This was my first time ever going to the east coast. It was amazing! It was so nice to be able to stay with Becca and Matthias and do everything with them. My poor planning beforehand didn’t make a difference because they told us everything that was important to see. So it was okay that arrived with no plan for the week! We still saw it all.
First we went to the National Air and Space Museum: Udvar-Hazy Center. Jacob loved seeing the planes. So did Lance. Lance probably loved it the most.
We saw the space shuttle up close!
I don’t know why we brought the stroller. Jacob wanted to walk, hold our hands, or push the stroller, not sit in it.
Later we played at the park with the cousins. Jacob sat in the swing for at least 20 minutes before we made him get out to escape the thunderstorm.
The next day we all piled in the van and went to Gettysburg. We listened to an audio tour on CD. Lance and I were in awe of how lush and green everything was. We’re becoming true Arizonians, who have forgotten what real trees look like.
Jacob liked out day at the monuments. He got to walk around outside all day, what’s not to like?
I liked reading the Gettysburg address on the wall of the Lincoln Memorial. “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” So epic.
My favorite of all was visiting Monticello. Benjamin came with us to tour the house while the others stayed at the visitors center.
I learned so much about Jefferson. I had to read more about him when I got home. I knew he accomplished a lot, but it’s neat to go inside his actual home, that he designed, and learn about what kind of man he was.
The bestselling book I read about TJ when I got home was actually just pulled from the shelves by the publisher. (At CNN - Barton’s “Jefferson Lies” book yanked). Apparently critics didn’t like that Barton tried to debunk the myth that Jefferson wanted a separation of church and state.
I loved going inside the Archives. We got to see the real Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights!
Also we went to Mt. Vernon.
It’s right next to the Potomac.
I learned that Washington was very focused on agriculture. Both he and Jefferson studied farming extensively. Their gardens must have been gorgeous. The replicas they keep up today for the tourists are, at least. The house above is greenhouse at Mt. Vernon.
Besides George Washington’s house being beautiful, there was an incredible museum about his life with realistic statues depicting what he would have looked like at different ages. Jacob was especially fascinated by the one of him on a horse during the French and Indian war.
