Being a History Buff, and wanting to become a politician – you can imagine that my trip to DC was amazing!  This was a perfect stop on my Fit for a Queen Tour. 

One thing I will say for DC, you better have your walking shoes on!  Traffic and parking are one combination that we weren’t ready for, so walk it was for us – after the metro rides of, course.

A HUGE thank you to Sam Breene from our State Representative Mike Kelly’s Office for arranging our Capital Tour which was our first site to see.  We spent a little over 4 hours exploring and touring both the Capital building and the Library of Congress – but I must confess that I could have easily stayed all day!  The beauty is outstanding.  We only left because we had to catch the metro down to the Holocaust Museum for our tour.

I has been so looking forward to the tour their because of the amazing Ethnic History Class taught for my independent study by Mrs. Wilson.  I loved the museum and appreciated what was presented, but I was a little disappointed that so many tourists are allowed in at the same time.  It makes it so hard to see and experience what they have there.  Plus, it is an enormous amount of reading, so when others are in your way – or really don’t care about reading – it is very hard to move through.

The second day of touring, we visited both the Museum of American History and then the Museum of Natural History from the Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall.  These museums are huge and very explorable.  The display about the American Flag in the American History Museum was awesome, as was the Conflict Areas depicting the wars and their history.  Of course, there was great fun for all in the Natural History Museum – my mom loved the crocheted coral display.  I personally enjoyed the huge elephant in the lobby, but did not enjoy my mom telling me no when I asked for a stuffed elephant in the gift shop ….

After ALL that walking, we really wanted to visit the Lincoln Memorial, but came to realize that it was almost three miles away.  Much to Dan’s chagrin, we rented the coolest bike carriage and we were pedalled – all three of us in one cart – to the Memorial and back.  It was soooo much fun!  The Lincoln Memorial is awe-inspiring and amazing!  Words cannot describe it.

On Easter Day, while we missed being in church to celebrate the rising of our Jesus, we did spend a day of reverence before departing DC at the Arlington Cemetery.  What an amazingly beautiful and history rich place.  It is miles of heroes who have made this country strong and independent and free.  Standing at JFK’s eternal Flame was very moving for me!  Watching the guard change for the tomb of the Unknown Soldier was humbling!  Reading of how Lee, though a defeated Confederate, decided to dedicate his life to being a peacemaker and educator in every sense!  And, AND, he never asked for his house on the hill in Arlington and all of its property back from the government.  Instead, he and his wife left it for the soldiers who had fallen in the great Civil War.  They are currently restoring his home in Arlington – I cannot wait to return and enjoy their efforts.

Washington, DC was more than Fit for a Queen!  It does not surprise me that people from all over the world come to experience the beauty in the center of our country’s government!