Tuesday
I left work a bit early to head to the airport. My flight was delayed, but I was still able to make my connection in Denver because that flight was also delayed. I got into Dulles rather late, but Sarah June picked me up and we had a happy reunion. She took me to her cute townhouse and we collapsed.
Wednesday
Sarah June woke me up and said that we could go to baptisms at the Washington D.C. Temple (something we had mentioned the night before), but we had to leave in 20 minutes. We got ready fast. We got to the temple and it was stunning. I've seen pictures, but they certainly don't do it justice (in my opinion). And it was really neat, because they aren't using the separate baptismal entrance, so we got to walk by a lot of other parts of the temple, including a beautiful mural of the Second Coming. We met up with Sarah June's friend, Lexie. I got to do a few family names (1 from Sarah June's family, and 2 from Lexie's family), as well as some temple names. After we did the baptisms and confirmations, Sarah June and I quickly took some pictures outside, and went to the visitor's center, where we changed out of our church dress. We headed straight to the Capitol, where we got a basically private tour, because I had requested tickets through my Representative, so Sarah June and I got a private tour with the intern. I was glad not to feel like I was being herded, like I saw with other big tour groups. The tour was neat, and we even got a free ticket to sit in the Senate chamber.
After the Capitol, we went to the Air and Space Museum, which was really cool. For dinner, we ate at the cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian and it was delicious. Then we went to a dress rehearsal of A Capitol Fourth. Sarah June's cousin (Marcus) joined us. We had a really good spot (very far back, but it was up on a ledge, and we could see the stage still), but then they made us move to a spot where we couldn't really see the stage. But they did have JumboTrons and we could hear great. It was fun to do that and not have to go when it is insanely crowded on the Fourth.
After the Capitol, we went to the Air and Space Museum, which was really cool. For dinner, we ate at the cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian and it was delicious. Then we went to a dress rehearsal of A Capitol Fourth. Sarah June's cousin (Marcus) joined us. We had a really good spot (very far back, but it was up on a ledge, and we could see the stage still), but then they made us move to a spot where we couldn't really see the stage. But they did have JumboTrons and we could hear great. It was fun to do that and not have to go when it is insanely crowded on the Fourth.
Thursday
Slept in longer than we planned, but it was quite necessary. We parked at the Pentagon and took the Metro to the parade to see Sarah June's cousin (Russ) and his wife (Kaela) dancing in the parade with their swing group. But we ended up missing them, which was disappointing. We stayed for a bit, but then we ended up hitting the Old Post Office, The Smithsonian Castle, the Folklife Festival (where we got some Indian food for lunch), The Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. We hung out with some of Sarah June's family at the Jefferson for a few hours before watching the fireworks from there.
Friday
Got up early and headed downtown to take a DC Ducks tour. As we waited for our tour, we saw the outside of the National Postal Museum (they weren't open for tours yet) and checked out the Memorial to Japanese-American Patriotism in World War II. (Quite the mouthful.) The memorial was powerful in the symbolism. Then we went on the duck tour, on our vehicle named "Lucky Duck." Our boat wasn't all the way full, so we got to spread out a bit, which was nice. The tour was awesome and it was nice to see a lot of the highlights in a really fun way. We even got to go out on the Potomac and see tons of planes fly into the Reagan Airport and I got to briefly steer it when we were on the Potomac. After the duck tour, we went to the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. The Library of Congress was an absolutely stunning building. I'd figure out a way to get a Library card if I lived in the area so I could explore it more thoroughly. (They also have the best gift shop, in my opinion... though they didn't have any smashed pennies,which was a letdown.) For lunch, we went to Busboys and Poets, which was yummy and had a fun vibe. Then we went to Mount Vernon, which was way better than I expected. We had to rush through the museum so we could get to our tour, and we were literally the last people through the house for the tour. And that meant we shut the whole place down and didn't get to explore the rest of the grounds like we would have liked. But it was seriously beautiful. If I lived in the area, I would get a year pass and go all the time. And I have SO much more respect for the Washingtons after that. And I think I had a decent amount of respect to begin with. For dinner, I was able to meet up with some friends from sophomore year (Liz and Rachel). I haven't seen for a few years due to them going on missions and whatnot, so it was good catching up with them.
Saturday
Sarah June had errands to run, so I explored DC a bit on my own. I went to the National Archives and looked through the exhibits, and also waited in line to see the documents in the Rotunda (The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights). And I got to see one of the originals of the Magna Carta. It was so cool to see these pieces of history. After that, I met up with Rachel and we stopped by the Ford Theater and I got a picture, but I didn't have tickets, so we kept walking. We ended up at the American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery and saw some exhibits there. Then Rachel left and I went over to the Hirshhorn and explored a bit on my own. But I was exhausted and then went back to Sarah June's, where I relaxed a bit. Then we had pizza and went to a YSA party.
Sunday
Slept in, as Sarah June's ward didn't meet until 11:30am. That was lovely. The ward (which, by the way, is probably the biggest YSA ward I've ever seen) meets in an old office building that has been renovated to be a church. Definitely a very unique church building. I was able to spend a bit more time with Rachel, since she's also in Sarah June's ward. And I was able to see two other friends from Provo who are also randomly in that ward. That was fun. I saw Chris (a guy I was an RA with) and Sarah (a girl who was on my floor when I was an RA). They're both out in DC working. I love random reunions!
