3Ms at the Capitol

Our first major trip of the summer was actually a "make-up" trip from a year ago. (At that time, Rex had emergency by-pass surgery on his heart, so our plans were postponed.) Matt and Kelly arranged a  trip to Washington, DC with us, and it was everything we dreamed it could be. We stayed in Georgetown at a hotel almost a mile from a metro stop, and quickly learned the ins & outs of public transportation in DC! We crammed each day full of seeing Memorials, Monuments, and Museums! Rex, history buff and teacher that he is, walked around in awe! He made a point of spotting the Washington Monument from every angle possible, and even walked up to touch it. Just by chance Matt booked us in at a hotel less than a block from the C&O National Historic Park and several other historic Georgetown attractions, so we could have spent a few days just in Georgetown. However the sights of the capitol beckoned each morning. A few of the highlights follow:

The eternal flame at the Kennedy gravesite.

Rex stopped at Audie Murphy's grave.

Memorial for the Challenger  crew

The guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

We soon realized that seeing most of the sites in 6 days was not EVEN CLOSE to happening! Over and over I was impressed with the crafting that went behind the documents that guide our government, the Declaration, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the huge amount of compromise necessary for any progress to go forth. In our history, when the people who represent us go to this city and work out compromises, we prosper. When they do not compromise, we fall into a quagmire. Yet Jefferson and his peers envisioned exactly that and created a framework where no one is all powerful. That's why that banner still waves!

between museums

One of many views of the Washington Monument. We also went to Mt. Vernon.

Kelly & Matt waiting on one of the trams we took to go from site to site.

Caught staring at the W. Monument again!

The Vietnam Memorial

The C & O Canal near our hotel. The "Tow Path" made for a nice evening walk!

On our way in for a capitol tour.

To say that Matt was not interested in History as a kid would be an understatement, yet he seemed to find things to occupy his mind all week! He loved showing his Papa all the many symbols of our nations foundation.

Another photo op

One of MY favorite spots was the National Air and Space Museum Annex, a building the size of several airplane hangars out near Dulles Int Airport. It showcases many planes, to include the Space Shuttle Endeavor and the Enola Gay! WOW!