Washington DC

The day after Easter, we flew to DC for a fantastic week. We arrived at Reagan National Airport. Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture next to the Obama cutouts. Maybe next time.

It was pretty late by the time we schlepped our bags on the Metro and then walked about 5 blocks to our hotel. It was also very hot! Dinner ended up being cereal from Walgreens since no one was too hungry after our big lunch at the Atlanta airport. This allowed time in the pool.

On our first full day, Tuesday, we made our way to Mt. Vernon. It is really a lovely setting. It was interesting to learn how the wood siding was made to look like stone through some carving and then adding sand to the wet paint.

You are able to tour through the home, but no inside pictures were allowed. One interesting item hanging on a wall is the key to the Bastille given to George Washington, the father of liberty, by Lafayette.

George and Martha Washington are buried at Mt. Vernon. This is the current vault. The older one was located on the hillside looking over the Potomac. It started to deteriorate. It was specified in George Washington's will that he was to be buried here.

As you can tell, the view of the river is wonderful. This is just a small glimpse.

I can't help it--I get such a kick out of this sign. The dentures were made to be held in place by Washington's one remaining tooth. Thank heaven's for better dentistry and regular check-ups along with flouride in the water!

In the afternoon, we visited the National Museum of Natural History after a quick stop at the Castle. Both are part of the Smithsonian. The Castle was the original building and is now kind of an introduction to all of the museums. It is so amazing that all of these museums charge no admission.

At the Natural History museum we spent a lot of time looking at the mammal exhibit.

We also saw the Hope Diamond and rooms full of amazing gems and rock formations. I now have a book at home from the library on the Diamond, but it is so detailed and starts back at the beginning of time. I'm not sure that I'm going to make it very many pages in.

After a quick, not very scrumptious dinner, at the Old Post Office, we walked to a few monuments. Here is the Washington Monument at night. We also saw the WWII Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial. There were many other people out doing the same thing. Tomorrow on to the U.S. Capitol and the National Zoo!