Washington DC, Feb 2010

Saturday 20 Feb 2010

Mom & Dad took Andy and me to Heathrow terminal 5 at 8am. Some breakfast, and off we go……..

Landed in Washington, D.C just after 2pm local time (7pm UK Time) and took a shuttle bus to our hotel, Crowne Plaza The Hamilton – Downtown D.C.

After a quick shower we walked down to the Mall, which is the park area with the US Capitol building at one end, the Reflection Pool (from Forrest Gump) & the Lincoln Memorial at the other end, with the Washington Memorial in the middle. This represents that the country is run by the people, and that the people is at the heart of the country. The Mall runs East to West. Off to the North is the White House. This symbolizes that the President is important, but is to one side of the people.

Washington had lots if snow the week before we arrived, and there is still lots of evidence about…..

After the long flight and time difference, we grab a bit to eat at the hotel restaurant and got to bed just after 8pm local time (1am UK Time)

Sunday 21 Feb 2010

Today we took the Metro to the Pentagon to see the Pentagon Memorial. This is in memory of those who died on September 11, 2001 when the plane hit the side of the Pentagon. After this, we went to Arlington National Cemetery. We joined the guided tour of the cemetery. Rows and rows of white graves for every American that has died in battle or whilst serving the country, Also Presidents (J.F.K. and Jackie Kennedy-Onassis is buried here). We saw the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This tomb has been guarded since 1932 for every minute of every day. Even when the plane hit the Pentagon, which you can see from this hilltop, the guards were given the option to abandon their post, which they denied.

We then took a short walk through the snow to Iwo Jima War Memorial – the famous memorial where the American Soldiers plant the Flag.

From here we headed to the Capitol building and Library of Congress. Unfortunately these are shut on a Sunday, so we will come back tomorrow. Got some cracking photos though, as nobody was around. We then visited the Air and Space Smithsonian Museum with very interesting exhibits including the actual capsule that landed on the moon, as well as parts of the Wright Brothers original flying machine. This evening we took the Metro to Bethesda in Maryland, and had a few beers in a very local, truly American Sports bar, where the bartender called Andy “Mitchell”. Very long day with lots of walking.

Monday 22 Feb 2010

Today we went to the US Capitol building and took a guided tour that started with a movie in one of the theatres. Roger was our guide and took us to the Rotuda (below the massive dome), the ancient Senate room, the Hall of Columns, the ancient supreme court room, the crypt and the original section where George Washington lay the cornerstone for the Capitol Building, and that was not destroyed in the fire started by the Brits. Roger was a fantastic tour guide and took so much pride in sharing the story of this historical building, and the centre of the US Government.

We then went to the Library of Congress, another amazing building. Here we joined yet another very interesting tour and got to see the Gutenberg Bible and the very famous Reading Room. The Library of Congress holds 1 or 2 copies of every book that has ever been printed anywhere in the world – AMAZING

Later this afternoon we went to a shopping mall called Pentagon City for a little stroll and window shopping. Out for drinks the evening at Stan’s, a landmark Bar in D.C.

Tuesday 23 Feb 2010

We had a little lie in this morning, and then headed off to the Lincoln Memorial and Reflection pool. This is where “Jenny” runs towards “Forrest” in Forrest Gump. It was very cold outside today, so a bit of a struggle to keep warm. From here we wandered past the Ford’s Theatre were Lincoln got shot, and also past the F.B.I.

Tonight we went to a town called Alexandria in Virginia, to a little restaurant called Bilbo Baggins. Very beautiful quaint little town, with the high street ending at the Washington Masonic Museum.

Wednesday 24 Feb 2010

Well our bags are packed……Off to New York on the train from Washington’s Union Station to New York’s Penn Station.

Click HERE for all our Washington photos