Washington DC - Day 2

It was overcast today, but very muggy.  The temperature was about 25⁰C (77⁰F).  We caught the Metro into Washington and got off at the Union Station stop.  We stopped for a quick bite to eat before heading off to see the inside of the Union Station.  Oh wow, it was so impressive!

From there we got the Metro to the Arlington Cemetery.  Due to its size we decided to take the bus tour.  Our first stop was the President Kennedy Memorial where an eternal flame burns.

We then headed off the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.  A guard is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year and every few minutes he marches 21 steps across a black carpet.  This is the highest salute for a military dead solder (the 21 gun salute).  Had a look at the lovely Memorial Amphitheater , which was really impressive.  We then headed off to see Arlington House. This was the home of Robert E Lee until 1861 when the Federal troops occupied the estate using Arlington House as their headquarters.  We also saw the Women in Military Service for America memorial.  It is wonder to see the grounds so nicely kept and lots of lovely trees and plants growing in the gardens.  After the grass has been cut, there are people who walk with blowers to blow the cut grass off the tombstones.

We then walked back to the Metro and got off at the Pentagon Mall.  We wandered around the mall for a bit, not before having a Hagen Das ice-cream.  At about 4:15pm we left to go and meet Doug and Sue at the Hard Rock Café.  After a refreshing drink we went down the road to Harry’s and Harietta’s restaurant for supper.  It was still quite warm, so we sat on the sidewalk.  Very different!

After dinner we walked back to the Metro to get the train to Huntington and as we came out of the station we were greeted with this wonderful view of the sunset.  We decided to walk back to our motel (about 1.5km) where some beers and drinks were in order, out on the verandah.

Michelle and Dereck signing off ….