Washington DC trip

Last week I traveled back east to participate in my good friend, Becca's wedding. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia and all of us bridesmaids were able to stay at her home, while we helped with the preparations.

Our first full day we went to George Washington's Mount Vernon. Where George & Martha lived from 1759 - 1799. We toured the estate and grounds, which have been kept as faithful as possible to the original. A fun fact was that during one year the Washington's hosted over 600 overnight guests.

After Mount Vernon we had lunch & sight seeing in Georgetown. Our sight seeing included the restaurant where JFK proposed to Jackie. And Holy Trinity Catholic Church where President Kennedy and his family attended while living in the DC area.

Thursday and Friday were mainly running wedding errands. However, Friday night was the cocktail hour in Alexandria's historic old town and then a trip to the Lincoln Memorial. Half way walking across the Potomac River into the district, the sky opened up and we were caught in a downpour. We made it to the Lincoln Memorial and huddled inside to wait out the rain. The rain did eventually stop and we and we made it to see my favorite the Korean War Memorial. There was just something about seeing this at night in the rain that made it all the more moving. We also visited the Vietnam Memorial and the Red Cross Woman's Vietnam Memorial.

Saturday was the rehearsal at the Old Presbyterian Meeting house, the church building that President Washington attended. Then dinner at the Athenaeum which was once where General Robert E Lee did his banking.

Sunday was the wedding in historic Leesburg, VA which the groom joked is as far west as the locals travel. It was a beautiful but very hot (95 degrees) day. The groom, Kevin, had joked that he was putting me in charge of the weather after Friday's walk in the storm. So I'm happy to report the weather agreed with me.

Monday was our last day for visiting. It felt very fitting to spend Memorial Day in the Nation's capitol. The Arlington National Cemetery is very sobering on this day. We were also able to see part of the Memorial Day parade and festivities.
The National Archives was my favorite place to visit and I could have spent the entire day there but unfortunately I was with people who wanted to visit other places. We also, visited the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

Overall I had a wonderful trip, and I can't wait for a return visit.

Tiah