Last Wednesday, I arrived in D.C. via the METRO and walked the entire National Mall (nearly four miles total!!!!!) by 9:30am. I saw the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. The reflection pool (the huge body of shallow water …. remember Jenny and Forrest in Forrest Gump? Yes, that one.) was empty and closed due to renovations. There were also numerous tents and construction trailers parked everywhere. It was not very picturesque.
As I walked along Constitution Avenue towards the National Archives (home to the original Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights), I saw the White House, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and World War II Memorial.
Once I arrived to the National Archives, I stood outside and waited for the facility to open at 10:00am. I was in the first group of approximately 100 persons allowed inside. The National Archives does not allow photography, so you’ll have to trust that I saw the *original* documents that created this great country.
I bought a souvenir magnet, you’re more than welcome to come to my house and look at the sides of my refrigerator!!!!!
By the time I left the Archives, I was starving. And, because I was exhausted from the “trek” around the mall earlier, I hailed a cab and the very nice driver took me to a D.C. classic restaurant: Old Ebbitt Grill. My waitress, Helen, was fantastic. I enjoyed a house salad with citrus vinaigrette and two crab cakes that I wouldn’t have shared if my life depended on it. If you want to lick the computer screen, go ahead. I won’t stop you.
After lunch, I went to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church and enjoyed their noon-time Wednesday service. I met many wonderful folks who welcomed me and appreciated me visiting their beautiful church. Thanks to my new friends, and their descriptive directions, I found my way back to the METRO train station and returned to “The Facility” later in the afternoon.
By the time Husband left his training classes, I was sound asleep taking an afternoon siesta.
Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 5:04 pm
I wish Husband would have taken me along, too.
Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Awww, Celeste, me too!!!!! We would’ve had a BLAST in DC together. Ohhh yeah!
Monday, June 25, 2012 at 2:57 pm
I love that you took the initiative to go out and explore the city on your own. I traveled to San Francisco once for work (@ TS) — I was working out of the Oakland office, but I stayed in downtown San Francisco and took the BART to the office every morning, which left me the evenings to take in the sights in SF. There’s something very liberating about exploring a city all by yourself. =)
Monday, June 25, 2012 at 3:01 pm
My mama raised an independent child for sure!!!!! I’m definitely not afraid of exploring new places, as long as I have a map or directions. Of course, making my way from Mt. Vernon to Arlington Cemetery included TWO turnarounds. I missed the SAME exit TWICE ….. yes, I was cussing. LOL
I have to say, Texas is behind the times with passenger rail. They’re so convenient in metro areas, not to mention cheap transportation. I want to return to DC and explore the areas I missed last week, especially now that I know the area a bit. Fun times!!!!
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