Summer Vacation 2005: Day 3

Our third day in the Capitol City was set aside for the more popular sites within our Nations infrastructure. We decided that we wanted to visit the Capitol building and the Washington Memorial, both of which required that we stand in line very early in the morning in hopes of obtaining five of the very limited daily tickets given out for free. So our morning was spent first in line at the Capitol building then after a long walk to the other end of the National Mall we stood in line at the Washington Memorial. Before our scheduled time in the Capitol we were able to visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History. At the very entrance of this museum we found the one item we had actually decided beforehand to look for. This is one of only two remaining Sun Stones from the original Nauvoo Temple which was destroyed in the early 1900's after our church members left Illinois and headed for Utah.


Between Kristy attempting to wring out clothes the old fashioned way and seeing Archie Bunkers chair there was no dought in our mind that America is certainly a land of much unique history.

Before we knew it our time had arrived for us to enter the Capitol of our beloved country.



We had a tour guide that explained many things including the many different domes our Capitol building has had over the years. I must admit however that from his descriptions I prefer the current dome which was most beautiful as seen above.

In the room just to the right of the dome room was the original room that held the House of Representatives. As the number of members of the House grew the room was soon too small and therefore moved to an addition to the building, however this room is far from abandoned. Each state was asked to send two statues of individuals that had the most influence on their state. Utah sent one of their statues depicting Brigham Young, one of our church's' leaders from the late 1800's who was responsible for settling the Salt Lake City Valley. This statue among with many others now reside in this historic room.


After our grand tour of the Capitol we stopped for a bite at the Smithsonian Native American History Museum. The food was unbelievable, it was so good that we were influenced to return to the museum on one of the following days as we did not have time this day due to our scheduled time for the Washington Memorial.


The menu included tamales, fry bread, some crazy looking potato salad, and some other weird stuff that was just amazing.


To experience the Washington Memorial from the ground is one thing, but to take the elevator all the way up and to view this grand city from a bird's eye view is simply breathtaking.

Our last stop for the day was at another magnificent church, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This Basilica reminded me of my time in Rome, it is not too often as Ray pointed out that such would be the case in America. We enjoyed a very nice tour of this beautiful place of God.


Before arriving back at our Motel we found ourselves in the middle of a sting operation. A police car pulled out of no where right in front of us and then many other police cars showed up almost as quickly and in a flash the police had two people in custody of whom were yanked right out of their SUV. We obviously experienced many aspects of our Nations Capitol.

During our first vacation with Ray, he and I got haircuts in the old Marine Corps town Kristy and I used to live in. This year we decided to keep our hair, just not our color. We used the same dye on our heads but Rays midnight black (with some gray) turned into a very deep burgundy, mine ..... well it was some where between nasty blonde and gross blonde. To be young....and dumb! It was fun all the same.

Summer Vacation 2005: Day 2

One attraction in the DC area that has particular interest for Kristy and I is the place where we met and was married. Back in 1999 we never thought that one day we would return to the grounds of the Washington Temple to share this place with our children and our best friend, but here we were. The Temple was just as beautiful as we had remembered.

Prior to our vacation this year I presented a possible scenario to Ray concerning my hope that Kristy and I would be able to enter the Temple and partake in some of the work of the Lord within it's walls. Ray was very quick to accept the task of watching our girls while we would be inside for the 2-3 hours that it usually takes. When this day actually arrived I think the experience really tested him beyond his known abilities to cope with stress. Had Ray not regarded us as highly as he does I think this could have been a dealbreaker for our friendship.

You see Neleha is currently in the potty training stage and although we used diapers during our vacation we still attempted to promote her to use proper facilities for those personal matters. In preparation for Rays 3-hour tour of duty we attempted to assist Neleha with an earlier than normal routine BM. We tried multiple visits to the little girls room and even some medicinal assistance with a suppository. Unfortunately for Ray these methods finally worked after Kristy and I had been in the Temple for over an hour. Ray had to change a diaper, which would come to be his first experience from this end of the diaper. Luckily for Ray the Washington Temple has a fully staffed (with Missionaries) visitor center which he enlisted a Sister Missionary to watch Molly as he dove into the dirty diaper. In some ways I think Neleha planned it this way, I think she enjoyed Ray's attention any way she could get it.

