Arlington Cemetary with the Robert E. Lee house on the hill. The graves are in a straight line up and down, as well as diagonally. The Old Guard on horseback are going to give a veteran full honors for the funeral by carrying the casket on the carriage. We were able to see two special ceremonies at Arlington. One was the laying of a wreath and the playing of taps at the tomb of the unknown soldier, and another was the changing of the guard. The Old Guard walks 21 steps, turns toward the tomb, waits for 21 seconds, and goes back 21 steps, repeat. This is to represent the 21 gun salute, the highest honor given at a vet's funeral. Our guide, Lanelle, was so knowledgeable about Washington D.C. and she had so many things to teach us that the kids were concentrating to take it all in. Check out this optical illusion. This is the famous statue of the marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima. See the angle of the flag? When the bus went slowly around the statue, the flag began to rise. Cool, huh?! The Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial consists of 4 outdoor rooms to represent his 4 terms in office. Because he was never photographed with his wheelchair, the statue outside hides his handicap with a long cape. Rogan and Evan are standing in the 2nd room. Washington Cathedral is a huge cathedral in D.C. with flying buttresses on the side. There is only one president buried in Washington D.C. and he's buried in this cathedral: Woodrow Wilson. Just in case you didn't know, we're in front of the White House, current residence (not for much longer) of President George W. Bush. We said goodbye to DC for the day and drove out to Alexandria, Virginia to visit Washington's estate, Mt. Vernon. It's a beautiful estate overlooking the Potomac River. Unfortunately, after he retired from the army and the presidency, he only had 2 years to spend with his wife, Martha at Mt. Vernon before he died of strep throat. We stayed in Alexandria to take a hauntings tour with our immortal storyteller, Andy.
Ah, I forgot, besides walking, we eat. . . a lot. Day 6 dinner was at Fuddruckers. An odd name, but it's a hamburger place and the kids. . .well do they look like they're enjoying themselves? Day 7 - still more
Ah, I forgot, besides walking, we eat. . . a lot. Day 6 dinner was at Fuddruckers. An odd name, but it's a hamburger place and the kids. . .well do they look like they're enjoying themselves?
Day 7 - still more