed is a small red dot next to James Flickinger who I miss to this day.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Vietnam Veterans Memorial<\/p><\/div>\n
After leaving the Capital we went back to the Condo to meet with other family members who had driven up from Norfolk Virginia.
\nOn Saturday it was again clear, but much colder. I don\u2019t think the temperature was ever much\u00a0 above 40, even at midday and was much colder in the shade. We first met up with the family and they drove us to Arlington National Cemetery where we saw the Changing of the Guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and General Robert E. Lee\u2019s home.\u00a0 It had been warm the previous week and the trees were in bloom, even though it was mid December.\u00a0 Also note in the photo that there is a wreath with a red bow on some of the tombstones as Christmas was less than a week away.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Arlington Cemetery in December Bloom. Note the Christmas wreaths. Photo taken Dec 20.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>The new guard arriving. Note the wreath in the second soldier’s hands.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Just finished the changing of the guard.<\/p><\/div>\n
After the changing of the guard we walked to General Robert E. Lee’s house and took a group photo.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The group, me, Matt, Brian, then sitting Marc, Bonnie, Janice and Lauren. Yep, it was cold!<\/p><\/div>\n
Next we drove to Mount Vernon to visit George Washington\u2019s plantation.\u00a0 The house is beautiful and large by today’s standards.\u00a0 In 1790 it must have been truly awe inspiring to visitors.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Mount Vernon main house and some out building on the sides<\/p><\/div>\n
Saturday night was dinner with the whole group at a very romantic Italian restaurant in Georgetown.\u00a0 They sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to me – Loved it!!<\/p>\n
Sunday Morning it was breakfast with the group again at a distinctive (by its menu) Georgetown restaurant and good-bye to the family then out to visit the Lincoln Memorial, WW 2 Memorial, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Jefferson Memorial – He wrote a significant amount of the Constitution.<\/p><\/div>\n