It was very chilly but nearly dry as we walked to the motel's charming Breakfast Cottage this morning. Then it was off to the new visitor center at the Gettysburg National Park. What an absolutely gorgeous, huge facility. We watched a movie narrated by Morgan Freeman that was very moving. Then we went up escalators to the Cyclorama, a 360-foot painting done in the 1880s by one man. When it was unveiled, it depicted the battle of Pickett's Charge so vividly that veterans of the battle wept. We stood in the center of the painting, seemingly part of the battle. Then, with a step-on guide, we drove through the national park, reliving the three days of fighting. People were very, very impressed with our Gettysburg stop.
We got lunch to go and agreed that we much preferred eating as we drove rather than using valuable time in the cafeteria. Besides, the sandwiches were huge and delicious.
It was very gray when we arrived in Washington DC and met George, our step-on guide. But even though he said that the spring has been unusually cool, we had a great walking tour that included Lafayette Park, the White House and Blair House. The deciduous magnolia trees were spectacular with large pink blossoms, and the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom. At first no one had an umbrella up. Slowly the mist started, and by the time we got back to the bus, it was sprinkling. But some toughed it out and just had their sweaters or jackets. We were so grateful we were able to be outside for so long. The beauty of the White House itself is
impressive, but we also saw sharpshooters on the roof and the Marine standing guard outside the Oval Office in the West Wing, indicating that President Obama was inside working.
We drove up Embassy Row and saw not only embassies and chanceries but also the US Naval Observatory where the vice president lives. We continued past the Watergate Complex to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Gifts from various countries of the world contribute to its beauty. Most of the group followed George to the roof for a good look
at the city below.
Our last stop was at the Air and Space Museum where we saw the Spirit of St. Louis, the Wright Brothers' plane, moon rocks, space shuttles, a display on planets and so much more.
As we drove to the hotel, we crossed the Potomac River where rowing crews were out practicing in the mist. We, however, checked into our rooms, ate at the food court of the Pentagon City Mall, and then came back to the hotel and socialized over coffee in the lobby. It was a great day.
Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
We got lunch to go and agreed that we much preferred eating as we drove rather than using valuable time in the cafeteria. Besides, the sandwiches were huge and delicious.
It was very gray when we arrived in Washington DC and met George, our step-on guide. But even though he said that the spring has been unusually cool, we had a great walking tour that included Lafayette Park, the White House and Blair House. The deciduous magnolia trees were spectacular with large pink blossoms, and the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom. At first no one had an umbrella up. Slowly the mist started, and by the time we got back to the bus, it was sprinkling. But some toughed it out and just had their sweaters or jackets. We were so grateful we were able to be outside for so long. The beauty of the White House itself is
impressive, but we also saw sharpshooters on the roof and the Marine standing guard outside the Oval Office in the West Wing, indicating that President Obama was inside working.
We drove up Embassy Row and saw not only embassies and chanceries but also the US Naval Observatory where the vice president lives. We continued past the Watergate Complex to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Gifts from various countries of the world contribute to its beauty. Most of the group followed George to the roof for a good look
at the city below.
Our last stop was at the Air and Space Museum where we saw the Spirit of St. Louis, the Wright Brothers' plane, moon rocks, space shuttles, a display on planets and so much more.
As we drove to the hotel, we crossed the Potomac River where rowing crews were out practicing in the mist. We, however, checked into our rooms, ate at the food court of the Pentagon City Mall, and then came back to the hotel and socialized over coffee in the lobby. It was a great day.
Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
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