After church, we went to Arlington National Cemetery. It was ridiculously hot and humid, which was rough. But the cemetery was so incredibly peaceful. We got to see the Women in Military exhibit, JFK's grave, and watch the changing of the guard at The Tomb of the Unknowns. The amount of gravestones was actually quite astounding. I've seen pictures before, but I didn't fully understand how HUGE it was until I saw it in person. Sarah June and I rested at home for a bit and had some great conversations because the humidity really took it out of us. Then, as it was getting dark, a few of us met up with Russ and Kaela. Kaela used to be a volunteer park ranger, and she knows lots of cool facts about the monuments and the history behind them. We went to FDR, MLK, Vietnam, Lincoln, Korea, 56 Signers, and WWII. It was so cool seeing them at night with our own personal tour guide.
Monday
Sarah June dropped me off at the Metro before she headed off to work. I met up with Russ, and he stored my luggage as I explored DC a bit more. I wandered over to the White House so I could get a picture by it (they aren't currently doing tours) I continued on to the Ford's Theatre and The Petersen House (where Lincoln died). I then went back to the Holocaust Museum. After that, I went to the Washington Monument to get a few more stamps in my National Parks Passport from the monuments that I saw on Sunday. I reunited with Russ and got my luggage, hopped on the Metro, and got to the airport. (Hooray for easy-to-navigate mass transit that I feel so sophisticated when I use!) And then got to the airport and my flight was delayed, so I did some work things and played around on the rather slow internet. I landed in Boise around midnight and got to bed rather late, so I was definitely tired at work the next day.
I still feel tired from my trip and it's been a bit hard to get back in the groove of work, but D.C. was truly a great vacation and just good for my soul. The whole time I was in D.C., I told myself I could never live there because of the high cost of living and the crowds, but maybe I could. I already find myself missing it and I'd definitely love to visit again. And who knows what the future could bring...? :-)
Friday
Got up early and headed downtown to take a DC Ducks tour. As we waited for our tour, we saw the outside of the National Postal Museum (they weren't open for tours yet) and checked out the Memorial to Japanese-American Patriotism in World War II. (Quite the mouthful.) The memorial was powerful in the symbolism. Then we went on the duck tour, on our vehicle named "Lucky Duck." Our boat wasn't all the way full, so we got to spread out a bit, which was nice. The tour was awesome and it was nice to see a lot of the highlights in a really fun way. We even got to go out on the Potomac and see tons of planes fly into the Reagan Airport and I got to briefly steer it when we were on the Potomac. After the duck tour, we went to the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. The Library of Congress was an absolutely stunning building. I'd figure out a way to get a Library card if I lived in the area so I could explore it more thoroughly. (They also have the best gift shop, in my opinion... though they didn't have any smashed pennies,which was a letdown.) For lunch, we went to Busboys and Poets, which was yummy and had a fun vibe. Then we went to Mount Vernon, which was way better than I expected. We had to rush through the museum so we could get to our tour, and we were literally the last people through the house for the tour. And that meant we shut the whole place down and didn't get to explore the rest of the grounds like we would have liked. But it was seriously beautiful. If I lived in the area, I would get a year pass and go all the time. And I have SO much more respect for the Washingtons after that. And I think I had a decent amount of respect to begin with. For dinner, I was able to meet up with some friends from sophomore year (Liz and Rachel). I haven't seen for a few years due to them going on missions and whatnot, so it was good catching up with them.
Sarah June had errands to run, so I explored DC a bit on my own. I went to the National Archives and looked through the exhibits, and also waited in line to see the documents in the Rotunda (The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights). And I got to see one of the originals of the Magna Carta. It was so cool to see these pieces of history. After that, I met up with Rachel and we stopped by the Ford Theater and I got a picture, but I didn't have tickets, so we kept walking. We ended up at the American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery and saw some exhibits there. Then Rachel left and I went over to the Hirshhorn and explored a bit on my own. But I was exhausted and then went back to Sarah June's, where I relaxed a bit. Then we had pizza and went to a YSA party.
Sunday
Slept in, as Sarah June's ward didn't meet until 11:30am. That was lovely. The ward (which, by the way, is probably the biggest YSA ward I've ever seen) meets in an old office building that has been renovated to be a church. Definitely a very unique church building. I was able to spend a bit more time with Rachel, since she's also in Sarah June's ward. And I was able to see two other friends from Provo who are also randomly in that ward. That was fun. I saw Chris (a guy I was an RA with) and Sarah (a girl who was on my floor when I was an RA). They're both out in DC working. I love random reunions!
After church, we went to Arlington National Cemetery. It was ridiculously hot and humid, which was rough. But the cemetery was so incredibly peaceful. We got to see the Women in Military exhibit, JFK's grave, and watch the changing of the guard at The Tomb of the Unknowns. The amount of gravestones was actually quite astounding. I've seen pictures before, but I didn't fully understand how HUGE it was until I saw it in person. Sarah June and I rested at home for a bit and had some great conversations because the humidity really took it out of us. Then, as it was getting dark, a few of us met up with Russ and Kaela. Kaela used to be a volunteer park ranger, and she knows lots of cool facts about the monuments and the history behind them. We went to FDR, MLK, Vietnam, Lincoln, Korea, 56 Signers, and WWII. It was so cool seeing them at night with our own personal tour guide.
Monday
Sarah June dropped me off at the Metro before she headed off to work. I met up with Russ, and he stored my luggage as I explored DC a bit more. I wandered over to the White House so I could get a picture by it (they aren't currently doing tours) I continued on to the Ford's Theatre and The Petersen House (where Lincoln died). I then went back to the Holocaust Museum. After that, I went to the Washington Monument to get a few more stamps in my National Parks Passport from the monuments that I saw on Sunday. I reunited with Russ and got my luggage, hopped on the Metro, and got to the airport. (Hooray for easy-to-navigate mass transit that I feel so sophisticated when I use!) And then got to the airport and my flight was delayed, so I did some work things and played around on the rather slow internet. I landed in Boise around midnight and got to bed rather late, so I was definitely tired at work the next day.
