Riding the Metro

Today was our first full day in our country's Capitol.  Our hotel has a shuttle service to the Metro station close by, so this morning, after breakfast, we headed over there, camera in hand, anxious to see the Capitol and all the sights.

The kids at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.

The Metro ride was fun.  We got pass cards loaded with enough to ride for a few days.  WMATA has made it easy to get passes and ride. Even I could figure out how to use the system, which is something. I tend to get pretty freaked out in big cities.  (I'm still in denial that I work in a big city, btw).  There is a wide variety of people riding the train.  It looked like there were military people, business people, students, tourists (like us!), and locals just trying to make their way around to go about their business.  People have been friendly and helpful, save one over-bearing lady we encountered earlier in Kohl's, who worked there and I assume was trying to be helpful, but who kept interrupting me when I was trying to ascertain from my son whether or not had found the potty. I finally had to ask her to let me talk to him.  She has obviously never had a child who had to go potty before.

We got to the Smithsonian and only saw about 1/849th of it, but it was impressive.  From where we exited the Metro station, we could see the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol, and the Washington Monument.  It's very impressive. The Mall isn't exactly what I expected.  The walkways there are gravel, and the grass doesn't have an edge to it, if that makes sense. It just sort of ends where people stop stomping on it from the gravel path. I guess I expected this expertly groomed lawn, but when I got there and saw the expanse of it, I realize that would be impossible with all the tourists and whatnot.  It's still lovely, and a thrill to be here.

Eric and Laura in front of the Castle at
the Smithsonian, adjacent to the garden.

While wandering around the Smithsonian, we came across this gorgeous garden and there saw an amazing variety of plants.  It was such a peaceful, beautiful place in amongst the busy-ness of the Capitol.  There were several people enjoying the garden and having lunch or quiet conversations.  Simply amazing.

When we spent some time looking for hats and getting a few more groceries, we finally got back to our hotel and our kids finally got to check out the hotel pool.  While they were working off some of that youthful energy, I finally got to wash our stinky clothes.  What a relief!  Our clothes will no longer walk on their own.  We may have averted several plagues. Who knows?

At the pool, my husband met a few other people who are also here for the event on Saturday, the Restoring Honor Rally.  One couple left August 6 from their home in Seattle to be here! Amazing.  And this is just at our hotel.  I'm guessing this event Saturday is going to be huge.  I guess we'll find out in two days!  I can't wait.  This event has raised funds for the Special Operations Warriors Foundation, which is an amazing group.  I highly encourage people to support them.  They take care of kids whose fathers (and mothers) have lost their lives in their service to our country, even to the extent that they make sure kids stay in school and do well in life.  Pretty great.

Well, the kids are clean, the clothes are clean. There's a pizza in the oven, and we upgraded our internet access for high-speed (which is saving me from pulling all my hair out).  So, life is good!

I'd like to thank my friends for their well wishes they've been sending. This has been an amazing trip for us, and I'm so encouraged by all the words and prayers of support we've received.