DC trip report--hockey and history--what a town!

[loria]

We took an early train down from NY into Washington--I forgot how stress free traveling via train is! F1(a) was in Hilton Head with a friend's family so it was just Mr. Loria and F1 (b) --we really enjoyed the ride and sat in the cafe car so we could all spread out and read and watch the towns go by--

We arrived at about 1 pm and checked into our hotel (the L'Enfant plaza hotel) this hotel has seen better days but the staff were really nice and the location couldn't have been better--right on the metro and about a 2 blocks from the Mall and most of the smithsonian museums. We dumped our stuff and immediately headed for the Mall to take in some monuments by daylight



who knew that the washington monument was SO small!!!


F1(b) is a real history buff so seeing the lincoln memorial and the washington monument and the WWII memorial (and reading all that was there to read) was really interesting and fun for him--I was really taken with the Korean War Memorial--It is so haunting and really interesting--19 soldiers who get reflected back (so 38 in total--like the 38th parallel)
They also have etched these period photographs into a granite wall--later that night a tour guide told us that he knew of someone who found a picture of their grandfather on that wall.
The Cherry Blossoms were pretty past but it was still nice to be a bit further south where things were blooming (it was snowing at home apparently!)
We opted to do a night tour of the monuments that night --it was the night before a full moon . We went with OnBoard tours and they did not disappoint--the guide was really knowledgeable about the history of the city and the monuments and got off with us at each stop and told us about each of the monuments we were visiting (in addition to those mentioned above we saw vietnam, iwo jima, jefferson, the capitol, the naval memorial and the white house--My flash was in a swivet--so not very many good pictures.
Capitol at sunset


WWII early evening

Lincoln--you know that night i reaffirmed that the gettysburg address is probably the best single piece of speechery (presidential or otherwise) ever concocted.

Washington Monument and Moon
our tour went from about 7:15 until about 10:30--we were totally spent after that!
After hoofing thru NYC for years, i figure I am up for anything, but DC, wow--my feet were killing me at the end of every day!

The next day we went via the Navy Memorial


Photo compliments of F1(b)!

to the Newseum--I think it was FLipFLop who recommended this and it was SUPER! we were there for about 4 hours total--If you head to DC this is really worth it--not for really little kids but my 9 yr old loved it--

Piece of the Berlin Wall-
Trying to explain the Wall to my son was a bit difficult--
the concept of a free press and free speech not as much and the museum really does a wonderful job of that--I found the movie on the sedition act really interesting and the exhibit of newpapers from very early on (1500's?) to the present was great--witch hunts-the news of the declaration of independence- asassinations - moonlandings watergate, etc--It sort of gives you pause when you think of the financial realities of so many newpapers these days.
the best part (for my son at least) was his ability to be a reporter and file a story on video

you can choose your backdrop--they have an anchor introduce your story and the camera man videos it and for $5.00 you can download it as many time as you like. F1(b) and Mr Loria's story was on the relative merits of Sidney Crosby (Pitts Penguins) versus Alexander Ovechkin (the DC nationals)--
After that we went and found a tavern to have lunch at--it was REALLY busy and ALOT of people were wearing Hockey jerseys--The NCAA Frozen Four was in town and college HOckey fanatics were out in droves--F1(b) was in his element and was chatting up anyone who would listen--upstairs there was a party of the Miami University of Ohio's team and the folks there very kindly gave me a puck and a skate towel and a Miami Hockey T-shirt for my hockey besotted son--we was in Heaven officially now.


The Miami U pep band serenaded their team from across the street--
Miami won that afternoon as did BU against UVM--setting up the final.

after lunch (well, Mr. Loria and F1(b) got lunch)--our waitress was hassled and never bothered to bring mine--after an hour or so she finally said--we're out of salad.....eh. she was grumpy I wasn't thrilled-- but the kid was in hog heaven so it was perfect nonetheless.
we headed off for the archives to WAIT...in the Very LONG line--Mr Loria dashed off and brought me a sandwich. which was really very nice of him.
What can one say about the Archives? it's all there--the magna carta, the declaration, the constitution, the bill of rights-- and so much more--Just looking at these documents was a thrill.
That night dinner was at Matchbox--another forum suggestion and it was right on--perfect pizza !! --and they were playing the Habs/Bruins game --so the hockey Gods were smiling on F1(b) again.
THe next day we were off to AIr and Space, but first we went up to our rep's office to get tickets to get into the house gallery after our Capitol tour alter in the day. we strolled through some of the botanical garden which was simply gorgeous.
it being the anniversary of the accident aboard apollo 13 I thought I would share with you this:

