We were on an early train again today, heading into the heart of DC for additional “learning opportunities” for Kaleb. We went right over to the Capital building to see about getting tickets for a tour. It was then we found out we weren’t allowed to bring any food or bottles (empty or full) into the building. We use metal bottles for drinking water and we didn’t want to throw them away, so we walked three long blocks over to Union Station to find a place to store them while we were on the tour. What a bother.
Back again, the three long blocks, and we were allowed in through the security screening to see our nation’s capital. So much has changed about the tour since we took it 20 years ago. We were just basically taken into the rotunda and shown the statues that line the walls, and that’s it. When we were on this tour before, we were shown around a bit more, given more information and certainly not subjected to all the tight security measures. Such is the new reality.
Each state is allowed to have two statues on display in the Capital building. I was very pleased to find out that our two statues are of Mother Joseph from the Sisters of Providence (that started the hospitals where I was once employed), and the missionary doctor Marcus Whitman that set up a care station mission in Walla Walla, to all those traveling the Oregon Trail. They were both Christians! How about them apples? Even in today’s post-Christian world, the statues still stand. At one time anyway, our state was proud of their Christian heritage. I’m not sure who decides which statues stand there, but only four states have replaced any of their statues and that’s because someone from their state later became president. So unless someone from our state becomes president (some radical group protests or sues), they will be there for a good long while. Hallelujah for that!
A crypt was built into the center of the floor of the rotunda to house the body of George Washington, but once he found out of those plans, he wrote in his will he’d have nothing to do with that, so he’s buried at his home in Mount Vernon. Good thinking. They already tried to make him “god-like” by painting his image in with all the other Roman gods on the ceiling. Crazy idol worship.
After the rotunda tour we asked about seeing the House of Representatives assembly room, as well as that of the Senate. We were told to go across the street and down a block to our own Representatives’ office in order to get the entry tickets from them. How convenient. We decided to pay a visit to Rep. Reichert’s office, since we like that guy, so we gave his otherwise bored office staff, something to do. There were four guys sitting behind the front desk when we showed up – not doing a darn thing. I hope they were volunteers. Congress isn’t in session until next week so I’m sure everyone is slacking these days – especially the cops and security guards that outnumber the tourists this time of year.
We got the tickets and went through two security screenings to see the Senate viewing area. A guy was in the room answering questions so that helped, otherwise it was just an empty room where photographs were not allowed. We went over to the House side but then had to go down three floors to drop off our cell phones, cameras and all electronic devices, since those aren’t allowed in that area. I don’t understand why they have different rules. Even though it too was an empty room, Kaleb was told to take off his baseball hat and Kory was told to sit down. I guess that police officer needed to feel like he was doing a good job, telling folks what to do in order to keep our country safe. There was also a person employed just to push the button on the elevator we took up to the third floor. That’s all she did. I guess the government has figured out how to put America back to work.
Yesterday when we were at the FDR Memorial, Kaleb made the comment that Obama needs to go visit that place so he could get some ideas on what to do to help our country “get back to work”. I thought that was funny. I also thought it was funny that the Washington Monument was built in two phases. The first phase was stopped because they RAN OUT OF MONEY! Imagine that concept? Not moving forward on things until they can afford it. I think Obama needs to visit that place, too.
In order to tour the White House, we would have had to ask our Congressperson a month ago, because they have to do a background check on every person that goes in there now. So there is no such thing as last minute tours, thanks to 9/11.
I hate seeing all the overkill security and government waste at work here in DC, but on the other hand, all the museums are free. We also had another gorgeous day with no humidity and a nice breeze so I don’t really mean to complain, I’m just expressing my observations. It was a lovely day.
Kory and Kaleb went to get a jump-start on the Air and Space Museum after we were done at the Capital, and I took the long walk back to get our water bottles out of storage. Since the Postal Museum was right next to the train station, I popped on in there to take a look. I was the only one in there, except for all the security people. It’s actually a pretty nice museum and they big deal their mascot dog, Owney, from a hundred years ago, so that was nice. He’s now on one of the forever stamps, so I had to buy a few sheets of those. He’s also stuffed and on display.
I met up with Kory and Kaleb for lunch at the Air Museum, which actually hasn’t changed much in the 20 years since I was there last. I got bored quickly so I went next door to the Native American Museum and was most impressed by that place. I didn’t realize our very own Yakima Indian Nation is the only one that stood up to the government and wouldn’t let them take their land. They have over a million and a half acres they use to maintain much of their native lifestyle, hunting and gathering, and half of that is closed to public access. I thought that was very cool.
We still had a few hours left in the day when we took the subway back to the hotel. Kaleb wanted time to go swimming in the pool tonight and finish a card game (Phase 10) we’ve been playing the last few nights. Last night we got in just in time to sleep, so he wasn’t too happy about that. So he and I went swimming and I soaked my tired bones in the hot tub and all was right with our world for one more day. Incredible.
No comments:
Post a Comment