The Taking of the Capitol

July 9-10, 2010

A random fact for you: Lancaster, PA was the capitol of the colonies for one day (September 27th 1777). How'd I know that? It says so on the monument in the middle of the city. Wikipedia also told me. So, after my family did some exploring around Lancaster, we set our sights on our nation's current capitol. Although we spent 2 days in D.C., I have very few pictures to account for our time there. Here's the only one I have that proves Cora actually came along. (When a baby spends her days leisurely strapped to her Momma's chest, she tends not to appear in any of the pictures.)

We stayed at a great hotel just outside Arlington. We walked to the Rosslyn Metro Station and, in 10 minutes time, we were at the mall area with all the Smithsonians. Except on Saturday-- when we accidentally took a 45 minute walking tour of the streets paralleling the mall area. Thankfully the kids didn't seem to notice or complain as we walked and walked and walked in the rain. Most of us saw it as a fortuitous opportunity to chat and spend time together as we wandered.











We visited the American History Museum, where Ally and Ella got to help unfurl and refold a replica flag of the one flown over Fort McHenry (Star Spangled Banner). We went to the Natural History Museum to see all the stuffed animals, insects, and precious gems. We also visited the Air and Space Museum, where we had a close encounter of the celebrity kind.


We also visited the National Archives.  Ally got to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights after having a small tantrum in the middle of the exhibit hall.  She may be an American with rights and liberties, but she still has to listen to her Mommy. That's the best way to pursue happiness.    

We saw (from afar) the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Jefferson Memorial. We had lunch at the Old Post Office, where Ally went up the glass elevator with her cousins to see views of the city. We walked past the Washington Monument to reach the World War II Memorial. Ally, Cora, and I stayed there and listened to a military band while Eric's family and my Mom continued on to the Lincoln Memorial. Someone's legs (mine) we're just too tired to go any further, and Ally refused to carry me.