July 22, 2006

• 2nd Day in D.C.

   We covered a lot of ground today and my ‘feetsies’ are talking to me about it!

  
  

  We are feeling very smug because we’ve figured out the metro and bus system. Yeah! We were able to get to D.C. and home just fine with no problems. Here is a picture of the metro under ground at the Pentagon station. I’m not sure who the people are but you can see the train in the back. The trains FLY by each other sooo fast. It scared me the first time it happened. I’m such a country bumpkin and not used to life in the fast lane.

  
  

  

  
  

  We took the metro to Arlington Cemetery. I was unprepared to see 300,000 tombs that spread as far as the eye could see.  The freedom of our nation has not come without a high cost.

  
  

  

  
  

  This was President John F. Kennedy’s grave. His wife asked for an eternal flame to burn at his grave site similar to the one in Paris for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I was expecting a big monument over his tomb. I liked the simplicity of the grave site.

  
  

  

  
  

  The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The weather was extremely hot and humid today. I felt so sorry for the soldiers because they were dressed in a uniform along with gloves and a hat. Each soldier guards the tomb for 2 hours before they change guards. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day.. rain or shine… day and night. We were able to witness the ‘changing of the guards’. No talking was allowed… only silence in respect for the soldiers who lost their lives. Hubbin’s saw one of the soldiers that was on guard today interviewed on Fox News a few weeks ago and he said that he considered this the most important thing he has ever done.

  
  

   

  
  

  Next stop was the White House. We saw the front and the back grounds and house which both were heavily guarded. Lots of construction going on to make it much safer from attack. There were 8 men playing hockey in front of the White House and behind them was a protestor of nuclear arms. Interesting backdrop! Notice my bright pink hat? Hubbin’s and I hunted for some kind of hat last night to keep the sun off our faces. It helped a lot today even if I do look like a pink flamingo! This was near the end of the day and I was getting worn out from all our walking and feeling very OLD!

  
  

   

  
  

  I tried to get a tour through the White House 2 months ago but was denied.  I was told the White House receives 30,000 requests a week. So, instead we visited the White House Visitors Center. There was picture after picture of the fancy rooms in the White House but this was my favorite. It’s a picture of laundry being hung in one of the rooms of the White House back in the 1800′s. I like that thought!

  
  

   

  
  

  We ‘hoofed’ it over to the National Archives building which was 4 blocks away. We stood in line about 30 minutes out front and then another 20 minutes inside to see the Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc. The funniest thing happened. The person who was organizing the ‘crowd’ to enter the archives of documents  tried to pass our time while we were waiting by asking where we were from. She asked who was from the West Coast  and of course Kevin and I lifted our hands. She asked ‘where’ and when we told her she said,’My Grandma lives there!’ Come to find out we go to church with her Grandma! It really is a small world, isn’t it? She was so excited that we knew her Grandma and gave us a big hug to pass on  when we get home… which we will!

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  That’s all for today! We ate at a Thai restaurant next to the hotel which was really good! We’ll both sleep well tonight. Our plan (not sure if it’s the Lord’s) is to see the Smithsonian museum’s tomorrow. I wish we could find a church to go to first. It’s going to feel strange not attending a worship service. I already miss my church!

  
  

  Hope everyone is doing well!
  Love to everyone!
  Georgene

  • 5:34 pm
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