YNP 2013: DC 2013 Part 2

Well of course our 'Monument' day turned out to be overcast and rainy, but we did not let that put a damper on our adventure. Dan & Tim met us for breakfast & Tim shuttled us over to the Vietnam Memorial on the National Mall. It was Sharon's first trip to DC and being a veteran from the Vietnam timeframe this was a special experience for her. I think we all felt privileged to share such a special, emotional experience with her. When she found the name of her friend, Robert Hanselman, on the wall, I think we all shed a tear or two (and you all know how compassionate some of us (me) are), so you know it was a special moment.

We walked over to the Women's Memorial, which recognizes the critical role women in the services performed in Vietnam. Another touching moment. The monuments are awesome reminders of all of the wonderful and historic events and people that have formed this great country. If you can't feel patriotic on the Mall in DC, you are missing something.

From there we were off to the Lincoln Memorial. This is my personal favorite. I get chills just walking up the steps & thinking of all of the historic things that have happened on this spot. I mean even Forrest Gump was here.

Even though it was breezy & dripping a little no one seemed to notice. Walking towards the Washington Monument we passed the Korean War Memorial, The World War II Memorial, the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial. Along the way, Ted's shortcut required us to rearrange some fencing, but nobody got arrested so no worries.

Even though it was still only about 11:30, we had walked a long way, so when Heidi unexpectedly called & informed us she had prepared a St. Patrick's day lunch of corned beef sandwiches and split pea soup, we were more than happy to call it lunch time. So the wimps headed to the car, while the hardy souls (Patty & me) zipped down Constitution Avenue to catch the start of the St. Patrick's day parade. We only had time to catch the start of the parade, but when we heard the bag pipes playing we were glad we did. Check out this video of the Drum & Fife Corps & the bag pipes & tell me you don't have a little Irish in you. Parade video

Through the luck of the Irish, we rendezvoused perfectly with Tim & the slackers a couple of miles from where the car was parked thanks to Patty's excellent directions. Karen met us at Tim & Heidi's for lunch & what a tremendous lunch it was! Homemade spilt pea soup (yum!) & the corned beef on rye with swiss & sour kraut was heavenly. (Of course the meat was sliced perfectly thanks to who else but yours truly, ha!) We even ate on plates! Heidi really out did herself, we never expected anything like that. Honestly Tim & Karen and Dan & Heidi were spectacular hosts all weekend. You guys did not have to do all that, the meals & transporting us around all weekend. You really made the weekend spectacular. I know I speak for all of the out-of-towners. We never expected you to do all that and want to express our heart felt thanks. You guys are great!!!

After we rested up a little we decided to head over to Arlington National Cemetery, where we saw the eternal flame on John Kennedy's grave as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The rows upon rows of graves are somber knowing the sacrifice that so many have made for this country. Will we ever learn how to resolve our differences without war? (I know that doesn't sound like me, but even though you may not believe it, I do have a heart.)

From here Tim drove us over to the Iwo Jima memorial, another of my favs. I do have to report, that we stumped Tim just a little on how to get us there. I am most certainly kidding, because all weekend it was amazing how well he navigated the town getting us wherever we wanted to go. We would have been lost without him.

After that we were pretty much done. Tim dropped us off at the hotel and went to pick up Karen & Dan took the metro to go get Heidi. It was our last night & the plan was to get pizza & play games in the lobby. Thankfully they had an out of the way corner that we invaded, because who knew how rowdy a game of Phase 10 could get. We had to change it to Phase 7 because who knew how hard it is to get a run of 9 (thank God for wild cards!). The gang playing dominos was much better behaved, but I think more wine & beer were consumed on our end of the table (the other explanation was that I was on that end of the table, but we all know that's just nonsense). We had a great time, just like being in the mezz back at OI (OK no piano accompaniment, but at least no viola). At least we didn't get kicked out! God I miss our game nights.

That's pretty much it. I think that everyone who came had a great time & yes we did miss all of you who could not make it. Maybe next year. Vegas sounds like fun.......

Just a few random pics...