National Cathedral

National Cathedral - This was our very last stop in DC Friday afternoon.  Our docent was very knowledgeable and entertaining as she explained more about this Episcopal cathedral.  

Washington Monument

The Washington Monument - we got to travel 500 ft up to the observation deck for some spectacular views of DC.  The monument was completed in 1885 after sitting incomplete for many years.

WWII Memorial

WWII Memorial - This memorial was absolutely beautiful.  Everything had symbolism.  The pillars that surrounded the memorial represented each state and were in the order of how the states joined the union.  There was a stone "rope" that connected all the state pillars that symbolized how everyone pulled together during this war.  The US had the 10th largest army before this war and ended up having the largest army by the time this war was over due to all the citizens who enlisted.

Constitution Gardens

Constitution Gardens - this park pays tribute to those who created and signed the Constitution.

Vietnam War Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial - this memorial is very different from the others.  The memorial was intended to blend in with the surroundings, so the wall design was selected as the contest winner for this war memorial.  The designer thought that the wall design looked like it had been cut into the earth.  She said that it represented that the country, just like the earth, would heal in time because of controversy that surrounded the country's involvement in this war.  This monument is also peaceful and reflective.  Many people have left decorated rocks to pay tribute to those lives lost in Vietnam.

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial - this memorial was even larger than I expected!  Students were excited to see Lincoln and some even read the entire Gettysburg Address out loud while we were there.  This monument represents so much about the civil rights that we have today especially since it was the site of the MLK "I Have a Dream" speech.

Korean War Memorial

Korean War Memorial - This memorial seemed very lifelike.  The soldiers appear to be looking right at you and also gives you some insight as to what it might have been like to serve during this war.

Flipping for the Kennedy Center

Mrs. Seitz wanted to re-live her first memories of the Kennedy Center from when she was 12.  At that time, she and her sister had turned cartwheels down the red carpet.  Well, we all coerced her to try this again...see our video!

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - We took a quick tour through this center on Thursday night.  The lush red carpet and brilliant chandeliers are stunning.  The main hallway is so long that the Washington Monument could be laid down end to end with room to spare!

FDR Memorial

FDR Memorial - This memorial has lots of waterfalls and four outside "rooms" that tells the story of the nation during each of FDR's terms.

Holocaust Museum

Holocaust Museum - This was a very somber experience for the students.  Everyone received a booklet that portrayed a victim of the Holocaust.  Each student had a different person with a different story to try to make the museum experience more personal for the students.  The students really took this experience seriously and their behavior was excellent!

Q & J Dance-Off Footage

Quinton/Jarrod Dance-Off Footage

Lunch Cruise - Part Deux

Lunch Cruise - Part 2...After lunch, students could either hang out on the decks of the vessel or participate in the dance party inside.  Quinton won the dance-off with Jarrod...video should be posted soon!  Quinton received a free fruit smoothie for his sweet dance moves.  One of the best parts was seeing the chaperones shake their groove things!  And, yes, for those seventh grade readers back in Circleville, Mrs DJ Willy did make an appearance.

Lunch Cruise

Lunch Cruise - Part 1

We had a wonderful lunch cruise onboard the Spirit of Washington.   The lunch was a delicious buffet of various salads, pork loin, roasted chicken, and wild Alaskan salmon.  Once everyone went through the buffet we took off for a leisurely cruise down the Potomac.  Notice how excited Mr. B looks to go up to the yummy buffet! :)

The Mount Vernon Grounds

We continued walking around the grounds and viewed the Old Tomb as well as the New Tomb.  George and Martha Washington are on display in separate sarcophaguses.  Other family members are buried within an inner area of the tomb.

Later, we visited the Educational Center there.  There was a life-sized figure of Washington on his horse.  We also watched a short movie on the Revolutionary War that had lots of special effects, including fake snow!

Mt. Vernon