jeni: DC and back

We went to D.C. yesterday (Alana, Evan, Aaron, Adam, Jeni, and Bill) and saw a number of sights. I (Jeni) planned to do one of those tours where you get on a trolley or bus and see something like 17 sights in a day...with the option to get on and off. The kids didn't want to do a tour though, so we went it alone. As it turned out it was a scorching hot day. We didn't get as many photos in front of the White House as we would have liked...because just as we got there a guard began to shoo the crowds away. Apparently the Obamas were coming out onto their balcony...at least that's the rumor I heard. When that happens people aren't allowed to stand at the fence.

We also saw the Washington Monument, but it was too hot to think about climbing up. (At least for me) Alana wanted to escape into the air conditioned coolness of a museum...so we dashed into the Museum of American History...and meandered around. We were just about to go to the internment camp exhibit when someone observed that it was after 4 and we should go to the Ford Theatre if we hoped to see that. Perhaps it was a tactical error...since after the steamy walk there, we found out all the tickets had been sold out. However, we did get a few great photos with the Lincoln mask in the gift shop.

After that we walked to the Museum of Natural History and looked around a bit...then walked toward the National Gallery (Evan wanted to go there since he thought he could get some good pictures with his DSi) and the Capitol. The other museums were open until 7:30 but the National Gallery closed at 6. Boo. We continued our walk toward the Capitol...but then just went and sat on the grass and lounged about.

Then Bill (who had gallantly gone to get the car from our first parking place and parked it nearby) drove us all around (with Aaron navigating) so we could see more sights...like the Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Union Station. I think both Alana and Evan got some great shots. We had a great day.