Today we caught the 6:55 am bus to the Cherry Hill Metro station and found the payment kiosks. A couple of swipes of a credit card later, we had some money in the system. With a rudimentary understanding of directions and train changes, we set off. Even at that commute time of the morning, everything went smoothly. Other passengers were courteous and considerate and we all made our destinations in good order. We exited the Red Line at Metro Central Station, and took off on foot for the White House, where we had a 9:30 am tour time. But first…..
Just as we exited the station, we saw a reminder of home, our Berkeley, CA, based Peet's Coffee!
The trip thus far had taken less time than we thought, so into Peet's we went. A good cup of coffee and a bit of breakfast gave us some energy to walk three blocks to the Peoples' House.
Our walk down G street gave us an introduction to downtown Washington, DC.
As we were waiting in line for the tour to start, we got a look at the Washington Monument from about 3/4 of a mile away.
We were in line along 15th street, just across the street from the Treasury Department.
We were warned that no photography was allowed within the White House, but we managed to sneak a pic of the South Entry, taken from the Ground Floor Corridor as we approached.
Our tour took us through the Library (furniture is American Federal and the chandelier once belonged to the family of James Fenimore Cooper), the Vermeil Room (vermeil is gilded silver and there is an extensive collection here), the China Room (where Presidential China is on display). Then we were directed upstairs to the East Room (the largest room in the White House, used for receptions, ceremonies and press conferences. The bodies of seven presidents have lain in state here), the Green Room (used for receptions, the walls are covered in watered silk. Most of the furniture was made by Duncan Phyfe about 1810) , the Red Room (Typically used by First Ladies, it is a small reception room), and the Blue Room, most often used by the President to receive guests. The State Dining Room completed the tour (with an inscription carved into the fireplace mantel that says: "I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof"-John Adams), and we exited through the North Entrance, out onto Pennsylvania Avenue looking at Lafayette Park, and a statue paying tribute to perhaps the greatest friend that America had during the Revolutionary War.
From the statue, a look back at the White House across Pennsylvania Avenue, with some of the security personnel that seemed to be everywhere at once.
We chose to walk counter-clockwise around the White House grounds, passing the Eisenhower Office Building. What a piece of architecture!
From the South Lawn we got a traditional view of the White House.
3/4 of a mile further south, past the Ellipse and across Constitution Avenue we got to the Washington Monument. Arguably one of the most recognized obelisks in the world, it dominates the National Mall.
Looking east from the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building focuses the eye,
While to the West the Lincoln Memorial at the end of the Reflecting Pool is the dominate feature.
Heading north from the Capitol Mall on 15th street, we crossed Constitution Avenue again.
Temps were beginning to rise about noon, so we needed a place to cool down and quiet down. The Old Ebbitt grill fit the bill perfectly! This eatery, dating from the 1850's, has hosted dignitaries and heads of state for years. Business people were plentiful as we looked around the room. Done in a turn-of-the-century style, the restaurant has collected works of art and priceless antiques over the years.
We were greeted with a handshake by an elegant gentleman in a suit and tie, and shown to a table under a painting commemorating the end of WW II.
Refreshed and well-fed, we braved the heat and walked back to the Metro station. On the way we noticed this bank building, noted to be the oldest bank in Washington, DC.
We had plans to go to Arlington Cemetery this evening to watch the Marine Silent Drill Team perform near the Iwo Jima memorial statue. A trip back to the motorhome in early afternoon to take care of Sasha was in order, with another trip on the metro later. The temperature on our return to Cherry Hill Park was 95 with a heat index of 104. A weather report that called for heavy thunderstorms in the area this evening has put a quick end to those plans. The local channels are warning people to remain indoors, and the sky at about 5:30 is getting plenty dark.
We've no end of things to do here, so tomorrow will bring another adventure, I'm sure!
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