Stephen and I just returned from a delightful vacation to Washington DC. I said it more than once to him while we were there, "this may be my favorite vacation". It was a beautiful time of year, it was good company, it was a much needed break from a full and eventful summer, it was relaxing, it was historical, & it was almost free! These all compounded into my possible favorite vacation thus far.
When Stephen told me he would be going to DC for a OP Network Convention this past July, I jokingly asked if I could come because DC has been on my bucket list for years. As in true Stephen fashion, he found a way to make it happen. "Yes" to sky miles! "Yes" to asking parents for babysitting help. "Yes" to the calendar without any conflicts.
He left on Sunday, August 28. I left on the following Wednesday. His meetings were over on Thursday afternoon. We were home by 9 pm on Saturday, September 3. It was fast and furious and lots and lots of fun!
When I got into town, Stephen met me at the metro and we headed to our hotel to drop off my bags. He informed me that he was able to get me a nametag and guest pass to attend all of the meals with opnet. We ate well – it was fancy. The hotel we stayed at was probably the nicest I have ever stayed in – there were even white bathrobes in the closet. 🙂 It was conveniently located near to the national mall and enabled us to walk (a few miles) to our desired destinations and Smithsonian museum visits. It was also near a metro stop for the more distant tourist sites!
Wednesday night after a great dinner, we headed toward the national mall and ended up by the capital. We were entertained by the "President's own marine band" playing out in front of the capital. It was awesome! The reflecting pool was beautiful and I loved the cultural that surrounded me everywhere I turned.
Thursday morning, I was able to go to the Holocaust Museum and Bureau of Engraving and Printing while Stephen attended his last classes. I walked pass the Washington Monument and found out it was closed to public because of the earthquake. I headed up the street and noticed that the Engraving and Printing Bureau was open before the Holocaust museum and decided, since I had the time while waiting, that I would check it out. I went on a great tour of how paper money is made. Did you know that our bills are made from 25% linen and 75% cotton with synthetic fibers woven into them? I didn't!
I have always had a tender spot in my heart for Holocaust literature and found myself very moved as I walked through the museum. It was a very somber and reverent place for me as I peered at the card of the person I was going through the museum to remember. I am amazed at the courage and faith these victims faced the brutality of Hitler's regime.
After I ate lunch with Stephen and met some of his friends, we headed out to see a bunch of Smithsonian Museums … Air and Space Museum, American History, and walked past the White House. After that we traveled by metro to ward the DC LDS Temple. We were prepared to walk 1-2 miles to the temple from the metro, but were more than excited when we saw across the street a little bus that said – LDS Temple. We crossed the street and found out that it is a new thing the temple is offering to patrons. The bus waits indefinitely at this location until it has some people to take to the temple. We were able to do a session. It was a special experience and so wonderful to see this beautiful temple at night.
Next morning we woke up to a full day planned! We first rode the metro out to Arlington Cemetery. We watched the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown solider and it was very cool. They have been changing guards 24 hours a day, every day of the year for 90 years! That is quite astounding to think about and very neat. We also walked over to the Iwo Jima Monument and took some pictures.
Stephen was super excited to walk to the "Red, Hot and Blue" BBQ joint for lunch. It ended up being quite a trek, but well worth it. On the way there I learned, from my mom, that JT had been to the doctor and diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease. I owe my parents a lot for all of the help they give to us! She has been a special care giver to JT in his recent times of need twice now – I am just glad that this time she didn't have to put him on an ambulance, like when I was at girls camp a month ago! Crazy times. Thank heaven for cell phones and credit cards and modern conveniences, we were able to help get the nebulizer he needs.
After lunch and JT's medical needs, we hopped back onto the subway and headed toward National Archives, The Library of Congress, and Museum of Natural History. National Archives was very cool – to get to see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution. The Library of Congress was equally amazing! I was fascinated with all of the quotes everywhere I turned. The building that houses the largest book collection in the world was somewhere I could spend days. Museum of Natural History was also interesting – like everything else! The Hope diamond, dinosaur hall, and Neanderthal/homosapian displays were my favorites. I was sooo pooped after all of that, that I couldn't even think of trying to hit anymore monuments like we had planned. So I talked Stephen into dinner and a shorter walk to visit a few stores that I remembered Stacie recommending from her and Paige's DC trip. We also walked past the Ford Theater and remembered where President Lincoln was assassinated. We came home and packed our bags for home and set our alarm clock early enough that we could walk to see the last of the monuments before our flight home @ 1pm.
Saturday morning, we woke up and headed toward Lincoln memorial – about a 2 mile walk one way from our hotel. It was definitely worth the wait and a special way to end our wonderful trip. This statue is much larger than I expected and the quotes surrounding Pres. Lincoln, including the Gettysburg address, were humbling. Our country was so blessed to have such a leader as Abraham Lincoln. For me, witnessing this monument as well as Thomas Jefferson's was very spiritual. The vision and inspiration that evoked from these men (as well as George Washington) is something that I reverence and honor being an American citizen. It is very apparent that they were spiritual men who looked to God and recognized His hand in all things. They weren't in the political business for the glory & power – we need more men like that today in our country! We also walked through Franklin Delanoe Roosevelt's memorial. I gained a greater appreciation for this president. He seemed to lead with common sense and be driven for the common good of the people as he led the country through the Great Depression and on as he sat in a wheel chair. Amazing quotes come from this man and were etched in stone there. The newest monument in DC is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Just like the other men talked about before, I appreciate his "dream" and hope he had for the future. The day in which we now live.
After writing all of this down, I'm ready to go back! Loved this vacation!!!!!
