A Day of Exploration

We finally got a goodnights sleep! Sleep is amazing!! After a quick breakfast at the hotel we were off to the Metro to go to the red line at Metro Square to head out to Union Station to get a trolley to do a tour and see some sights! First I had to conquer the incredibly tall escalator!! It has been my nemesis...a source of
Fear anxiety; but I was able to actually move down (the going up is an issue) the moving.... it is very tall and dark...maybe having it lighter would help!!! My travel buddies have been most patient, although they do laugh at me! So off we go past Foggy Bottom and Farragut stations we have a fairly uneventful transition to the red line and then made it to Union Station! It is an amazing place. I would like to take the Amtrak just to arrive in the station! It is fun to think of years past when people traveled by train all dressed up. I think it looks much better in the after noon than the morning, because the gold in the ceiling shines! We got the trolley ticked and we off to Arlington National Cemetery! It was so hot, but the changing of the Guard was fantastic!! We went to the American History Museum, and then split. Peggy and I headed to the National Cathedral....

Restoration Honor

Here we are very early in the morning sitting on our blankets out by the Lincoln Memorial awaiting the start of Restoration Honor with Glenn Beck! Sarah Palin is too be here and I am not sure who else will be here! There are thousands of people here already! It is truly amazing to see the Lincoln Memorisl lit up! Looking to our left there is the WWII Mermorial with the Washington Memorial and behind that the Capitol Building! it truly is beautiful! today is about faith, hope, and charity!

The days was certainly different than what had been portrayed in the mainstream media! It was a fantastic opportunity to have at least a half a million people gathered in one place with the desire to have God brought back into our daily lives and to honor those that give...many against amazing odds. There was the 40 day challenge that some people participated in and there was another 40 day challenge that was encouraged at 8/28.

It was a peaceful day, and there were not outburts, no violence, and NO LITTER when we left. People were nice to one another, not to say that some people were irritating, and less honorable people could have made the situation bad, but it didn't happen.

We walked back and Sue was gutsy enough to get us a taxi that we shared with a lady and gentleman and quess where they were from???? Fort Myers...small world, he was in his 80's and wanted to attend and they drove all the way up!!!

Sleep was in order for the afternoon followed by a late dinner.

DC Tour

Today we are off and running for an all day tour of DC! So far the weather is nice! Glenn has been at the Lincoln Memorial this morning and lead prayer! So awesome to have such freedoms! We took metro to federal triange, I still hate that long escalator! We are at the post office building about to board our bus!!!

Off to Washingto, DC

Another adventure is about to begin! I am going to our country's capital for the 828 adventure! The plane from Fort Myers got us right on time into Washington, DC. We got our luggage and it was relatively quick that we met up with Nancy, Sue's sister in-law. We got a taxi and we were off to the hotel. After a quick clean up we were off walking to the metro .... getting the tickets were a bit of a challenge, and then there was this extremely long escaltor...like am I going into the depths of the earth or what, and it is so dark....not my favorite. Getting the metro was easy, and soon we were walking on the Washington Mall with the Washington Monument behind us and the Capitol infront of us! We are snapping pictures via phones and cameras. The phones are great because you can email and facebook easily! We have left envious friends back home...but we're here....the Smithsonian is to the right of us!!! It is so exciting. The sun casts a halo around the top of the Washington Monunement, we're far enough that we can't see the Lincoln Memorial. The Capitol building is probably one of my favorite pieces of architecture! Freedom is on the top and the sun never sets on Freedom!!! We take our time and walk up to the steps and then walk over to the Botanical Gardens. We walked all the way to the Washington Monument, Sue and Nancy then left because they were hungry and Peggy and I walked over to the Lincoln Memorial. We got to the steps and heard a lot of whooping and we just missed Glenn Beck! He was there and passed out the last tickets to the event for Friday night!!! sigh..... It is just wonderful being hearing. We take our time in the Lincoln Memorial and then we walk back to the Amazing World War Two Memorial...the full moon is coming up behind the Washington Momnument...try as I might I want to get good picture...it is challenging but I do get a couple. We eventually walk back to the Metro and get off at our stop and stop for dinner and back to the short distance to the hotel. The other two in bed asleep! We showered and have happy memeories and prepare for a day of sightseeing!!!

Freedom Concert

Yesterday we drove up to Orlando to attend the Freedom Concert! This was to raise scholarship money for children of servicemen who died fighting for our country! Sean Hannity hosted and Col. Oliver North was also there! We were able to hear for those running for the Florida Governor, Attorneys General, and Marco Rubio who is running a Senate seat. Then were were entertained by Charlie Daniels, Michael W. Smith, and Lynard Skyner band! it was a fun night, although my hearing is still not quite right!

A day in paradise....

This free scrapbook design personalized with Smilebox

Days with Liz and Candy are always fun. Today was no exception. We made plans last Friday and today we're off to fulfill our goal...relax and have fun!!! We set off early and went down to Lover's Key and set the kayaks in the water and off we paddled. It always seems to be easier to get to where we are going than coming back! There was a lot of activity, with wave runners, boats, and kayaks on the water. We had lots of chatting and giggling, a break under the bridge and we finally reached the beach. We cooled off in the water, ate lunch, and of course the chatting and giggling never ended. One of the most exciting parts of the day was when we were back in the water and someone said "what's that?" "A crab" says someone else and before I new there was a crab SWIMMING and almost touched me. What is a girl to do???? but yell, scream, and frantically splash the water to get rid of the creature!! Minutes later we saw it walking along the beach floor under the water! There was a manatee earlier, many sea birds...plover, pelican, egret, etc. Some people walked by and showed us the spiny sea urchin and I guess there were many star fish in the water also. We began to get crispy and saw clouds rolling in so off we went paddling back...it takes more work to do that. We rested at the bridge and headed on...the water became quite shallow. Liz almost got a fish in her lap...and she was screeching up a storm....critters should remain at a distance!!! Then there was a spotting of dolphins. They swam in front of us and then off to my right...I didn't have my camera as I had given it to Candy, but I had my iPhone and I got it ready and the dolphin started jumping up and playing and I got a few pictures. How about that??? God was certainly making sure we had a splendid day. There were many wetland birds eating and we continued on...finally getting close to the dock and the sun at times covered by clouds and a nice breeze to help cool us off. We made it safely back, with many wonderful memories...days like this can simply be described as AWESOME!!!