THE VEST.
Air and Space was great--Mr Loria is a WWII plane fiend so he was in his element--F1(b) did both of the fight simulators and thought that was really cool--and was also completely captivated by the rockets and all of the different planes--I sent the guys on their way to grab a snack outside while i waited to pick up our tickets for the IMAX theater later that evening--when i had finished there were folks setting up for a book signing--and Two of the original Tuskeegee Airmen were there. I bought a book for the Mr. and shook both gentlemen's hands--it was an honor and very cool to meet them.
We had Lunch at the capitol Grille which was very nice.
we breezed thru the national gallery (for about 15 minutes on our way to the capitol) F1(b) wanted to see the Van Goghs (??? who knew!?)
the capitol tour was very interesting and the building is really lovely

inside the dome--
the guide we had was very impressive--I imagine they all have to be , but she seemed to really know so much.
back at the imax we ran into some friends from our town (the day before we had run into my daughters fifth grade teacher!) and saw a movie about fighter pilot training. Mr Loria and F1(b) were glued to the screen--I am not much on bombs and the like--however, lets just say i am glad these guys are on our side.
we ended up at Clydes near the Verizon center for dinner--Oh, the verizon center WHERE ALL THE HOCKEY IS!--Scored a BU T-shirt and a Frozen 4 Tshirt after begging the guard to let me into the venue with no ticket just so i could buy a tshirt for my hockey obsessed son--they were very nice about it once i explained the situation!
Back at the restaurant F1(b) is holding court with 2 older BU fans--one of the guys has his shirt signed by both Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig (of the 1980 US hockey team that beat the Russian's)--for F1(b) that shirt was bigger than the holy Grail--well, maybe one of Orr's shirts would be bigger than the holy Grail, this was very close though! One of the guys suggests that F1(b) start his own Hockey Blog--thanks dude......
after a so so dinner (stick to meat and potatoes here)
we head off to the hotel for bed.
Saturday dawns rainy and blustery
we decide to hit the postal museum (another forum suggestion) and then have lunch at Union Station prior to boarding our northbound train-
the postal museum is a real hit--we live just off of the Boston Post Road and one of their exhibits is of the old Boston Post Road--cool!
but highlight of this museum (for F1(b) was the very cool, but sort of scary direct marketing exhibit--you describe yourself using points of data (age range, gender, area of the country,etc) and then the computer FINDS you in the database--and then delivers a piece of customized mail to you --
lunch and shopping at Union station (what GREAT place!)
then on the train where F1(B) and I watched 'Miracle' for the billionth time --
Home and downstairs to watch the BU/Miami game--a game for the record books --BU is down by 2 with 3 minutes to go in regulation--they pull their goalie and with one minute to go score 2 goals and send the game into sudden death OT. 11 minutes into SD, BU scores to win their 5th title--
My heart was breaking for Miami U--they have never come anywhere near this close in any sport apparently--and they were SO close.
DC was wonderful--every person we ran into (surly waitress was probably from away) was lovely and helpful--there is SO much to do that we didn't cover nearly anything and so that gives us a GREAT excuse to go back!

[Chet]

You hit all the highlights. Glad you had a fabulous time!

[mbw1024]

Sounds like a fun time. Glad you enjoyed. There's always reason to go back to DC. It's a capital city to be proud of.

[bevm]

D.C. is such a cool place! Glad you and your family enjoyed it!

[DCphoto]

Glad you had a great time! You sure did cover a lot in just a few days. It was fun reading your trip report.

[flip-flop]

I am so glad you liked the Newseum. I know they appreciate your support. My college friend works there and they've been hit by some cutbacks and layoffs.

I need to get out and do more! I want to hit the archives again. There is nothing quite like seeing the actual documents.

[chicagoans]

What a great trip! You sure did a lot. I love DC and look forward to taking our kids someday. I find the Korean War memorial haunting, as you do.

This article was in yesterday's Chicago Tribune. The author describes how her 7 year old son wanted to visit the site of the Gettysburg Address so he could read it out loud. It's very touching and hopefully this link will work (I'm not sure if you have to be subscribed.)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nati ... 1495.story

Thanks for sharing your trip and pictures!

[PA Girl]

I enjoyed your report.

When we were first married, we spent a lot of time in DC as we each brought friends to the relationship that lived in the city. Fun times!

We are planning a trip to the zoo and your report has motivated me to make it an overnight trip.

[liamsaunt]

Sounds like a fun trip! You really got to see a lot.

Today is Terrier Day here in Boston. We are having a duck boat parade at noon.

[Carolyn]

Loria, thanks for the trip report. We have taken trips to DC for many years. I have great memories of going when our son's were younger. There is so much to see and do there. Always more to get back to see too.

I am looking forward to my next trip there to visit the Newseum in its new home. It used to be over in VA. It was closed for a few years while they came to their new home downtown and still closed last time I was in there. No doubt they made it better than ever.

I never talked to anyone else who visited the postal museum . The day I went there I was alone and thot it was really interesting. Thats cool that you liked it too!

Katie, I found the Gettysburg Address story very moving. Had to forward it to my husband as he just finished reading Team of Rivals, about Abraham Lincoln. He often had to stop reading to tell me this or that about Lincoln's genius. He will also appreciate that link! Thanks.

I LOVE it when people on the forum share their non-island journeys! Thanks again!

[lprof]

...very much enjoyed reading about your family adventure to DC; glad too that you took the train, as arriving in Union Station must have added a special flavor to the trip. I could spend weeks in the National Gallery so am happy that you caught a glimpse. Thanks for giving insight into your young man's spring break.

[loria]

thanks iprof, I wish we had more time at the national gallery too--but next time!

tonight rangers v capitals....almost scored tickets for next monday (when they play in NY,) but BOY are those playoff tickets PRICEY!!!......i need to cultivate a better class of friend....

[loria]

if you want to get a taste of what you can do at the news museum (the newseum)
check this out --of course your child/spouse will do better
http://www.newseum.org/batvr/batvr.aspx ... a52a98c1a0

still, it's pretty cool.

[lprof]

...thanks; it was really neat to see the video and they were wonderful...you've got the winners!