July 4th in DC

Finally back home!! We had a great vacation, but I am worn out!! We were on the go from sun-up until sun-down! Seriously, we boarded the metro about 10 a.m. most mornings and returned home about 10 or 11 p.m. too tired to do anything other than hit the bed! After Day 1 of touring DC by bus (and our feet!), we headed to the Spy Museum and Holocaust Museum on Thursday. If you have never been to the Spy Museum, you need to go if you're ever in DC. It is really fun. When you first go in, you are given a few minutes to memorize facts about a new identity and at the end of the tour, you are asked questions about your identity. If you cannot remember the details (name, destination, birthplace, reason for visit, etc.), it is recommended that you be detained and not allowed to leave! I didn't do too well - even though I "cheated" and jotted down some of the details. I wouldn't make a very good spy for sure!! After being in the Spy Museum for about 3+ hours, I grabbed a quick hot dog as we headed to our next destination, the Holocaust Museum. Ashley was able to meet us there and take the tour with us. What a moving experience. How could humans treat other humans that way? It is inconceivable to me, but alas, it is going on all over the world in many ways I think (Darfur for an example). Hats off to the survivors of this atrosity. Another must see for DC.

Friday, July 4th, was much more laid back for us. We started the day off with breakfast at the Pancake House - Sonny's favorite restaurant in DC!!! Yum .... strawberry crepes with whipped cream and fresh strawberries for me!! Then, we gals were able to get in some shopping at A C Moore!! Finally bought a little sewing machine for sewing on my cards - now, let's see if I use it!! Ashley had to go in to Bethesda to check on one of her patients, so the gang rode in with her to take a quick look around Bethesda Naval Hospital (at least, the grounds - not inside the hospital). Later in the afternoon, we went to Walter Reed Army Hospital and toured the National Museum of Health and Medicine. This was very interesting - much more than I would have thought. I particulary enjoyed the exhibit of embryos showing fetal development (showing actual feuses!). There was also an interesting exhibit on leprosy in America that I didn't know about. Did you know there is a national leprosarium in Louisiana known as “Carville,” a refuge for leprosy patients from all over the world? I didn't. There was a PBS documentary about Carville which aired in March (I didn't see it) but I would be interested in seeing it.

After leaving the museum, we dropped in on a July 4th BBQ at some of Ashley's friends; had a quick bite to eat and visited with old friends for a while. Then, we were off to catch the Metro for downtown DC and the Fireworks. Of course, by this time it had started to rain!! Luckily, by the time we got downtown, it had changed to just a drizzle. But .... oh so many people! We had just found a spot on the ground for our chairs when the fireworks began. They were spectacular but I don't think they were as impressive as I have seen before. Because of the rain and the heavy atmosphere, they didn't seem to be as high up as they should have been. So, instead of being over the Washington Memorial as they are pictured, they were actually beside it. But, it was fun anyway and a great experience! After they were over, we wandered around the streets of DC trying to find our way back to the Metro. We had hoped to be able to view the Korean Memorial at night but they had the area to the statues roped off for the fireworks.