Not Your Normal Mall

There’s no way to capture all that D.C. holds in a single blog so you will be getting an extremely abbreviated version of our Nation’s capitol. It didn’t take us long to realize that 2 days would not be nearly enough time to see all that there is to see and do all that there is to do. With the 2 full days that we did have, we attempted to experience as much as we possibly could. Time was not so much a limitation but the extent to which our feet would allow us to walk. Yes, nearly all there is to see is within a 2-3 mile radius, but to truly immerse yourself in the history and the story that Washington D.C. tells, you would need a full day for every 2 museums. The first attraction that comes to mind was the Holocaust Museum which has recently been a target of the national news media for the shooting that occurred on June 10. You could definitely see the amped up security efforts. Before we even got in to the main part of the museum, we walked by at least 10 security guards. The make-shift memorial that has been set up for the security officer who was killed in action was sitting just outside the entrance. If you have heard the story of the man who was charged with his murder, then you will recognize the irony of the entire situation as this museum gives anyone who passes through it an extreme reminder of what can happen when and if peace do not prevail. This exhibit could take any single person 8 hours to get through and you still might not have the chance to see everything that you would want to see. The amount of reading required (and a somewhat knowledgeable background to World War II) is extensive and probably not for children under the age of 12. If you are not able to stomach some extremely grotesque and unfathomable images of the atrocities that occurred under the reign of Hitler then you may not want to view much of the main exhibit in the museum. The mood while in the museum is quite somber, the dark air silent, and the focus intense. You leave with a new found view of what exactly happened during one of the World’s darkest periods.

Five of the monuments/memorials are all within view from each other. These 5 places of remembrance can be viewed fairly quickly, but the uniqueness and awe they inspire in you will last a lifetime. These 5 memorials were the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial. The amount of literature available to read at these monuments are enough to make a book full, so I’ll let you look up the information that we learned while at these sites, but one place in particular is worth pointing out. While at the Vietnam War Memorial (the wall), we were able to learn from a man who had a first-hand account of the events that unfolded during the war. This particular memorial is staffed by an all volunteer force made up of Vietnam veterans. They give their time and passion to anyone who is willing to listen to their stories, their knowledge, or their memories from the war. None of them bitter, none of them full of complaints, just truly genuine people wanting to share their experience and maybe a new perspective for you to hear. It was an honor to shake the hand of a man who survived to tell his story of the Vietnam War. This does not take away from how truly wonderful the other memorials are, but this one stood out.

The main attraction in D.C. was our final stop of the day – the White House. As we approached, there seemed to be a small commotion happening just in front of the famed spot for picture taking. Two policemen on horses were pushing everybody back to clear the area in front of the gates that surround the White House. We started to leave the area but 3 minutes later, the policemen had left and the crowd had once again gathered, so we gathered with them. We took our pictures, took another couple’s picture, then decided to call it a day and headed back to our hotel via the D.C. Metro. The Metro was surprisingly simple to figure out – all you need is a Metro official to explain the initial set-up of the system and you are good to go. We found our way around without any trouble and we both realized that we were probably panicking over nothing. The worst part is that there is not more Metro to connect the National Mall area. If you decide to venture to D.C. bring your walking shoes, because wow…you do a LOT of walking! More to come about our 2nd day in the city soon!

From the Road Less Traveled,
Josh & Rachel

D.C. Highlights Day 1: Metro-ease, sunscreen, shade, water, good walking shoes, reminders of peace, Vietnam vets, patriotism, the Lincoln Memorial café with “friends” to chat with from Texas, silly protestors, cameras, a shower at the end of a long hot day!