Washington D.C. 31/08/13

We left Tall Timbers about 10am in the beautiful cruisy Toyota (V8) which seated the six of us very comfortably. A detour down Piney Point Rd was interesting; each resident's block faces the road and also has an extra bit on the opposite side of the road down to the Potomac River, usually with his own cabana (gazebo). These are private beaches, but the road is public.

We reached D.C. after  1 1/2 hours and managed to park in the street so that we could have lunch at a Cosi's eating place. Dad and I find ordering at these restaurants very stressful. The people ask us questions which we don't understand, the food is often unfamiliar, and everything seems so fast. Anyway, the Houghtons have been 'protecting' us, and we had an enjoyable lunch. We then walked to the north side of the White House where a demonstration was in progress about no war in Syria and another group were just arriving declaring that they love Egypt!! It was amazing though to see the icon 'in the flesh.' You can just see two Secret Service agents on the roof, keeping an eye on proceedings.

After our visit to the President's place, David dropped Carmel and us off at the Lincoln Memorial, where a giant statue of Abe stares down towards the Washington Monument, currently encased in scaffold because of a crack caused by an earthquake a few years ago. It's Labor Day weekend, and loads of people around the Memorial, on this warm, humid day, Despite this, we could almost hear Forrest Gump calling out to his beloved, "Jenny!"

And here is a view across the Reflecting Pool, towards the Washington Monument. You can just see the dome of the Capitol building behind it.

Next stop was the Smithsonian Museum of American History on Constitution Avenue. Many interesting exhibits, including the original 'Star-Spangled Banner Flag', 30'x42' made by Mary Pickersgill during the American-British war of 1812. There were a number of original gowns worn by First Ladies at their husbands' inaugurations. Here's Laura Bush's...

David picked us up and we drove to Tyson's Corner, and the famous 'Cheescake Factory,' where we met up with Patrick and April Pearce, and their five daughters, recently returned from Canberra where Patrick was working at the US Embassy. It was great seeing them, and we enjoyed a bountiful feast.

And the cheesecake was very nice ;-)

Finally, six tired bunnies travelled to the Bolling Airforce Base, where Lt Col had arranged very nice (and inexpensive) digs.