Last Day of DC Trip—Sort-of—Part 2

Damaris dropped me off at the Reagan International Airport and I got checked in and waited and waited and waited. I was flying home through JFK and it was just a small commuter plane that would take me there. It had to come from New York and was delayed due to mechanical problems. We had to change gates a few time and waited several hours. The plane finally made it from NYC but they eventually cancelled the flight back because of the mechanical problems. That was fine with me, I’d rather it be cancelled than have problems! Well, they finally got me on another flight to NYC, I told them I really didn’t want to go down to Atlanta and back home (mostly because I’ve been to that airport plenty of times!).   While waiting at one of the gates, I met Senator Hatch.  He was very nice and spoke with me and let me take a picture, but it’s a horrible one of me so you don’t get to see it.  I told him who we had visited with in his office and that I had left a picture of my son, so that if he saw it, he would know who it was.

We finally took off and, of course, I had to sit behind the same girl who had been fighting with people in the line when we were trying to get new flights.  She was so obnoxious and would not put her seat in the upright position.  I was actually behind and to the side of here but the man seated right behind her got so annoyed, he first told the flight attendant and then, at one point when she had put it down again, pushed the seat.  She flirted in an obnoxious, rude way the entire time with the guy next to her.  I was so glad when the flight was over, just because of her!  The man next to me had the window seat and was more interested in reading the paper and covering most of the view than letting me peak at what I could!  I did see that we flew right over the Pentagon as we took off and could see some of the lights of DC.  He was nice enough, however, to let me have the paper when he was done because the cover story was of the funeral I had seen at Arlington the day before.

I couldn’t see anything flying into JFK, and by the time I got to the terminal after a long walk, I thought I had already missed my connection.  I took me a minute to get oriented, but I decided to try.  I ran down there and they had just pulled away from the gate.  So, because I had got in late because of the mechanical problems, they put me up in the Hilton close to the hotel and paid for the shuttle service too.  There were several of us in the van and the driver got in a big fight with some other driver who claimed ours was stealing all the passengers.  When we all came out of the airport, our driver was the only one there and like we know that we should wait around for another to come so that it’s fair for everyone!  Seriously!  I actually found it quite amusing, but they were really angry!

By the time I got checked in to the hotel and called Carlos, it was getting close to 10:00 p.m.  I decided that there was no way I was going to stay the night in New York and not see anything!  So I told Carlos (who was more than a little worried) that I was going to get a taxi downtown.  I asked the concierge if he knew of a safe way to do that and he looked at me like I was crazy!  He said, “Miss, I do not know where you are from but you cannot just walk around the streets here, this is the Bronx!”  I told him again that I wanted to take a taxi downtown and if there was a safe way to do that. 

He took me outside to some private taxis that work with the hotel and we negotiated a price.  It took my all of the money I had and he really didn’t want to do it for me at that price, but he finally did.  The driver’s name was “Jimmy” and he was from India.  He eventually let me sit up front so that I could see things better.  Jimmy drove me across the Brooklyn Bridge and to a place across from the Statue of Liberty where I got out to take pictures.  I didn’t want to take too long, so a lot of my pictures are hurried.  Most of them are from the car, at night, with not much warning to be able to take them.  But I have pictures and can say I was there!

 

       

Jimmy stopped at Times Square and Carlos called just as I was getting out.   Of course, he was worried about me, and was calling to make sure I was okay.  I told him where I was and I think he was more than a little jealous because he’s always wanted to go to New York and Times Square.  Someday we’ll make it back!  I knew that I was going to be safe and protected though because I could feel it and knew that I was being given an opportunity to see things and couldn’t miss out on it.  If I hadn’t felt good about my crazy venture, I wouldn’t have done it.

Just as I got there, there was a commercial promoting Utah on this big screen.

I headed back to the taxi but saw the driver was just starting to smoke so I went back to Times Square.  When I had been leaving the first time, I heard someone say, “Excuse me Miss!” but ignored it.  Well, when I went back this guy came up and said again, “Excuse me, Miss.” So I turned and saw the guy in the bottom corner of the picture.  I didn’t know I was taking a picture of him when I took this, I was just taking a 360 degrees picture of Times Square.  Anyway, he asked me how long I was going to be there and I told him I was leaving just then.  I was being careful but he just said, “I wish you were staying longer because I think you are really cute and I would like to get to know you better.”  Then he walked away.  Maybe it was my wide-open eyes or maybe he just wanted kidnap/rob/…. me, I don’t know.  But again, I knew I was okay.

 

The driver also stopped at the Rockefeller Center and I ran across the street to take a few pictures as well.

We finally headed back to the hotel.  I don’t remember what bridge we took back but it was a different one.  We arrived safe and sound and I had one more great experience to add to those in my life.

 

It was definitely time for bed, I had to be up somewhat early for my flight home!

 

The flight left around 11:00 am Eastern Time but I got to the airport early.  Here is the hotel as we were leaving on the shuttle bus.

They had iPad stations all over, it was nifty! 

Almost home! 

Mom picked me up with the boys because Carlos was working.  Thank you so much for all of your help and for staying an extra day!  What an amazing experience!

I absolutely loved my trip and it was a much needed break.  I was gone just long enough to rest and rejuvenate and start to want to be back home.  My cute boys had made a welcome home sign and had little gifts for me.  They had a blast with Grandma and we excited to show me some of the fun stuff they got to play with while she was there.

