Our Trip to D. C.

One of the Smithsonian buildings

Washington D. C. is one of those places you could spend any amount of time exploring, and still need more. Traveling with Kregg's parents, his brother and sister-in-law, and our niece and her husband made the trip even more memorable. We squeezed as much as was humanly possible into our time there. There are at least 47,000 pictures in this post. Whether you proceed from this point forward is totally up to you. You have been warned.

I love to take pictures of little details. This was a carving on a post we passed as we were walking along.

 These staircases were so beautiful. I love the shadows.

 There are so many stunning ceilings in many of the buildings. So when you go, make sure you look up!

 And notice the floors, too. This gorgeous mosaic made me want to go find a ladder so I could get a better perspective to take this picture.

During our capitol tour, we were amazed by the architecture. Looking straight up in the middle of the rotunda, this is your view.

 The frieze around the upper walls depicts many famous historical events.

 It's always fun to look at things from different angles. 

 Once again, the ceilings were breathtaking!

This is our niece, Tara, and her husband Mark. We were in the United States Botanic Garden.

Isn't this a fun plant?
 

The textures were so varied.
 

 I LOVE this pool down the center of this room.

 This is a beautiful glass sculpture at the Botanic Gardens. We couldn't have this in Texas because we get too much hail!

 

The Smithsonian Museums have such varied exhibits. You can see C3P0, and R2D2, along with the lunar landing craft.

 I have always loved this painting by Renoir. It is on display in the National Gallery of Art.

And who doesn't love Mary Cassatt? 
 

We came upon this little garden as we were out walking around. I don't even know the name of it, but the brick work is so beautiful.

 The Supreme Court building. I found myself praying over this building.

 This was one of my very favorite things we saw: The Library of Congress!

 This is a MOSAIC on the CEILING!!! It has the names of many famous authors worked into the beautiful patterns. The building is filled with these!

 Isn't it amazing?

Okay, I know this is getting ridiculous, but here is another ceiling! The stained glass was phenomenal.
 

 Audie and Marlene on the steps of the Supreme Court.

Union Station

The train system in Washington was amazingly easy to use. It was so convenient to park for the day and then ride the train around instead of fighting traffic.
 

This is engraved over one of the entrances to Union Station.
 

The barrel ceiling inside the station

 

 I love this view of the Washington Monument from inside the Jefferson Memorial.

Inside the Jefferson Memorial

 

George Washington's uniform

The Lewis and Clark Compass at the Smithsonian

The Bread Line at the FDR Memorial

The Jefferson Memorial

It's hard not to take a picture of this from every possible vantage point. It is just so very beautiful.

This was one of our longest day. Mark and Kregg are so silly!

The Lincoln Memorial

Looking toward the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial

He looks solemn, but determined

At the World War II Memorial

                     

The beautiful fountain at the WWII Memorial

The National Cathedral deserves an entire day. I had no idea. The pictures I had seen simply don't do it justice. I got a little carried away.

I wanted to just stay inside the Cathedral and look at these windows. This one is enormous!!

The view from inside the tower at the National Cathedral

Everywhere you look, it's beautiful. The architecture will take your breath away. 

Audie and Marlene were taking a little rest in a courtyard. They are so precious.

A beautiful little window at Monticello

The gardens at Monticello were so beautiful.

I could become a serious gardener with this view!

I think it's fun to take pictures of people I know taking pictures.

Mark and Tara. Aren't they sweet?

This tree trunk was so cool!

In the Visitor's Center at Mount Vernon

The view from Mount Vernon

It's easy to see why Washington wanted to leave public office and come home. He served our country so faithfully, and it becomes even more apparent when you visit his home and see why his heart always remained in this place. 

The pantry at Mount Vernon

It's hard to believe Washington actually used this carriage.

I have no idea what this is, but it was just so beautiful I needed a picture.

Audie and Marlene

Washington's tomb

Mark and Tara in the world's largest picnic basket on the way into Williamsburg

Inside a beautiful little tunnel on the way into Willamsburg

 Colonial Williamsburg was so beautiful. We didn't get to stay long, but enjoyed it while we were there. On our next visit, we will have to spend more time here.

My boys would love for this to be their bedroom!

There were many period actors

Plimouth Plantation where the Mayflower II lies at anchor

 Exploring this ship, it really impact you just how courageous the Pilgrims were to cross the Atlantic on something this small.

A luxury berth

 Then it was on to Jamestown. I love this old window.

Pocahontas at Jamestown

The statue of John Smith looking out across the bay

The ruins of an old church building at Jamestown

The cemetery at Jamestown

 Even walking through the ruins and the structures that have been rebuilt, it is hard to imagine the hardships the Pilgrims endured to found this nation.

A glassblowing demonstration at Jamestown

Then it was on to Gettysburg

 We had to remind ourselves that the tour guide who rode around Gettysburg with us wasn't actually present at the battle. He was so knowledgeable, it made our tour fascinating.

 It looks so peaceful now, it's hard to imagine the horror of that battle and what it meant to our nation.

 I don't know why we didn't take more group pictures on this trip. I think it was because we were sprinting from one thing to the next. By the time we made it to Gettysburg, we were just about tuckered out so we actually ended up standing in one place long enough for someone to snap this picture.

This is where the one of the most decisive battles occurred.

Arlington National Cemetery

 We stood and read the monument at Arlington National Cemetery. Very stirring for a patriotic heart.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 If you have never heard the story behind those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, it is worth your time to read. It is considered one of the highest honor these men can receive to be chosen for this job.

Okay, I warned you at the beginning that we squeezed as much as was humanly possible into our time in Washington D. C. Our older three children have all taken trips to D. C., but we look forward to taking the younger four in the next few years. We have been waiting until they are old enough to keep up with us!