Downtown Washington - Day One

Well, to say we walked our ten thousand steps today is a big understatement!!  (more like 110,000).  We took a shuttle bus downtown to Union Station which is obviously a ground transportation hub for buses and trains, it is a huge building that is undergoing renovations.  We then took the "Red Line" which also known as "The Grand Tour".  The package we purchased gives us on/off privileges for 48 hours. (therefore today and tomorrow).

A couple of people looking out from the observation deck.

We got off near the Washington Monument.  Very impressive structure which has been recently repaired following a 5.1 earthquake a few years ago that created some cracks and concerns.  It was very sunny and the shadow it cast was very impressive.

We did not realize that the reflecting pool and Lincoln memorial is located behind the Washington monument.  So off we walked, and walked, and walked, and walk and yes, walked some more.  By the time we were finished we had been up close and personal to the reflecting pool that included the WWII Memorials (both Atlantic on one side and the Pacific on the other), the Lincoln Memorial which is just bigger than life, then to the Vietnam Memorial and walked up to the

White House (could not get very close) and then finally back to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. And all this before Lunch!!

Following a bite to eat in the Air and Space Museum we took a tour.  The artifacts (the word artifact means everything from the third stage of a Saturn V rocket to a small piece of moon rock that you can touch and everything in between) are unbelievable, we saw the actual Spirit of St. Louis, Apollo 11 command capsule and much too many other items to mention here.  Evidently the Air and Space Museum is continued at an airport outside Washington which also includes a Space Shuttle, the Concorde and other modern aircraft, we probably won't get out there.

One of the things I noticed was the size of all the buildings.  When they were built they included a lot of columns and ornate scroll work with the same or very similar stone.  I would say that about 90% of the buildings museums and tourists spots are free to anyone.  U.S. taxes at work :), thank you.

It was then time to catch the bus back to the campground, good thing too as we were beat.  We need a soft chair and a drink and get rested for tomorrow to do it all over again, yea!