Trip Introduction
In 2009 we decided to visit some of the historic sites in northern Virginia and Washington, DC. Julie had visited the area as part of a High School trip, but it was James’ first visit as a tourist; he had been once for work but had not had time to do much sightseeing.
Saturday, 06/13/2009 – Arriving in Virgina
After flying into Reagan International Airport, we rented a car for the first part of the trip. We headed out into the Virgina countryside with our first destination being Montpelier, home of James Madison, fourth President of the United States. We enjoyed walking the grounds and touring the house before heading to our hotel.
Sunday, 06/14/2009 – Jefferson and Monroe
We started Sunday by visiting Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States. Jefferson spent many hours studying many topics, but the plants on his property still show the variety he studied when he lived there. The grounds are also very picturesque. In the afternoon we visited Highland, home to James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States. His home was only a few miles from Monticello, and he was good friends with Jefferson. Later in the day we visited the campus of the University of Virginia which Thomas Jefferson helped found.
The lawn at Monticello
A vineyard at Monticello
One of the bright flowers at Monticello
Monticello
James Monroe’s Highland
Keeping the flowers polinated
The garden at Highland
Thomas Jefferson’s statue looks out on the University of Virginia campus
The lawn at the University of Virginia
Monday, 06/15/2009 – Mount Vernon with Family
On Monday we headed back into the Washington, DC area stopping at Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, first President of the United States. It just so happened that James’ parents and their friends were in the area, and we all met for some sightseeing. The property still has beautiful gardens and it was interesting learning about how wood was treated so the building appeared to be made of stone. After leaving Mount Vernon, we visited the Frank Lloyd Wright designedPope-Leighey House. Built in 1940, the home relied heavily on exposed plywood for both cabinetry, furnishings, and wall construction. We then checked into our hotel in the Rosslyn area just west of the city center and returned the rental car.
The main entry to Mount Vernon
Formal gardens at Mount Vernon
Wildflowers in the garden
A butterfly enjoys the garden at Mount Vernon
A butterfly enjoys Mount Vernon's garden
How wood was made to look like stone at Mount Vernon
The private side of the Pope-Leighey House
Special detailing at the windows of the Pope-Leighey House
The public entry to the Pope-Leighey House
Tuesday, 06/16/2009 – Sites Around the National Mall
Our hotel was just across the street from Rosslyn Station, so we took the subway to Union station and headed out into the area around the National Mall. Our first stop was the National Building Museum a few blocks north of the mall. It had several exhibits surrounding a multistory atrium where past Presidents have hosted their inaugural dinners. We then walked through the east end of the mall passing along the south side of the Capitol building to get to the Library of Congress. We then ventured back to the north side of the Capitol and headed for the Old Post Office where we went up in the tower offering views of several prominent buildings. We walked back to the mall and headed west past the Washington Monument and WWII Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial and then up into Georgetown to ride the subway back to our hotel.
Our walking route on Tuesday 6/16
Inside Union Station
A sculpture outside the National Building Museum
Massive columns and atrium inside the National Building Museum
The US Capitol Building
The open stairs in the Library of Congress
A sign identifies the building
One of the reading rooms at the Library of Congress
The entry to the Supreme Court of the United States
The US Capitol Building from the Old Post Office clock tower
The Washington Monument
Looking past the WWII Memorial to the reflecting pool and Lincoln Memorial
Wednesday, 06/17/2009 – Memorials and Aircraft
The rainy Wednesday morning seemed appropriate for the somber feeling you get visiting the Korea and Vietnam War Memorials in the National Mall. We also stepped into the Lincoln memorial to dry off a bit. We then took the subway out west to the Dulles Airport where James’ parents picked us up and drove to the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. This was an extremely large hanger space where many of the historic aircraft collected by the museum can be displayed. There is also a tower you can go up in and view the Dulles runways the same way the flight controllers did.
Our walking/train route on Wednesday 6/17
A sculpture near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Inside the Lincoln Memorial
Looking out of the Lincoln Memorial
The SR-71 Blackbird was James’ favorite aircraft growing up
Inside the Udvar-Hazy Center
The museum had more than just aircraft
The training shuttle Enterprise on display
One of the Concorde supersonic passenger planes
The Enola Gay B-29 Superfortress bomber
The view from the control tower exhibit at the museum
Thursday, 06/18/2009 – Visiting Some of the Smithsonian
James’ parents joined us on Thursday as we visited several of the museum buildings of the Smithsonian Institute situated around the National Mall. Our first stop was the red brick Smithsonian Castle. We then visited the relatively new National Museum of the American Indian. We then crossed to the north side of the mall and passed several art installations on our walk to the Museum of Natural History. We finished the day with a visit to the National Archives.
Our walking route on Thursday 6/18
The Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall
Gardens near the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building behind the Castle
The entry to the American Indian Museum
A Mayan calendar wheel inside the American Indian Museum
Canoe styles from various regions
Artwork in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The blue whale at the Museum of Natural History
Of course, James took a picture of the tiger
Heading into the National Archives
The line to see the Declaration of Independence
Friday, 06/19/2009 – Visiting More of the Smithsonian
James’ parents returned home on Friday, so it was just the two of us. The day started out sunny and we ventured to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. We then headed to the American History Museum. After getting our fill of history and pop culture, headed to the main building for the Air and Space Museum. After stopping by the US Botanic Gardens, we looped down Pennsylvania Avenue to walk by the White House before our late afternoon reservation to go to the top of the Washington Monument.
Our walking route on Friday 6/19
Approaching the Jefferson Memorial
Inside the Jefferson Memorial
A dress worn by one of the early first ladies at the American History Museum
A C3P0 costume at the American History Museum
A model of the Wright Brothers’ craft at the Air & Space Museum
The plane Charles Lindbergh used to make the first solo, nonstop, transatlantic flight
One of the blooms at the United States Botanic Garden
The White House; residence of the President of the United States
Approaching the Washington Monument
Looking east from the top of the Washington Monument
Looking west from the top of the Washington Monument
Saturday, 06/20/2009 – Last Day in DC
For our last day, we decided to go to the National Zoo first thing in the morning. The rain and mist were back, but that meant it was cool and the animals were out. It cleared off later as we visited Arlington National Cemetery. We had seen a lot of incredible things while doing a lot of walking and were ready for our evening flight home.
Our walking route on Saturday 6/20
A panda at the National Zoo
A tiger at the National Zoo
The Military Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery
Military grave markers below the Arlington House
The eternal flame at the grave site of John F. Kennedy
The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
