road trip day 5

Rainy and gray and still fun. We drove into Washington DC for the day, stopping first at the Arlington Cemetery where we visited JFK and Jackie O's (who is referred to as a Kennedy on her tombstone) memorial, where you can see the eternal flame. My friend, Cherranne, asked permission and then put flowers on each stone. It was very sweet, since she is such a big fan.

After that, we meandered around the beautiful and extremely reverent grounds until we got to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We arrived just in time and were able to see the changing of the guard and the placement of the wreath, which is a daily occurrence. It was a spiritual kind of experience to see the exactness with which these men performed their duties. I was moved.

The rest of the day was spent walking around the monuments and Smithsonian, and seeing the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Accidental flashes went off on cameras and a menacing guard had to give a warning to one of my traveling companions (no names will be revealed), but no real damage done, so we celebrated with dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was yummy and loud and rock-and-rolly. Very very fun.

Tomorrow we are off to Palmyra, NY.

1 comment

charrette | June 6, 2009 at 1:10 AM

Very sweet about Cherranne putting flowers on the Kennedy gravestones. And I totally believe that reverence surrounding the Unknown Soldier. (I love that the wreath is a daily ritual.) I felt a similar reverence at the Lincoln monument. Truly awe-inspiring.

I am jealous sick that you are going to Palmyra tomorrow. I'm dying to go there. If you can, bring me a leaf from the Sacred Grove....