Tuesday, May 26, 2015

May 23, 2015 - Washington, D.C.


Today was set aside to tour Washington.  Our first experience was to drive to a Metro station and take a train into the city (a 26 minute ride into the heart of DC and much easier than driving).  When we first arrived, we were struck by the architecture of the buildings - no 40 story glass buildings.  The whole town just speaks power.  We boarded a tour bus for a 6 hour tour of DC which included the capital (from a distance since they were setting up for a concert), the White House, and most of the monuments.  Our lunch was on a tour boat on the Potomac River -- what a novelty!  Andy, our tour guide, put a lot of emotion into describing the monuments and we came away with a new meaning of all the monuments.  We visited monuments for World War I, World War II, Viet Nam (we couldn't get close because of the crowds), Iwo Jima, Korean, and of course, Washington and Lincoln.  We drove past Arlington Cemetery but didn't stop.  The city was very crowded because of the holiday weekend but the tour was very interesting.  Rolling Thunder is an annual event that brings motorcyclists and spectators (mostly veterans) to Washington to celebrate Memorial Day.  The news reported over a million bikers and spectators attended the events.  All the bikes in the parks were almost as impressive as the monuments.  As we were driving back to Annapolis, we learned that Fred and Courtney Steves (friends from Houston) were in Annapolis to celebrate a nephew's graduation from the Naval Academy.  We stopped by for a quick visit on our way home and arranged a lunch cruise on the boat for Sunday.

First stop - the Metro station

The Treasury Department

Hmmmm

World War II memorial - there are monuments for the Pacific fighting and Atlantic fighting

World War II monument for each state and territory who fought in the war

Washington Monument

Washington Monument from Lincoln Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

Waiting to have a word with Abe



Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Washington harbor

Arlington National Cemetery

Iwo Jima

Some of the Rolling Thunder - bikes as far as you can see







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