Well as my days in Washington came to an end, Dad came to visit me (and help me pack) before we made the move back to Canada. Of course before we left we had to take a tour around and check out a few things.
Georgetown University and the hospital I just spent the last 3 months at. Very old and it looks very gothic.
Dad got to experience one of the things I have certainly noticed over the last year or so. As Dad said, it shouldn’t be a surprise but it is weird to be in an area like Virginia where black people are the majority not the minority. And trust me Alberta becomes whiter the longer you stay away. A person’s surroundings certainly affects their perceptions on things.
Anyway, the first night dad was in town he found out how I had no food and I still had a lot to pack. So Thursday we got up bright and early……at 11am (dad let me sleep in) and then went to run some errands. After that we decided to check out a couple of things. Believe it or not there actually was a monument I had not been to yet (although I drove by it every day on the way to Georgetown). We checked out The United States Marine Corps War Memorial (the Iwo Jima Memorial). Now there is not one picture or video or anything like that that would have given me an idea of its true size so you can imagine our surprise when we drove around the corner and got a first glimpse. I hope the picture with dad will give you an idea. It is almost 24 metres (78 feet) tall.
The Iwo Jima Memorial and dad with the memorial. He looks very, very little next to it.
Dad with the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the US Capitol. There are not many places where you can see all three of these sights but we found one.
Right next door is the Netherlands Carillon. It is a large bell tower that was a gift from the People of the Netherlands to the People of the United States in gratitude for American aid after World War 2. The stairs were locked so we could not walk up to the top (which I am sure dad was very happy about a few days later) but we did learn that every Saturday during the summer they give bell concerts. I wish I had known the early because I totally would have wandered over to hear that one weekend.We then headed down to the Alexandria waterfront…...a place I had also never been. The water level was a little high, there was some flooding and as the tide came in the water flowed a little higher up the streets but we checked it out anyway. We also had some ice cream at an old ice cream shop. Old Town Alexandria is a very neat place. Most of the buildings have been there since the 1700’s when Alexandria was first founded. Most of the stores and homes have changed hands several times and their new tenants may not resemble the original tenants but still fun to hang out. Lots of little restaurants (including a Cod shop that sells good English style fish and chips and Cadbury chocolate products), antique store after antique store and lots of cute little clothing stores and other shops (which I cannot afford to shop in but I always like to take a look).
You can normally walk right up to this but the high water prevented me from seeing what it was a memorial for. I am guessing it had to do with ships and sailors though.
We were just walking down the street, eating ice cream and there he was.
The next day dad and I did get up nice and early and headed into Washington DC. Of course we stopped for breakfast since I had no food in my house and coffee since I don’t drink it and then we hopped aboard a Double Decker Bus to take a quick tour of the city. I learned very quickly (as did Dad) that I have spent too much time touring the city and that I should now get a part time job as a tour guide (seriously, I could give you a full commentary tour of the city and you know that if you have read this blog). If I ever decide to leave nursing I think I know what my next career will be. Anyway, the tour gave us a glimpse of most of the major memorials and let Dad decide what he wanted to see. Of course since I had already seen it all I just let him lead the way. The one thing that did suck was that the final clouds from tropical storm something- er –other were going through DC and I think the only rainy days I have seen all summer happened to fall when dad was in town. Good thing about DC though is that rain doesn’t actually drop the temperature…..it just makes things hotter.
Dad hanging out on the bus. These are some seriously old buses. Apparently some of the original double deckers. A great way to see the city.....even with a little rain.
Not sure how I never saw this before, but I didn't miss it this time.
Dad standing on the steps of the US Capitol. In the background you can see the Mall on Washington and the Washington Monument.
Hey look a black man with the White House. Just think in a few months there could be a black man living in the White House. We could be that lucky.
Me with the World War II Memorial. Not sure how Dad did not notice my eyes were closed but whatever.
The FBI is celebrating a big birthday. We celebrated with them a little bit.
So Dad and I made stops at the Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the FBI Building, and the Air and Space Museum.
Dad walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He would be feeling all the walking a few days later.
I must say I am not use to being in museums with this many people but it was worth it. Of course I had visited the museum before but I know very little about planes so lots of things were lost to me but Dad does know some stuff so he could answer some of my random questions.
We topped our very long day off by hitting a Washington Nationals game. My friend John met us and the 3 of us enjoyed a great ball game. The rain held off all night and it turned out to be a great night for baseball. The Nationals won which was great as well.
Me with Teddy. He is one of the four racing Presidents (the others being Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington). You can watch the video of the race later. Teddy has never won a race in the history of the Washington Nationals.
The Race of the Presidents.
Dad overlooking batting practice.
The line score. Even though both teams have no chance in making the playoffs, it was a great game.
Dad and John. I got them both to smile.
Dad and I waiting for the fireworks to start.
Through it all dad was very cooperative and allowed me to take a lot of pictures. He even smiled in most of them for me.Saturday morning dad and I finished packing up the car and started our drive back to Canada. Day one would see us travel through 6 states to Chicago. A very long day but so worth it.
My very last night in DC ended like this.
Julie
