Day 8 - Washington D.C

After driving 3 hours, and going through all of the toll roads, we were checking into our Marriott Hotel in Silver Spring, MD. We were unsure on where to stay in D.C. so we stayed about 30 minutes outside of the city and planned on taking the subway into town. I wonder why California doesn't have toll roads? Maybe that would help the state budget?! I think I many have to write that letter!

After unpacking we drove to the subway, hoped on and in a few minutes we were standing in the National Mall. It was so spread out and soooo humid! A cultural event was going on in the center and many different foods were offered. Taylor got a strawberry smoothie and Dick and I shared a mango smoothie to help cool us off. It worked!! Yum!! We walked over to Washington Monument and checked into tickets to the top. They were sold out for the next 3 days we were in town. I double checked online and discovered this to be true. Thankfully, I read that the second tallest point in D.C is the clock tower of the old Post Office building so I kept that in the back of my mind for a later day.

On our way to Lincoln Memorial (in the background) is the WWII Memorial (foreground) - new since Dick's last visit.

We walked down to the Lincoln Memorial and was in AWE!! I knew it was big, but I didn't anticipate it being so POWERFUL! There is a definite feeling of AMERICA, and patriotism that I've never felt anywhere else.....standing among people from all nations, remembering how these figures molded America. Why don't we always feel this part of America?

As I was standing on the steps, I turned and told Dick and Taylor, "I feel like conducting a speech right here!" Surprisingly, I looked down and discovered someone else beat me to it!!

The spot where Martin Luther King, Jr. stood

and gave his "I have a Dream" speech!

Standing just about on the spot, at Lincoln Memorial,

looking down toward the Capitol Building -

which lies just beyond the Washington Memorial.

We walked over to the Vietnam Wall. I was surprised to see it soooooo long!!!

Pretty sad.

It started to sprinkle so we had to decide if we wanted to chance it and drive out to Arlington Cemetery or head back to the hotel. We thought the rain would be short lived and hopped in a cab to the Cemetery. It ended up being the right decision because by the time we arrived, the rain stopped.

A somber site.

There were so many Orioles in the cemetery!!

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy resting place with eternal flame.

The tomb of the unknown soldier.

Current guard with every step precise and counted.

We timed it just right and was able to watch the 'changing of the guards' at the tomb of the unknown soldier - which is performed this time of the year every 30 minutes.

Here is the sergeant on the left, escorting the new guard to his position.

They are wearing out the cement!

After hopping back in a cab, Dick told the driver, "We have a dinner date at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave." LOL!!

Impressive. We thought we saw the head of a figure in the far right window. But no other movement was detected.

We took the subway back to the hotel and ate at T.G.I.Fridays - our first and last 'chain' restaurant.

With full bellies, we showered and fell into bed! By now I was in need of a MAJOR foot massage!! Using the words of my loving husband, "My dogs are barking!" I soaked mine in hot water most nights!