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| This blog is to give the parents
a view of what we have been doing in DC. Sorry that I did
not get the first day up...because I am finishing up some major
research in my doctoral classes at ASU that I have to do a huge
presentation via web cam in DC with the entire College of
education on Thursday. |
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Day 1
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Photos |
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Busy Day. Arrived from Phoenix to Baltimore, Tried to goto the
National Archives first...but there was over a two hour wait. So we
went to tour a bit. |
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Day 2 |
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Photos of day 2 |
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We had a huge breakfast and headed to the Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln
Memorial, Korean Memorial, WWII Memorial, then went out to Baltimore.
Stopped to eat at the wharf. (I had crabcakes and hushpuppies) and then
went to Mass at the Basilica. The start of the Catholic church. We
had a great tour of the crypt and saw the great designing of the dome.
(Same architect as the capital building). We then viewed the
Baltimore Aquarium and went to tour Old town Alexandria. Lastly we
had a History Channel meets Ghost hunter tour of the Streets of
Alexandria. Kind of interesting way to learn of the history of
Virginia through a haunted tour guide. We got back to the hotel at
10:00 for bed. |
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Day 3 |
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Day 3 photos |
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It was a VERY busy day today. Woke up
early, went to the Whitehouse and saw
from afar, the west wing and press
conference area. Next we past
Dolly Madison's house and said "Hello to
Dolly". We then went to the
Whitehouse Visitor center and stopped
quickly into the Pearson House where
President Abraham Lincoln died. Across
the street is the Ford's Theater, but
could not go in it, since it is going
through renovation. Next...they
begged to go into the cheap souvenir
shop to get trinkets galore. Headed for
lunch at the food court. After that,
what a somber time to see the graves of
John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Joe
Louis, the Challenger Astronauts and
more historical people. We stopped
at the tomb of the Unknown soldier and
watched the changing of the guard.
After that, Shane and Kate were able to
lay a wreath with Pope John's name on
it, for the tomb. Taps was played..and I
think everyone had a tear in their eye.
Then we headed over to my first cousin's
grave. He was killed in Afghanistan two
years ago. We then went over to
visit Mrs. McFarland's friend who was
killed in Iraq. Funny thing is they were
only a row away. Funny how brings
people from opposite sides of the
country and world, and are brought
together. It wasn't coincidence I
am sure. We also stopped at the
grave of Chaperone...Mr. Errter's great
uncle. We said prayers and laid flowers
for them. We then headed over to
the Holocaust Museum. Another somber
place to see the tragedy and injustices
of war, and then went to the National
Shrine for mass, with a beautiful organ
playing. The three visits really
tied all together. The power of prayer
was very evident. Next we had
dinner at an all you can eat seafood
buffet, and then went touring Washington
at night. We saw the monuments all
lit up and stopped at the FDR Memorial
followed by a cool and quiet walk to the
Jefferson Memorial The kids loved the
walk. We arrived TIRED at the hotel and
ready for another fun filled day
tomorrow! Hope to fill you in soon! |
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Day 4 |
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Day 4 Photos |
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These mornings are harder and harder to get up! We wet out late
today. We had a 6:30 wake up call as opposed to 6:00 am. After
the usual all you can eat breakfast, we set out on the bus to Mt.
Vernon, house to George and Martha Washington. They had an
incredible video about strategies of the Revolutionary War, and how
Washington was a chess player. It was a 10 minute video that
snowed inside the theater, fogged, rained, and rumbled the chairs.
It was cool. Next we had a nice run to the mall for lunch.
Sushi for me. Then up on the bus to the John Paul II center. I
think we were all saddened at the experience. The interactive
booths are all broke, not very 8th grade friendly and more of a few
cool things. It wasn't that it was "bad", but disappointed. However,
our tour guide Marie who is Catholic had a great suggestion to go
to..and that was the Franciscan Monastery. Now, I kind of knew
that the Franciscans are the protectors of the churches in the Holy
Land. But this monastery had replicas of every major relic
over there. Inside the church, one side has artifacts that are
too scale of an exact replica of Jerusalem of the spot Jesus was
nailed and buried. Another side of the church had a exact
replica of the Church of the Nativity. You even have to duck your
head, and go in like you were over there. Then they had a to
scale replica of the catacombs. Even for those who have been
to the real ones in Italy were impressed. They even had two
relics that were given to them. First one of St. ______ and
the other one was St. Innocent. He was an 8 year old child that was
Martyred for his faith. The whole body was intact. We talked about
how even in death, that he intercedes to us by teaching us about
martyrdom, even though he died 1800 years ago. The grounds
were in pristine condition with roses, flowers of all sorts. Then it
had an exact replica of the Church of St. Francis, Our Lady of the
Angels. The kids thought it was great. Next we went to
the Smithsonian. Some did the Air and Space, while others went to
Museum of Natural History. Next we went to Medieval Times for
jousting and food. Sleep time for all now that they are tucked
in bed. Tomorrow we come home, but still have the Capital
tour!
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