DC day 3

Our final morning we ate breakfast at Two Sisters.  It was a bit of a hole in the wall, but the food was good and it was close to The Botanical Garden, or first stop of the day.

 

The garden was beautiful.

And we enjoyed the conservatory when it opened (most things don’t open until 10:00).

After that we got to see what I thought was the most beautiful building of our trip: The Library of Congress: Thomas Jefferson Building.  We were required to have timed entry there (I’d scheduled that before we arrived in town).

The reading room, unfortunately we couldn’t see the stacks or go into the reading room.

The ceiling in the reading room: I did overhear a tour guide telling her group that some of those rosettes are hiding sprinkler heads.

The hall is so ornate.

Upstairs: the girls are facing the Capitol building with their backs to the stairs leading to the observation space for the reading room.

I don’t think any of us got a picture somehow, but we saw a Gutenburg Bible—Gabby and I knew enough Latin to recognize the passage (which was super fun).

We still had a bit of time, so we went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History.  We definitely didn’t make it through all of the exhibits there.

Vietnam Era helicopter and uniform

John Bull Locomotive

 

A ration card from my mom’s hometown (from before she was born); a cousin who still lives in the area recognized the family name.

Katie loved the First Ladies’ dresses

We found a display for her last AHG level award’s namesake

A piece from the Twin Towers

This ship, The USS Philadelphia, had been in Lake Champlain from the time of the Revolution until 1935—that was the cannon ball that sunk her.

I remember my family talking about making clothes from flour sacks, so it was delightful to see one in the fashion section.

The girls loved The Count.

We stopped for ice cream on the way out.

After that we headed back to our hotel (where we again left our bags for the day), rode the shuttle to the airport, and headed home. 

We flew into and out of Reagan.  It is set up with many of the gates in one large room, which made it quite loud, but it was certainly convenient to DC.

Just waiting—thankful that our flights both ran on time, both actually landing a smidge early.  Another six mile day.

A great trip, but we are thankful to be home!