I was leery when I opened the curtains Wednesday to find a heavy fog clung to the Virginian landscape. The beautiful morning I'd hoped for wasn't in view. Not disheartened, we worked through a big breakfast and made preparations for another huge day exploring, museums, monuments, memorials and even the Millennium Stage!!!

US Holocaust Memorial Museum - The day began later than normal with our first venue, the Holocaust Museum, opening at 10:00 am. We entered the line without tickets, as they weren't required for the exhibit we were viewing (one recommended for children under the age of 11). After a quick trip to washrooms we spent some time on the lower level examining children's art on a "tile wall" and listening to audio accounts of holocaust survivors. Then we ventured to the main floor for Remember the Children: Daniel's Story, an interactive exhibit designed to explain the story of the holocaust to young people, through the eyes and writing of a young person. The exhibit was all absorbing, as it chronicled Daniel's experience from normal life to prison camp. Peter and Monica were glued to the videos and artifacts. Afterward, both asked many questions in regards to what happened. A coming to terms activity at the end of the exhibit, which provided a "post office" for kids to write a letter to Daniel, mail it in a special mail box and even have it posted for others to see, allowed them to actually become part of the exhibit. Taking the sensitivity of the material into consideration, the whole of Daniel's Story was very well done.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial - It was on our way to the Jefferson Memorial that the sun actually started to break through the clouds and we saw the sun glisten off Washington Monument. It was a much needed change of weather for our excursion around the tidal pool and through the eastern portion of the Mall. The Jefferson Memorial, patterned from Rome's Pantheon, houses a mammoth statue of Jefferson and highlights many of his words chiseled in the walls within. The monument, which overlooks the tidal pool and views Washington Monument, is passive and seems a spot for remembrance and reflection. Spectacular architecturally in its European style and grandeur.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - Another spectacular, yet modern, memorial site. We especially enjoyed the stone work and statues (ie Bread Line, President in wheelchair) which explore this very capable, yet vulnerable, president. FDR served three terms in some of the most trying times the nation has experienced beyond Civil War, including the Great Depression and WW II. This monument seems a fitting tribute.

WW II Memorial - With the fountains and pool being filled with water on our arrival, this monument's circular design and pillars identifying each state honor soldiers that served in the second World War. A wall of stars, numbering 4,000, represent the 400,000 troops who died in fighting from 1941-45.

Korean War Veterans Memorial - This powerful series of statues depicts a platoon of soldiers moving in rain gear over a scrub terrain with haunting effect. When visiting this memorial we were impressed with the images etched into a finished stone wall which borders one side of the memorial site. Further, stones which identify all countries involved in the conflict, including Canada, have been placed to border the site.

Lincoln Memorial - The visit here really seemed to bring home where we were, and thoughts of Lincoln, Martin Luther King and more recently, Barack Obama only heightened the awareness. Housed in a majestic Greek-like temple, surrounded with Doric columns, a marble statue of Lincoln, with inscriptions of the Gettysburg address on the walls inside, the whole visit was somewhat surreal. People seemed to feel comfort as they sat on the steps viewing the National Mall or moved quietly within the chamber to view the sitting Lincoln and read the words of this important president. We did the same and sat on the front steps enjoying the sun, a simple bottle of water, and a special moment.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - We arrived at this memorial to hear a Parks guide speak about the monument and enjoyed his description of the three statues of soldiers, a la the movie Platoon, which are located at the entrance. The bulk of the tribute is carried by the angular, polished black granite wall with the over 58,000 names of those who fell in the Vietnam War. A veteran of the war related his story to passers by and amid visitors and family, and a quiet, solemn tone of respect was sensed by us all, especially Peter and Monica.

Albert Einstein Memorial - This often passed memorial has a so-ugly-it's-cute attraction, as an oversized Einstein monument sits quietly in the garden in front of the National Academy of Sciences building. The edifice, a bronze figure weighing approximately 4 tons, is open for visitors to sit amidst and climb over. Peter and Monica scaled the memorial and sat on the book of formulas and on his lap. Fun space and nice change of pace from the passive memorials of the Mall, honoring those who served in the military and presidents. The sculptor of the Einstein, Berks, also created the JFK bust we would be seeing later in the evening in the main foyer of the Kennedy Centre.

Phillips Collection - After a short trek to the Foggy Bottom subway station, we headed for Dupont Circle and the Phillips Collection located nearby. This amazing collection is housed in a wonderfully restored Georgetown home and didn't disappoint. Our first draw to the doors was Jane's interest in Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, a painting we had originally expected to see in France on the previous March Break. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find works by Van Gogh, Degas, Pollock, and Hopper. Once again, the museum had brochures for the kids to enjoy and the rambled (in this somewhat quiet and up-scale little gallery). Of note was a class of art students who were moving from room to room while we were visiting. As one of the students began to elaborate on his evaluation of the hues/tones/movement of a particular piece, Peter flumped into a chair and sat with great interest listening to the "fluffy" description of the artists rendering. With relief, as I expected him to speak up amid the presentation and say "I really like the colors", Peter got up from the group of about 10 and headed for the next room. It was a great visit... in a classic, small art gallery.

Dupont Circle - We sat in the circle (a focal point of the Washington Gay district), admired the white marble fountain at its centre, and got great directions from an older lady that guided us to a Ben & Jerry's on the way back to Foggy Bottom on New Hampshire Avenue. We stopped, enjoyed some refreshing ice creams, and walked all the way through to the Watergate complex. A great stroll through the streets of DC on a beautiful and sunny spring afternoon.

Watergate Complex - Being over an hour early for the evening Kennedy Centre performance, we decided to do some exploring at the renowned (or maybe infamous) Watergate Complex. I was immediately struck be the very 60's/70's architecture. Best known for the Watergate burglaries which led to the resignation of President Nixon, the complex is a combination of hotel, office, apartments and retail buildings. With that in mind we wandered in with no expectations other than to see what was there. We ended up getting some great things accomplished. We started out through the lower level shops, and saw some definite candidates for dining. However, Jane spotted a barber shop and somehow coerced Peter to do the deed and get the mop chopped off his head. In 20 minutes he was all fixed up. Hell of a long way to go for a haircut in a very strange place, but whatever works!!! After that the four of us enjoyed a delicious pizza for eight, and relaxed in a diner-like atmosphere in the nearly empty pizzeria. Just plain odd, but one of those surprises that gets created when you wander off!!!

Kennedy Centre (Millennium Stage) - Just steps away from the Watergate buildings is The Kennedy Centre. Since 1971, the centre, described as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, has been presenting Arts performance, nurturing artists and supporting Arts education in America. Our visit to the centre was to enjoy one of the free Millennium Stage performances hosted every night at 6:00 pm. Upon our arrival we strolled the premises including the Hall of States, Grand Foyer and the River Terrace. Jane and the kids also enjoyed interactive exhibits prior to the show. The performance, done by high school winners of a national contest, was enjoyable and we could tell the students were thrilled and honored to have had the opportunity to perform in such a prestigious venue. The school showcased an excellent choir and students from their dance program. Excellent change of pace for us!!! After the performance, we hopped on the free shuttle to Foggy Bottom and took our last subway ride home to Crystal City.

It was a great way to round out our last night in DC, a city that we had grown attached to over our five day visit. When back to the ranch, we prepared as much as possible for the quick exit we'd make in the morning (in an effort to beat traffic) and get a solid rest.