DC: Day 2

Before I start with out with our daily adventures, it's important for you, the reader, to understand the level of geek that you are dealing with. I was so excited to get to attend the White House that I started putting White House movies on my Netflix queue. I'm such a geek that I ordered a 4 disk set of the history of the White House. Yes, you read that right, 4 discs. How much could they talk about in 4 discs? Well, we'd need a couple hours, but basically you get to see a bunch of tours, and history of the White House. I'm the one who would collect White House trading cards of the White House families, were they available. That is the level of geek you are about to read. So keep that in mind when as you complete the blog!

All that being said, I've decided that God wanted me to attend the White House. I say that because several events occurred wherein I should have been deterred. But the proverbial window was opened. First, I called a few weeks before our visit, and was told the Congressman's office had lost our paperwork (EEEEEEKKK!!!). Never fear, Super Mark had a copy that he could easily find, and we were able to send it in on time. Whew.. crisis averted. Second, I had to pick a day and time when to visit the Pentagon. We had to pick the time before we knew what day we got to the White House. For whatever reason, I picked Friday at 9 am. I just crossed my fingers and prayed we didn't get the White House tour at the same time. Once our WH tour came in, we found it was on the same day but at 12. Plenty of time for both, and with both we couldn't bring cameras and all that. So, that just really worked out. And last, we arrived off the metro with no maps - see more explanation below - and yet there was someone who saw us wandering, and asked if we needed a help, did we need a map? "YES to both", plus he gave us directions. So see, God wanted us to see the White House today. :)

Our adventure starts out with a conversation last night on our adventure home, with our shuttle driver. We asked him about getting a shuttle that was off the schedule. "No problem", he assured us. Fast forward to this morning. Mark calls to confirm our shuttle schedule and the response he gets is, "No guarantees, but we'll try".

Hmmmm. That does not get my warm fuzzies brewing. We have a 9 am appointment at the Pentagon, didn't he know that? So down to breakfast we go, our hopes still high. In walks the driver.

"No way. It's rush hour".

WHAAT? It's what? Rush Hour? Really? Are you kidding me?? But we have an appointment at the Pentagon! (Sidebar - like my good friend Erika, I don't like people who put monkey wrenches in my plan. I prefer to make a plan and stick to it. Veering outside the plan can be accommodated sometimes, but this is most definitely NOT one of those times). Panic is setting in. I plant myself at the desk, ready to raise the stink my mom has shown me how to raise so effectively. I am preparing for the argument of my day. And what do I get? "Don't worry about it. I'll take you myself."

I have just fallen in love with Jose at the front desk (and ladies he did look single, although I'm not sure why).

Jose did in fact take us to the metro station. Crisis averted. Again. We tipped him quite well, as well we should have, for he saved our day. The jerk driver wouldn't take us, so Jose did (at the end of our day, I did seek out the hotel manager, singing Jose's praises, and how much we loved him, and how he saved our day - because that is what you do. I'm not sure if he was saved from my fit, or I was saved from giving it, but all around everyone came out a winner).

We made it to the Pentagon. We had Senior Airman (I forget how to abbreviate that) Aaron give us the tour. We walked for about a mile all through the Pentagon. He was super informative, and we had a great time. Probably the most moving was the 9/11 memorial. To see how far the plane penetrated to the walls of the Pentagon was awe-inspiring. Many conspiracy theorist argue that it was a missile that went into the Pentagon and not a plane. However Airman Aaron told us that jet fuel burns at a higher temperature, which melts steels, hence no plane. I wish we could have taken photos, because there is so much to see there. But of course they don't allow that, due to the evil that is still very real in our world.

Onward to the White House. We found it with only a bit of difficulty. You see, because we were attending tours at both the Pentagon and the WH, and neither allowed cameras or electronic devices or bags of any kind in, we were essentially naked. No cell phones, no iPod with the map and , no bag with our maps or Erika's tour guide book or to provide us with something to hold everything in. Nothing. Just our two forms of ID and credit cards. I tell ya, we got through security with a snap because we read our directions. I saw some poor sap at the gates of the White House because he had to hold a couple purses. Should've read your emails specifically stating that they wouldn't be allowed.

