17 April 2007 WHITE HOUSE, WASHOUTS, WASHINGTON DC
Up early this morning to catch our train to Washington DC (about 3+ hours) but very comfy train and great service - can recommend Amtrak! Yeah, the weather has been fairly wet peaking last Sunday and they reckon the 2nd worst rainfall in New York history...to be honest it is not unlike a typical wet and windy Wellington day but being crazy kiwis with limited time in this town, it doesn't stop us getting out and about. We saw the damage with major flooding on our way down to Washington particularly in New Jersey. This trip not the most scenic of America - a new appreciation of how beautiful our country is. I know trains travel the back routes but lots of these towns are not the prettiest. However Washington can lay on the best first impression with the most amazing and beautiful train station which is worth a visit in itself. And it is a lovely city with out-of-this-world memorials (predominantly to past presidents). We visited Arlington cemetery (Kennedy graves), the Lincoln memorial (site of Martin Luther King's "I have a dream..." speech), the Vietnam vets memorial and the Korean war memorial (all which are different but neat). We also saw the Washington memorial from different vantages around the town (famous in a certain scene in Forrest Gump - one of Muzz's favourites). Since we are foreigners who have to apply to our embassy to visit the White House (and missed out) we had to satisfy ourselves with just checking it out from behind the fence - not bad digs. Air Force 1 helicopters flew over us a few times so maybe Bush was out and about. They fly 3 identical helicopters at once and jumble them up to confuse those who are concerned about his whereabouts to throw them off the scent. Muzz said he was off to Virginia today anyway. Walked the kids up to Capitol and then it was time to catch our train home. All in all, Washington DC was a really nice place and not so crowded or busy and New York. The kids highlight was the Lincoln memorial possibly due to the fact they knew something about it so were pleased to see the massive statue of Lincoln sitting in his chair.
posted by zedsdead @ 8:15 PM
2 Comments:
Your diary of events is a daily must for me, bringing back a lot of memories. You are getting close to the homeward trail but what a lot of special times! Weather is nice today bur winter is on its way with some nasty cold spells.I am going to Alexandra for the weekend with the Red Cross Choir and putting on a concert to help raise funds for the local branch of Red Cross. I am staying with Gaynor's sister Adele overnight and on Sunday we are singing at a church service. W.I. choir tonight, meeting tomorrow night, meal at the stadium on Friday night, away for Saturday, Sunday and off to Australia on Tuesday afternoon. There's never a dull moment
Hi intrepid travellers,
Your train trip to Washington reminded me of travelling on our eurorail pass, some of the Northern Italian towns were grey and grim, nothing picturesque at all ... I was very glad to live in NZ. Sounds like a very spiritual day with all the memorial visiting. I find myself looking out for all the cenotaphs in NZ, even the little towns have a place and space to remember the soldiers who died in battle. I suppose they have to do something with their Presidents ....? ANZAC day coming up next Thursday. A pity you missed out on the White House visit, maybe they considered you dangerous terrorists? Dad is cooking up a stirfry right now and I need to get our little table set at our bach. Lotsalove Dad and Erika
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