More DC - Hirshorn, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial

After our super clean Metro ride,

 (however, I miss the NYC guy "Step away from the closing doors, please)

we ending up in the National Mall.

As soon as you come up, you see the Smithsonian Castle.

We never actually went inside though...

Next time. 

(Let's make a list of the things we're gonna do next time)

We were *trying* to be in town for the 100th Ann. of the Cherry blossom festival.  

But, we missed the blooms by a few weeks. 

Next time. 

(that's 2)

We watched the carousel spin for a bit and picked our favorite "horse." 

or dragon..whatever. 

 Then, we went over to the hirshhorn museum and sculpture garden. 

There was also a "wish tree" installation by Yoko Ono, that some 5th graders had written wishes on.
Some were funny - " I wish I could eat 500lbs of bacon" 

Some were heartbreaking - "I wish my parents didnt hate each other and yell"

Others were just.. thought provoking. 

We walked on down the national mall, past the people playing kickball and soccer

and daydreamed about how cool it would be to live in DC

and be the ones playing kickball and soccer. 

Ok, that'd be Mike..

but I'd be living it up too. 

Anyway, the sun started to set. 

It was absolutely *beautiful*

and we took advantage of the sun, to get a really nice pic. 

<3

 We walked on down to the WWII memorial 

(which had a beautiful view of the Lincoln Memorial)

Never fear Abe, we're comin..

This wasn't here in 5th grade, the last time I visited, so it was really lovely to see. 

HERE IN THE PRESENCE OF WASHINGTON AND LINCOLN, 
ONE THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY FATHER AND THE OTHER THE 
NINETEENTH CENTURY PRESERVER OF OUR NATION, WE HONOR 
THOSE TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICANS WHO TOOK UP THE STRUGGLE 
DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND MADE THE SACRIFICES TO 
PERPETUATE THE GIFT OUR FOREFATHERS ENTRUSTED TO US: 
A NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

There are pillars around for it for each US state and territory. 

One last look back at the sun setting on the Washington Monument 

and we kept walking.