
This is our first trip back to DC since January 2001 and we live in a much different country now than the last time we were here. I am much different. I have spent plenty of blogging time discussing politics, and now is not the time, but I will say this…
It is hard to walk through this town and not think politics!
It is my third trip here and my first visit that is exclusively for sightseeing. Everything surrounding the mall area is beautiful, but before we crossed the Potomac, we needed to make one very important stop.
Arlington National Cemetary
From the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to President John F. Kennedy’s grave, and all the thousands of graves, the only word that comes to mind is sobering.

After our first day at Arlington, we rode through the capital and looked for a place to stay. We found an awesome place to eat, less than five minutes from our hotel, called DogfishHead Alehouse.
Let me just say that we went back the very next night! If you like craft beer, and you are ever in Fairfax Virginia, give this place a shot.
The U.S. Capitol, The National Mall, The Lincoln Memorial, and everything surrounding this two mile streach.
Our plan was to find a place to stay that had easy access to a park and ride, and the subway, so we were able to avoid any parking problems, along with having to deal with the Washington traffic. We exited the subway at capial south and began day two.
- The U.S. Supreme Court.
- The Capital
- The National Museum of The American Indian
- The National Air & Space Museum
- The Washington Monument
- The World War II Memorial
- The Lincoln Memorial
- The Korean War Memorial
- The Vietnam War Memorial







That is a lot to see in one day! After a good nights sleep we headed back into D.C. for day three.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
I described Arlington National Cemetery as sobering. There are no words to describe the Holocaust Museum. I didn’t take any pictures and we were there most of the day. You will not have a happy time but you have to go. No words will work here.
Museum of American History
We were rushed here because there just wasn’t enough time left. There were two major things that we got to see there and one of them we could take a picture of and one we couldn’t.
- The flag from Fort McHenry that inspired The Star Spangled Banner.
They don’t let you take pictures of this and I understand.
- George Washington Statue
I think this should be in a structure at the Washington Monument.

For everything we saw, I’m sure we missed so much more and we will need to return here again and again. So until next time….
ws