72 Hours in the Nations Capitol

It has been and still is for that matter, a very gray, gloomy cold winter/almost spring. I think we all have been dreaming of warmer sunnier days! Much to my surprise, my daughters gave me a trip to Washington DC to be part of the spring ritual known as Cherry Blossom time in DC. So last Friday we sped down to the Capitol to enjoy "spring".

This picture needs no intro, and how beautiful is this! The blue sky, the cherry blossoms, and of course the famous residence, known as 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

This was the view out of our Hotel room, we stayed at the Hilton. It was a 9$ cab ride to the Lincoln Memorial, and a 15$ to Union Station. You could see the Washington Monument pretty clear, but not in this picture. Our cab rides were always very interesting, our assorted drivers came from all corners of the world, got us where we needed to be in one piece I may add, and manuvered the busy crowded streets like a Nascar driver! Impressive!

We took the open top bus tour, pretty good deal, 2 days 35$, 30 stops and you could hop off and on as many times as you wish. The down side, it was very very windy on Saturday, and with the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in full gear, we did not see a bus for 2 hours, which prompted our 10 mile walk from the White House to Dupont Circle. Cookie and I were trying to avoid low branches. Funny story on the bus, it was very windy and a family of 6 was visiting from Cincinnati, the wife opened the folder that the husband had so tenderly taken care of and immediately a gust of wind took their 140$ worth of tickets somewhere up 17th street. For the next 10 blocks the wife argued relentlessy for replacement tickets!

This photo is from Ford's Theater.

One of the most riveting programs was the tour guide that went over the days events that culminated with the Assasination of Abraham Lincoln. This of course is the presidential box, re-created to resemble that night, the picture along the bunting is however the original picture that has always hung there since the theater opened it is of George Washington, in a gold guilded frame.

At night, the lights are soft and low at the Lincoln Memorial and when you are climbing the granite steps, you can almost imagine Mr Lincoln, standing and speaking to the throngs of people that are always there. The picture does not depict the enormity of Lincoln, nor how life like this sculpture is..

Quiz? Who carved the Statue of Lincoln?

While touring we saw all of these people??? MMM what were they in line for, a museum, an exhibit, The Smithsonian? Nope, none of the above, it was for the subway! For the record there was the same amount of people on the other side of this picture.

This is the fountain at the WWII memorial. We threw a wheaty penny in it for Grampa! This is an interesting memorial, the tour guide told us the designer's theme was a dinner party. The design shape is oval, like a dinner table, the "main guest" is a wall of 4000 gold stars that represent the 400,000 soldiers that gave their life. To the right of that is the first state that ratified the constitutions, Delaware, on the other side, the second state, Pennsylvania and so on and so forth. Another must see when you go to DC!

Of course the economy is tough for everyone. Even this Federal City is feeling the pinch!

A sad sad sign of the times for us good Republicans! But bargains none the less.

I think you would be hard pressed to find a more spectacular building than the Capitol! No matter where you were, nor how you were looking at it, it is awe inspiring!

Quiz? Who designed the Capitol?

Of course this was all about the Cherry Blossoms! Take note of all the people! More than a Bills game, I think..

This was a whirlwind 72 hours, filled with the sights, the sounds and the smells of history! Thank you Thank you Thank you to my beautiful daughters, for this most wonderful gift. I can now cross this off my bucket list. Next on my list?????