Today we spent in Washington DC. We toured the Capitol, Library of Congress, Botanical Garden and the Air and Space Museum. I had contacted Senator Wyden's office a few months ago to get tickets for the tour of the Capitol. I went to his office to also get House and Senate Gallery tickets. When I arrived at the office, I was surprised to see it was only for the staff assistants. So I didn't see Wyden's office. That's ok though. I was able to go into the senate office building and that was pretty cool to at least see. The Senate office building is a few blocks away from the Capitol. I didn't know this, but there is a tunnel that leads from the Senate offices to the Capitol. We weren't allowed to walk in the tunnel. It was for staff only. The tour of the capitol was led by a guide. We each wore headsets with a wireless receiver. The guide spoke through a microphone and the entire group could hear him talk. That was pretty cool. There are many groups at once touring the capitol, so the headsets helped hear the guide so much better. The guide showed us some key areas of the capitol. Some that stand out is an area where the old chambers was where Andrew Jackson had an attempt to assassinate him. Two guns were used and both misfired. Seeing Mount Vernon the day before had some relevance. We saw George Washington's tomb there. At the Capitol, there is a crypt that was meant for George Washington's resting spot. He did not want to be buried there, so the crypt remains empty today. We were able to see the House Gallery, but there was no session. So it was empty and quiet. The Senate gallery was not accessible until later in the afternoon, so we chose not to go. The Capitol exterior is being renovated, so it had scaffolding covering most of it. We saw Lady Liberty on top though. Throughout the Capitol Lady Liberty was present. After the capitol tour, we went to the Library of Congress. There is a tunnel that connects to the Capitol. It was nice and cool. Oh, I haven't shared how hot it was. It was freaking HOT! and Muggy. The Library of Congress is beautiful inside. So much detail. And lots of marble. We stopped for lunch at Union Station and made our way to the Air and Space Museum. There was lots to see there. I was standing looking at the small model of the Spruce Goose and I overheard a man talking about the water park. I asked him if he had been there. He said yes and that he lives in Portland. That was a funny coincidence. We went to the Botanical Garden and walked through a little quickly because were exhausted. That was our last stop for the day. We went to my cousin Amanda's home and visited and went out to grab a bite to eat. She had joined us for the Capitol Tour. After dinner, we stopped for ice cream. Her husband Josh, joined us . We thought about going to the monuments, but were to tired from the long day. We will see them on Tuesday.
Lady Freedom
The crypt where Washington was to be buried.
This is a sculpture of Lincoln. It was a test piece by the person who carved out Mt Rushmore.
The Statue Room has Ronald Reagan. In the base, there are mosaic pieces just under the lip. Those Mosaic pieces are from the Berlin Wall.
Inside the Library of congess
The reading room.
Walked by the Supreme Court. No protesters out today.
The model of the Spruce Goose at the Air and Space museum.
Inside the botanical gardens were these root samples. I had no idea that these plants had such deep roots..
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