DC part two

The second leg of our DC trip focused on the monuments around the national mall.

Unfortunately we missed the Museum of the American Indian but we didn't miss a chance for a good photo opp in front of a fountain.

With Kyndale feeling better and everyone ready to get out of museums no one minded the long walk to our nation's capital. Here we saw a band play for a few minutes and enjoyed the ducks at the pond.

All the other monuments were at the opposite end of the national Mall. This meant a walk all the way back. We weren't sure if we should go ahead and get our car as it was kind of on the way and then drive to the monuments or if we should walk.  Time was running out so we decided to walk it out.

The White House was a good distance away from the rest of the memorials so instead of walking to the White House we took our pictures just in front of the Washington Monument.  You can see the White House in the background.

By this time the kids are getting really tired of walking. Maya is jogging backwards to try to keep her energy up while Landon is carrying Kyndale.   She got a piggyback ride because she was such a trooper at the museums.

This is the World War II Memorial. This was one of my favorites.  Some of the most beautiful sculptures are at this memorial and it includes large wading pool. On the back wall there are golden stars that represent fallen soldiers with a sign that reads "Here we mark the price of freedom."  Seeing this was the first of many moments in which I became overwhelmed with the reality of standing in our nation's Capitol and recognizing what it takes to make this country work.  

Here we are at the Vietnam Memorial. As you can see light is fading fast. Kyndale and Kirkland looked for the name of a family member who may have died in the Vietnam War but we couldn't find any Potteigers. This was another emotional moment, at least for the adults.  While the kids didn't fully grasp the importance of these memorials they were as solemn as 10 and 12-year-olds can be.

Around 9 o'clock we finally arrived at the Lincoln Memorial. Unfortunately the pictures I have do not do the memorial justice. The setting sun, the time of day, and the exhaustion we felt made this memorial breathtaking. 

We looked back from where we came and at the reflection of the Washington Monument in the water. The kids realized this was where doctor Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. They were very excited to stand at the place where he gave this speech and look out on the reflecting pool as he had done almost 50 years ago. This really seemed to make an impression on them and connected what they know about history to an actual place in the world.

Another favorite memorial for all of us was the Korean War Memorial. This one was amazing because of the statues of soldiers moving through the grass. It seemed to truly come alive for the children and the adults. Unfortunately it was entirely too dark for any types of pictures but I would be remiss if I didn't mention this excellent monument.

My absolute favorite was the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Memorial. This Memorial is fairly new and is unbelievably beautiful. The quotes are fabulous and I couldn't help but take a picture of them. As we moved through the Memorial I read many of them out loud. By this time the kids were truly over it though so we quickly made our way back to the car.

By no plan of our own, as we walked back to the car we crossed the bridge that looked out over the Potomac and the Jefferson Memorial. This was a beautiful sight to wrap up a wonderful day in Washington DC.

By the time we got back to the car it was after 10 o'clock.  We stopped for a very late dinner at IHOP.  By the time we got back to Susan's house it was after midnight. We were exhausted both mentally and physically but I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

It felt apt to have this much support from my aunt Sue Sue and uncle Jeffery along the way on our trip. These are just the type of adventures she took me on when I was a kid. I explained to Maya and the twins that I learned a great deal about how to be an aunt from her.  As I write this now, I am overwhelmed with emotion for the Freitas family.  Thank you in so much and in so many ways.  Your legacy lives on.