Doing DC

Dear DC,

     You are already missed.  Our one chilly day with you was memory packed. 

Two little girls saw history in a new way as they walked past the Washington Monument,

waved to the president outside his gate,

and looked up in awe at Abraham Lincoln. 

Thanks for the miles walked and the food truck hot chocolate. 

Your train system is all kinds of handy. 


And Famous Luigi's?  We are ranking it as some of the best Italian ever!

 

We drove away filled up with history, with a new spark of patriotism and tired from walking our coat clad booties off.  See you again soon.

 

Love,

4 Lovers of the Road

Vietnam War Memorial

We love this memorial.  So powerfully simple. 

Such a neat thing to see it lined with wreaths,


and decorated with a Christmas tree filled with ornaments honoring the fallen.

Loved showing the girls how you can see your reflection in it,

and how each panel is filled with names that are meant to be traced with fingers. 

 

Special thanks to the Vietnam vet volunteering that afternoon for his service and for his willingness to point out the name of a female soldier to our littles. 

 

"Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism?" ~Henry Ward Beecher

World War II Memorial

The World War II memorial is a serene spot to remember. 

One extra calm little traveler saw it all from the comfort of a stroller as she munched on an apple.  She had fun, but could simply not be bothered by photography. 

(So Claire, when you read this someday, understand why your sister is in 75% more pics than you!)

Loved taking in the sights with these two sweeties. 

Subway Rats

One of the most fun parts of travel with littles is thrilling them with new experiences.  The Metro in DC was the big excitement of this trip.

They were in awe of the giant escalators,

the maps,

and the subway shooting through tunnels.

Choosing your own seat and sliding doors took it over the top!

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Arlington at Christmas

On our way to New York, we planned a stop-over in Washington DC.  Mark goes there frequently for work, and had been promising to take the girls.
We told them in November that we'd be going, and Sophia immediately packed her suitcase.   A sweet sign that we are creating mini travelers!

The hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetary was our first stop in the capitol city.   

We spent lots of time talking as we walked, teaching two little hearts about soldiers, presidents and service to our country

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is always a beautiful and somber experience.  Fortunately, we happened to catch the changing of the guard. 

A highlight of visiting at Christmas was getting to see the wreaths that adorn every grave. 

We stand for freedom.  That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our commitment to others.  ~John F. Kennedy