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| Announcing The Changing of the Guards |
To maximize our trip, my sister and I map out today's insane schedule, yet we still have some bumps in the road. First on the list, the Newseum! However, we didn't realize we had to pay $21 dollars to get in, and since we were only allowing 1 hour per museum, we didn't quite think the cost was worth it. So we walk over to the Naval Memorial and cruise through their small museum to kill time for the others that don't open until 10am. This turned out to be a fun little sighting. We learn that 4 of our Presidents served in the navy during World War II: Ford, Nixon, Johnson and Kennedy.
We then walk over to the National Archives Museum to witness our Founding Fathers' Authentic Documents of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. All three are held in the spacous Rotunda. The atmosphere is quiet and the lighting is dim as people walk around in a circle to view these incredible pieces of paper that established our Government. We would have loved to stay longer but we had to stick to our tight schedule.
Next stop, The Post Office Bell Tower. Since the Washington Monument was closed to the public, we got a lucky tip from their guard that the next best view was from the Old Post Office... nine floors up with a full panoramic view of the entire city!
Wanting to catch some Art in the city, we visit the Corcoran Gallery of Art Museum and view some Picasso. Well-known Chef Todd Gray owns a cafe within the museum called Muse. I order a colorful Butternut Squash Salad and my sister chooses a Curried Cauliflower Soup which are both filled with peppery but sweet and buttery flavors. Mmm.
Getting late quickly, we hurry off to the Metro to Arlington, VA to visit to most famous Cemetery in the country.
We hop on the Arlington Tour Bus for $8.50 that takes you to the vital stops along the Arlington National Cemetery. Our first stop is JFK's Memorial. There you'll find his grave, and along side him is Jackie and his two children Patrick and Arabella, who both sadly died as newborns. You won't find JFK Jr.'s grave here because he was cremated and his ashes were scattered off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, where his life tragically ended.
Down the path, you'll find his Brother Edward Kennedy's grave and a bit further from there, Robert Kennedy. This area is peaceful yet sad, as if everyone who visits these gravesite are still mourning for the lost of these great people.
The bus then takes us to The Tomb of the Unknowns. This tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round, rain, snow, hail or shine! During the off season they change the guards every hour, so my sister and I witness this fascinating ritual at 3pm. For Spring and Summer seasons, they change every half hour. But this day was an extra special day because not only did we view the Change, but we also saw two unusual ceremonies the Guards performed for a children's school and a fraternity.
Some Changing of the Guards trivia... it is veerrry difficult to become a Guard who watches over the Tomb. the Sentinels are considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. If qualified, they may volunteer for the position but must pass rigorous training to join. One qualification is to be tall and slim! Guess I'm out...
Engrossed with these ceremonies, we overshoot our schedule and miss the Library of Congress. So, instead we sit at the Capitol until dark to catch the beautiful lights that shine from the Hill.
Completely famished, we walk to dinner, but get distracted by gelato! We stop into Pitango's on 413 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004 for an appetizer of pistachio and lemon gelato. Hit the spot! We had passed a very popular Tapas joint, Jaleo, several times throughout the trip and finally decide to give it a try. It was an hour wait, so we were glad we had our gelatos to munch on. DC is all about making reservations. If you don't have one, the hostess looks at you a little funny. So if you're wanting to wine and dine, I suggest trying to get your name in ahead of time!
I have to say, my experience at Jaleo's almost topped the Memorials and Monuments. I said ALMOST! But it's that good, I'm telling ya. They start you off with a crunchy loaf of rustic bread served with garlic rosemary olive oil.
We then order their seasonal Butternut Squash Soup served with buttery croutons, chives and pepita seeds. Warmed us right up!
Then come the entrees! Salmon severed over pureed cauliflower and whole raspberries... a plate of Patata Bravas, potatoes seasoned with chili powder... but the dish that blew my mind is the Fried Bacon Wrapped Dates. This tasted like bacon dipped in maple syrup. Mind boggling but ridiculously amazing! Again, another evening ending with a perfect meal.
We are sad that tomorrow is our last day. This trip went by way too fast. But at the same time our feet were feeling it. We were glad to get back to the hotel to rest and plan our last hours in DC.
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| Post Office Bell Tower View |
Wanting to catch some Art in the city, we visit the Corcoran Gallery of Art Museum and view some Picasso. Well-known Chef Todd Gray owns a cafe within the museum called Muse. I order a colorful Butternut Squash Salad and my sister chooses a Curried Cauliflower Soup which are both filled with peppery but sweet and buttery flavors. Mmm.
Getting late quickly, we hurry off to the Metro to Arlington, VA to visit to most famous Cemetery in the country.
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| JFK Gravesite and the Eternal Flame |
Down the path, you'll find his Brother Edward Kennedy's grave and a bit further from there, Robert Kennedy. This area is peaceful yet sad, as if everyone who visits these gravesite are still mourning for the lost of these great people.
 |
| Changing of the Guards |
Some Changing of the Guards trivia... it is veerrry difficult to become a Guard who watches over the Tomb. the Sentinels are considered to be the best of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. If qualified, they may volunteer for the position but must pass rigorous training to join. One qualification is to be tall and slim! Guess I'm out...
Engrossed with these ceremonies, we overshoot our schedule and miss the Library of Congress. So, instead we sit at the Capitol until dark to catch the beautiful lights that shine from the Hill.
Completely famished, we walk to dinner, but get distracted by gelato! We stop into Pitango's on 413 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004 for an appetizer of pistachio and lemon gelato. Hit the spot! We had passed a very popular Tapas joint, Jaleo, several times throughout the trip and finally decide to give it a try. It was an hour wait, so we were glad we had our gelatos to munch on. DC is all about making reservations. If you don't have one, the hostess looks at you a little funny. So if you're wanting to wine and dine, I suggest trying to get your name in ahead of time!
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| A fun modern Spanish atmosphere at Jaleo |
I have to say, my experience at Jaleo's almost topped the Memorials and Monuments. I said ALMOST! But it's that good, I'm telling ya. They start you off with a crunchy loaf of rustic bread served with garlic rosemary olive oil.
We then order their seasonal Butternut Squash Soup served with buttery croutons, chives and pepita seeds. Warmed us right up!
 |
| Bacon Wrapped Dates |
We are sad that tomorrow is our last day. This trip went by way too fast. But at the same time our feet were feeling it. We were glad to get back to the hotel to rest and plan our last hours in DC.
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