Good day to all!

I have been in Washington DC since Monday with my wife Teresa. The trip all started with a Facebook message from Kay Rand, she asked me a few months ago "Why don't you come down?" Wait, allow me to back up for just a minute. Kay Rand is the Chief of Staff for Senator Angus King and she knew Teresa and I would enjoy a visit to our nations Capitol.To entice us, Kay offered a tour of the Capitol and possibly one of the White House if it could be arranged.   

So off we went! Upon arrival in DC (after taking the 6 am flight out of Portland and a taxi cab ride to our hotel), I decided I needed a nap if I was going to be any good for the rest of the day.Our hotel was gracious enough to let us check in at 9 am and by noon, we were out seeing the sights. 

On Monday, we went to the American History Museum and saw many interesting things such as the Mayo-Gibbon Heart Lung machine  from 1957 (see photo below), and Chef Julia Child's original kitchen.  An interesting tidbit is Julia Child was 6'3" tall and the kitchen counters were actually 3" higher than normal to accommodate her. Probably the most touching exhibit was the original Star Spangled Banner on display. I would have loved to have taken a picture but no photography was allowed.There were displays of many of the First Lady's Inaugural gowns through the years, Archie Bunker's chair from the television show  All in the Family, Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves, and about  anything else you can imagine to document significant times in our history. Please notice the photo of the reinforced bicycle (below) used by the North Vietnamese to transport war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

On Tuesday, we visited Ford's Theater where President Lincoln was assassinated and we also visited the International Spy Museum.We had a chance to view the White House grounds from Pennsylvania Avenue.On Wednesday, we visited Senator Angus King's office and while there, we chatted with Angus and several other Mainers. We also received an unbelievable tour of the Capitol Building by one of Senator King's aids, Nevin. This young man has been researching and studying the "ins and outs" of the Capitol Building for some time so it was a real treat to have him take us around.

President Lincoln- suit he was wearing when shot             gun used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Lincoln

(and door to presidential box at theater)

                                    Ford's Theater - Presidential Balcony       

While in the Capitol Building, we went up into the Senate Balcony and actually got to watch a vote being taken.There are way too many details to even start to write about, please enjoy the pictures.We also visited Susan Collins' office and had nice chat with Susan.We also visited Union Station and the Old Post Office Museum.These are magnificent buildings that were all built in the 1800's. That evening we had dinner with Kay and her husband, Cornell at a restaurant called Sanoma's.

 Capitol Rotunda ceiling                                           Capitol Rotunda floor 

Today we have tickets for the trolley and we plan to go down to the Tidal Basin and view the cherry blossoms in full bloom.  We also plan to visit Arlington National Cemetery, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the National Native American Indian Museum.

  The White House   

 The Capitol Building at night

Cherry Blossoms!

With that itinerary, I must say goodbye and as always, I wish you could all be here.

Next week, I will share even more photos from this week's adventure. No more travels to far away places until  2015. Oops, I am planning a trip to Colorado this fall to take my two sons elk hunting. We plan on driving, which will allow plenty of time for Dad and the two most important men in his life to bond.

Great day to all!

Norm

p.s. - Please join us on Easter, we are seating right up 'til closing time at 4 pm on Sunday April 20th