OMG Washington D.C. is just a mind boggling experience in so many ways.  This morning we took the Big Bus Tour.  We thought Metro Bus (our of our park) was taking us directly to the Big Bus pick up area but found out while riding on the Metro Bus (from some other nice RVers like ourselves who had made the trip a few times already) that NO... you are going to be let off at the Metro train station, on which you will need to take the green line and transfer to the red line at which time you will transfer to the Big Bus tour!!  By the time we got on the Big Bus and were actually starting our tour, it was 11:30:/ We left at 9:30.

After getting lost numerous times at Union Station, we finally made our way to our bus.  By this time, we were ready for lunch and a nap!!  After almost a complete breakdown on my part, we arrived at the correct location to pick up the Big Bus and had time to take a few deep breathes before going on our way.  At the end of the day, it all worked out fine but just a little rough start.

On our first stop we saw the Capitol (covered in scaffolding for repairing the dome) and got a tour with this cute little girl who made it really fun.  We really enjoyed it and decided it would be nice and quick to have lunch at the cafeteria there.  Not great atmosphere or much chance of seeing any Senators but still fairly good and above all, quick.

Next stop, the Museum of Air and Space.  Not my favorite cup of tea, but still it is hard to believe how far we have come in just 100 years from just trying to get off the ground to space travel.  Amazing. 

We had time for one more stop and it was the Viet Nam Memorial and the Korean War Memorial.  Both very moving.  We had seen them both in the D.C. at night tour but much more impressive in the daylight. 


Getting home went much smoother as everyone told us it would be.  We did get to see a little excitement while we were waiting at a bus stop.  All of a sudden, all the surrounding streets were blocked off by police officers' lights and sirens for no obvious reason.  After a while, we saw a procession of motor cycle cops and a string of black vehicles evidently carrying someone important.  The President of China was meeting with our President today so we speculated that it was either or both President Obama and/or the President of China.  Pretty cool.  

I have so many great pictures but will try to post the highlights.

Tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery where we saw the changing of the guard.  Sooooo impressive.

I had no idea Arlington was so vast.

This was taken at the night time tour.  As close as we could get to the White House.

The Lincoln Memorial at night.  This gave us chills.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at night.

The Washington Monument at night with the Capitol in the background and reflection in the reflection pool.

Iwo Jima Memorial at night.  Unbelievable.

Me with FDR, an amazing president.

The US Capitol.  Amazing even though covered in scaffolding.

Inside the Capitol dome.  This building is so impressive.  Our representatives probably take it all for granted but if they could stop and see it through new eyes and feel it as we did for the first time, they might do things differently.

Air and Space Museum.

Korean War Memorial.

Viet Nam Memorial.

Tomorrow, we'll re-do our trip into the city but I'm sure with a lot more confidence.  We plan to see the Pentagon and possibly take the river cruise on the Potomac.

Bless his heart, Booker just stays home and holds down the fort.