heel clicks

heel clicks
Originally uploaded by thelinkels

It was another sunny day in DC but again it was brutally cold with the 20 - 30 mph winds. The day did not start out good because the Washington Monument was closed ALL day due to the high winds. That really put a kink in our plans and the kids were already complaining about the cold at 9 am. We made a decision at the ranger station to change our walking plans and buy tickets on the tourmobile which goes all around the mall and to Arlington cemetary. We hopped on at the Washington Monument and rode to Jefferson Monument, FDR, with a big stop in Arlington. We visited President Kennedy's grave, and stopped in for the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown. I really admire the old guard because it was bitterly cold at the top of the hill and they are still there. It is also fascinating to watch the precision and skill that they use during the ceremony. On the way back to catch our bus back to the city, we saw an actual funeral procession with the full honor guard. It was a beautiful procession with an empty horse being led for the fallen soldier at the end. I hope it was an old vet who lived a nice life and not someone involved in our current conflict.

After Arlington we took the Tourmobile bus back across to the Lincoln Memorial. We stopped at the refreshment stand and got hot dogs and chips and ate huddled next to the building out of the wind. Afterward we climbed the steps to see Lincoln and enjoy the view of the reflecting pool and the WM. We then went over to walk through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I remember being here in high school and feeling so moved because that could have been my dad on that wall. It was still very moving and always shocking to walk past 58,000 names. We then walked past the Constitution Gardens and scared the geese then we stpped into the World War II Memorial. I am sure it would be even more beautiful in the spring and summer when the fountains are going.

Next we headed to the American History Museum because we needed to get out of the cold. We saw the Star Spangled Banner, Dorothy's shoes, Archie Bunker's chair, a Teddy bear made for Teddy Roosevelt and the Fonz's jacket among other truly American things. We then caught the bus for a view of the White House and a ride back to the Air and Space museum to walk to dinner and our hotel. We were back in the room by 5:30 and could not have been more thankful. My feet are killing me from all of the walking and the kids just wanted some down time. DC has great places to eat but we have been too worn out to venture to any of them.

Luke's favorite part of today was "seeing the President's house"; Lorelei's was "riding on the bus" (which I interpret as NOT walking); Scott's was seeing the changing of the guard (his first time) and mine was the whole of Arlington - a beautiful and sad place. Tomorrow we are going to try to get up into the monument AGAIN. We may leave tomorrow instead of Thursday because DC is expecting some bad weather that we don't want to have to drive in.

Also check out the video loaded to FLICKR to see how windy it really is.