On the second day of our trip we loaded the bus at 7:15 and headed into Washington.
Our first stop was the MLK memorial. This was my first time seeing this memorial and I was really impressed with it. Then we walked to the FDR memorial which is one of my favorites.
After the memorials we were off to Ford's theater where Lincoln was shot. We also went to the Petersen house across the street from Ford's theater. This is where they rushed Lincoln and where he eventually died the next day. This is a newer museum with quite a bit of information and an amazing display of books in the middle of the spiral staircase.
Sitting in Ford's theatre
Bed where Lincoln died
Petersen house book display
Next we went to the Smithsonian museums for lunch and touring. We had a little over five hours to visit the museums. Amazing how little time that really is once you're begin your tour.
Friends in DC with the capitol behind them
Air and Space Museum
Future presidents?
From the Smithsonians, we headed to dinner at Pentagon City mall and we were lucky enough to meet up with my sister. She works in Alexandria and came to the mall on her way home. Shelly and I were happy to have a chance to visit with her. After dinner, we walked to the Pentagon to see the 9/11 memorial and it was breathtaking and sobering. A beautiful tribute to those who died during this tragic event. From here, we visited the Air Force memorial. Our final destination for the evening was the Jefferson memorial. It was a bit rainy but the Jefferson memorial looked so pretty at night. From here we headed back to our hotel at about 9:15.
A view of the Jefferson from earlier in the day
Friends at the Jefferson memorial
Our 5th graders singing
The view from the Jefferson
I haven't mentioned our terrific tour guide. Her name was Helga and she was a wealth of information. So glad we had such a great guide on this trip.
Shelly and I boarded the bus at 6:00 prepared for our big adventure to DC with her 5th grade class. The bus ride was comfortable and we were ready for our bevy of snacks!!!
Snack time on the bus
Friends on the bus
We stopped along the way to have lunch at a rest stop and then we made it to our first stop at Arlington National Cemetery around 1:30.
Once at Arlington we toured the area and then went to the Changing of the Guard ceremony where four of Shelly's classmates participated in the laying of the wreath.
After Arlington, we went to see the White House, visited the WWII memorial, had some dinner at National Place, saw the Vietnam Wall, the Korean Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Marine Corps Memorial. After all of these awesome sights we were ready to go to our hotel. We made it there around 9:00, took showers, and hit the hay after an awesome first day in Washington, DC!
Korean Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
View from the Lincoln Memorial
The White House
WWII Memorial
Marine Corps Memorial
Vietnam wall with the Washington Monument in the background
Vietnam Wall
Michael Estocin
My father's college friend
