Williamsburg, VA Roadtrip - Day 6

Today was another ‘early-rise’ day. I was up at 5:30am today…that is unheard-of for me! We wanted to get an early start to our destination (Washington, DC) in hopes of avoiding rush-hour. I am pleased to say that rush-hour was avoided.

For some reason, I had the strongest urge for a frosted doughnut. We stopped at three places (gas stations and a Wal-Mart) before we ran across fresh doughnuts. Apparently, Easterners don’t like doughnuts? LOL!

Finally around 10:00am, we made it to Washington, DC. However, it took us three times to figure out the roundabout in front of Arlington Cemetery. Third time is the charm, right? LOL!

Our first stop was the Arlington Cemetery. There we watched the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown. Then we reflected at JFK’s grave-site. The cemetery is a must see! Next, it was to the MetroRail…our ticket to the start of a long day of walking. We rode the Blue Line to McPherson Square. By that time it was 12:00 and time for lunch. We ate at Five Guys Burgers & Fries…AMAZING burgers and fries. You definitely get the bang for your buck.

After lunch, the march to the White House began. I will say...
The White House is really something! I think I found my new home…(it doesn’t hurt to dream a little LOL) We made our way to the middle of the National Mall…the Washington Monument.

Next we went to get a quick picture of the capitol because we were stretched for time. Then it was off to the Holocaust Museum, but when we arrived…there were only tickets left for 4:15 on…and that wasn’t going to fly with our schedule. So we traveled next door to the Printing and Engraving Bureau (WHERE THE PAPER MONEY IS MADE!) We took a 30 minute tour that explained the process....quite interesting.

After taking precise notes about how to print money, we decided to head towards the Jefferson Memorial! Then to the FDR Memorial…the NEW MLK Memorial… and then to the WWII Memorial… to the Vietnam Memorial…lastly, ending at the Lincoln Memorial. I must say…there are way too many memorials in DC to see in just one day. I finally got to see Mr. Lincoln, sitting in his over-sized marble chair.

 

By this time Pat and Diane’s feet (including mine) were beat, but we still had to walk across the Potomac River, back to the car which was parked in Virginia at the Arlington Cemetery.

We finally made it to the car at 6:30pm. Then it was on our way back to Williamsburg! But first I had to travel through that roundabout…It took me 2 times…but it was an improvement from the morning attempts. LOL!

By 7:00 we decided it was time to get something to eat, so we stopped in Fredericksburg and ate at a downtown Italian Restaurant. I had a GREAT calzone! Then after supper, I decided it would be a great idea to grab a coffee from a local café so I would have enough energy to type this update.

However, it is now 12:15am and the coffee has worn off. Plus I think I heard Pat mention that it would be a miracle if she can walk tomorrow. She better be able to walk tomorrow because we have Jamestown and Yorktown on the agenda…

Time to crash! LATER!