Washington DC April 28th-May 5th

Well we actually started out on Monday 4/27 from Union station in Chicago(we got there a little early so we got to reenact The Untouchables scene on the union station in our heads.  You know the scene with the out of control baby buggy and Andy Garcia's character taking out the bad guy .  We all decided to take Amtrak to Washington DC.  My husband Jon, sister in law Jane, niece Jessica and myself.  It was a nice trip.  We got the Roomettes which included meals so it was pretty nice. Nice to see the countryside, something we could not see flying, and we certainly did not want to drive to or in Washington DC (I am not crazy).  We decided ahead of time that we would take in some sites together and some days go it alone, that way if someone did not feel like doing something no one would feel bad.

We arrived at Union Station in Washington DC about 230pm or so.  Our view of Union station was "yep this is cool, where is the Taxi stand we have loads of luggage and hope we do not have to carry it far"  The Condo/rowhouse apartment was a 10 minute walk from Union Station(without all the luggage).  I had decided several months back that going with a VRBO rental was the way to go and boy WAS I RIGHT!  Our 2 bedroom rowhouse was 2 blocks from the Senate building.

We had a little time to settle in take showers, Jane and I walked up to a small grocery store a short 4 minute walk away and got a few things for the week and then lugged it back to the apartment.  My husband and I took a short walk and saw how close we were to everything thing so I was really excited by that......I should say how everything seems close.  It looks really close on the map....

We had reservations at 7pm with ONboard DC tours for a DC the lights tour.  I thought that it would be a great introduction to the City.  It was a 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour.  So we decided to walk down there.  It was like 1.5 miles which on the treadmill never seems very far....Anyway we hoofed it down to the Old Post office, seeing many places that we wanted to visit along the way.  Got a quick bite to eat in the food court.  My husband and I got Gyros which were actually excellent.   We then embarked on our first Journey in the City......

Our tour was one where the guide hopped off and on the bus with you and gave you little tidbits of information about the things you were about to visit.  Our first stop was the Capitol.  As we were standing there the sun was going down and it was beautiful looking down towards the Washington Monument.

 We then headed to the White House.  I have to say it was just beautiful.  There were probably 20 large black Suburbans parked in the circular drive(glad to see we buy GM), and sharpshooters on the roof...Guards everywhere.  We expected to see the President at any moment....but alas we did not.  Although we did see someone drive up in a white van with a LARGE weapon in his lap....He was let right in, so I guess they knew him huh?  We took lots of pics and then got back on the bus for the continuation of our Journey.

Hopping back on the bus we headed to the World War II Memorial.  This is so Awesome to see at night.  Once again difficult to pick up on my camera  just how beautiful it is at night.  Of course there are loads of buses even at 9 o'clock at night.   You can see the Lincoln Memorial lit up in the distance and if you look back the other way it is the Washington Monument and the Capitol.  So Cool at night.

Our next stop was the Jefferson Memorial.  I have to say that if it had not been for the tour we probably would not have seen this as it is a little out of the way.  It was beautiful at night.  I only wish the picture I could see could be transferred to my camera.  But as I am not a professional photographer and just got the camera recently I only got some good shots inside, and a few on the steps but nothing good from a distance.

We then went over to The Korean Memorial.  The Korean Memorial is in the shape of a triangle intersecting a circle. In the circle are 19 stainless steel statues of the squads on patrol, they include 15 Army men, 2 Marines, 1 Navy Medic and 1 Air Force officer.  Let me tell you SEE THIS AT NIGHT.  It is really eerie, and the steel statues look real!  We saw the Vietnam Memorial which I would recommend seeing during the day.  Unless you are a bat it is so hard to see anything there. 

Finally we went to see the Lincoln Memorial which is a few steps from the Korean and Vietnam Memorial.  I have to tell you It should have conjured up thoughts of "The I have a dream speech" or Nixon talking to the War protestors late one night in the 70s.  But as I saw Lincoln's reflection in the Reflecting Pool I thought of Forrest Gump looking for Jenny in the crowd.  My husband and I talked of all of the famous people that once stood here, it was a moment that you think about when travelling to Washington DC.  But, then he too mentioned Tom Hanks and I did not feel so bad....

Our tour bus headed back to the Post Office, dropped us off.  We talked about flagging down a Cab on our way back but never got around to it.  It was a beautiful night.  The walk was nice, until we got to the Capitol.  They do call it Capitol hill for a reason....Anyway we finally made it back to our place around 11.    And were in bed sleeping shortly after.....How I wish I had worn my Nursing shoes.