D.C. First 3 Days

We arrived on Wednesday morning 4-27 after flying a red-eye flight on Tuesday night.
We took a 2 hour nap, then got ready for our first day in D.C.

Brian and Betty swooped us up in the Volvo, in front of our hotel at 11 am.

Betty had discovered a free organ concert at the National Cathedral, and Carl loves organ music.

We walked through the Cathedral, which felt like being at Notre Dame in Paris.

An organist gave a brief explanation about this organ, then played 3 songs - Carl was in heaven.

Inside the National Cathedral.

After the mini-concert, the Tracy's took us to their condo in Silver Spring, Md, showing us the neighborhoods in route. Then we went to McGinty's Irish Pub, Brian's hangout, and had a beer.

We then walked to Jackies for dinner. I had pork chop and "fiddlehead ferns" which tasted sort of like a green bean. All very delicious.

After a fun first day, we caught the Metro back or our hotel. Washington, D.C. has the best public transportation, so easy to get anywhere.

On Thursday morning, we took the Metro to the Capitol stop and met Betty and Brian for a tour of the Capitol. Betty had arranged a private tour for us through our local Congressman's office in Glendora. A young man from Claremont, who is an intern going to Dartmouth, gave us the tour. We walked from Drier's office building, through an underbuilding tunnel and came up inside the Capitol. This is looking down on the new Capitol Visitor's center.

I'm standing on the center of Washington, D.C. George Washington decided that this is the spot, the city was divided into four quadrants from there.

Our tour guide, Raza.

Looking up in the Rotunda.

All of the other tours had about 50 people in them.

This is the tunnel under the Capitol. We went through metal detectors and they looked through our purses.

The 4 of us in front of David Drier's office. This does not mean that I like him.

We walked to Old Ebbitt's Grill for lunch. Carol had suggested that we eat there. The oldest pub in DC.

I had a crab cake. Yummy!

After lunch, Betty and Brian went home. Carl and I walked about. Saw the White House from outside the fence. Betty tried to get a tour for us, but we were not allowed in.

We walked to the Smithsonian American History Museum. Here are the Ruby slippers from "The Wizard of OZ".

This is the dress that Michelle Obama wore to the inauguration. We saw all the First Lady gowns.

We were both exhausted.

This is a zoomed in photo of the Capitol building from the other end of the Mall.

The Washington Monument behind us.

That evening, Carl and I ate dinner at Ruth's Chris, overlooking Reagan National Airport and we could see all of DC, from the 11th floor restaurant.

We went to bed early, because Friday was THE WEDDING!!!! I was up at 5 AM and turned on the TV. Just then I saw Prince William being driven to Westminster Cathedral. Carl woke up and we watched it all. A great moment in history and a really good feeling, with all the other bullshit going on in the world.

Friday was Carl's big day out. We took the Metro to the Tracy's condo and borrowed their car. Then we drove to Baltimore to see the Coast Guard Cutter that Carl was on for 2 years. It was one of those moments, lump in throat.

This is the radio room where Carl worked for 2 years. He communicated in Morse Code.

This is the USCGC Taney.

We have been lucky so far with great weather.

Today is Saturday. We walked to the Corner Bakery for breakfast and we'll be getting ready for the Azalea Party, leaving at 2:30. I'll take plenty of pictures of the flowers for the next post.

We are having a super vacation so far and are finally adjusting to the time change.

Kathy