DC Trip–Day 4–Part 2

 

Because of the rain and delays at the cemetery, I had to take a taxi back to the hotel in order to get back and packed before check-out time.  I also had to dry my pants.  And I said goodbye to this lovely table and chair where I could sit and look out at the city.

                               

I checked out and went to the closing luncheon of the conference.  After the awards (for people about whom I knew nothing), we had a speaker, Deb Gruen.  She is a Paralympic swimmer.  She has also studied at several major universities and is currently at Georgetown.  She was born with Spina Bifida which is why I was interested in hearing her speak.   I was able to meet her and get a picture after her presentation.

After the lunch, Damaris picked me up to do some more sightseeing.  She really was awesome to take me around everywhere and help me have such a great experience. 

We started by going to the Jefferson Memorial.  She had her cute kids with her this time, so she dropped me off then found a place to wait for me.  Again, because of the weather and the time, the place was deserted.  I was the only one for most of the time.  I had never really had much interest in going there but it was my favorite of all the memorials and sites.  Maybe it was the rain and solitude, but there was a strong feeling of reverence inside the memorial. 

                              

We also stopped at the new Martin Luther  King, Jr. Memorial.  

 

We then went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where I spent way too much time.  I thought things were neat, but I probably should have walked faster, because I didn’t make it to the Library of Congress before it closed.  Seriously, why does everything have to close so early!?

Of everything in that museum, I think this was my favorite:  The little details of peoples’ lives from the past.  I found it fascinating.

 

I did get to see the Declaration of Independence and the Magna Carta, but they will not let you take pictures, so I got a quick shot of the building from the outside.

Damaris also drove me through some other neat areas of the city like China town and the park that has been destroyed by the Occupy people.

         

She also took me to Georgetown Cupcakes, which was really fun.  She dropped me off up the street a little and since there wasn’t much of a wait, just drove around to come pick me up again.  But I didn’t see her drive by because I was looking at all of the cool buildings, so she had to go around the block again.  There was a cop on the corner, probably for traffic control and safety, and he looked and shook his finger saying not to stop where she was.  We were laughing at the whole situation as we went by him again and he looked at us and smiled and shook his head.  It was pretty entertaining.  I really appreciate Damaris going out of her way to do so many things with me.  I thought the cupcakes were good and it was fun to go somewhere that’s on TV.

 

We also drove past the big Washington National Cathedral, which was really pretty.  I didn’t get a great picture, but that’s okay.

We finally arrived at the Washington DC Temple and that was a great way to end the day.  It was beautiful and lit up the night.  It was still raining, so we just stayed in the car and drove around. 

Damaris then took me to their home where she made a yummy dinner (I need her to remind me of the recipe again!) and we went to bed.