We embarked on the quintessential summer family vacation (minus one important member of the family) to our nation's capital, Washington, D.C.!
Max was well prepared for the trip after reading books, looking at pictures, and watching a movie about Washington. Approximately 1 hour after arrival and walking 1 block from the Metro stop to the Washington Monument he declared, "Mommy, I really like Washington. The thing is, I really don't like walking." Hmmm…we might be in for a looooooong trip.
First stop: Washington Monument
"Nice of them to have some places for us to rest."
Those Founding Fathers thought of everything!
"Hmm..not bad, not bad. Pretty tall."
Ready to run all the way to the Lincoln Memorial!
World War II Memorial
The anniversary of D-Day was being celebrated with a parade of veterans and a band concert beside the Memorial. A few days prior to our trip I visited my grandfather in the hospital and he regaled me with stories about his adventures in the Air Force and during the war. It wasn't until I started traveling internationally as an adult that I discovered just how many places he had been as part of the Air Force. It was neat to be able to explain to Max that the Memorial was for Grandpa Beau's war and the veterans we saw were all brave men like him.
The Memorial is divided into the Atlantic and Pacific sides and every state and territory is represented by a column.
Max found South Carolina's marker.
During the very long walk between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, we kept Max entertained by searching for the Giant Squid hiding in the Reflecting Pool!
Mr. Lincoln's "House"
Counting the steps!
Max read The Magic Tree House: Abe Lincoln at Last, so he believed himself to be on familiar terms with the sixteenth President and his family!
He did check back to make sure ole Honest Abe was still sitting.
Max would definitely fit in with Washington's gansta element.
Our Monuments tour continued with a return to the Washington Monument to go all the way up! The Monument has recently been reopened and I underestimated how difficult that would make it to obtain tickets. Free tickets are issued each day in the early morning for visitors to return at a designated time, but the line can grow to the hundreds and there are no guarantees. OR an enterprising young man is willing to wait in line to obtain your desired time for a mere $25 "service fee" per ticket. God Bless America.
Waiting for the elevator
Views from the Top!
Naturally, Weatherman Max was totally fascinated by this picture of lightning hitting the monument!
Jefferson Memorial
"We can't walk all the way over there! Let's just get a taxi, ok?"
Even Max could appreciate the gorgeous architecture.
Studying the Map
We completed the circle of the Tidal Basin as we made our way to the FDR Memorial.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Max's class studied many of the well-known Presidents, as well as MLK. At one time he had confused Lincoln and MLK by stating that it was Martin Luther King, Jr. who had freed the slaves. He assured us that he had it straight now, especially after seeing the two very different monuments!
"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope."
Arlington National Cemetery
We debated whether Max was old enough to understand or appreciate Arlington, but it was our second choice when the museum we planned to attend was closed. It was hard to impress upon him the sacrifice and lives these tombstones represent.
Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Eternal Flame for President John F. Kennedy
Six year olds are notoriously fickle and we are constantly evaluating and changing our opinions of what he can do or will be interested in. Big stone statues and a myriad of abbreviations for names can quickly tire an adult mind. We wanted to introduce Washington, D.C. to Max to give him a context while studying American history and reading about our country. We were pleasantly surprised by how much he had already studied in school and retained from our trip preparations!
"My whole life has been dedicated to the service of my country."
George Washington
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