There is nothing like travel and there is nothing like home.

Last Day of DC Trip–Sort-of—Part 1

 

After an almost three month hiatus, I am finally finishing the rest of my Washington DC trip!  I know that you all are sick of it, but I can’t let the last day go without documenting it!  Of course, more of the details are blurry now, so that should mean a shorter read for you!

On Thursday morning, Damaris took me out to Mt. Vernon before my plane had to leave that afternoon.  I loved it and the history surrounding it.  It has been well preserved and was a great experience!

 

We grabbed something to eat at the food court there and then ate it in the car on the way to the airport.  I really appreciate all that Damaris did, taking me around and showing me so many sights, feeding me and letting me stay in their home.  Thanks again!!

DC Trip–Day 4–Part 2

 

Because of the rain and delays at the cemetery, I had to take a taxi back to the hotel in order to get back and packed before check-out time.  I also had to dry my pants.  And I said goodbye to this lovely table and chair where I could sit and look out at the city.

                               

I checked out and went to the closing luncheon of the conference.  After the awards (for people about whom I knew nothing), we had a speaker, Deb Gruen.  She is a Paralympic swimmer.  She has also studied at several major universities and is currently at Georgetown.  She was born with Spina Bifida which is why I was interested in hearing her speak.   I was able to meet her and get a picture after her presentation.

After the lunch, Damaris picked me up to do some more sightseeing.  She really was awesome to take me around everywhere and help me have such a great experience. 

We started by going to the Jefferson Memorial.  She had her cute kids with her this time, so she dropped me off then found a place to wait for me.  Again, because of the weather and the time, the place was deserted.  I was the only one for most of the time.  I had never really had much interest in going there but it was my favorite of all the memorials and sites.  Maybe it was the rain and solitude, but there was a strong feeling of reverence inside the memorial. 

                              

We also stopped at the new Martin Luther  King, Jr. Memorial.  

 

We then went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where I spent way too much time.  I thought things were neat, but I probably should have walked faster, because I didn’t make it to the Library of Congress before it closed.  Seriously, why does everything have to close so early!?

Of everything in that museum, I think this was my favorite:  The little details of peoples’ lives from the past.  I found it fascinating.

 

I did get to see the Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta, but they will not let you take pictures, so I got a quick shot of the building from the outside.

Damaris also drove me through some other neat areas of the city like China town and the park that has been destroyed by the Occupy people.

         

She also took me to Georgetown Cupcakes, which was really fun.  She dropped me off up the street a little and since there wasn’t much of a wait, just drove around to come pick me up again.  But I didn’t see her drive by because I was looking at all of the cool buildings, so she had to go around the block again.  There was a cop on the corner, probably for traffic control and safety, and he looked and shook his finger saying not to stop where she was.  We were laughing at the whole situation as we went by him again and he looked at us and smiled and shook his head.  It was pretty entertaining.  I really appreciate Damaris going out of her way to do so many things with me.  I thought the cupcakes were good and it was fun to go somewhere that’s on TV.

 

We also drove past the big Washington National Cathedral, which was really pretty.  I didn’t get a great picture, but that’s okay.

We finally arrived at the Washington DC Temple and that was a great way to end the day.  It was beautiful and lit up the night.  It was still raining, so we just stayed in the car and drove around. 

Damaris then took me to their home where she made a yummy dinner (I need her to remind me of the recipe again!) and we went to bed.

DC Trip - Day 4 - Part 1 (Arlington)

I had planned on visiting Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday morning and woke up to heavy rain.  I asked the hotel where I could buy an umbrella and they just lent me one to use.  I took the Metro to the Cemetery and got pretty wet just walking to the station and from the station up to the cemetery.  By the time I got home, my feet were swimming in both shoes and I had to dry my pants because they were wet almost to the knees.  I ended up throwing my shoes away because they never got dried out well and were gross by the time I got home.  Good thing they were pretty old anyway.

At the cemetery visitor center, they had the Lost Heroes Art Quilt.  I just stood there and bawled as I saw the pictures of kids around the same age as my oldest.  It was very moving.

 

         

I stayed so long that I missed one tour bus and had to wait a while for the next. When it came, I was the sole passenger and received a personal tour.  Because the windows were foggy and had rain and we were moving, I didn’t really get a good picture of the cemetery overall, but it is.

    

At the stop to go see JFK’s tomb, the magnolia trees were starting to bloom.  I have always wanted to see a magnolia tree!

As we were headed up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we were stopped because of a funeral procession.  It was very large and the tour guide said that it was a full honors procession so it meant it was for someone important.  The horse was pulling the casket and the line of cars was so long that we had to wait for ten minutes.  That meant that I missed the changing of the guard at the Unknown Soldier, but this was a really neat thing to see as well.  When I flew out the next day, the man I sat next to had a newspaper telling about it and he gave it to me.  The funeral was for the highest-ranking officer to have died in Afghanistan, but he actually died of natural causes while over there. 

I got to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just as they were finishing the Changing of the Guard, but they also performed a ceremony to replace the flowers that were there.  It was very impressive and I can’t imagine how they must feel in such adverse weather conditions for long periods of time.

  

         

The visit to the cemetery was moving, eye-opening and emotional. It made me feel even more grateful for the blessings we enjoy in this beautiful country thanks to the many men and women who have served in the military and even given their lives for this, the cause of freedom.