Arlington National Cemetery

After our time in Williamsburg, we spent several days in Washington, DC. So much to see, so little time! We started with Arlington National Cemetery.

It was a sacred experience to spend time on such holy ground.

We were both surprised at just how big the cemetery is.  We couldn't really wrap our minds around it until we saw it with our own eyes.  It just goes on and on... and on...

We visited the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame Presidential Memorial -- President Kennedy's gravesite.

"Let every nation know whether it wishes us well or ill that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." ~ John F. Kennedy.

"The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire can truly light the world." ~ John F. Kennedy 

We took a quick tour of the Arlington House, but it is currently undergoing extensive renovations, so we didn't get to see much inside.  It was built by George Washington Parke Custis, the only grandson of Martha Washington -- through her first marriage.  There was much back and forth between the U.S. Government and the Custis-Lee family after the Civil War, including a lawsuit that was settled by the U.S. Supreme Court that ruled the government had illegally seized the property from the family without due process.  The next year, George Washington Custis Lee (son of Robert E. Lee) sold the property back to the government for $150,000 ($3 million today).  The Washington, Custin, and Lee family connections are pretty interesting.  You can read more on all of the links within this post.

The very impressive Arlington Memorial Amphitheater has hosted state funerals and Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Easter ceremonies.

We came upon the Tomb of the Unknowns just as they began a wreath-laying and changing of the guard. This monument is dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified.

I didn't feel right taking pictures of the wreath-laying or the participating children, but I snapped a few of the soldier "walking the mat" after the ceremony.

We got our best view of The Pentagon.

And our first view of the Washington Monument and The Capitol.

It was such a privilege to walk the grounds of Arlington.  We took time to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made by our soldiers and their families for hundreds of years.  All give some; some give all.

Bye, Bye Williamsburg

Matt and Kim introduced us to their favorite local eats.  For Justin's birthday dinner, we splurged on seafood.  We couldn't be that close to the Atlantic ocean and not indulge.  Salmon, Maryland crab cakes, and two different shrimp dishes.  My mouth hasn't been that happy in years.

We also spent some time at their favorite dessert spot: Sweet Frog. Where they charge you by the WEIGHT of your frozen yogurt. How brilliant is that?

This is the cute place where Matt and Kim live. Crazy adorable, right?

We had such a wonderful, memorable time in Williamsburg; we don't get to see our east coast relatives often enough. Thank you, Matt, Kim, Karlee, and Colton for such great hospitality!

We took Amtrak to our next adventure: Washington DC!

The Governor's Palace

Our favorite place in Colonial Williamsburg was the Governor's Palace.

The Governor's Palace was the home of five Royal Lieutenant-Governors, two Royal Governors, and the first two Governors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. An act by Virginia's General Assembly in 1706 authorized the construction of a residence in Williamsburg for the Governor. The Palace, completed in 1722, was destroyed by fire in 1781 while it was being used as a hospital for Americans wounded at the battle of Yorktown. The Palace was reconstructed on its original foundations and is furnished to represent the home of the last British Governor of Virginia, John Murray, the fourth Earl of Dunmore, and his family.

It was very striking.

We really enjoyed the little peek into historical daily life.

This was the daughters' room.  Note the dance instruction book laid out on the table.

Look closely at the chair.  It's a potty.

I had the distinct impression that our tour guide was overflowing with knowledge that he was willing to impart, if we were only smart enough to know which questions to ask.  Alas, we were not.

The decor colors of the era were a little brighter than I would have imagined.

We toured the cellar and separate kitchen buildings.

The grounds were gorgeous, and so peaceful.

I. love. old. stuff.

The gardens were extensive (and mosquito-infested).  Check out that garden maze.

Oh, the stories the Palace property could tell...the moments of historical significance it has witnessed...

Virginia is for Lovers, Part 2

We spent a day touring Colonial Williamsburg, enjoying the rich history of the community. I have a weakness for quaint old houses in general, and colonial architecture in particular.

Justin and I were punished in the stocks for our rabble rousing.

We visited the armory...

And we toured an old courthouse that doubled as a war hospital.

Beautiful gardens...

Beautiful niece, Karlee...

We got to see a cavalry reenactment.

We loved the costumed volunteer "townspeople" everywhere!

We explored nooks and crannies.

It was a major step up from our typical hot dates to Costco!

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Virginia is for Lovers, Part 1

Justin and I recently had the incredible opportunity to escape across the country while our children were being cared for by three very brave and generous families.  We spent an entire week in Williamsburg, Virginia and Washington, DC!

All of the kids had a marvelous time with their respective host families. This trip wouldn't have even been possible without the willingness of some amazing friends to adopt our favorite people for a whole week.  I was a little (a lot) worried about leaving Crew for so long, but the rumors are that he was a perfect angel the. entire. time.

We stayed with Justin's brother's family.  They housed us, fed us, took us to their favorite haunts, and used their local connections to get us big discounts into everything we wanted to do in a Williamsburg Whirlwind Adventure.  It was so. much. fun!  (Did I mention we left our kids behind?)  They did all of this while getting ready to leave town for a summer internship, if you can believe it.  We stayed with them for 3 nights; they hopped in their car to leave for the whole summer just a few hours after dropping us off at the train station.  Crazy, right?

Our gracious hosts, Matt and Kim:

We spent our first day travelling across the country, catching up with Matt, Kim, and their children, and feasting on Honey Lime Enchiladas (yum!)  They were well prepared for weary, hungry travelers.

The next day, Matt and Kim recruited sitters for their own kids and we escaped for a day of roller coastering at Busch Gardens!  No surprise that this park wins the "most beautiful theme park" award every year.  It felt good to be on the east coast again with all of that luscious greenery.  Williamsburg is a gorgeous, quiet little town with lots of things to see and do.  I can understand why they are so happy there and why they will miss it when their days of law school at William and Mary are behind them next year.

(Yes, that is a real live bald eagle.  He/she is one of several injured bald eagles that live in protection within the Gardens)

This is the Griffon.  We all rode it several times and it was the scariest ride Justin and I have ever been on; they stopped us to hang over vertical drops like that a few times.  But we didn't wet our pants or anything, 'cause we're really brave.  The engineers that come up with these things have to be a little demented.

 I captured this photo of us enjoying Apollo's Chariot (along with a few others that didn't turn out as well).  And was chastised by their staff; Busch Gardens is not Disneyland.

 Neither Matt nor Kim had ever ridden the Mach Tower, but I really wanted to go on it.  Matt wasn't very excited about the daunting prospect, but as a good host, he didn't want me to have to ride it alone.  We buckled ourselves safely into the death trap and left the two other chickens on terra firma.  By the time we got almost to the top of the tower before the "big drop", I was whimpering and telling him how sorry I was that I had gotten us into this mess.  When all was said and done, it actually wasn't very scary at all.  It was just one semi-controlled drop and it was over.  The Tower of Terror uses more adrenaline than the Mach Tower.  Justin and Kim still haven't ridden it... just sayin'.   ;)

With Kimmy.

The brothers being goobs.

Matt and Kim giving us les smiles on Le Scoot.

Busch Gardens was such a fun experience!  Thanks, guys!!!

Up next:  Colonial Williamsburg!