We got in to the White House. To be honest, as I walked through the East Wing, it was all I could do to not burst in to tears. It was absolutely overwhelming. These are the halls that our Presidents and their families wander. These are the halls that hold our history. We walked past the offices of the East Wing into a hallway. At the entrance were portraits of past presidents: Wilson, Truman, Roosevelt. Up a ramp and a slight turn we came down another corridor. This one had photos of different events, including our current administration. One collage was of presidential pets, one of the Easter Egg Roll, still another collage of inaugurations.

I'm going to stop here because Mark and I owe our Moms a small thanks in how they raised us. Specifically, to think of others. We didn't crowd the photos or get in front of others. We stayed back so everyone could see. Not so with young rebels in front of us (pierced and making fun of the photos). They crowded in front of the photo collages, pointing and touching, and just generally monopolizing the area. Grrr.. The downfall of self guided tours. So help me when I heard the snide comment about Nancy Reagan, who was digging a hole for a magnolia tree - I almost lost it. But, I controlled myself. If I were to be arrested at the White House, I know for sure my mother would have my hide, and I would never live it down. Fear of the mother, people, fear of the mother. Because she would do it.

Onward beyond the collages were small rooms decorated in prior presidential family's taste. A small library with 2,000 books, and room that used to be a billiard room but was transformed to a small sitting room, now called the Vermeil Room; next door is the China room, with cabinets filled with presidential china. And then make a turn up the stairs, and we enter into the Green room, to the Blue room, and then to the Red room. Just stop and think about the value of the art in the room - the gorgeous paintings that adorn the walls, the antique furniture. It was all so much to take in. And when my immediate surroundings had me overwhelmed, and I thought I couldn't take anymore, Mark pointed up to the ceilings. Such intricate work and designs on molding, the chandeliers, and ceiling structure. Amazing and beautiful. Then we moved into the State Dining Room, that could hold up to 140 guests. I marveled at the thought of feeding and seating 140 people. But mostly we stood in awe of that famous portrait of Lincoln, hand on his chin, elbow on his crossed knee. The East room, where President Obama has recently entertained is also on the tour. It's a beautiful room, but again, not as big as you would imagine.

The last stop on our tour was the Entrance and Cross Halls on the North Side of the White House. As I came around the corner from the dining room, the first thing I saw was that very famous portrait of President Kennedy, his head dropped in reflection. I had to stop for just a moment, and wonder what he was thinking. What must all of the inhabitants of this great residence think while here? The weight of the nation and the world on their shoulders. And at night, they have to go home to families, who also need them. I just love that painting, because I think it shows, more than any other I've seen, how real the position of President is, and what a daunting task they have each day to do the right thing.

We exited on the North side. Through the same doors you see on television of Presidents greeting foreign dignitaries and guests. We saw the famous staircase where the President and his wife walk down before greeting guests. It was all so surreal. And I loved every minute of it. Even Mark was just awe-struck by it all. I wasn't so sure how he would like it. I think he was getting a bit tired of my White House obsession on Netflix! But he loved it too.

We got our bearings, and found a very nice tavern for lunch. Ate up then visited the Supreme Court for a 30 minute lecture. It's all marble there, and just very intimidating. But it was fun.

All in all, our day was jam packed full of excitement. I'm sorry that I don't have any photos. But none were allowed in most of our stops. We're having to pace ourselves, because we are wearing out pretty early!

Tomorrow is Halloween and that means Mt. Vernon for us. My niece, Brianna, loves Mt. Vernon. So if she can give it that big of a recommendation, then we've got to go. If only to see George Washington's dentures, which she assures me are the coolest things ever. :)

Happy Reading!

Hugs to you all!!