The Way We Travel... (Part 1 - Washington D.C.)

The family and I just got back from a 10 day vacation to the States. We drove to Washington D.C. and spent a weekend before driving to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for seven days. Each part of our tour was inspiring in its own way and we now rank this vacation as one of our best ever (second only to Prince Edward Island which will always remain our absolute favourite - it was our first family vacation in 2007 and it was absolutely amazing for so many reasons).

As a Canadian I did not hold Washington D.C. as one of those places "I have to visit". I figured we'd go when the opportunity presented but besides the Smithsonian museums I doubted there would be much interest for us "foreigners". I was wrong. Two days was simply not enough time. While there we visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and walked the length of the National Mall surrounded by scores of American tourists, scout groups, and loads of tourists (some of whom looked like well-off elite, others gangs of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts). There is something about America's capitol that draws together and inspires people from all walks of life. The diversity was very evident as we walked the pavement.

I stood under the massive stone that makes up the Martin Luther King Memorial, his likeness carved beautifully into the stone and I was inspired by the sheer number of tourists, mostly African Americans. We were literally the only Caucasians there and I could not figure out why.  I wish I could have told the scores of tourists haunting the Lincoln Memorial that just across the way was another inspiring memorial that held just as much significance for their nation. My son stood in the spot where Martin Luther King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech, over looking the reflecting pool and Washington Monument. I do not exaggerate when I say Americans sure know how to build impressive monuments that inspire a nation.

In the end two days was not enough. We did not even get to see the White House. There just was not enough time. After much debate about which museums we had to see, we went to The Natural History Museum and the Air & Space museum. My favourite exhibit in the Natural History Museum was the Human Origins exhibit and I really enjoyed the Wright Bros exhibit at the Air & Space museum. We left Washington D.C. with a promise to return, the next time for a week, where were could freely explore every nook and cranny at a more relaxed pace.

My next post will talk about our stint in the Great Smoky Mountains.