Day 142 (Oct 5) – Arlington National Cemetery/Museum of American History

Today was the first really good forecast – sunny and warm – so we chose to start with Arlington Cemetery.  This was definitely the most expensive travel day because of so many on and offs the subway and changing jurisdiction.  Oh well.  The lovely and helpful Metro lady (who has helped us three days in a row and is probably sick of us) recommended a day pass ($14 each) for unlimited on and offs.  It beats driving!

Arlington Cemetery is such a special place.  It is pulsing with courage and sacrifice, grief and loss.  There was a funeral going on while we were there.  Brad heard the 21-gun salute while we were at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Brad was surprised that the Changing of the Guard was such an intricate ceremony.  I think the girls really liked it too.  What I loved was that after they switched out guards, a boy scout troup (only 4 boys were there) had brought a wreath and they were escorted down to “present” it.  The soldiers removed the current wreath and laid it behind the tomb and the boy scouts got to hang theirs on the easel to replace it.  I hadn’t seen that last time I was here.  It was a special treat.

And then there are the Kennedys.  The silence at their graves is deafening.  President Kennedy, Jacqueline, an infant son and daughter.  They rest so peacefully on the hill in front of the whispering eternal flame, in quiet opposition to the loud and busy lives they led.  Their whole story seems bigger than life.  Robert Kennedy’s grave is nearby, but is small and understated compared to JFK’s.  This stop was one of Brad’s highlights.  Glad we got to come here and that the weather was nice.  It was actually hot waiting for the changing of the guard!

Back at the Mall we grabbed some lunch.  There was a farmer’s market today so we got some fresh, local food (apples, kiesh, hot dogs and kettle korn) and had a picnic on the lawn.  Then I took Carmen and Audra on a quick return trip to the Mus. Of Nat. Hist. to check out one last place Carmen wanted to visit while Brad got a head start on the Mus. Of American History.  There was a Discovery Center between the Ocean View and African Exhibit that was closed yesterday when we tried to go.  It was geared more for younger ones, but there were still interesting boxes of artifacts and specimen to dig through and other scientific things to explore.  We stayed for 30 min and then ran to meet Brad.  It was a little underwhelming when compared with yesterday’s museum, but what wouldn’t be.  We enjoyed the Slavery in Monticello exhibit (lots of Jefferson artifacts) and got to participate in the Woolworth’s counter sit in right in front of the actual counter!  We had a lovely hostess who instructed us on what to do at a sit in and she gave us the history of that specific event.  I also liked American Stories where we saw Benjamin Franklin’s cane, Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Kermit the Frog.  They were working on a Julia Child’s exhibit, but it wasn’t quite finished.  We were able to peek at her kitchen set.  We saw the First Ladies Exhibit (dresses and dishes to die for!) and the American Presidents.  A really great museum – just smaller than the Nat Hist.  So tired.  Feet are hurting.  Glad these places close at 5:30 so we have to quit then.  I think we left at 5:00 today.

DC Day 3