Day 6 - Travel back to KC

Early wake up and 4:40 a.m. Uber ride to DCA to start the trip home.  Everyone was packed and downstairs by 4:30 a.m.  Uber driver had arrived, but not to be seen.  Grandpa gave a call and the drop off point was on the west side of the building closest to where Grandpa was sitting in the bar when ordering the car.  Grandpa's fault, but easily corrected.

The gangs all here for the Uber Black service ride to airport 4:45 a.m.

Terminal 1 (SWA) Reagan National Airport

Our SWA flight is through Atlanta (TSA issues that won't impact us) with luckily no issues.  Arriving back to 90 degree whether, which is hard to believe after the bitter cold when we left on Monday.

Lake Lotawana from the air - Sara got one of Fawn Drive as well

Dropped off the Fattig family and then headed to Wendy's for lunch, then home to unpack and start laundry, then pick up Breck from the Summit Petcare Kennel.

Wow did I say it is 90 degrees in KC in March.

Boat cruise to the Marina 27 to cap off the day with Dinner on the Patio with lake friends.

Day 5 - Memorials & Holocaust Museum

The morning started again with breakfast and a 9:00 a.m. departure to the White House via the metro.  In route the road was blocked in places, then sirens and a motorcade.  After some deduction we believe it was JD Vance and his Family heading out for the weekend (travel to hometown).  

Secret service police blocking the roadway

The Lafayette park view was tough with construction fencing, trees and construction going on in the yard.  

Navy Football Team queued up for meeting President Trump just outside the Whitehouse

Whitehouse from north view - Lafayette Park

We walked a block east and past Old Ebbitt Grill to the Ellipse where the view was limited from Pennsylvania Avenue.  So much barricade off made it tough to see.  A walk across to the Mall and Washington Monument.  The farther out the better the view of the entire Whitehouse, however, farther away.

South View from Pennsylvania 

Sunrise behind the Washington Memorial

Three Gen Pic - Whitehouse in background

From there we headed over to the WWII Memorial as we were ahead of schedule.

Atlantic and Pacific Arches

Janie's Kansas

Since we were ahead of schedule we headed out for the Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam memorials and still have time to walk to the Holocaust Museum.

Grandpa talking to national guardsman with Mississippi Guards

Korean War Museum

Vietnam War Museum

Holocaust Museum

After we made the rectangle back to the WWII we headed over to the Holocaust  Museum for our 11:45 a.m. entry time.

The Holocaust Museum was packed and in the first area with a lot of close packed videos and material about the rise of Hitler we had to move on.  About 90 minutes to get through.  Then off to the Smithsonian Metro Station for a train to lunch.  At one stop, we were hurried off the train by the conductors and some confusion back on.  Somebody was smoking triggering the stop.  Ugh.  Another experience in the city.

One of many metro rides

Bottom Line Grill lunch

Lunch at the Bottom Line Grill was fun.  Basement grill with Irish tones.  A good hearty lunch and then a walk back to the hotel to close out the afternoon and trip.

The proverbial packing and showers with an early departure for the airport before the sun yawns tomorrow.

Day 4 - Smithsonian

Back on track this morning with Wyatt feeling 100% and eating an early breakfast with Grandpa while everyone else starts to awaken.  After everyone ate we headed out to the Foggy-Bottom Metro Station for the ride to the L'enfant metro stop and walk to the Air and Space Museum.  Having the tickets for the 10:00 a.m. opening was a good move as with limited access no ticket no entry.

Quite a few new exhibits in place and coming since Grandpa's last visit.  The family walked the Museum with a stop at the Cafe for Grandma and Morgan to get a Hot Chocolate.  

Morgan's Air & Space Cafe Hot Chocolate

Then we headed out for lunch at Potbelly's.  Wyatt, Morgan and Grandpa all got shakes with their sandwiches!

