Day 8 - Last Day of Class

Today was Dad's last day of class. Mom and Dad hit the Mall today, and was able to hit the Museum of Natural History. Then the hit an art museum. After a few more pictures at the mall, Mom an Dad headed back to the hotel for a bite to eat.

The first picture is a picture of a Meteorite that has been cut. Click on the picture and look at the design of the crystal Iron.




The second picture is another crystal growth.

At the Art Museum the last picture is of a book made from pins!

Tomorrow they plan to hit the museums at first light, before it gets hot.

Day 7 - National Zoo

After Dad's class Mom and Dad headed to the National Zoo. Mom and Dad love this zoo, and wish the Little Rock Zoo and others would use them as an example. It was late in the afternoon when they got there but they still got to see most of the animals.

The orangutans at this zoo get to go up and over the zoo swinging on high wires over your head to another section of the zoo. Also the Golden Lion Tamarin roam fee in the zoo.


Dad said the cats were playful in the water and snapped a bunch of pictures. They were splashing and nipping having a fun time. On the other side of this display was the lion who was roaring and grunting which could be heard all over the park!

Day 6 - Rain and Lake Pictures

Mom and Dad took it easy today. Mom went to Mass at a local Catholic church while dad was in class. When he got out it was raining so they headed out for more shopping at Crystal City. However they had forgotten it was Sunday, so most of the stores were closed. They grabbed a bite to eat at one of the few restaurants that were open. After dinner moms head started hurting, so they just headed back to the hotel to take it easy.

Granny and Grandpa did send some pictures they took of the kids at the lake. So here are a few of them. Granny and Grandpa also snapped a shot of the kids dressed up for mass this morning. They can look sweet when they want to.

Day 5 - Churches and Spies

Mom and Dad headed to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This Catholic church was first planned in 1846 but the blessing of the sight did not take place until May of 1914, and the corner stone was placed September 23 1920. While building the Church might have taken a while, Mom and Dad found it to be a very beautiful and moving site.


Mom and Dad then headed to the Spy Museum. Pictures were not allowed in the museum, so I have no pictures to show you of it.

Day 4 - Rain

Today Washington was hit with afternoon showers. While Mom and Dad don't care about getting wet and getting cooled off, it is not good for the camera equipment. So Mom and Dad headed to Union Station, for some shopping.

They found lots of things they loved in a store called Fire and Ice. This store has works of art made out of class, fossils, and jewelry. However most of the things they liked were out of their price range. Mom did find a couple of books, and they ate at a restaurant called "America" the food was decent enough, but they have had better.

I am willing to bet they are not saving me doggy bags however!

Day 3 - Classes start

Dad's class started today, so any sight seeing had to wait till after Five. Mom and Dad made the most of it by hitting the Mall. First stop was the mall to take some pictures of the Washington Monument and the Capitol.

Next stop was the Jefferson monument. Dad took a picture for a family there, and they returned the favor by snapping this picture of Mom and Dad. Then they walked around the tidal basin to the their favorite monument the FDR Monument.



The FDR Monument is Mom and Dads favorite monument and should be on the visit list for any body coming to DC. The memorial uses water to get its point across. At the start of the memorial the water flows are smooth. As his term became more difficult due to the Second World War the water flows become more turbulent.

Here is the first of two of the many great quotes that can be found at the memorial.

"I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen 200 limping, exhausted men come out of line—the survivors of a regiment of 1,000 that went forward 48 hours before. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war."



Here is the second one.

"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."

Day 2 - DC

Dad started out the day by registering for his class at about 7 in the morning. Then headed back up stairs and got mom and headed out into the city.




Mom and Dad then caught the metro and headed to the Old Post office. The old Post office has lots of places to eat so they grabbed some breakfast. Then they rode to the top where you can see the city stretch out in front of you, with out having to wait in line for ticket like you do at the Washington monument.

Mom and Dad then headed for the Womans Art Museum. There were several good paintings, but the main draw was an exhibit for Freda Kahlo, who was a Mexican painter and very involved in politics.

Back to the hotel for a rest, then mom and dad went back out. This time they headed to the National Cathedral.

Day 1 - Arrive in DC

Mom and Dad have left me to guard the house, and headed off to DC. Granny and Grandpa are watching the biped puppies so it is just Mom and Dad in DC.

Today they arrived in DC, tired, but excited. They did not do much today, just walked around the hotel and a couple of blocks in each direction. They ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant called MexTec, then eating dinner at Murphy's Irish Pub in honor of on of their friends, Land.

July 4th.

Man I hate the time around the fourth. All of the explosions hurt my ears, and I try to stay hidden in the shop. Yesterday however, I had to venture out, because of the company. Granny and Grandpa came over as did Jason and his family.

They had a blast eating the good food that mom fixed, sliding on the water slide, and doing some fireworks.

July 4th on the first.

Yesterday was July first and mom and dad took the biped puppies over to Moms mothers house for their July 4th party, even through it was only July first.

Dad packed up the large water slide and took it with them and he set it up at the edge of the pool. It worked well as the kids could slide down the slide and then flip over the edge and into the deep end of the pool.

Dad was in the water at the base of the slide, to help the kids swim to the side, and then help them out of the water to hand them off to mom, who was trying to keep the order and the cutting in line to a minimum. They took a break from swimming to eat and ride some go-karts.

I protected the house, while they were off having fun. I hate this time year, the fireworks hurt my ears, and scare me. But I suffer through for the safety of my family.