Preview Day - Baltimore/ Washington!

Have I ever mentioned that I do not sleep well the night before I travel?  Well, if not, then please know that I don't.  Not sure if it is the excitement of a pending new adventure or the concern that everything is in order at home and for the trip.  Either way, I rose this morning after about four hours of sleep and left my cozy kitchen at 6:30 a.m. to drive to Christine's, my daughter, who is regularly stuck taking me to the airport.  She is home during the day and lives closest to it.

Smoothest airport  visit ever.  Only two people ahead of me in TSAPre-Chek whereas the CLEAR lines and regular lines wound on and on.  So quick security, PlaneTrain to the B gates took only a couple minutes and I settled in.  I was able to change my seat assignment from a middle to an aisle and free gate check of my bag.  The on-time Delta flight was quick to Baltimore and my bag was waiting on the carousel.  Out the door and was calling Ruth to let her know I was at the curb just as she pulled up.  Could we be so lucky that the whole trip will run so smoothly!

Gary and Ruth live in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland.  We picked up lunch at Boston Market and enjoyed catching up on the latest news.  Ruth and I then set out to take the Metro into Washington D.C.  The gloomy day was brightened by our 'sparkling conversation' as we walked nearly 4 miles to visit the memorials on the National Mall that I had not seen before.  The World War two cluster of pillars is impressive and the statement about it was moving.

Walking onward toward the Lincoln Memorial we came to the stunning War in Korea Monument which is a series of 26 life sized statues, each created with the face of an actual fallen hero.  They had wanted to have 52 statues but time and money, and space did not allow.  Whether it was planned or not there are 52 on a sunny day.  In the afternoon, when the sun hits the grouping just right, the shadows of the 26 fall on the wall behind the display and 52 Korean Veterans trudge through the jungle again!

We continued past the front of the Lincoln Memorial, and past the tourists having their pictures taken so that it looks like they are holding the top of the Washington Monument.  On our right was the Reflecting Pool and we each commented how it reminded us of the movie Forest Gump!  In the shade of the tall trees is a statue of three Vietnam Soldiers.  They are facing the wall which rises from the green grass to a height which mimics the timing of the war.  The tallest part of The Wall remembers the height of the war when most of the 57,939 men and women died whose names now are engraved here forever.

My big brother's friend died during this war. I found his name inscribed quite near the top, 20 rows down, but far over my head.  

Thank you Harold Bascom Durham, Jr.  As as his family knew him, Pinky.

We sat for a bit and contemplated the beauty of this part of the mall which belies the tragic histories it commemorates.  Further along we passed Constitution Gardens and the lake whose island holds the remembrance of the Founding Fathers.  As we made our way back to a Metro Station to return home we walked along Constitution Ave.  We passed the White House on the far side of the Ellipse and the Flaming Golden Sword of the Second Division. 

We were going to go up to the bell tower of Trump International  Hotel but it, the tower, closes at 4:30.  We were surprised we our watches told us it was already quarter to 6!  Time to head back on the crowded trains for a light supper.  But first, when we returned to Leisure World I got the guided tour of the wonderful variety of living options and community spaces.  I can see why Ruth and Gary have made this their retirement home.