Washington DC – 

As I type these words I have butterflies in my tummy.  At this moment I am sitting in the main reading room at the Library of Congress. I am sitting on a very old wooden chair. I wonder at all the butts that sat here before. Centuries of knowledge, ideas and art surround me. I’m trying to let it all soak in.

The desks are long and curved with about 6 individual sections per curve.  My section is #161. The opportunity to be immersed in history thrills me!

I am in awe of what surrounds me and sadly very ignorant. Wandering through the history and biography sections picking up old and dusty books, wondering who had bee there before me.  There is an urge to research but what? There have been many times in my life when I’ve written research papers. I would have killed to have access to where I’m sitting at the moment.

Two days ago, Jeff and I came here. We did the regular tour which only allows you to look down on the reading room from 2 floors up and from behind thick Plexiglas. That just wasn’t good enough for me. Notoriously spontaneous with my travel plans I didn’t realize at the time that you can come down here once you obtain a reading card. Which took all of 10 min right here at the Library of Congress. Now I have one!

I’m not here for research but simply for the moment. For the experience. Just to be in awe. Next door at the Supreme Court there is a DACA protests going on.  Across the street at the Capital Building I’m not sure what is on the agenda today but tomorrow its all about impeachment. 

I am surrounded by history. The good, the bad, the mediocre. I love it.

This is my 4th full day in DC.

 We arrived Fri early evening and have been going non-stop. I have been averaging around 10 miles a day of walking. My feet were very tired last night. For those of you who follow me on social media you’ve seen my blister which is competing with my big toe in which can cause me the most pain per step.  So today I rode the Metro and it was awesome! Even so I managed to walk 7 miles. 

While the weather has been dry it has fluctuated between very cold, cold, warm and now today and tomorrow’s forecast, we have very cold . It’s a perfect day to hang out at the library and write my blog.

 

I’m embarrassed that I’m not working on some significant research project with all this knowledge surrounding me. Hopefully, to those who glance my way, I look like I belong as I type away at my laptop. Glasses on, looking all scholarly.

Veteran’s Day – WA DC style

Being here during Veteran’s Day was amazing! Many of the memorials here move me deeply on any other day. Standing in a crowd of veterans and their family’s, as we listen to taps being played by a military band, in honor of those who sacrificed all, just pushes me over the edge. 

We thanked veterans as they stood by the Vietnam Memorial. We saw wreaths laid at monuments and we heard taps over and over again. Jeff and I talked about the unimaginable courage required of these individuals.  How thankful we are for them. 

Playing Tourist 

When I’m a tourist I’m all in. There is something very liberating about not having a plan. Wandering, discovering, learning.  Jeff’s conference began at 12 so now was the time for me to figure out how to entertain myself for the next few days.

Yesterday my wanderings led me to the Newseum.  

A friend who lives in the area posted on IG the amazing view from the top floor of the Newseum, I saw it and asked about it and suddenly had a plan. The museum was fascinating! Unlike the many, many free museums this one was $25 to get into. However, my ticket is good for today so I may go back just to spend more time soaking in the Pulitzer Photography section. 

The Newseum covers the history of media coverage which of course includes the reporting done through photography. I found the Pulitzer Portrait Gallery mesmerizing and deeply moving. Today’s visit will be solely focused there. 

In addition, the museum covers reporters and their techniques, the dangers they face, the risks they choose to take and their mission to tell the story.  

Summary

Monuments visited –

• Lincoln, WWII, WWI, Jefferson, FDR, MLK jr., Vietnam, Washington, and the Korean War Memorial

 

Museums visited –

-National Archives, American Art, Renwick, Newseum, Botanical Gardens, Sculpture Gardens, Portrait Gallery, National Geographic

Other Sites –

-Old Post Office (now Trump Hotel but you can go up and the bell tower)

-Library of Congress

White House (Didn’t make it inside but walked around and my have gotten yelled at by the Secret Service)

-Capital Building

-Supreme Court – Saw protesters and toured the inside

Family

My Cousin Diane lives here in DC. Jeff and I were able to spend the day with her and Mordechai. They whisked us away to Annapolis and we had a lovely day in the historic section of town along the Chesapeake Bay. We ate, shopped and toured the Naval Academy. It was an awesome day! Before saying goodbye they treated us to the most amazing Italian meal! OMG it was so yummy Seriously if you are in the DC area go! I had the tortellini and it was amazing!!  http://www.otellodc.com/

 

Time to Head Home

Now I’m sitting in an airplane. Very back row. We sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes before take off. Which bumped us up to a 6 hour flight instead of 5.5 hours. I’m gonna say after having to sit on the tarmac for an hour after landing I’m not a big fan of Reagan International airport. I seriously had to put myself into hostage mode and just go to my happy place. I kept reminding myself I had been on much longer flights and just because we were sitting on the ground it didn’t make any difference.

I’m exhausted.  This weekend I will be the photographer for our pastor’s retirement party and the Christmas minis are happening! So back to reality!

I have dreamed the past two nights that my dog Lucy is lost. It was so intense woke up crying last night. Apparently I miss the fur butt!

Christmas Minis This Weekend!

This has become an annual tradition at SFP and I love it! I love that we host the mini sessions at the studio on Main St. It is really fun to host everyone at the studio where we don’t worry about the weather and can serve lots of yummy treats. 

I have 1 spot available! Call me today and grab it! You won’t regret having this to-do off your Christmas list!

We had an awesome time visiting WA DC but there really is no place like home. As I sit here on this plan contemplating tomorrow’s to-do list I truly am very happy to be heading home.  But always thankful for the opportunity to travel! Can’t wait for the next trip. Wherever it may take me.

Thanks for stopping by friends,

Shelly