Washington D C

Hi Dobyladysaturn, Well, my husband and I just returned from D.C. last week. It was our first visit there. We had a fabulous time. "The Mall" which is another name for "Constitution Gardens" is absolutely amazing. The World War II, Korean, and Viet Nam War Memorial are quite something. It's a bit of a somber experience, but well worth seeing. The Lincoln and Washington Memorials are far more impressive in person. Although you probably remember their beauty and stature. We also went to Arlington National Cemetary. What can I say about that? If one wishes to gain an understanding of the sacrifices our forefathers made on our behalf, Arlington is a must. Especially the changing of the Guard at "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier". I really love Federal and Georgian style architecture, so the homes in the outskirts of D.C. are truly beautiful. I believe one of the highlights of our trip was touring the Capitol. The fresco's, paintings, and statuary are beyond amazing. We loved visiting the old Senate and Supreme Court chambers, and were amazed at how small they both are. We had lunch in a great place called "Hawks & Doves". It is a tavern restaurant near the Capitol, that leaves one with the feeling that Jefferson, Madison, and Adams could have been drafting the Declaration of Independence at the next table. Perhaps most impressively, we found the D.C. residents to be very friendly and helpful. Many of them went out of their way to go above and beyond in answering questions or giving directions. Of course, the Smithsonian is a must see. And, the International Spy Museum was a real hoot. We mentioned many times that one would need far more than a week or two to see all there is to see in D.C. So, we vowed to return some day to visit the rest. It is a trip that I hope all Americans can some day make. The sense of history is really grounding. And, it gives one the sense that the U.S. government is really their government. I share your hope that you can some day return. I suspect that visiting as an adult is quite different than visiting as a child. Both, I'm sure are spectacular!