Across the Fence #494
You could spend a month is Washington D.C. and still not see and experience everything. We had three full days to see and explore Washington and we barely scratched the surface. We got to see most of the things we wanted to see, but we could have spent much more time at many places.
We were on our own the second day in Washington, and could visit whatever we wanted to see without being tied to an agenda. The tour bus dropped us off on the National Mall in the morning and we needed to be back at the same area no later than 4:00 in the afternoon. There were hundreds of buses coming and going, dropping people off and picking them up. It seemed like there were a million school kids on spring trips. I have the utmost respect for those of you who have chaperoned school bus trips in crowded cities. I know I’m much too old to handle that kind of stress. Some of the poor teachers and parents looked like deer caught in the headlights as they shepherded the students in and out of Smithsonian buildings and tried to keep track of everyone. It seemed like a majority of the kids were constantly texting on their cell phones. It’s a different world than the one I grew up in.
Great sculpture to examine - Girls busy texting.
During the day and a half that we were on our own, without a guided tour, Linda and I were able to visit many of the Smithsonian buildings, all located around the central mall. Among the places we explored were the American History Museum, the Native American History Museum, the Air and Space Museum, the Holocaust Museum, sculpture gardens, and numerous other sights. We never made it into the Natural History Museum because of the long lines outside. That’s another of the museums I’d like to have visited. There’s a lot of walking if you plan on visiting and seeing the sights, so be prepared. I think everyone was glad to sit down on the bus at 4:00 and rest.
One reason it takes longer for lines of people to get into buildings is because of all the increased security since 9-11. It’s like entering airport security, where everyone and every purse, bag, and backpack goes through a security check. Again, we live in a different world.
A few of the highlights for us included The First Lady’s gowns and china, and Dorothy’s red slippers for Linda, and the copy of the Declaration of Independence and military displays for me in the American History Museum. Because of my love of space history and the study of the cosmos, the Air and Space Museum was special. My interest in Native American history made that museum special also. The Holocaust Museum was a darker experience. There was very little talk or noise as we spent close to two hours trying to comprehend how this could have happened. When we got outside one of the men on our bus, who was also a veteran, just shook his head and said, “How could one man foster such cruelty to people and most of the nation followed his leadership?” I didn’t have an answer, but we both agreed that sometimes individuals need to take a stand and say “This isn’t right. I can’t go along with it,” even if it means you will probably become a victim too. My country right or wrong, doesn’t always apply.
Our visit to Arlington National Cemetery was both peaceful and sobering. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers was something we’ll all remember. The precision of movement and respect shown by those soldiers is something to be proud of. We also went to the Arlington House on the top of the hill in Arlington Cemetery. This was the home of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. When he left in 1861 to lead Virginia’s armed forces, the Union eventually confiscated his property to use as a military cemetery. 16,000 Union soldiers are buried there. Since that time another 300,000 veterans have been laid to rest in Arlington. An average of 27 funerals are conducted each day. We also visited the Kennedy gravesites. If you visit Arlington, don’t forget to visit the Women In Military Service to America Memorial near the entrance.
During those days in Washington we saw and experienced many places that we’d only seen in photos before. The list is too long to list them. There’s something for everyone’s interest in Washington. If you like history it’s a great place to explore and learn. If you go when all the cherry trees are in bloom you’ll experience spectacular views. There’s also a lot of traffic gridlock so take a bus, sit back, enjoy the scenery, and leave the traffic stress to someone else.
One last thing, the closest we came to President Obama was one morning when his helicopter flew right over our bus while we were stuck in traffic. He was on his way to catch a plane and speak at Fort Hood. That’s one way to avoid the gridlock in the streets.
As a result of our visits to Gettysburg, Mount Vernon, and Washington D.C., I have a much better appreciation for the history of our country. A big thank you to Jag Tours for a great time and a memorable trip.
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