Alexandria

Our last day of vacation, obviously we did not spend it the way we thought but it was a really memorable day.  We let the kids sleep in and left the hotel about 9:30 a.m. we checked out of the hotel and drove to the College Park Metro, rode the train one last time down to King Street which is in Alexandria.  It is this beautiful little historic town that has a water front.  We walked old town and explored some of the shops.  We found one called Ten Thousand Villages, it is a shop that brings in handicrafts from around the world and the profit goes back to the artisans to help build their villages.  Troy bought a chess set, I of course found an ornament that was made in Peru, Sara bought a hand bag and J.T. got a hakisack.  We continued our walk to the water  front, we had lunch at CH house right on the water.  Our plan was to go to downtown D.C.  to walk around, we knew we wouldn't be able to see much, but thought that we could catch some glimpses from the sidewalk.  Just as we boarded the Metro, we got word that there had been shooting at the Capitol and a car chase near the White House.  We decided that the mass chaos that had to be going on probably was not where we needed to be so we stayed on the Metro and went back to our car.  For whatever reason I don’t think we were meant to be in Washington D.C. on this trip.  We talked about the fact that we were going to need to rename the trip.  Sara came up with,  “The time we tried to go to D.C. but couldn't trip.”  It about sums it up.  We headed back to Baltimore for our final night.  We stopped at Bob Evans and ate for our final dinner.  It was a little ironic since when we landed we planned on eating there but it was closed, I told the kids that night, that sometimes things don’t always work out like you plan, sometimes you have to adjust and just go with whatever comes your way.  Who knew how prophetic that statement would be.  We giggled at dinner and talked about all the neat things that we were able to do.  We compared Monticello with Mount Vernon.  We talked about how amazing it was to be in Independence Hall and to have stood where the founding fathers stood.  We talked about the solemnness of Gettysburg.  My hope was to spend a week with my family sharing a trip with amazing sites and great history.  My hope was to make incredible memories that will bind my family together.  My hope was that we would grow closer to one another and think of others before we think of ourselves.  Mission accomplished.  It was a great success!

Mount Vernon

We arrived at Mount Vernon at 9:15 a.m.  We started out watching a movie that introduced the estate and then a film about the war.  It gave you a feel for the kind of man that we was, courageous and capable.  We  then walked up to the Mansion.  They explained that Mount Vernon was built over the course of 30 years.  It began as a rather small house owned by George Washington's father.  Ever so slowly it was added to and became the home it is today. We ended up in a group by ourselves so it was like we had our own private tour.  The kids commented on the fact that Mount Vernon felt more like a home than Monticello.  I wondered aloud if it was because Martha lived there the entire time, while Thomas Jefferson's wife died 10 years after the home in Monticello was built.  They were hospitable and allowed visitors there constantly, one year they had over 600 guests in the course of the year.  We wandered the grounds a little and then gathered for a tour called the National Treasure tour, we learned a little how the movie and the estate worked together on the making of the film.  We had a great tour guide who the kids really liked.  Part of the tour was down in the basement.  We saw the quarters of Washington's butler and talked about the slaves that worked to hew the timber to build the home.  We were hungry and tired and a little hot, the weather was sunny and 87 degrees so we decided it was time for lunch.  We ate at the Mount Vernon Inn and tried fried green tomatoes and peanut soup.  The fried green tomatoes were a hit, the peanut soup… it reminded me a little of  melted peanut butter, really different.  Then we walked to the tomb of George Washington, after ward we walked through the slave memorial.  There was an amazing spirit there, I asked Sara if she could feel it, she said yes but it was difficult to explain, I knew what she meant.  We wandered around the discovery center after that, they have done extensive research on what they believe he actually looked like and constructed some very life like statues.  We were there 6 hours and we still didn't see everything.

A cupcake dream comes true

There is a show on Food Network called D.C. cupcakes and Sara talked about how fun it would be to go.  I nodded knowing that we would not have time.  Well when plan B becomes "the" plan we took a look and wouldn't you know it, there was a Georgetown Cupcakes two blocks from where we were staying, WIN, WIN, WIN!!!!  We walked down before dinner and enjoyed some of the best cupcakes I have ever eaten.  Everyone chose one and mom got to choose two, I love being the mom.  

The Pentagon Memorial

We did a little calling around and found out that the Memorial at the Pentagon was also open.  We took the Metro there.  It is a memorial for those who lost there lives on 9/11.  A friend I went to school with, Brady Howell, was working there at the time and was killed that day.  The whole thing made me cry.  Sara was very affected, she kept saying that none of these people did anything wrong, as we looked out of each individual monument for each person.  They have is set up beautifully, the monuments for those in the pentagon face one direction and those on the plane face another, they are divided by ages, which is particularly sad, the youngest was 3, born the same year Sara was.  I don’t think we would have had time to make it there had everything been open.  Being there was an experience that will stay with me, and I hope my kids as well.  

16 years ago....

16 years ago today, this man and myself decided that we would try this crazy thing called life and we decided that we would try it together.  I have to say I am happy with the choice.  It isn't always easy but it definitely has been worth it.  

Arlington Cemetery

The military did not shut down so we went to Arlington Cemetery.  It was really nice having no time constraints.  (see how I did that, looking for the positive)  We walked up to the Tomb of the unknown soldier and we waited for about 15 minutes for the changing of the guard.  I love watching the ceremony.   The precision is breathtaking, the dedication of the soldiers is awe inspiring and the experience always makes me grateful for the country we live in and the individuals who are willing to serve.  We were lucky enough to see a wreath laying ceremony.  A soldier is brought in and plays taps after the wreath is laid.  The sweet sounds of the bugle brought tears to my eyes as I looked at the tomb where someones son is laid to rest.  I am so grateful that the kids were able to witness that.  We walked over to the Eternal Flame and par for course they are currently upgrading it so it is behind a white fence.  I love the feeling that is in the cemetery.