The National Mall

We caught the 9:06 bus out of the park this morning. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the train station. From there it was a 40-minute ride to L'Enfant station, a couple of blocks from the mall. We didn't have a plan as to what we were going to do but walked to the mall and on to the Washington Monument. They issue free tickets but it was first come, first serve basis. Glenda did not want to go but I was able to get one for 12 noon. Was back down by 12:30 and got some good pictures. I had gotten the ticket a 11 am and had an hour to kill so went to the WWII Memorial. It was not built the last time we were here, and we were impressed. It is well done. I wished it had been here when we were out here with my folks as my Dad served in WWII.

We went to lunch in the Reagan Building. They had a food court there and wouldn't you know it, you had to go through a security check. I guess a person should feel secure eating out.

We then went to the White House Visitors Center to see if it was possible to get a tour of the White House. Well another security check. As it turns out you need to apply at least a month in advance and be in a group of 10. I did ask if there was other options and was told if you know a congressman or senator they could walk you to the White House. Scratch that one off! It is good to know they are giving tours again, the last I heard they were no longer doing that. That is why we never thought about checking.

We did do a lot of walking today. Walked around the White House and saw the Presidential John Deere parked on the front lawn. Yes, I did take a picture. Of all things, it looked just like mine but was too far away to tell for sure. It did have different tires though.

From there we walked to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We looked through the catalog of names for Bowling's and found 5 with that same spelling plus other different spellings of the name. I was surprised to see that as there are not that many of us out there. I understand the name is a lot more common in Ohio and that is where one of the persons was from. There is an old family Bible where someone has written that the Bowling's moved to Ohio on April 9th, 1837. So our line came through there also.

So much for that, from there we walked to the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean Veterans Memorial and then on to the Jefferson Memorial. We had a bite to eat at one of the hotels and then to the train station for the ride home. I will try to load up a few pictures. The Internet speed is real slow tonight though.

We are taking a tour of the Capitial at 2PM tomorrow. We may go the Air and Space museum until it is time. More Later