Washington, DC (USA)

I woke up very early this morning - still on Japan time! After all the kids were awake, we got some breakfast (0700) and were out of the hotel (Fort Belvoir Lodging) before 0730. Drove over to the city in some rain (too bad...). Wanted to visit the Iwo Jima memorial - since I had just been on the island (see March 2008). Finally located it near the river on the north side of Arlington. Kids were interested since they had seen pictures of the real thing. Around 0945 we were in the city (still raining). Nicky saw a "short line" near the National Archives and we found a parking spot close (nice!). After over an hour of waiting, we were finally inside. The kids were very interested in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. There was even a copy of the Magna Carta inside, too. We explored some of the other displays - some nice interactive computer stuff. Around 1230 we got back out to find that the rain had stopped. Colder than yesterday... We walked over to the National Gallery (art) - had some hot dogs before entering. Last year we saw the first floor before Nicky and the kids got bored, so we went upstairs this time. There were some interesting paintings and even Mollie talked about what she liked about them. Left around 1400 and drove over to the Tidal Basin. Found a good spot to park near the FDR Memorial - discovered that most of the Cherry Blossom Festival is set up over on the opposite bank. We started walking and stumbled across a gathering of people: the Annual Lighting of the Cherry Blossom Lantern. We lucked out and found seats near the front. During the next hour, we experienced lots of Japanese culture (music, speaking and the traditions of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan). A girl dressed in traditional kimono lighted a 350 year old stone lantern (nearly three meters tall). The whole thing was great, except for a diatribe about DC not having a vote in Congress (given by one of the at large Councilmen) - completely inappropriate... Later walked over to the Festival park and the kids completed a Junior Ranger workbook ("Bloomin' Ranger") for the event. We saw Paddles, the NPS mascot. Walked around to the Jefferson Memorial to end the day. Left DC at 1700 and drove south on I-95 (traffic not too bad). Dinner at Bob Evans and home at 2100.