Washington, DC -- all in ONE day

First stop on our current trip was Wash, DC -- stayed two nights with Cathy. (thanks for the place to crash, Cath...)

Dave Dyle (who is along with us) hasn't been to Washington DC since he was a kid, so we needed to pack in as much as we could in ONE day.

We all wanted to go to the International Spy Museum so we went there first.

It was really cool seeing all the devices spies use. However, when we were about half way through, the fire alarm went off! I thought at first that it was an interactive exhibit (lights flashing, loud, pulsating alarm) but when the employees started guiding us to the exits, I realized this was for real. Fortunately, it turned out to be either a false alarm or a very minor thing that was taken care of easily because the fire engines didn't stay very long at all.

After that, we decided not to go back inside because we had so much more we wanted to see.

We started walking toward Pennsylvania Avenue. When we got there, it was all blocked off by the police.

After a few minutes, they allowed traffic again.

We later learned it was because President Obama was heading up to the Capitol Building to discuss the health care bill (but we did not see his motorcade).

Here we are in front of the IRS building at 1111 Constitution Ave. (had to take that picture!)

Here's all the rest of the stuff we saw:

View of the White House from the base of the Washington Monument


View of Lincoln Memorial from the base of the Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial


at the Lincoln Memorial -- view of Wash Monument from the steps; the Capitol beyond that

When we were at the WWII memorial, we saw several busloads of veterans who were being shown the memorial. Many were in wheelchairs -- it was quite moving to see them as there aren't many vets of that war who can still make the trip.

World War II Memorial


walking along the reflecting pool -- WWII Memorial in the distance

Along the way, we saw this cool squirrel -- he wasn't albino because he had dark eyes, but he was certainly very whitish gray.

Next, we saw President Obama's helicopter! (actually, there were three of them) We later learned he and his family were going to Camp David for one night after his appearance on The Hill.

Next we went to the Viet Nam Memorial. I did not take any pictures there. But I was able to see the name of the brother of one of my friends who was killed in Viet Nam when we were in high school.

Tidal Basin where the cherry blossoms are in the spring; Jefferson Memorial in the distance

Next, we went to the FDR Memorial

FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt



"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself..."

And finally, the White House from both sides

By now, we were all bushed and sore from so much walking -- but it was a great day!