Washington D.C., Day Three

For some, the 2nd morning started by walking over to the Iwo Jima memorial (which is 4 or 5 blocks from our hotel) and then on to Arlington National Cemetery for a visit.  For the others who weren't up for starting their day at 7:00 am, missed timed alarm clocks and misplaced Metro cards began "Museums Day".   Once we got going, we started at the Holocaust Museum which, if you've never been, is very moving and very powerful.  The students, all of them, took the entire experience to heart.  They were respectful, inquisitive, and took their time going through the exhibits.  After nearly 2½ hours inside, most of us were through the tour and in the main lobby when.... the fire alarm sounded.  Patrons were ushered to the nearest exits immediately so our group of 23 was broken up.  In another era this would have been madness, literally a thousand people outside... teachers standing on benches signalling for kids to walk a certain direction, adults yelling the names of their groups, people on all four sides of the museum.  Fortunately, in an age of smart phones and group chat, our group was back together in a matter of minutes!  Whew.

For lunch, we split up, people were able to get what they wanted to eat, and each group got to decide which of the four museums they wanted to visit.  Some went to the Natural History Museum, some went to American History (yeah!), some went to the National Art Gallery, and others went to the Air & Space Museum (although most took in at least two).  

After T-Rex exhibits, the Apollo Missions, the Revolutionary War chronology, several flight simulator rides, U.S. Presidential portraits and artifacts, and the "Spirit of St. Louis", we settles into a late afternoon IMAX showing entitled "Journey Into Space".  Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel in rush hour Metro traffic, where we'll rest up a bit before heading back into Georgetown for dinner (and maybe a 2nd trip to Georgetown Cupcakes!!)

Tomorrow morning we check out and head for the train station for a 3 hour ride up to New York City.  Washington has been great.  Lots of walking, lots to see, lots of discussion, lots of pictures...  certainly a packed 3 days.  But, I'd say the teenagers are ready for the sights and sounds of New York!