During our trip to DC, we visited very few art galleries simply because we were already exhausted every day, and I didn’t think the kids would appreciate them the way I wanted them to. But the sculpture gardens were a hit. There are several outdoor art exhibits scattered around the mall area and we loved them. The sculpture above is a perspective house, and as you walk by it, the perspective changes so that it looks like the house is spinning. It is absolutely amazing to think a person can make that happen. We experienced a similar thing at Mount Vernon with the jumbo impression of George Washington’s head. No matter where you move, his eyes still watch you.

Both kids wrote a wish on this wishing tree. Yoko Ono is the artist. The wishes are periodically taken down and sent to her. I’m pretty sure Craig’s wish had something to do with candy.

These globes are scattered near the capitol, and it was fun to look at the different environmental themes. Darla is hamming it up next to the “hydropower” globe.

This jumbo vintage eraser was a scavenger hunt item for us. We’d seen it in a travel brochure, and despite having never seen a real one, the kids were insistent we find it. This led us to trek to more sculpture gardens than we may have otherwise visited.

Washington DC series:
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro

(This is a copy of the Declaration – the original was in a low-lit booth that was nothing but blur without flash.)

We have a new perspective on the 4th of July, having now seen the real Declaration of Independence and the National Archives. Craig noticed representatives from only 12 of the colonies signed their names. How fun he noticed! Rhode Island was missing.

We watched the movie National Treasure after we returned home, and it was so fun to see all the familiar places!

It was well-worth the long line to get in.

Happy Independence Day!!

Washington DC series:
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro

When we visited Washington DC, our first visit was to Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. It was a gorgeous day, and Mount Vernon is always open, so the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, this was a good place to spend the day. The siding on the home looks like stone, but it’s actually beveled wood sprayed with sand in the wet paint.

George and Martha Washington’s tomb.

I came to appreciate George Washington a great deal, as we learned about him. He was an agricultural scientist and inventor – always finding new ways to generate better crop yields, grow his own seeds and invent new types of plants. This “tree fence” was his brain-child also. By growing trees and digging a ditch around paddocks, he was able to make a sustainable and strong living barrier to control livestock.

I always appreciate living history exhibits. These people were spinning yarn and teaching us about crop rotation.

We had arrived to the estate early, but we foolishly wandered around the grounds first, rather than getting right to the mansion tour. This resulted in an hour-long wait in line later.

Darla is teasing here, since we’d already stood in line for 45 minutes prior to reaching this sign.

The kids’ favorite part of the grounds was the “ha-ha” wall. Another of Washington’s inventions, the ha-ha wall separated the cattle from the mansion lawn. It was named for the way people would laugh at unsuspecting wanderers that fell over it.

Washington DC series:
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro

We visited Washington DC over Memorial Day weekend (Yes, I know that was more than a month ago. I never said things were “real-time” around here!) So now I’ll proceed to publish about half-a-gazillion photos spread out over the next week or so. Enjoy!

Jefferson Monument

On Memorial Day (Monday) I stood in line at the Washington Monument from about 8-9 AM and was able to pick up four tickets. I don’t think that was too long of a wait, since it was a holiday weekend, but I feel badly for those who showed up at 9 AM – I’m sure all the tickets were gone by then.

Capitol and National Mall

As I approached the ticket window, I was surprised to see that there was still availability for 2:00, which is when the Memorial Day parade would start. The parade would come down Constitution and pass right in front of the White House, so we could see it from the top of the Monument.

World War II fountain and Lincoln Memorial.

After I got the tickets, I met the rest of the family at on the reflecting pool, and we came back to the Monument about one-half hour before our scheduled time.

White House

The bright, clear day made for awesome photos from every side of the monument. One landmark down, dozens to go!

Washington DC series:
View from Washington Monument
Mount Vernon
National Archives – Declaration of Independence
Sculpture Gardens
Arlington Cemetery – Unknown Soldier
Washington DC Subway – Metro