Day 4 - Sunday

Woke up to a bright and sunny morning, no hint of the storms of yesterday. I'd booked a 3-hour Segway tour for this morning at 10am, so it was a quick shower and breakfast then off to catch the Metro.

I'd downloaded the map before I left home, so it seemed easy enough. Catch the red line, change at Metro Center for the blue line, and get off at Foggy Bottom (hehe). Couldn't figure out their ticketing system, and it was lucky I asked for help as the red line was being serviced. So had to take three trains instead of two. Looked like it was going to be hot, so applied sunscreen while on the train. Made it to Foggy Bottom at 9:54 so jogged the three blocks to the Segway depot. Phew, made it!

After a brief lesson in Segway-riding, we were off. If you get the chance to do this, go for it! It is soooo much fun and you can cover much more territory than walking. Our guide was very knowledgeable so I can actually tell you something about the buildings and monuments now. The city is so much greener than I expected, and well setup for tourism. Reminded me of Melbourne, but just a bit bigger!

With my L plates on

At the White House (not the side usually shown in movies). Was a sandstone colour originally, but the British tried to burn it down. Didn't work but left scorch marks on it. So they just painted over them.

A panorama - the street we are on has been closed to traffic for security reasons

At the Newseum. Each morning the front pages of all the US papers are displayed here. Didn't make it back here to go through this museum.

The Capitol Building (with the statue of Freedom on top which has her back to us, so the sun never sets on freedom)

Picture taken from the Capitol Building, looking down The Mall to the Washington Monument

Just for you, Scott!

 

At the Lincoln Memorial

 This was probably enough for one day, but no, must see more museums! The Air and Space museum was next, lots of interesting things in here!

Next was to the Botanical Gardens. Very different to Melbourne's was mostly indoors.

Current theme was Savage Garden

A Cacao tree (mmm, chocolate). The pods are hanging from the trunk.

Ahh, sunshine... A little rest out the front of the Botanical Gardens

Still haven't fitted in enough, so was picked up by Gilbert and Rosemay and taken to Georgetown. This area is the old part of town and has lots of little shops to browse. There is also a lovely waterfront with plenty of dining options, very pleasant. Had a quick Mexican dinner, then back to the city centre for an evening walking guided tour of the monuments.

Now this was good. Our guide Chris, loves history so he was very enthusiastic in his story-telling.

National WWII Memorial, with Lincoln Memorial in the background

Abraham Lincoln lit up in the centre

Is that the head of Charles Lee in the back of Abraham Lincoln's hair or not?

 The tour was scheduled to go until 9pm, and I was booked to stay at a hotel in Hagerstown that night (1.5 hrs away). When the Cangy's found this out they insisted I stay at their house, which I did. Much quicker trip home that night so got to bed about 11pm. What a great day!