Roamin' Catholics
Well, we're not much for sitting around the house all summer. We'd much rather take full advantage of our vacation. In between weddings, we've enjoyed spending time with family and visiting friends. Last week, we mixed in a road trip to our nation's capital. Why not?
Our first stop was a tour of Arlington National Cemetery. JFK's eternal flame was pretty impressive, but the best part of the cemetery was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some interesting facts: The Third United States Infantry Regiment has guarded the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (even through Hurricane Isabel) since 1930. Guards change every 30 minutes. For the first six months of a 2-year commitment, a guard cannot talk to anyone or watch TV. Each guard spends 5 hours per day preparing his uniform for duty.
During our visit, we were very fortunate to have our own personal tour guide. Sarah's Dayton housemate, Karen, generously shared her time and impressive self-taught knowledge about D.C. On Tuesday she let us in on the best kept tourist secret. We avoided the long lines at the Washington Monument, opting instead for the old Post Office building with the second best view of the city. This is where I tried to impress Karen with my own bit of D.C. trivia... involving baseball, of course. I told her that 1894 Cubs catcher Pop Shriver became the only person to catch a baseball dropped from the 500-ft. observation deck of the Washington Monument. But she actually already knew this! Very impressive.
On Tuesday night Karen treated us to a night tour of all the monuments. We dined on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before the sun went down and we visited the Vietnam, Korean War, WWII, Jefferson, and FDR monuments. Standing in the very spot MLK stood while changing the world with his spine-tingling words was simply awe-inspiring. It was my favorite spot in the city.
Washington and Lincoln.
Washington Monument at night... and Colorado represented at the WWII Memorial.
WWII Memorial
On Wednesday we joined Karen for her summer gig as a tour guide, and we covered a lot of the city thanks to our own personal transporters known as "Segways." There was no better way to see the city than zipping around on these things for over 7 miles as Karen showed us the sites.
With Karen in front of the Capitol Building.
Outside the Supreme Court, with a piece of tape covering their mouth to represent
the unborn baby without a voice, they stand in protest of Roe v. Wade.
... and the final branch.
One of our motivations for visiting D.C. was so that I could knock out one of the 4 ballparks in which I have yet to see a game. We planned on going to the game against the Angels on Wednesday night, but did not yet have tickets. During our segway tour, Karen mentioned to a tourist in a Nationals hat that we were going to the game. The woman decided that instead of a tip, she would provide our tickets to the game. But not just any tickets. Turns out her husband is the team's third base coach (Tim Tolman)! So after picking up our tickets at the players' will call, we settled in behind home plate and enjoyed access to the "Diamond Club" bar/restaurant. Sitting with the players' families, we witnessed the Nationals walk-off winner in the 9th. What a way to see my 28th ballpark (i.e., for 26 different teams since I doubled up on the ChiSox and Milwaukee; the 4 left? Minnesota, Florida, Tampa Bay, and Seattle.) Thanks Karen and Mrs. Tolman!
#26 down, 4 to go.
Sarah with our amazing hosts: Chelsea, Karen, and Patty.
We finished up our week with a tour of the Capitol Building in the morning and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Catholic University in the afternoon.
Immaculate Conception at Catholic U. Largest Catholic church in the country,
6th in the world.
Spectacular mosaics and cool tokens from Benedict's
recent visit.
It was here at the Basilica gift shop Sarah fell in love with a cheesy magnet. I guess the cartoon backpacker below the words "Roamin' Catholic" could serve as our theme logo this summer. With our nation's birthday upon us, many summer adventures still await. And with visits to my mother country and our mother "ship" on the calendar, these roamin' Catholics are just getting started. Wish you were a teacher yet?
Thanks a million to our ACE classmates Chelsea and Patty and friends Karen and Nate for your generous hospitality in D.C. Can't wait to return the favor out west!
For full Wash DC photo album see http://beyellow.snapfish.com/snapfish
Our first stop was a tour of Arlington National Cemetery. JFK's eternal flame was pretty impressive, but the best part of the cemetery was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some interesting facts: The Third United States Infantry Regiment has guarded the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (even through Hurricane Isabel) since 1930. Guards change every 30 minutes. For the first six months of a 2-year commitment, a guard cannot talk to anyone or watch TV. Each guard spends 5 hours per day preparing his uniform for duty.
During our visit, we were very fortunate to have our own personal tour guide. Sarah's Dayton housemate, Karen, generously shared her time and impressive self-taught knowledge about D.C. On Tuesday she let us in on the best kept tourist secret. We avoided the long lines at the Washington Monument, opting instead for the old Post Office building with the second best view of the city. This is where I tried to impress Karen with my own bit of D.C. trivia... involving baseball, of course. I told her that 1894 Cubs catcher Pop Shriver became the only person to catch a baseball dropped from the 500-ft. observation deck of the Washington Monument. But she actually already knew this! Very impressive.
On Tuesday night Karen treated us to a night tour of all the monuments. We dined on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before the sun went down and we visited the Vietnam, Korean War, WWII, Jefferson, and FDR monuments. Standing in the very spot MLK stood while changing the world with his spine-tingling words was simply awe-inspiring. It was my favorite spot in the city.
Washington and Lincoln.
Washington Monument at night... and Colorado represented at the WWII Memorial.
WWII Memorial
On Wednesday we joined Karen for her summer gig as a tour guide, and we covered a lot of the city thanks to our own personal transporters known as "Segways." There was no better way to see the city than zipping around on these things for over 7 miles as Karen showed us the sites.
With Karen in front of the Capitol Building.
Outside the Supreme Court, with a piece of tape covering their mouth to represent
the unborn baby without a voice, they stand in protest of Roe v. Wade.
... and the final branch.
One of our motivations for visiting D.C. was so that I could knock out one of the 4 ballparks in which I have yet to see a game. We planned on going to the game against the Angels on Wednesday night, but did not yet have tickets. During our segway tour, Karen mentioned to a tourist in a Nationals hat that we were going to the game. The woman decided that instead of a tip, she would provide our tickets to the game. But not just any tickets. Turns out her husband is the team's third base coach (Tim Tolman)! So after picking up our tickets at the players' will call, we settled in behind home plate and enjoyed access to the "Diamond Club" bar/restaurant. Sitting with the players' families, we witnessed the Nationals walk-off winner in the 9th. What a way to see my 28th ballpark (i.e., for 26 different teams since I doubled up on the ChiSox and Milwaukee; the 4 left? Minnesota, Florida, Tampa Bay, and Seattle.) Thanks Karen and Mrs. Tolman!
#26 down, 4 to go.
Sarah with our amazing hosts: Chelsea, Karen, and Patty.
We finished up our week with a tour of the Capitol Building in the morning and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Catholic University in the afternoon.
Immaculate Conception at Catholic U. Largest Catholic church in the country,
6th in the world.
Spectacular mosaics and cool tokens from Benedict's
recent visit.
It was here at the Basilica gift shop Sarah fell in love with a cheesy magnet. I guess the cartoon backpacker below the words "Roamin' Catholic" could serve as our theme logo this summer. With our nation's birthday upon us, many summer adventures still await. And with visits to my mother country and our mother "ship" on the calendar, these roamin' Catholics are just getting started. Wish you were a teacher yet?
Thanks a million to our ACE classmates Chelsea and Patty and friends Karen and Nate for your generous hospitality in D.C. Can't wait to return the favor out west!
For full Wash DC photo album see http://beyellow.snapfish.com/snapfish
That's a great story about your baseball tix! Bring your good luck with you to ROME!!
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