Washington D.C.

Nellie had had enough

and made a sign that said

"PHX or bust"

I am not sure what she had in mind,

since we had just arrived in D.C!

The camp site of protesters

at Freedom Plaza

There were lots of signs reflecting

anger about corporations

and freedom

and ending the Fed.

but I was not clear on any proposed alternatives.

We just happen to happen upon

Occupy D.C.

on our first outing in D.C.

so we kind of got in the mood of things

and joined in.

We heard Ralph Nader speak.

It was exciting to see people protesting,

taking a stand and making statements.

Although I heard of a lot of complaining

but not any ideas for resolution.

At first it was exciting to see rows and rows of police cars

and traffic blocked and people marching with signs

and bullhorns

but after a few days it was kind of irritating.

It was Freedom of Speech and Freedom to Assemble

happening before our eyes.

They were peaceful and the area where they were camping was neat and tidy

with everyone belongings sitting undisturbed.

Nellie jumped on her soap box

and shouted out to the world.

We made it to three Cup Cake stores

this was the first one

and I think the consensus

was

it was our third choice.

Too buttery, too sweet.

Nell stood in line for about 30 to 40 minutes to

get into this popular

cupcake store

in Georgetown.

They were very good

but also very sweet.

We made a stop at John's office.

You can't really see

but he is standing

inside his office behind his name plate.

Those things on the wall are his

degrees and licenses and awards.

I asked him for a marker so I could leave

a special message on his whiteboard.

At first he started to search for a marker,

but on second thought,

he declined.

harrrumph

The reflecting pond was all dug up and in the middle

of a two year project

to re-do the pond.

A massive project

but

a

neat photo with

the Washington Monument

and

Capitol Building in the distance.

One of the many museums

we visited.

We took a rest on the second floor of J and C's

building

I love the round seating arrangement.

Lincoln Memorial

It was packed with tourists from all over the world.

After Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral

It was found in 1794.

After all the walking we were starving

John took us to a lovely lunch

at the Willard Hotel

just down the street from the White House.

We were able to tour Ford's theater where Lincoln

was shot.

It was a magnificent museum on the lower floor

describing the build up to the Civil War

and the battles

and

the recovery of the nation

and then the shooting.

We then went across the street to the Peterson House where they took Lincoln

and where he died.

The room was exactly the way it was when they brought Lincoln to it.

Everything seemed small

the bed - they had to lay him sideways because

his 6'4" body would not fit on the small bed

Several chairs were at the foot of the bed, where people came

and sat

and waited.

The front room had chairs placed

where Mary Lincoln sat and waited.

The tragedy felt so close.

He was much beloved President.

Honest Abe.

John met us on Monday afternoon

in front of the White House

we were irritated because it was all blocked off.

Suddenly three large helicopters came from the distance.

We were pretty sure that the President was on one of them.

It was very exciting.

We then went to Ebbet's Grill for some

(Ebbet's Grill is a famous establishment where many Presidents

and statesmen and women go for libations and sustenance)

ice cold beers

and jumbo shrimp, oysters and crab claws.

It was delicious!

This is inside the Capitol Building

We decided to take the tour -

it was impressive with all of the history

of representation

and how decisions are made.

A lot of security to get in the building.

Outside the Capitol building.

We never stopped.

My feet ached from all the walking

and even though we never stopped

I felt like we barely scratched the surface!

On the way home we saw Stedman

(Oprah's)

at Union Station

he was posing for photos

with various people

He is TALL!!

These are some of the things we did in D.C.:

Cecilia indulged me immediately upon my arrival

and took me to a sports bar where

John joined us

and we watched the Diamondbacks

L-O-S-E

ending the season.

(it was fun while it lasted)

Picked up Nell at 10:30 pm at BWI

Cecilia whipped up some pasta for Nell

at midnight.

Paul's for breakfast

Castle at Smithsonian

Newseum

Freer Museum

Freedom Plaza

American Museum of Modern Art

Willard's for lunch

White House

(we tried our darndest to get in)

Cake Love

Metro

John's office

Luke's Lobster House

Scrabble

St. Patrick's for mass

Red Velvet cupcakes

Presidential Portrait Library

(loved it-saw all the Presidents up close)

Washington Mall

(no shops - lots of history!)

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

Viet Nam Memorial

Another protest

Georgetown

D.C. Cupcakes

Chinese area

Ford Theater

Peterson House

National Archives

(Declaration of Independence)

White House

Folk Art Museum

Ebbets Grill

Elephant Grill

East Market

Capitol Tour

Aerospace Museum

Natural History Museum

.....and that's not even all of it!