Mom and Rachel visit Washington DC

Rachel was able to go with Mom on the Quilting Cruise Mom was escorting.  It was Rachel's Spring Break, so she came along to help out.  But, first - a quick visit to Washington DC.  We flew into Baltimore, drove to Alexandria for a Cruise Party for a 2014 cruise and then back to our hotel.  The next morning, we woke up early, had breakfast and headed to the train station.  We took the MARC train from Baltimore to Union Station in Washington, D.C.  It was cold and Rachel was tired.

After arriving in Union Station, we took the Metro to the National Mall area.  Our first stop was the Holocaust Museum.  We had tried to get tickets to the Special Exhibits but were told they were gone.  When we arrived this morning, we asked if they might have any and they did, so we were able to do the Special Exhibit, which was very interesting.  We were given a "passport" of someone who had been alive during the Holocaust.  We followed the exhibit through, learning about Hitler and his rise to power, the treatment of the Jews prior to and during the Holocaust, and heard stories from survivors.  There were many artifacts from the death camps, etc.  It was a very emotional experience.

 

Rachel had the opportunity to write her own pledge of how she would treat others regardless of the differences in people.  We also went through the exhibit of a little boy and his diary of events.  Rachel also lit a candle in memory of those who died during those times.

We headed over to the Museum of American History, with a quick picture stop of the Washington Monument (closed up for repairs from the earthquake last year).

We toured many exhibits within the museum.

Rachel was able to play President and give a speech.

 

 

Our $26 Washington DC lunch - we did get an extra packet of salad dressing for free!  Woo Hoo!

The wind was bitter cold and our Arizona winter clothes didn't quite fit the bill, but after walking from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial to the White House to the Metro - we were pretty much numb. 

 

Rachel at the Vietnam Wall

Rachel with Reflection Pool and Washington Monument in the background

 

Mom and Rachel at the Lincoln Memorial

 

Administration building next to the White House - our picture of the White House somehow got erased from Rachel's phone camera (dangit).

 

Waiting for the Metro to head back to Baltimore.  It was a fun day and we definitely need to come back so we can see more of this awesome city together one day.