Washington DC - Day Two

Our Nations Capitol

Day two started out with a full breakfast at the hotel. This is the only place we have ever stayed that offers both a full breakfast and a supper as well... and we have a full kitchen in the room as mentioned in the day one post. So, after breakfast we walked back up the hill to the Metro stop one more time, purchased full day passes, feeling like Metro pros and headed back into DC proper. Taking the Metro a bit farther this time we got off the Silver line at the Capitol and were stunned at the activity.

Inaugural Preparations

All preparations were being made for the coming inaugural and the front of the Capitol was all decked out and there seemed to be acres of 'porta-potties'. We had read that the US National Park Service had over 5000 'porta-potties set in place for the expected crowds. We walked around the Capitol building and then over to the Hart building where our Senator, Senator Reed, from Rhode Island has his office. We thought that we would stop by and say hello and wish hime will with the new administration, but of course he was in a meeting but we chatted with his staff.  I asked his administrative assistant to tell him to give our Governor a swift kick for not attending the inaugural -- but I doubt he will. And that is about as deep into politics I will go here in this blog.

Senator Reeds Office

From here we went back to the Capitol and did a bit of a tour of the inside and then off to the National Gallery.

National Gallery

Being a couple of people who like to dabble in the arts, we were fascinated and could have stayed much much longer. I am always in awe of people who do this stuff well. We found gift shops and a place to have lunch, and paid way too much for everything..it is such fun being a tourist.

And did I mention that we visited the Botanical Garden as well... fantastic place, warm and humid and filled with exotic plant life and so
many flowers in bloom.  We walked the

A Stop at the Botanical Garden

length of the National Mall from the Capitol to the Washington Monument and back to the  L'Enfant Station and we passed so many things that we just did not have time to explore. "Next time" we kept saying and made a vow to return in April, maybe for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Ray's the Steaks.

US Capitol

Back in the Metro station Carol realized that her Metro pass had made an escape and we were forced to purchase another pass. Being the 'pro' that I am I was able to read the chart and purchase just what we needed.  Well, until we went to exit the Metro and discovered that the card I had purchased for Carol didn't have enough credit on it. We went to purchase more credit and the machine said to contact the station attendant -- who was missing!  We did what we need to do, we both went through on my pass and set off a few alarms..and the made a hasty exit. A quick stop at the local CVS to pick up a few forgotten things and back down the hill to get cleaned up and then back up the hill to meet friends at

Jim & Gaby met us at Ray's

Our dear friends Jim and Gaby met us at Ray's and we chatted almost until closing. We had not gotten together for several years and it was so good to get caught up with each other lives and rekindle the relationship. Jim and I first met back in 1972 where we both worked at a bicycle shop called AJ Spokes...Jim is the one who interviewed me for the job and we have been friends since. And it is amazing that after all these years we still look the same. . . .