After Kristy and I had completed our work and came to learn of the trials Ray faced we felt it only appropriate to make it up by taking him to our favorite restaurant in the DC area. Not that he had much an appetite by that point.



Molly was all for this new experience, she even had Ray show her how to use chopsticks.

BD's Mongolian Barbeque was where we held our luncheon after we were married and so it was a nice treat to return and experience this place once again from a new perspective. Ray was able to eat some, unfortunately though I think the events from that morning still had some carry over effects for the rest of the day.



Our next stop was the National Cathedral, which was most magnificent. It was just a day for visiting great edifices built up for the Lord.

Our last stop for the day was the Jefferson Memorial.

A day full of the Lord, foreign food, a National Fore Father, and lets not forget a BIG STINKY SURPRISE. Our vacation was coming together very nicely.

Summer Vacation 2005: Day 1 Washington DC

Our annual vacation began as the last three, we all loaded up in the van late at night and headed out for adventure unkown. Our last two vacations has included our friend Ray and so the tradition continued as it should. Our first vacation led us to the coast of the Carolinas including the most beautiful Outer Banks. Our second vacation was in Ray's neck of the woods of Texas including the most awesome city of San Antonio. This year we headed for Americas capitol city.

Ray and I took shifts on the 8 hour trip to Washington DC and for the first time I actually pulled my weight. Normally Ray does a majority of the driving but I decided this year I would do everything it took to actually share the driving. I had to drink more Sierra Mist and eat more snack food than should be allowed in an 8 hour trip but we made it in one piece.
Our first stop was at our Motel yes this year we were on a very tight budget so that we could do everything we set out to do and so our lodging was one area of the trip we decided to scrimp. The Motel 6 was located just outside of the Washington DC beltway in a city called Capitol Heights. We realized quickly that maybe we should have scrimped in another area of our trip when we had a security check-in at this motel before we could actually check in to our room. What was even more concerning was that even with the security we still didn't feel that safe. We got used to it after awhile but it was interesting for those first days in DC. However for our entire stay we had to continually remind the Motel staff that we needed more than two towels and wash clothes. At one point we even had to remind them to clean the room. My suggestion to anyone planning a visit to this beautiful city would be to stay within the beltway, not out of it.


After our security check and arrangements were cared for at the Motel, we headed for the Iwoa Jima Memorial and Arlington Cemetery. It was so wonderful to be back in the city Kristy and I met in, were engaged in, and married in. Kristy and I share some of our most cherished memories her in this area and to now bring our girls back to make new memories was a most choice experience.


We first walked around the awe inspiring recreation of the flag raising at Iwoa Jima. There has always been a certain place in my heart for the Marine Corps Memorial maybe because I know much of the history surrounding this memorial. Having served alongside the Marines as a field medic I gained an absolute appreciation for the sacrifice those men and women give so that we might live in peace and freedom. For our trip to DC it only seemed appropriate to start here at this memorial. Our next stop, or rather walk, was through Arlington Cemetery. How humbling it is to walk in the midst of so many honorable men and women who gave all for the greater good.















On my many visits to this area I never had the opportunity to observe the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In many ways that ceremony exemplifies the importance of our Armed Forces, the thought that every sacrifice is never forgotten. It was a highlight of the day. We paid our respects to the late President John F. Kennedy before departing from the sacred grounds of Arlington cemetery.



















One of the most romantic places I have ever found during my many travels was right her under the willow trees on the banks of the Potomac at sunset. It was here that Kristy and I were making out during the sunset of July 4th, 1999. It was just an hour before I asked Kristy to marry me during the National Fireworks Display.




















From the Potomac we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial and entered the solemn temple of one of our greatest American Presidents. From there we walked the honorable path of the Vietnam Memorial, the many names, of the many sacrifices, forever engraved in the heart of America, never to be forgotten or taken for granted.

Our last stop for the day was at the World War II Memorial which was the first time any of us had laid eyes on this most remarkable emblem of Americas greatest moment. I apologize for only having this night photo but it will allow you an excuse to visit it yourself.