1. We arrived on Wednesday around 8:00 after our flight was slightly delayed. Once we got our car we checked into our hotel, we were staying at the JW Marriott, which is only about two blocks from the White House. Here was our view from our room:

2. My aunt had recommended the restaurant at the Hotel Washington to me and it was just around the corner from where we were staying. It is on top of the hotel and is an open patio with a beautiful view of DC. Seeing all the lighted buildings was beautiful, plus the food was pretty good!

3. After our meal we took a walk over to the White House. You know, just to see if George and Laura were in.

4. Day two we got up early and headed out to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. If you ever visit DC, make this a must see! There is an exhibit in there that has stuck with me since I saw it, and I think it always will. It was called “Shoes” and I wish I could have taken a picture of it. But a photo could not have the impact that the exhibit does. How anyone could say that the Holocaust didn’t happen is outrageous!! You do leave there with a different prospective of discrimination.

I noticed after I got home and was looking at my photos how this one had the shadows of a bird. Pretty cool, huh?

5. As we were walking through the National Mall, there was this truck…I called it a Gypsy truck. It was on display for the upcoming Folklife Festival.

6. When we left the museum, we headed over to Arlington National Cemetery. I knew that this cemetery was big, I just didn’t have a clue how big.

Notice that all the headstones are lined up, it is to look like soldiers in formation.

We saw John F. Kennedy’s grave site, along with Jacqueline’s. I have always thought Jacqueline was an icon of class. It was an honor to pay our respect.

7. We then went to the grave of the Unknown Soldier and watched the ceremony of the changing of the guard. This is one of the most moving things I have seen. The guards who are honored to guard the grave are amazing and so dedicated. It made me proud to watch this ceremony.

Guard on duty. He paces 21 steps, pauses 21 seconds, turns for 21 seconds, faces forward for 21 seconds, and does it all over again. It was amazing to watch.

Changing of the guard.

8. We headed back to the hotel because Big D had to get ready for his big shindig! Did I mention that wives weren’t invited?? Though at this point I wasn’t heartbroken, I was exhausted and seeing him get all dressed up made me glad it was him and not me!!

Isn’t he handsome!

Once he left, I ordered room service and kicked my feet up!! It was wonderful! When the guys were finished, about thirty of us went back to Hotel Washington, the place on the roof, and celebrated the F-22′s award!

9. Day three we got up early and had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel then decided to walk over to the White House so I could see it in the daylight.

10. From there we headed to the memorials.

Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument

Iwo Jima Memorial

Vietnam Memorial
There were notes, flags, and mementos tucked into the wall, all very moving. But there was an older woman, a volunteer who was welcoming home soldiers, Vietnam vets. I was standing there when she hugged and kissed a gentleman and gave him a pin, told him welcome home soldier. There were tears in his eyes. There were tears in the eyes of everyone around them.

11. Next stop was our Capital. It was quite impressive! Since it was Saturday, all was quiet. I would love to go there when it is going full force just to see our government in action.

12. We had some time to kill before we had to get to the airport so we headed to see the National Cathedral. On the way we passed Embassy Row. It was fun trying to figure out the flags….thankfully most had a sign on the front of them!! The National Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous, a work of art! Very impressive, I just wish we could have seen the inside!

13. Once we got on the plane I took this shot from the air of the Pentagon. My last shot of DC, which is fitting when you think about it seeing why we were there in the first place.

And here at last….the beautiful skies guiding us home.