Washington D.C., Round 2

Back in DC for our scheduled tours!  Since we had to book them 3 months in advance for clearance, we just worked around it and returned. We drove through the Blue Ridge Mountains to get back to the D.C. area, stopping to look at the gorgeous vistas along the way.

 

While in Fredericksburg, VA, we picked up some hot, boiled peanuts to try them and decided we have not acquired the taste for them; but we did like the Virginia ham we picked up too!

 

 

 

We spent the first day at the Pentagon.  We were restricted as to what we could bring, but were able to drive to the nearby mall and park and walk to the security entrance.  We went through security and into the waiting room for our tour.  We could only take pictures inside the waiting room.  Then we were escorted through two floors of the Pentagon past the shops (they have all kinds) and many offices, through the hallways filled with displays, paintings, and into the chapel that was built where the plane crashed on 9/11.  The displays were of many military heroes, and the 5 star generals. We went into two rooms dedicated to recipients of Medals of Honor (both military and the new civilian one) displaying samples of the medals and the names of all who have received them.  Our tour guides were a young sailor and a young cadet.  There were people in uniform of all the branches of the military everywhere, both inside and out.  It was a great experience. 

the outside looks like any other office building

the 5 branches of the military

Afterwards, we headed to Arlington National Cemetery.  Although it is not well marked, and GPS doesn't take you to the front gates, we eventually found it!  First we stopped at the Iwo Jima Memorial, which is now called the US Marine Corps War Memorial.  It was a great monument. 

Then we entered the cemetery.  We walked through the rolling hills to President Kennedy's grave site.  Very touching.  Robert Kennedy's grave is next to it, and they are building Senator Edward Kennedy's memorial next to his.  When they are finished, there will be a path connecting all three brothers.

President Kennedy's grave

We then walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and sat and watched the Army guard walk his 21 steps back and forth, clicking his heels while making perfect turns, guarding the tomb.  Then it was time for the changing of the guard.  It was a very respectful ceremony and we enjoyed being able to see it. 

changing of the guard ceremony

As we left the cemetery we marveled at the huge expanse and many rows upon rows of grave markers, and commemorative markers. They are still adding more, as two were buried there that we saw on the day we visited.












The next day we took the commuter train and the subway into DC to go to the White House.  We were more restricted on what we could bring, and it was a rainy day.  We got in line for the tour and went through more extensive screening here.  But it was such a great tour!  We went into the White House through the lobby where many pictures of past presidents and their families are displayed and visited two floors in the East Wing and central part of the house.  We saw the Red Room, the Blue Room, the Green Room, the Vermeil Room, the large East Room with the huge picture of George Washington that Dolly Madison saved, the State Dining Room, the Diplomatic Reception Room, the Library, the China Room, looked at pictures of past presidents and first ladies on the walls, and we even walked through the front entrance hall and out the front steps!  There were Secret Service men in every room, and some people asked the dumbest questions!  But it was self-guided, so we could stay as long or as little as we liked in each room.  We really enjoyed touring through and seeing these historic rooms we've heard about. 

the view from Pennsylvania Ave

the front door of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. where we exited

Once back out on the street we hailed a cab and had a crazy ride to the Smithsonian National American History Museum.  What a great time we had there too.  After an expensive but delicious lunch in their cafeteria, we saw the First Ladies Inaugural Gowns, Julia Child's kitchen, the original Kermit and pals, and many other interesting displays.



Michelle Obama's Inaugural gown



the last 3 First Lady's Inaugural gowns

Mary Todd Lincoln's gown

We took the subway and the commuter train back at the end of the day.  We had two busy days with lots of walking and we were tired and sore, but it was so worth it!