From Potbelly's the walk across the Mall and down a block the National Natural History Museum.  This is one of the biggest museums with so much to see its overwhelming.  You could spend an hour in each section if you really wanted a deep dive.  Morgan was a trooper in the museums, but the butterfly exhibit the one thing she really wanted to do being closed was not good.

National Natural History Museum

Hope Diamond

After the National Natural History Museum the gang trekked down to the Wharf area to grab some food and drink.  

We quickly decided with the warm sun on our faces to hang out and enjoy.  A Ben and Jerry's ice cream next door helped out  for the Grands.  When we arrived empty, but as the day ended the wharf became a hub of activity.  The pier was in its own way a playground for the grands.

Wharf stop

Wyatt's Oyster try - he keeps exploring food!

Cookies and Cream in chocolate dip waffle cone

Chocolate in Chocolate and Nut waffle cone

Ducks and Cormorant and throwing sticks in the water

Wyatt showing off!

Big swing fun

Not to be outdone by Wyatt

Morgan loved the challenge of the ramped pier

Wharf trek

Deaf group signing like crazy caught Morgan's eye as she is learning

We walked the wharf to the open fish market where the line up of seafood was impressive.

Open fish market

Open fish market

Then an Uber ride back to the hotel to close out the night as tomorrow is the last day in DC.

Day 3 - Arlington Cemetery & Archives

This day started off cloudy and a bit colder and slower for everyone.  We did get out a little late with some false starts, but hit the quick walk to the train station to head to Arlington Cemetery.

Arrival was good and then we opted for the Tram extra ticket to cut down on walking and get some inside scoop.

Cemetery Entrance - Cold Morning

Tram malfunction caused a delay in getting started as the staff struggled with options.  Once on a new tram with a new guide we headed out for the first half of the tour.  Like any tour a lot of facts coming at you about unique aspects that are hard to keep up with.  The key is a lot of history with our military marking key moments in our country.  We got off the tram at the memorial for the Unknown Soldier.

As we arrived the 11:00 a.m. changing of the guards was in progress, so we missed.  John, Wyatt and Grandpa trekked back down the hill to find General Pershing's gravesite.  It was a nice walk and adventure for the three while Morgan, Mom and Grandma visited the amphitheater and saved front row seats for the guard changing ceremony.  John, Wyatt and Jeff all got a chewing out by the Guard on duty for making noise.  Ok, Grandpa's hushed voice carries.  Then in silence we witnessed several others getting the command to be silent and respectful.

Unknown Soldier Monument

Changing of the guard ceremony

View of the Lincoln Memorial, etc. from the Arlington House

JFK Gravesite - Eternal Flame

Arlington Pic - the day is warming

Walk down to the exit, bathroom break and walk to the metro station.  Morgan got to chose lunch and wanted chinese.  Sara and Grandpa figured out the adjustment to get dropped in Chinatown north of the mall and found a hole in the wall Thai restaurant for a great lunch.  Except Wyatt who on the train started feeling sick.

Morgan's Lunch Choice

Wyatt tried to be a trooper with salmon - he likes Sushi, but too much

Grandma grabbed and Uber loaded up the grands to go back to allow them to rest.  Upon arrival Wyatt noted they were at the wrong hotel.  Grandma selected the wrong Hilton property, so another quick Uber to the Embassy Suites arriving safely.

John, Sara and Grandpa walked to the National Archives with a few blocks of extra walking as Grandpa started off in the wrong direction.  Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence and general exhibits on what is housed in the archives.  A place for genealogy research and at one kiosk John looked up his grandfather and Grandpa's grandfather Bice Clemow.

Walk to the Mall and down to the last road before the Washington Monument to just take in the sights.  From the National Museum of African American history, we trekked to the Federal Triangle metro to head back to the hotel.

Sara & John - FBI Building

After returning Jeff and Janie went to Chef Geoff's to meet up with Cousin Katy and her husband Gary.  Back to the room for a glass of wild turkey John purchased and work on the blog.  Bedtime like all our trips comes quick as tomorrow is Museum day.